Well got my DLP but not the Toshiba. I was all ready to purchase the 52x85 at Soundsaround in Calgary but decided to go with the Sammy hlr5064. It has the older chip but just looks better to my eyes. All the tosh had a little bit of "pixilation" and the Sammy was more "soft". Paid 1899 for the Sammy. BTW the 62hmx85 was on for 2999 (best price I had seen yet) and the 52hmx85 for 2400. Dealt with Karim great guy very knowledgable and not pushy.

I had done so much research and was convinced on the Tosh by specs but in the end went with what looked better to me. Actually was going to get the 60 sammy or 62 tosh because the price was so good even though the size is to big for me. For the same price as the 62 I got the 50+stand+hi-def dvd+4 year extended+tax.

:D Just arrived home from A & B Sound (south edmonton location) and couldn't be happier!!! I went in looking at the 52hm85 and walked out with a 52hmx85 ;) .
A&B has a GREAT deal on the 52hmx85, $2299 list price (without even barganing). I also got the stand for $200 without even asking the price!

My recipt:

52HMX85 = $2299
STAND = $199
DELIVERY = $50
TAXES/LEVY = $227.57

TOTAL $2775.57

And remember... this is without haggleing at all, (I tried to go lower though, he wouldn't budge). As a side note Visions has the TV alone listed as a boxing day blowout at over $2600! FS has it at $2599! Though I don't know if you can bargin them lower.

Sorry for the long post! Also, any recomendations on a good upconverting HDMI DVD player? I was going to get a samsung DVDHD850 because of the trick to upconvert over component, (hm85 has only 1 HDMI), but now I have 2 HDMI so can pick any good player.

Panasonic S77

Thanks for the recomendation! It's such a good idea I bought one this morning! ;) After reading many reviews I picked one up at A&B for $247 today.... along with another 52HMX85 for my Dad (he was jelous I think).

$5797 spent in 2 days :eek: I sure made that salesman's christmas.

BTW that 52hmx85 deal seems to be no longer... the TV was back up to $2499 I think. He gave me the same deal on my dads tv though. (nice guy!)

Any reviews on the Panny? I just got a Sammy 5064w and is pretty much what I expect does nothing exceptionally (little wow factor) but does every thing well. All the toshibas had artifacts on dvds but had brighter, blacker and better picture. The Sammy looks more analog probally because of the hd3 vs 4 chip.

Now to the question. I got the Sammy 850 upconvert dvd and checked all the settings and did not see a difference (conected by hdmi) in fact did not like the PQ at all in any setting. Hooked up my old Sony 480p and looks alot better. I cannot return it but might be able to exchange for another. I will check the Panny they also have the toshibas. Anybody confirm the PQ and that the upconvert makes a difference?

The s77 I bought looks great! I've only had it hooked up via hdmi and set to 720P, but there it looks stunning. I have yet to do any tweaking and will try other settings shortly. One question... my 52hmx85 manual says the hdmi is optomized for 1080i signals. Now isn't the tv 720P native? shouldn't I set the dvd output to 720P? I'll be trying each out when I have time but this seems strange to me.

Hi:
- I just bought a toshiba 46hmx85 with the stand at 1899.00 + gst at Soundaround in Calgary.
- I noticed that whenever the light button on the remote control is pressed, i could here a buzz noise coming out from the remote. whatever button is pressed during the light is on, the buzz noise will be heard. I just wonder if the remote i have has a bug or if they are all like this.

- if you have this tv or the 52 or 62", please try to press the light button on the remote and then press any number or button after and see if you can here any noise from your remote. Please post what you could find.

PS: like the tv, like the stand, like the picture but hate the noise from remote

thanks

Hi:
- I just bought a toshiba 46hmx85 with the stand at 1899.00 + gst at Soundaround in Calgary.
- I noticed that whenever the light button on the remote control is pressed, i could here a buzz noise coming out from the remote. whatever button is pressed during the light is on, the buzz noise will be heard. I just wonder if the remote i have has a bug or if they are all like this.

- if you have this tv or the 52 or 62", please try to press the light button on the remote and then press any number or button after and see if you can here any noise from your remote. Please post what you could find.

PS: like the tv, like the stand, like the picture but hate the noise from remote

thanks

It's common of all Toshiba backlit remotes. You can't do anything about it... just keep the volume up and you won't notice it. I'm used to it by now but it truly annoyed me before.

Just a small downside of owning a great TV! :D

Yes mine does it as well. Yery nasty noise (almost as bad a fingernails on a chalkboard!). I'd recommend you get a Harmony remote from logitech. you can get a 659 yery cheap now and honestly, I can't imagine going back to useing a normal one anymore.

Hi,
I've been researching this TV and have come across mixed reviews. I am in the process in purchasing either the Panasonic 52hmx85 or the Samsung hlr5064. Looked at both in FS and noticed obvious pixelation in the Panasonic during explosion scenes. Of course, never could see it in the Samsung because the scene never came up (demo DVD in store). Asked the sales rep and he replied by saying it's just the source plus he refused to show the same scene on the Samsung. Told me I had to continue watching until it came up again. Has anyone noticed pixelation with this model or was the sales rep actually right in suggesting it was the source? Both TV's are great, it's just that I can get a better deal on the Panasonic. If pixelation is an issue, Samsung, here I come.

Thanks and what a great site!

tc13

I've no experience with the samsung but the Toshiba (not panasonic ;) ) is a great looking TV. I have not been able to view true HDTV, but upconverted DVD's look stunning. I also loaded some Hi res pictures ( 1600x1200 jpg's) on my Xbox media center and they look incredible! It's just like a 52" computer monitor, no pixilation or lack of detail.

It's very hard to compare TV's in the store. Sources are never optimaly setup, split into several TV's, ect. I'd recommend getting the Toshiba. If the TV's are from the same store you could always exchange within 30 days if not happy.

Hi,
I've been researching this TV and have come across mixed reviews. I am in the process in purchasing either the Panasonic 52hmx85 or the Samsung hlr5064. Looked at both in FS and noticed obvious pixelation in the Panasonic during explosion scenes. Of course, never could see it in the Samsung because the scene never came up (demo DVD in store). Asked the sales rep and he replied by saying it's just the source plus he refused to show the same scene on the Samsung. Told me I had to continue watching until it came up again. Has anyone noticed pixelation with this model or was the sales rep actually right in suggesting it was the source? Both TV's are great, it's just that I can get a better deal on the Panasonic. If pixelation is an issue, Samsung, here I come.

Check out some of the smaller boutique type stores and bring your own dvd as they are more accomidating than FS then buy where the best price is.

Thanks and what a great site!

tc13

I asssume you are talking about the TOSHIBA 52hm5 since this is the furom :)

I just went through the same thing so I can break it down for you.

All the Toshibas I saw had the pixelation in 4 different stores. If we are talking about the same thing especially the end of the noses. The tosh has the hd4 chip and the Sammy the hd3. The differece I saw is the h4 is brighter with better black but the hd3 is softer more analog. It probally was the sourse but the way the Sammy displays (softer) makes it look better. I was able to try different sourses in different stores and got a good feel for it. With a good hd sourse the Tosh was much better (sharper/clearer) on sd signal digital the Sammy looked better and did not show as many defects in the signal. On dvd (not upconverted) all the Tosh had a look were some parts looked jagged or "pixely". The tosh is probally the better set with newer guts but I went with the Sammy because it just "looked" better to me with the sourses I would be using. Viewing distance is an issue here the farther you get from the tv the Tosh with look better with the pixels not visible and a clearer picture. On the other hand the Sammy looks better close but with looked more washed out the farther you get away. Check out the Tosh from the distance you will be sitting. We all have different eyes and are sensetive to different things than others. The screen door was so bat on LCD RP for me that I could not even consider it. What are the prices you are getting? FS tends to be cheaper on the tosh. I bought mine on Dec 23 at Soundsaround Calgary for 1899 (now upto 2200) and was on sale at visions on Boxing day for 1699. The Tosh 52hmx85 was 2200 at the time I purhased it. London drugs also has the Sammy than FS right now.

There are few issues with the Sammy that I know of that you research. One is a sound sync problem with video games.

Both are fine sets and you will be happy with either when you get it home and used to the way it displays. I was able to really able to increase the PQ on Sammy with some calibration (need a little more red for my viewing).

Thanks DJDiggler, thanks CalgaryCowboy and yes I meant Toshiba, not Panasonic.
The prices you get out west are far better than they are here in the Toronto area. The hlr5064 price ranges from $2300-2800. The 52hmx85, the cheapest I've seen is $2500 at Compusmart and FS sells it for $2800. Add our wonderful 15% tax and you've got a great deal. ;) I'm leaning towards the Toshiba. It costs a little more than the Samsung but it just looks better to me.

Sorry, one more question. Thinking to add the Panasonic S77 dvd player. Read great things about it and it's functions suit my needs but what is all the fuss about this FAROUDJA chip that causes macroblocking? I am not an electronics expert, heck, I don't even see the rainbow effect in DLP's, so I probably shouldn't even worry about this macroblocking thing.

Sorry for the long post.

tc13

Sorry, ignore Panasonic question. Will go to Panasonic forum and get info there.

tc13

I was interested in conecting this unit to my Media Center PC using the DVI video port on the PC to the HDMI port on the TV. When I read through the manual for the TV there is a caution note on page 15 that reads "Never connect this TV to a Personal Computer (PC). This TV is not intended for use with a PC"
Can anyone comment on this.
Is anyone using this set as a monitor with a Media Center PC.

Thanks.
:confused:

Hey TC13, the usual prices here are actually higher. I know I got a very good boxing day sale price (A&B now has the 46HMX85 for $2599! $300 more than I paid for the 52"!) As for the S77 DVD player.... Thats the one I bought! I've watched many movies now and can say the picture is incredible. I know some people caution about "macroblocking, but honestly I don't see anything wrong with the picture. I suppose if I knew what to look for (and was very picky) I'd find some little thing, but ignorance is bliss!

One thing... I'm having many "U70-2" errors on the S77 through the HDMI connection. (no picture due to the copy protection on HDMI). Some reaserch leads me to believe the cheapo HDMI cable included with the player is to blame, (also just tonight I wiggled the cable and it suddenly worked). So plan on getting a good HDMI cable (ie about $5 from here: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&style=

Dcbedros, the TV "should" be fine to hook up to a computer. I say should because while you wont hurt the TV in any way, your on your own in setting it up to display correctly. Thats the only reason Toshiba says that in the manual... so their customer support isn't flooded with calls. I have a Xbox modded with media center software hooked up through component and it looks just like a computer screen when set to 720P. Text very readable.

I bought a 62HMX85 2 months ago and I an very happy overall, however why am I experiencing the sound being out of sync with the picture while watching TV. The sync problem is sometimes about half a second behind. For now i just have it hooked up to SD Rogers cable while I am awaiting my house to be built. Then I will go HD for sure. I still do not think that sound sync problems on any type of broadcast is acceptable, I could probally understand if it was while watching a DVD (which has happened too) because then I would blame it on the HDMI cable rather than the service provider. The manual states that an audio out of sync problem could occur and one of the suggestions is to contact your service provider, but what will they do? Do you think it could have anything to do with the virtual Dolby Digital or the WOW surround sound being enabled on the TV?

Any suggestions? BTW, the only thing I have connected at this time is a HDMI upconverting DVD player using a HDMI cable. Could a cheap HDMI cable be to blame? Remember, the out of sync problem is not all the time. Also, the cheap HDMI would have nothing to do with the sound sync if I am not watching a DVD...hummmm...

I find sync problem can be traced to processing at the tv of video. On DVD try different up converts to see if that helps. Check your settings and turn off stuff that might be taking processing time. Everything needs to be changed to 720p digital at the tv so anything you can do to make that easier should help.


I bought a 62HMX85 2 months ago and I an very happy overall, however why am I experiencing the sound being out of sync with the picture while watching TV. The sync problem is sometimes about half a second behind. For now i just have it hooked up to SD Rogers cable while I am awaiting my house to be built. Then I will go HD for sure. I still do not think that sound sync problems on any type of broadcast is acceptable, I could probally understand if it was while watching a DVD (which has happened too) because then I would blame it on the HDMI cable rather than the service provider. The manual states that an audio out of sync problem could occur and one of the suggestions is to contact your service provider, but what will they do? Do you think it could have anything to do with the virtual Dolby Digital or the WOW surround sound being enabled on the TV?

Any suggestions? BTW, the only thing I have connected at this time is a HDMI upconverting DVD player using a HDMI cable. Could a cheap HDMI cable be to blame? Remember, the out of sync problem is not all the time. Also, the cheap HDMI would have nothing to do with the sound sync if I am not watching a DVD...hummmm...

I haven't had any sync issue w/ my 52HMX85 (just wish I could get the AB pricing instead of BC!). I did read that if you connect a video game to the set via VCR or some such (I suspect even a receiver would create lag) may cause sync issues.

I've got a Phillips DVP5900 w/ HDMI to the set and Coax to my old JVC DD/DTS receiver and all is good in HT land. The Xbox 360 is connected via component to the set and optical to the reciever. Again no issues with this direct connection.

I would also like to note that if you get the display to produce the native resolution of the set it looks AMAZING! 1080i isn't as nice as 720p. Perhaps the stores have the HDTV from Bell or Rogers are set to 1080i via the component.

When it's up and running, and calibrated, the set performs flawlessly!

Anyway, happy viewing!

morgue

i can understand sync probs if i am using an external source like xbox/playstation or DVD or receiver etc but sometimes it occurs just while I am watching TV on certain chanels. The only thing switched on is the TV, this must either be the TV, the channel or the cable company (Rogers):(