Well you would need more than two actually.

Upconverting DVD player
PS3
Xbox 360
STP
HD-DVD and/or Blue-Ray

I don't have anything other than the HD receiver and DVD player and don't intend to get anything else for the foreseeable future. So, would just one HDMI be OK for the HD receiver and component video or S-video for the DVD?

By the way, A&B Sound's flyer today advertised the 52HM85 for $2399!! Does that mean the 52HMX85 will be $2599 (before negotiation) since the MSRP is $200 more? Anyway, $2399 for the 52HM85 looks very good, especially if there is no difference from the HMX other than the additional HDMI. So far, no one seems to know anything about the "12 lens optical system" on the HMX.

Has anyone compared the PQ on the HM85 and HMX85 side-by-side?

I don't have anything other than the HD receiver and DVD player and don't intend to get anything else for the foreseeable future. So, would just one HDMI be OK for the HD receiver and component video or S-video for the DVD?

By the way, A&B Sound's flyer today advertised the 52HM85 for $2399!! Does that mean the 52HMX85 will be $2599 (before negotiation) since the MSRP is $200 more? Anyway, $2399 for the 52HM85 looks very good, especially if there is no difference from the HMX other than the additional HDMI. So far, no one seems to know anything about the "12 lens optical system" on the HMX.

Has anyone compared the PQ on the HM85 and HMX85 side-by-side?

Well if you don't plan on upgrading anything in the future 1 hdmi would be fine.

Probably not, it's probably just a sale on that one, unless they decide to place the hmx on sale to. Future Shop also had a sale on the 52HM85 with a crappy Yamaha Home Theatre system for 2799, but the HMX was still 3200. But I'm sure you could probably still get a deal with them if you ask.

I don't have anything other than the HD receiver and DVD player and don't intend to get anything else for the foreseeable future. So, would just one HDMI be OK for the HD receiver and component video or S-video for the DVD?

By the way, A&B Sound's flyer today advertised the 52HM85 for $2399!! Does that mean the 52HMX85 will be $2599 (before negotiation) since the MSRP is $200 more? Anyway, $2399 for the 52HM85 looks very good, especially if there is no difference from the HMX other than the additional HDMI. So far, no one seems to know anything about the "12 lens optical system" on the HMX.

Has anyone compared the PQ on the HM85 and HMX85 side-by-side?

The other important difference between the HM and the HMX models is that the HMX models has the HD4 chip rather than the HD2+ chip. Apparently the picture is much better. If I were you, I would check that end out further before making your purchase. The HM models are last years models, they made improvements with this years model(HDX85). The 46HMX does have only one HDMI and does not have the dolby surround sound. The other sizes do.

I don't have anything other than the HD receiver and DVD player and don't intend to get anything else for the foreseeable future. The question is, "How long is the foreseeable future?" 1 year, 10 years? If you plan on keeping your TV for more than 10 years, having an extra HDMI input will indeed come in handy. Maybe they will invent some kind of a switch box that allows you to plug multiple HDMI inputs and funnels it all through to the TV as one output. You would have the ability to choose which device you want to send through to the HDMI then.

The other important difference between the HM and the HMX models is that the HMX models has the HD4 chip rather than the HD2+ chip. Apparently the picture is much better. If I were you, I would check that end out further before making your purchase. The HM models are last years models, they made improvements with this years model(HDX85). The 46HMX does have only one HDMI and does not have the dolby surround sound. The other sizes do.

According to the specs on the Toshiba website, both the HM and HMX have the HD4 chip. So far, the only differences I can see between the two are that the HMX is black, has 2 HDMI inputs, and the "12 lens optical system" (no mention of it on the HM), and the MSRP is $200 more. So far no one has been able to tell me what that 12 lens optical system does, and if it is different from the 52HM85.

The question is, "How long is the foreseeable future?" 1 year, 10 years? If you plan on keeping your TV for more than 10 years, having an extra HDMI input will indeed come in handy. Maybe they will invent some kind of a switch box that allows you to plug multiple HDMI inputs and funnels it all through to the TV as one output. You would have the ability to choose which device you want to send through to the HDMI then.

I think that by the time they think of something that will cause me to want an extra HDMI input, they will have developed the QuadHD (mentioned in another thread) sets to be available at reasonable prices. And at that time I will probably trade up.

For me the time is now. I plan on buying a high def DVD recorder eventually. If only they could settle on Sony's Blue Ray or the HD-DVD format. Once that is finally settled, it will only be a matter of time and the market will be flooded with high def DVD recorders.

KenW....so which model are you going for? I just got back from Barbados and
will start looking at all the Toshiba models again. Have to get to A&B Sound as
I have been buying equipment there for a LONG time. :D

Right now it looks like the 52HMX85 for me with the stand and a 3 to 4 year EW.

I will have to get my ExpressVu setup settled though...I have 1 24" dish and
I may get 2nd one or even spring for a Dish500.

FaxCap (aka Ken) :)

I have the 52HMX85 Toshiba and it's simply an amazing television set. I feel like jumping into the screen when watching an HD program it is so realistic looking.

After reading countless articles on different topics about HD TVs, to reviews of products and many threads in this fine forum ive settled on the 52HMX85.

Many people sware by A&B Sound for their purchase, however i like the new 36 month no interest equal payment plan that Future Shop has going (seems like always). Does A&B Sound offer a similar plan? While you might save a couple hundred buying from A&B, if your paying 20% interest that will get eaten very fast.

Thanks.

After reading countless articles on different topics about HD TVs, to reviews of products and many threads in this fine forum ive settled on the 52HMX85.

Many people sware by A&B Sound for their purchase, however i like the new 36 month no interest equal payment plan that Future Shop has going (seems like always). Does A&B Sound offer a similar plan? While you might save a couple hundred buying from A&B, if your paying 20% interest that will get eaten very fast.

Thanks.

Ya it ended like two weeks ago, and they brought it back for Thanksgiving.

I wonder if they'll bring the 36 months back for X-Mas. Does anyone remember what kind of deals FS had during the Holiday season (for previous years)? Cause I think I'm going to wait until then to get my TV.

Well, I just got my 46HMX85 yesterday.:D The matching stand is on backorder though. Until I get XBOX 360, I need a DVD Player. Do the more expensive players give a better picture than say a Walmart DVD Player? I was thinking of grabbing a $100 Toshiba player. What do you think?

KenW....so which model are you going for? I just got back from Barbados and
will start looking at all the Toshiba models again. Have to get to A&B Sound as
I have been buying equipment there for a LONG time. :D

Right now it looks like the 52HMX85 for me with the stand and a 3 to 4 year EW.

I will have to get my ExpressVu setup settled though...I have 1 24" dish and
I may get 2nd one or even spring for a Dish500.

FaxCap (aka Ken) :)

Right now, it is still between the 52HM85, 52HMX85, and 46HMX85. A&B has a very good deal on the HM85 - $2399 vs $2799 at FS. However, the pictures on the HMX85 seemed to be slightly better, more contrasty, than the HM85 (was able to see all 3 today at A&B). Based on the standard settings on all 3, the picture on the HM85 seemed to be slightly brighter and washed out. However, I think if I got it home, it probably wouldn't seem bad.

I will be waiting until the end of Oct. to see if the 56MX195 is out.

Well, I just got my 46HMX85 yesterday.:D The matching stand is on backorder though. Until I get XBOX 360, I need a DVD Player. Do the more expensive players give a better picture than say a Walmart DVD Player? I was thinking of grabbing a $100 Toshiba player. What do you think?

The price of dvd player does not really matter. I was not getting a good picture with my 46hmx85 on older dvd's. The store guy gave me one of his better dvd players to try out and the pic was just slightly better. Then I tried my dad's $49 wal-mart player and a toshiba $89 player from FS and the picture was always the same as the current 5-disc panansonic which I have.
Each one was using monster component cables.
I just find the tv's very sensitive as to what kind of input source plays well an in most cases, anything old does not play well.

Well, I picked up a Toshiba player and everything looks great. The picture is amazing.

Hey dks, since you seem to be the "rainbow effect" guy around here, did you notice it more often when you first got your 52HMX85 and then less often as you became more used to the tv? I am asking because I seem to notice the rainbow effect often while watching DVD's on my 46HMX85. I think maybe I am trying to look for them more than I am paying attention to a movie? In well lit scenes, they are unnoticable, but as you said, in dark scenes with lighter objects, they are noticable when you look back and forth along the screen. If you can tell me your experience with this, that would be great. Thanks.;)

Hi LazyGuy,

The rainbows haven't gotten any better. Although I'm not looking for them as much as I was when I first got the TV. I notice that they are harder to find when watching a true high definition program too. They seem much more noticeable when viewing a SD tv show, and on some of the poorer quality and older DVDs. I see them now and then even when blinking if the picture quality of the program is low. Since I watch mostly high def shows, I don't see them very often now. It's possible that the color wheel does not spin as fast when SD shows are being viewed. This could be the reason they are more noticeable during SD content.

Right now, it is still between the 52HM85, 52HMX85, and 46HMX85.

However, the pictures on the HMX85 seemed to be slightly better, more contrasty, than the HM85 (was able to see all 3 today at A&B).

The more I see the 46HMX85, and concider our viewing distance, the more I am
leaning towards the 46. My wife and I could easily afford a 72" if we wanted but
both of us seem to be the types who hate to "move our heads" while watching
a movie or TV. We always sit well back in a theatre. I like to see the complete
picture if you know what I man. :D

I totally agree re the HM vs HMX picture. Not sure if it's the HMX's "12 lens"
system or whatever but it does seem to be a better picture.

FaxCap

The more I see the 46HMX85, and concider our viewing distance, the more I am
leaning towards the 46. My wife and I could easily afford a 72" if we wanted but
both of us seem to be the types who hate to "move our heads" while watching
a movie or TV. We always sit well back in a theatre. I like to see the complete
picture if you know what I man. :D

I totally agree re the HM vs HMX picture. Not sure if it's the HMX's "12 lens"
system or whatever but it does seem to be a better picture.

FaxCap
Yeah... I've been having the same thought about TOO BIG. All the rules of thumb suggest I could go either 62" or 72" from my viewing distance. However, I think this is based on how close you can be without seeing "screen door" effect etc. rather than what feels comfortable. My other concern about a HUGE TV is how it will dominate the room... not asthetically pleasing. So lately I've been looking at 50" and 56" and I'd like to find a TV with bottom mount speakers... i.e. a less bulky design.

I'm a big fan of Toshiba and love the picture of the HMX series... but those side mounted speakers add almost 10" of cabinet width.

I'm waiting for the Toshiba 1080p's MX195 series with bottom mounted speakers to see how they look. Unfortunately smallest size is 56" which will only be available as 56HM195 (no PC input). You need 62" in Canada for PC input.

Another set I'm, seriously considering is the Sony KDFE50A10. The picture is excellent and the cabinet is very trim in size. They have a unique bottom mount speaker design where they are tucked up at an angle under the screen. You need to see one to understand. I know DLP fans poo poo Sony's LCD... but go take a look at one... it's one of the best pictures out there right now. PC input included.

The more I see the 46HMX85, and concider our viewing distance, the more I am
leaning towards the 46. My wife and I could easily afford a 72" if we wanted but
both of us seem to be the types who hate to "move our heads" while watching
a movie or TV. We always sit well back in a theatre. I like to see the complete
picture if you know what I man. :D

I totally agree re the HM vs HMX picture. Not sure if it's the HMX's "12 lens"
system or whatever but it does seem to be a better picture.

FaxCap

Another candidate is the Hitachi 50V525. It is LCD vs DLP on the Toshibas, and the picture quality is IMO on par with the HMXs. The footprint is a bit smaller than the 52" Tosh and about the same as the 46". On another thread, someone got it for $2399, which is a good price - same as the A&B offer (now matched by BB) on the 52HM85.

The thing I don't like about the Hitachi is the matching stand. The shelves are steeply triangular and steeply cut in the back so that I cannot put as many components on them (I will have to put 6 units - Yamaha receiver, DVD, VCR, LD, STB, and Centre Speaker - may be able to get out of Centre Speaker by using the Hitachi's speakers or getting a speaker top shelf). When the time comes I will have to see if I can get another stand that looks reasonably good with the Hitachi.