[Dallas22]

At the moment, with my move date into my new home to be between August 1st - September 1st, I am narrowing my decision about which type and brand of HDTV to buy. I have everything else I need (the digital cable with Hi-Def channels, 5.1 DD Reciever, Polk audio speakers, etc) but I will definatly be upgrading my current 31" direct view CRT to a LARGE SCREEN HDTV. I was thinking about getting the Panasonic 50" RP LCD, but it seems to be just out of my price range and I've heard problems with the dark colors. So now my final 2 choices are the 57" Toshiba & Sony RPCRTs. The exact Models:

Toshiba (theater-wide) HD 57H83 57" RPCRT (around $1800-$2000)

OR

Sony KDP57WS550 57" RPCRT (around $1800)


Now BOTH of the HDTVs were rated VERY HIGH in Consumer Reports with the Toshiba listed above as #1 and the Sony as #4. I have seen BOTH in person (Best Buy) and even though they both look really good I can't really choose between them which is the better set. My friend bought a 42" Toshiba RPCRT and it looks good, but he never touched the configuration or calibrated the set at all out of the box... I am sure that the picture can greatly improve if he tweaked it with some guides in these forums (but not opening up the set!!!) and the Avia DVD - these things I will do with which ever HDTV I settle on. I have a couple of older Sony direct view CRTs and they not only have had little or no repair problems but they are still going strong after 15-20 years of pretty consistant useage. I am caught in between


Just a side bar note - I DO NOT plan on playing my PS2 video games on the RPCRTs nor do I want to hook up my Compuer and use it as a monitor... I want to strictly use it as a DVD & Digital Cable watching HDTV only!


Anyways, what is MOST important to me is that the picture quality, after being "tweaked" by me, is fantastic and as life-like as possible when watching DVDs and especially HD programming (I know that the regular Digital channels will look "ok" and the analog ones will look average at best). I DO NOT want to spend the extra $200-$400 for the Built-In HD set... I have no problem with the HD-Ready sets and using the Digital Cable company's HD box to produce the HD channels... actually that is the ONLY way I want to go. Also, the REPAIR history of the companies is important as well... I don't want a set that will have a better chance to blow out or have consistant problems after a lot of use. I know this can always happen, but I want to make sure that the quality is very good and the % of a break down is a slim as possible.


Now for the questions:


- Which of the 2 sets (Toshiba and Sony) is the BETTER, LONG-TERM HDTV??? I've heard good things about BOTH companies and HDTV sets, but that Sony's didn't have as many repair problems as most any other companies while Toshiba's have a slightly better quality picture. PLEASE HELP with some accurate info!


- It seems that some stores like Best Buy are starting to "phase out" the HD-ready HDTVs to make room for the more costly Built in HD sets I really CAN'T afford to spend that extra cash for the Built-In HD tuner, so I was thinking that would it be a good idea to buy the HDTV now and then have them deliver it 2-3 months from now (August-Sept)??? The good thing is that I can catch it before the stores are out of stock and the new, higher priced models (with the built in HD tuners ) come out very soon BUT the price MIGHT also drop within the next month or so and if they have them still in stock, this will probably be a big dissapointment What would you guys recommend that I should do??? Thanks.


Please give me the low-down on these 2 models or the comparable 57" RP CRT HDTVs so that I can really start pinpointing my FINAL CHOICE and buying it before they are either out of stock or the new models come out and the prices are higher.


PLEASE HELP ASAP... Thanks again!


Dallas22

 

[JoeInNVa]

1. Dont believe what you see at best Buy. Too many people have played around with the models and out their little grubby hands all over the screen. To get an accurate presentation of the video go compare them at an AV store.


2. What features do you want? Do both have the needed inputs and outputs you desire? Do they look pleasing to your eye?


3. We are not buying the TV, you are. Set a budget, set needed features and then go compare at a reputable AV store and NOT Best Buy. Even if you buy it at Best Buy, at least look at the AV Store beforehand. You would be surprised but you can find them just as cheap at these places and they have knowledgeable sales staff which can answer your questions.


One thing to also do is ask to look at the TV using an Analog Cable input. You would be surprised at how bad a picture can look with Analog Cable.

 

[jim tressler]

dallas - I was in a similar boat - except mine is tosh vs. mits - the tosh is a great set - especially since it is the cinema series - however, I believe its plagued with the white line issue - most, not all of the pre 2004 (h84) models have it - my friend has the 42h83 and it does not have the line - the 51h83 I saw at BB did have it - so your milage will vary. There is a fix for it now - so the long and short of it is I would cast my vote for the Tosh - you may want to wait until august when the Cinema Series - the HX94 with HD tuner is going to list for $2,399 - according to Toshiba ( http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/new...asp?newsid=145 )


Good Luck - Jim

 

[StevieJ]

I've had the Toshiba cinema series 57hx82 for almost a year now and have had no problems. I dont know what the white line problem is?

 

[Dallas22]

Thanks guys...


I know that Best Buy tricks the customer to show them the BEST picture... this I am aware of and in the end, before I buy anything, I want to see the HDTV model that I will end up buying in ALL it's modes and signals - especially ANALOG. And I DEFENATLY DO NOT WANT A FLOOR MODEL! LOL


So I should go to a store like Sound Advice? Their prices are REALLY expensive, but they have the best products and most knowledgable sales staff. That is a very good idea... I (probably) won't buy from them because they are expensive, but checking out their comparable HDTVs and recieveing better answers would be well worth the trip. I hope that these stores will/can hook up an analog channel (as well as the digital and HD channels, but the MOST important is the analog to see what it will look like at it's WORST).


My budget is a little flexable, around $1700-$2000 (maybe a little more if it's something spectacular). Both sets have just about the same features and number in inputs/ports, so that part is not really an issue.


Now what is this "white line" issue??? Could someone be more descriptive about this problem with the Toshiba HDTVs (and/or IF other brands have this)? How can I determine if the HDTV that I want to buy has this defect/problem??? How can I fix this IF the set I buy has this? And how do I know what HDTV I'll be recieving at my home once I put in the order to purchase it - I mean, they won't give me the florr model right???


I know that the final decision comes down to me and that is obviously the way I know it will be. But I wanted to get more of an idea, especially from the owners of BOTH (and other similer) of these HDTVs - pros, cons, etc. Also, I want to know if it is a good idea to PRE-purchase an HDTV 2-3 months ahead of time (or IF this is even possible)... is it worth it when you think about the prices possibly going down because the new models are coming out, but at the same time, making certian that you get the HDTV that you want? What do you all think?


Sorry again for all the questions, but this process can become not only a bit tedious, but stressful when spending so much money on something that I really care A LOT about.


Thanks again guys for all the help so far and I'm looking forward for more comments, answers, information, etc, etc, etc Thanks!


Dallas22

 

[jim tressler]

Center White Line Issue in Toshiba's (Remember not every set has this issue)

http://www.***************.com/htsth...&o=365&fpart=1

 

[david118383]

Take my advice and go with the Sony. I am having problems with my Tosh 42H83 and Toshiba is not helpful at all. It is under warranty and they completely refuse to fix the problem. Their customer service is probably the worst I have ever seen.

 

[inky blacks]

I just bought a 51HX93 Cinema Series 51" Toshiba. Am I going to have a "white line" problem? Please explain what the problem is.


IB

 

[C.Y.]

Quote:

Originally posted by StevieJ I've had the Toshiba cinema series 57hx82 for almost a year now and have had no problems. I dont know what the white line problem is?

Do you watch hockey? Do a search on "57H83" in this forum and you will see several threads on this issue.

 

[C.Y.]

I bought 57H93 first, but returned it for 57ws510 because of the white line problem. If you shop around (price match, 10% coupon, $200 gift card rebate, reward zone rebate from BB), you can get pretty good price on both models.

 

[Dallas22]

I am still lost as to what are the "White Lines" and "Jailbars"??? According to that post/thread that was linked about the white line, it seems that IF you get hit with a set that has this problem, you are basically screwed seems like a big chance to take on such an investment... can this be fixed for free by Toshiba immediatly IF you have this problem?


Also looking for some more comments & suggestions about which HDTV set you would go with? Thanks


Dallas22

 

[Dallas22]

Oh, and also, would it be a good idea to order the Sony or Toshiba that I would be buying within a week or two even though I won't need it delivered by sometime between August 1st -September 1st??? Please let me know what you all think and IF they even do this (or allow to do this).


Thanks


Dallas22

 

[C.Y.]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dallas22 I am still lost as to what are the "White Lines" and "Jailbars"??? According to that post/thread that was linked about the white line, it seems that IF you get hit with a set that has this problem, you are basically screwed seems like a big chance to take on such an investment... can this be fixed for free by Toshiba immediatly IF you have this problem? Also looking for some more comments & suggestions about which HDTV set you would go with? Thanks Dallas22

Toshiba Canada has a fix for the white line (by putting a jumper between a transistor pin and a diode pin), but Toshiba America is reluctant to admit there is a problem. I don't recall there is a fix for the jailbars, but the chance to have the white line is far larger than having the jailbars.


For me, it came down to the price. At that time, I can find very good deals on 57H93 (1.6 bill) and 57ws510(1.4 bill). I got 57H93 first because of more features, but I had to get 57ws510 to replace it because of the white line (it is very annoying, once you see it, you are going to look for it forever). Sony is pretty good out of the box and I believe both are great after some tweaks. I would say go get sony or the new 2004 Toshiba model (rumor is Toshiba will fix the white line for 2004 models, but probably you won't find a good deal like 2003 models).

 

[inky blacks]

Mine is a 2004 51HX93. I saw no white lines or jail bars in the store display. Does that mean I'am OK?. Mine will be delivered on Saturday. I have a full 5 years of warranty on that machine and I bought it for just $1,799. plus $175. for the 4 year warranty extension. I liked the picture quality I saw in the store much better than the Sony 51." My machine has a HDTV tuner and a QAM tuner built in, so it really was the machine for me. Did I make a mistake?


IB

 

[C.Y.]

Quote:

Originally posted by inky blacks Mine is a 2004 51HX93. I saw no white lines or jail bars in the store display. Does that mean I'am OK?. Mine will be delivered on Saturday. I have a full 5 years of warranty on that machine and I bought it for just $1,799. plus $175. for the 4 year warranty extension. I liked the picture quality I saw in the store much better than the Sony 51." My machine has a HDTV tuner and a QAM tuner built in, so it really was the machine for me. Did I make a mistake? IB

When I said 2004 model, I meant H84, H94, HX84, HX94 series (or they should be called 2005 model?). Anyway rumor is Toshiba will fix white line problem on xxx4 series. For xxx3 series, it will depend on your luck. If you see it, you will be looking for it forever. If you really want this model, my advice is never try to look for it and avoid watching hockey games.

 

[inky blacks]

Quote:

Originally posted by C.Y. When I said 2004 model, I meant H84, H94, HX84, HX94 series (or they should be called 2005 model?). Anyway rumor is Toshiba will fix white line problem on xxx4 series. For xxx3 series, it will depend on your luck. If you see it, you will be looking for it forever. If you really want this model, my advice is never try to look for it and avoid watching hockey games.

Well, I certainly didn't see it in the store and many video critics love the HX series of RPTVs and rate them tops. I can only hope for the best. I never watch hocky.


IB

 

[Dallas22]

I still don't know what the definition of WHITE LINES are or JAILBARS... LOL... ARGH!


Dallas22

 

[BlazeMaster]

I believe the Toshibas 51 inch and bigger models has the 2 piece cabinet design that allow them to be split in 2 which will really come in handy when it comes the time that you gotta move one of these beasts. I'm pretty sure I brought this to your attention before Dallas22 on one of your previous threads about the same or similiar topic. I've never owned one of the Toshibas, I'm not sure how easy or hard it is to put the 2 pieces together. Does anyone here that has past experiences with the 2 piece design? Can you share them with us? I have the 53 Panasonic widescreen models and trust me, moving one of these hunk of TV is something that I do not look forward to.

 

[C.Y.]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dallas22 I still don't know what the definition of WHITE LINES are or JAILBARS... LOL... ARGH! Dallas22

Like I said, if you do a search "57H83" on this forum, you will see what they are and when you would see them under those threads.


Here are several of them:
thread 1

thread 2

thread 3

 

[jim tressler]

dallas - in some toshibas there is a very faint white line that is about 1-2 inches in width that can be seen in the center of the screen running from top to bottom - it is best viewed when there is a white background on the screen. like I said before it does not effect all sets.. so far I have seen 2 with and 2 without..