Toshiba REGZA 42HL167 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 41 x 29.8 inches ; 60 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 72 pounds
- Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
- Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
- ASIN: B000MXYD0I
- Item model number: 42HL167
Product Description
Toshiba 42HL167 42" Regza 1080p LCD HDTV
Technical Details
- 42" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio)
- built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
- built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)
- CineSpeed LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- 15 Pin D-Sub PC Input Supports: 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 only. All at 60Hz.
Customer Reviews
For the first year, Toshiba has badged all of its LCD HDTV models as "Regza" which stands for Real Expression Guaranteed by amaZing Architecture. And amazing architecture is what you first notice when you get this 42" 1080p LCD HDTV home. The piano black finish is currently in vogue with high end electronics manufacturers, but upon close inspection the black is actually covered with metallic flakes that give it a deep luster and shine. The soundstrip speaker with SRS Wow technology and formidable bass reproduction is recessed neatly along with an accompanying brushed stainless steel strip along the bottom. The TV is solidly connected to a swiveling base which extends several inches in front of the stand in a large crescent shape to lend stability to the set when it is placed on a tabletop or shelf. The inputs are neatly recessed in the back facing downward for ease of access if and when the set is mounted on the wall. All in all, when turned off, this TV serves as a cosmetically appealing centerpiece to a living room or den.
Be prepared: when connected to SDTV (or basic terrestrial cable), the channels appear grainy and washed out. This is because HDTV's all display SDTV fairly poorly; they are equipped to handle much higher resolution sources. So, when connected to a 480i source such as SDTV cable, the picture is poor compared to a CRT TV, whose native resolution is 480 lines of resolution. Prepare, when upgrading to any 1080p set, to purchase a cable or DrectTV package with HD channel programming. If you're hesitant to upgrade to HD broadcasting, probably put off the purchase of any HDTV capable of displaying 1080p, and either buy a larger CRT TV or an HDTV only capable of handling 720p.
Toshiba REGZA LCD TV's incorporate what is called CineSpeed into their panels. This essentially means the set employs an 8 milisecond or faster response time for refreshing the image displayed on the screen. For fast moving situations like sports, or high contrast movies with action packed sequences, this feature is invaluable. All previous ghosting associated with LCD TV's has been eliminated, and even bright white objects moving across a dark background look smooth, true to their color, and leave no trail. DynaLight dynamic back light control makes the black truly black, and the whites vivid (almost comparable to plasma TV's with 10,000:1 contrast ratios). Other features unique to this Toshiba Regza TV are ColorBurst wide color gamut and PixelPure 3G 14-bit internal digital video processing. These options, together, make the picture displayed from 1080 p sources unbelievably clear and flawlessly reproduced without overscanning.
In response to a review posted for this TV, VGA is a virtually obsolete connection. Most high end computers use either DVI (which is also mediocre) and higher quality media center PC's with Windows Vista premium use an HDMI compatible graphics processing unit with an HD rated display. Few TV's allow a 1080p source from a VGA connection. XBox 360's downfall was not using HDMI compatible hardware - this is additionally where the Playstation 3 far exceeds the XBox 360 in terms of hardware with built in blu-ray that incidentally looks outstanding in 1080p with this TV, but also using HDMI as a connection method. This set is comparable in terms of response time and dynamic contrast ratio to the higher priced LG 42" 1080p model, and beats it in terms of picture tweaking options. The Sharp 42" Aquos 1080p HDTV has a horrible (1,200:1) contrast ratio and is almost not worth purchasing unless you plan on sitting directly in front of the TV. Also, if you plan to sit 2 inches in front of your TV, you probably aren't intelligent enough to own one - the difference between 720p/1080i and 1080p is only noticeable based on how close you are sitting to the television and 2 inches would be close enough to notice jagged edges in even ultra XHD or cinema digital which displays beyond 1080p. Close enough, all smooth lines look jagged and that is the nature of the pixel - pixels are square, therefore all curved lines are composed of a series of straight edges.
Also, LG's comparable 42" 1080p HDTV is less than 100 dollars more expensive than this Toshiba, and for the record, LG is only in its second generation of LCD TV's whereas Toshiba is in its 3rd generation (this is the first year for the Regza badge).
If you're upset about the component inputs and the VGA not handling a full 1080p signal, buy a 1080p upconverting DVD player (under 100 dollars now) with an HDMI output (I suggest Samsung's DVD1080P7 which has an optical out if you want to hook up to a home theater system). This TV has 3 HDMI inputs and can more than handle all your AV needs. In all, this Toshiba model outdoes Sony's XBR Bravia, Sharp's Aquos, LG, and Samsung models. The dynamic contrast ratio, coupled with the Pixel Pure 14bit processing power produces a sharp, clear picture with unbelievable smoothness, clarity, and vivid realistic color reproduction. In addition, this is one of the only TV's in the under $2,000 range that includes a remote that can be used as a practical universal remote. Some techies love their fancy touchscreen universal remotes a la Logitech Harmony 1000, but this remote is solid, has great range, and is a fitting match to the solid TV it is paired with. Not at all the cheap hunk of plastic you get with the current Sharp LCD TV's on the market.
The price of this TV, which encompasses a design quality shared with $3500 Toshiba Regza sets, unique Toshiba features like CineSpeed and Colorburst, 1080p native resolution, and 3 HDMI inputs make it the best value under $2,000 and comparable to much more expensive sets. Whether an audiophile or just someone looking for a great affordable LCD HDTV, this set delivers.
I bought my Tv 2 weeks ago after much research...
It totally exceeds expectations when viewing TRUE HiDef 1080I
(1920 X 1080 pixel channels)
It has SIX viewing modes so you can always get full screen projection
whether 480I or 1080I
Though it is "cable ready", in order to utilize it's 1080I capabilities,
I had to upgrade to a HD cable box (includes TIVO and 2 tuner recording which is great) $75.00 mo FULL SERVICE
The 480I digital channels vary widely in picture quality from POOR to VG
The 1080I HiDEF channels are truly STUNNING
note: the cable guy used a coaxial cable from the new box to the TV
I suggested he use a HDMI cable and the difference was noticable
I have UPGRADED my HDMI to HDMI cable eforcity
AMAZON (6ft $3.12) EXCELLENT for all needs
It has significantly reduced the cable noise and improved
480I reception
This is a TV built for the future with FULL 1080P capability
The 3 HDMI ports are v1.3
I confirmed this with tech at Toshiba
(they are listed as 1.0 on many sites)
This is IMPORTANT
If you combine it with a TOSHIBA A-20 upconverting 1080P HD-DVD player HDMI v1.2a($320) or
SONY Playstation 3 HDMI v1.3($500) or BETTER ...
WAIT until October 31st, when the NEW Blu-ray players
or the 4th generation HD DVD come out,
you will have a terrific system for under $2000 that will not be obsolete in 3 years and utilize the full 1080P potential of this incredible HDTV
Make sure to use 24 bit/pixel high quality cables
It was ready out of the box:
The ONLY adjustment I have made is to increase the Bass setting to 65
(the sound is VERY GOOD)
note:
I purchased a MONSTER HDTV Calibration Wizzard on EBAY for $2.50
I have NO green tint and the blacks are true...as are ALL the colors
I made NO color adjustment as was recommended, only contrast and brightness
I could not be more satisfied
UPDATE 9/3/07
It is clear from the reviews and my own experience that this HDTV does NOT
distinguish itself with older equipment, broadcasts in 480I, OR with antenna
Even the broadcasts I get on cable in 1080I from my local stations
are not 100%
HOWEVER
When using the HDMI connections in FULL 1080I
from national networks: Discovery PBS FOOD NETWORK ESPN NBC ABC CBS etc
IT IS INCREDIBLE
For movies or gaming in 1080P you will need a upgraded DVD player or
playstation 3 (check specs ; compatibility)
currently available on AMAZON for $1300 delivered - A STEAL
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