Help me stop waffling: Toshiba 43HX71 vs 42H81 (1 Viewer)

[Chris Vargas]

I've ordered a 43HX71 but it's not being delivered until Thursday, so I might still have a chance at switching. I was pretty set on getting a 42H81, but then I saw the 43HX71 and thought it could solve some other problems in my particular setup.

Pros for 43HX71:

* it's a CinemaSeries display with the supposedly better lenses, etc. etc.

* can do the 16:9 squeeze

* actually fits on a standard 36" TV stand (which means I could keep my current stand which houses my components and keeps them away from toddler fingers)

* our viewing is probably half-and-half broadcast TV and DVDs, so 4:3 would be nice for the broadcast half.

Cons:

* although it fits on my current stand, it would end up being pretty high above our normal viewing height...

* which means I might end up getting the stand that Toshiba makes...

* which will only fit 1-2 components, which means I'd probably still have to move some stuff out of the stand and try to secure it from said toddlers...

* which, if I'm doing that anyway, maybe I should go ahead and get the 42H81

* Plus, I think it would end up looking more imposing than the 42H81

Things you can hopefully help with:

* Is the CinemaSeries from Toshiba that much better? The cost of the two sets is effectively the same... are the additions for the HX series worth it?

* How much should I be worrying about burn-in? Is it true that if the contrast is properly set I shouldn't have to worry about it (at least right away)?

Any help at this point would be really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[NickSo]

* How much should I be worrying about burn-in? Is it true that if the contrast is properly set I shouldn't have to worry about it (at least right away)?

Yes, this is true with all TVs. As long as the contrast and brightness are setup correctly, there should be now worries of burn-in in NORMAL VIEWING CONDITIONS. By that i mean normal TV and DVDs. Not video games, or TV stations with damned logos.

For your situation, i would say you made a good choice on the 4:3 rather than the 16:9 (assuming the prices are similar for both), since your viewing is 50/50.

And about the 16:9 squeeze, from what I've heard the current Cinema Series TVs only do that for 1080i, but dont hold me on that. If it does indeed to 16:9 vertical compression on 480p or 480i (upconverted to 540p/1080i by the ISDCPro interpolation), please tell me, as im looking at purchasing either a 53HX71 (4:3), or a 50H81 (16:9).

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Chris,

RPTVs are getting better at off-angle viewing, but being vertically off-center is a real brightness killer.

Your eyes have to be pretty much level with the center of the screen when in your normal viewing seat.

If your existing stand is going to raise the set so that your eyes aren't even with the screen center, or at least the bottom third, you'll have to angle the set downward a bit by propping up the rear of the set.

If this isn't possible, then you'll probably have to use the factory stand or something else that's lower, or get the freestanding widescreen set.

The Tosh widescreens have about the best stretch modes in the business, and even a regular 4/3 image with gray bars on the side will still be over 32" on the 42H81.

Tosh 4/3 sets won't do a true squeeze for anything but 1080i.

To me the dvd and HD 16/9 images, your best sources, should be the biggest and best. Given a choice between a 43" widescreen and a 43" 4/3, I'd go widescreen every time.

If you really want to go 4/3, get the next size up from the 43HX71. This will get you the same or bigger 16/9 image as the 42H81 and the best possible 4/3 picture.

If you're not averse to Sony, they make a 53" 4/3 model, the KP53HS30, that will do a true squeeze for dvd as well as HD and has recently dropped in price to $2199.

 

[Scott Diedrick]

I have a Toshiba 53H71 and love it. And it will do true squeeze on a non 1080i signal. It will do squeeze on any signal in its component ports that is 1080i, 480i, or 480p that is 16x9.

Also, from my research the only real diff in the HX vs H series is a better remote, better sound system. Everyone I talked to said that they used the same tubes. Toshibas web page doesn't list any diff in the tubes.

Scott

 

[NickSo]

Scott: there was never a 53H71, the only 71 series 53" was an HX, or cinema series...

ive been thinking of getting that

 

[KemetU]

Scott: there was never a 53H71, the only 71 series 53" was an HX, or cinema series
There is indeed a 53H71
Link Removed

 

[Chris Vargas]

Thanks to everyone for their help. I stopped waffling and got the 16:9 screen (42H81) which is what I really wanted anyway. It was good to hear that the step-up features of the HX vs the H were not all that significant. Now I just have to worry about keeping curious fingers out of my DVD player.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

 

[NickSo]

Kemet: oops my bad :b