Are the color controls accessed via the menu or do you have to go into the SM?

Greetings

User color and tint controls are always out in the open. There's just nothing beyond that in the service menu.

Regards

Okay, I missing something here. The Toshiba, well every tv for that matter, allows you to adjust the color and tint. But the Sony LCD RP TV allow you to adjust the RGB individually. I know it's me so what am I not getting here? :confused:

Greetings

If you are adjusting the RGB separately ... you are doing grayscale ... the black and white portion of the signal. Color/Tint are part of the color portion of the signal.

RGB they all have ... that is not in question.

Regards

The HD4 and xHD4 models are the x95 models that are on the verge of shipping in the US.

The x85 models here in Canada are old HD2+ technology. This comes right from the Toshiba Canada website (http://www.toshiba.ca/web/product.grp?lg=en&section=2&group=6&product=4772). There is no mention of x95 release in Canada on the website but I think it will happen eventually.

The new HD4 chips have significantly higher contrast ratios. In the US, Mits and Samsung are currently shipping HD4/xHD4 (720p/1080p) models. Although there are reports of Samsung lip sync issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the PQ on these new models is breathtaking.

So far Canadians are getting shafted on the HD4 technology. Samsung released a new 720p HD4 model in the US (x67 series). They then released (in Canada only) the x64 series with exactly the same new floating cabinet design. HOWEVER inside they used HD2+ technology.

Don't get fooled into older technology unless the PQ/price works for you. The new HD4 sets (either 720p or 1080p) will be worth waiting for (IMHO).

This really blows, why the hell do we not have the HD4 chips in our sets, and when will they come to Canada?

There is no mention of x95 release in Canada on the website but I think it will happen eventually.

x95 series have CableCARD and ATSC tuner for US market. I don't think they will be released in Canada.

Do you guys think the Toshibas are better than Samsung? Just when I have my mind made up I hear Samsung has the HLR6168W and HLR6164W out and they sound impressive.
The Toshiba x85 series picture is excellent. One thing I noticed comparing picture with the Samsung is that the Toshiba did a better job of displaying movement. Remember, there's a whole lot of movement in a movie. Also (perhaps because of the diamond pattern) the overall image on the Toshiba looked more natural (less digital).

I agree... who cares about the chip... if the picture LOOKS better... it is better!

x95 series have CableCARD and ATSC tuner for US market. I don't think they will be released in Canada.

Just got a call concerning the Toshiba 56,62 and 72HMX195s. The guys at the store spoke with the Toshiba rep and they will be carrying these models in Canada.

The Toshiba x85 series picture is excellent. One thing I noticed comparing picture with the Samsung is that the Toshiba did a better job of displaying movement.

So you've seen the new 2005 Samsungs HLR6168W and HLR6164W?

Just got a call concerning the Toshiba 56,62 and 72HMX195s. The guys at the store spoke with the Toshiba rep and they will be carrying these models in Canada.

Great! Any idea when?

So you've seen the new 2005 Samsungs HLR6168W and HLR6164W?
Ummm... I saw the HLR5064.

That explains it. Wait for the new Samsungs I think they will look better than the Toshibas plus they don't have the speakers on the side.

The Toshiba x85 series picture is excellent. One thing I noticed comparing picture with the Samsung is that the Toshiba did a better job of displaying movement. Remember, there's a whole lot of movement in a movie. Also (perhaps because of the diamond pattern) the overall image on the Toshiba looked more natural (less digital).

I agree... who cares about the chip... if the picture LOOKS better... it is better!

I couldn't agree more! I've been bouncing from store to store(FS, BB, LEONS, Powerstation) to see the different feeds on the x85's and I've gotta say that in EVERY store I've loved the picture--some more than others--but always liked it enough to say that YES I'd spend 3000$ on it. Leon's had regular SD stuff playing(Everybody Loves Raymond/King of the Hill)on Comedy Network and while it was a bit grainy, it's the first time I can honestly say that sd programming was more than just 'watchable'. BB has a great snowboarding sequence on their HD loop that has lots of fast motion and I didn't notice one instance of motion artifacts-plus the snow and the mountains looked stunning. There was also alot of closeups on faces and I didn't notice any clayface at all. Now obviously this loop is designed for selling TV's but I watched it on several tv's and none came close to the Tosh--IMHO of course.

Now obviously this is all showroom shopping with no adjustments/tweaking, so at home results could differ but I've never felt more confident that I've found the right TV for me. On top of that I got a (very) loose agreement from my girlfriend that if I pay down half of our basement window reno(1000$) I get the green light for a TV-sorta--maybe-- ;) This means i could have a my 52hmx85 by the time hockey hits the airwaves, or even better, football season kicks off--OH YEAH!

As for the chip--I don't know which name their calling it but it's definitley a diamond pattern which I believe eliminates HD2+. Whatever it's called Tosh seems to have made a pretty big step in DLP tech.

JASON

Hey, just saw this in the new BestBuy flyer--52HM85 with 600W Sony 5.1 Home Theater Receiver+speakers/sub for 2999$. Now I'm assuming most of us aren't in the market for receivers but considering FS had this same unit WITHOUT the extras for this price last week it smells to me like the prices are VERY negotiable or are dropping already on the new Tosh's-yesssssssssss!!

Sorry bout the double post, but I thought i'd pass it on.

JASON

I was looking at the Samsung HLP5663W next to the Toshiba 52HM85 today at FS and the pictures were very similar. Of course the clowns couldn't find the remote for the Samsung and once I hit the menu on the side of the TV you could see that all the settings were way off. Sharpness was almost 100%.

I went to another store where I brought Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean with me to test out the picture of the 52HMX85 as both DVDs have dark scenes, which play havoc with DLP and LCD RP TVs. Anyway, the picture was awsome and blew away my 44NHM84. The colours seem to be more natural and out of the box they looked pretty good, no green push.

Now I have to wait so I can see the new Samsungs before I make a final decision.

2. During this weekend, The Sony 42" LCD projection is going for $1,988 at Visions, which is unbelieveable!!! But I went to another "big name" store and they pretty much convinced me that instead I should get the Tosh 46hmx85 from them for $2,200. Now, both of these prices have gone down a lot since the beginning of summer, does anyone have any insider news about any further price decrease (or is this pretty much it as stock is running dry)?

$2200 For the 46mhx85?!!!! Are you sure it's not the 44hm84? If not, that's a killer deal and would love to know who/what when/where :p

As for advice, I haven't bought yet and I'll leave the technical answers to the pros, but based on all of the forums it sounds like rainbows are limited to a small % of people but it's a very vocal % and makes it sound like more of an issue--just make sure the store has a 30 day return/exchange policy. Also, remember that you're buying this TV to WATCH--IMHO picture quality should be your first consideration, I'd hate to be watching a movie going "damn, this would have looked good on that other TV". Finally, the bulb replacement made me nervous as well, but the thing that settles me the most is that when you do put in a new bulb, it'll be like a brand new TV, plus like every other tech, the prices on bulbs SHOULD continue to drop.

JASON

Greetings

The bulbs are rated "Up to" 8000 hours. Many are finding that they may only last 3000 to 4000 hours depending on their viewing habits.

That's one thing that affects bulb life ... the number of on and off cycles you give it. The more you do it, the worse off it is for the bulb.

TV's will always be coming down in price ... period. But we never do see 50" TV's for $1000 do we? Nor do we see mid line computers for $300 ... because when they reach that level, no one is interested.

The Sony is at the end of its model year ... the Toshiba is just at the beginning. The Sony is considerably more tweakable than the Toshiba ... yielding a finer tweaked image. It has more potential.

Regards

New specs posted on Toshiba website. Spoke to a Toshiba CSR who said the chip is HD4 (assures me the HD4+ below is a typo). He said the HD4 is latest chip from TI and has 'SmoothPicture' technology... explains great picture with smooth motion scenes. Also said the HD4 uses 'less than' 1280 x 720 micro mirrors. I said 'like half as many?' He said 'No'... went on to say he doesn't have exact specs but it's less than 1280 x 720 and more than 640 x 720.

I also asked the CSR about:
- 195 series coming to Canada?... "No"
- 1080p coming to Canada?... "No... no info, nothing announced"
- Bottom mounted speakers? "No, nothing announced"

Here's the specs:

Video:
Toshiba Advanced Light EngineTechology (TALEN™)
CrystalScan HDSC (Full-Time 720p)
HD4+ DLP™ DMD 1280 x 720 Chip
PixelPure™2 Video Processing
12 Lens Optical System
Dual Tuner MultiWindow (9) P.O.P.
HD Multi-Scan Double Window POP
Screen Freeze
480i/480p/720p/1080i Video Input
Auto Aspect Detection (480i)
HD TheatreWide™ Modes (480i,480p/1080i)
3D Y/C digital comb filter
Black Level Expander
Color Temperature Control
CableClear™ DNR + Digital Video Noise Reduction (by input)
Movie/Sports Mode
1280 lines horizontal resolution
Wide Band Video Amplifier
Direct Input Selection
Individual Video Memory
98 Micron No-Glare Screen
Vertical Contour Correction

Audio:
WOW™ by SRS® Surround Sound
MTS/SAP Stereo
Two-way Speaker System
Stable Sound
P.I.P. Audio Output
40 watt audio output

Connections:
Side Audio Video Inputs
(1+2) S-Video Inputs
(1+2) Audio/Video Inputs
(1) Audio/Video Output
(2) ColorStream HD™ Component Video Inputs
Dual RF Terminals
HDMI Input
Variable Audio Output

Accessories:
Stand: STS2625 (Optional)
Remote: CT90159

Dimensions:
Cabinet: 67-1/16”W x 40-15/16 ”H x 18-3/16”D 99 lbs
Carton: 72 ”W x 46-1/4 ”H x 24 ”D 137 lbs

Does the hmx85's have 1 or 2 HDMI inputs?

hm85 - 1 HDMI
hmx85 - 2 HDMI