Tosh 51HX84 VS Panny 53X54 VS Hit 51F510 (1 Viewer)

[Rolando]

Hi guys,

I know, I know, there are already at least 5 threads covering these TVs but here my last one.

I had been looking at these for a while. I thought I have made up my mind on a Hitachi 51S500 because I heard it was even nicer than this year's model the 51F510.

Now I have heard GREAT things about the Panny 53X54. I actually got a chance to see a Panny 53WX54 which I hear is not as good as the Panny 53X54 and it still looked pretty good.

However one of the let downs on the Panny 53X54 is no support for 720P. Also what I keep hearing is "great for the price", a better deal than the Hitachi F510 and the Tosh 51HX84.

But here in Montreal I can only find the Panny 53X54 for the same price as the Tosh 51HX84.

If the price is the same should I still go for the Panasonic? I mean we are talking about the Tosh 51HX84 which is their Cinema series, in theory better than the Tosh 51H84 the regular Theater wide series.

and what about the Hitachi F510? I have not even looked into it because everyone raved so much about the S500 that I figured this was not the one to go for but if all three were to be had for the same price, which way to go? I can't seem to get a 51S715 which I hear is a cut above.

Does Hitachi have a higher end model equivalent to a Tosh 51HX84 Cinema Series?

It feels like I have been at this for over a month now. So hard... so hard. I would hate to drop $2000 and a month later find out I should have opted for another set.

I almost went for the Tosh 34HFX84 but I need something a little bigger. mighty tempted by the Panny 47X54...

so what do you guys think? I can get either 3 for the same price (about $2300 Canadian) so which one to go for?

Tosh 51HX84 or Panny 53X54 or Hit 51F510?

 

[Rolando]

Any Canadians getting any of these?

I also saw the 47WX54 and the picture is pretty nice. I read somewhere here though that this is actually last years model but with upgraded look. is this so?

 

[Antonio_B]

Hi Rolando,

I just bought a "Toshiba 57HX84" last week and now i'm waiting until it reaches the main warehouse.
Personally,I based my opinion on what i saw in the store(Future shop)
So the picture on the Toshiba's was very detailed and smooth and that helped me a lot in my decision.
Just try to compare the sets ...

 

[henning hoffmann]

I would say the 51S500 is a better quality set than the 51F510. The S series are a higher line with better optics etc than the F line.

henning

 

[Kirk Patrick]

i have seen the F510 here at a&b sound in victoria
i thought it looked very very nice
it does 1080p
i compare it to the toshiba 51HX84 which i saw at future shop and i liked the hitachi more

the hitachi is the clear favorite of most of the salespeople at a&b sound, they have the toshiba for exactly the same price

they offerred me a price of $2746 all in
including tax, delivery and a 5 year warranty

at least check out the 510 before buying

 

[Rolando]

hmmm... plot grows thicker... I admit I am leaning towards Hitachi more than Toshiba...

But I know Hitachi high end is better than Toshiba's HX Cinema Series but the F510... not sure...

 

[Gary_E]

I too have been researching these sets trying to decide which one to get. I already have a Toshiba 40H81 and I'm very happy with it.

I kept leaning towards the Panasonic after reading the entire thread over at AVS and going to see the set in action in a local B&M.

Yesterday, I pulled the trigger on the Panny 53X54. It was a tough set to find locally but I finally got the deal I wanted.

The Panny 53X54 - 5 year extended warranty - delivery, tax & removal of old set.....$1804.00. It will be delivered Wednesday 10/6. I can't wait to get my hands on this set and begin tweaking.

Regards,
-Gary

 

[Rolando]

Gary, what do you mean by "removal" of old set. Are you trading it in for a discount?

 

[Gary_E]

The delivery people will take my non-functioning 51" analog RPTV with them when they leave.

-Gary

 

[MuneebM]

Rolando, I have a Toshiba 50H82 which has been a great set to me for the last 2 years. After a proper Avia/DVE picture calibration, DVDs at 1080i using an LG DV7832 look awesome!

However, the new HX84 is known to not be as good as the older HX93 sets. I've heard the Hitachi S series are very good, and if I had to make the choice again I'd be torn between the HX84 and Hitachi S, but I think I'd end up with the Hitachi S.

http://66.46.69.23/sigserv/pl/index.pl?p=10
My DVD Collection

 

[Rolando]

Hmmm problem is I don't think there is an S series this year from Hitachi. I would get an S500 if I could find one. So far I only found one but it was a return from a Client. Not comfortable taking a "used" set.

Any one know what this year's equivalent of the 51S500 is?

 

[matt-f]

Rolando,

The direct equivlent is this years S series TV. Unfortunately, Hitachi Canada is not brining in the 2004 S series TV. Would of been great if they did since it would be a 5 lens CRT gun. This years F series is a 4 lens CRT gun.

You can try the Brick or some other stores to see if they have the the 2003 S series as an alternative.

If you really want to do importing from US, then the X500 series is the top of the line Hitachi ever made. It incorporates the latest technology in it.

Matt

 

[KimGI]

I too am looking to pickup a set and have been looking primarily at these 3 models as it's hard to get anything else in Canada. I would like to keep all my options open though. Does anyone know what the customs etc. would run to bring a set into Canada?

 

[matt-f]

Hi Kim:

From what I know to bring items into Canada, the items are subject to 3 taxes (2 if the item is made in US). There is a lot more to it so the best thing is to call Citizenship and Immigration Canada and they will provide you with the full details.

Matt

 

[Mike Boniferro]

I am not sure if this is true, but I have 'heard' that there can sometimes be potential problems bringing US spec major appliances into Canada and using them in your home. Apparently some home insurance companies will not pay for fire damage, specifically electrical, if you are using any non-CSA approved major appliances/electronics.

Not sure if there is any truth to this, but worth looking at.

 

[matt-f]

Hi Mike:

Yes that is true. To meet electrical standards in Canada, the items need to be CSA approved. Also electrincal standards in the US need to be UL approved.

Most items are both UL/CSA approved and have the labels on them. Don't take them for granted because there can be products with just one of the logos. Lets say you have an item and you want repair it by bringing it in a repair center in Canada or US. The repair center will look at the electrical logo for country the repair is being done at. If the applicable logo isn't there they don't work on it.

Matt

 

[Robin Smith]

Hey guys,

I am in the same boat. I am dying to buy my first RPTV but am stifled by indecision.

I WANT the Hitachi s715, but its not available in Canada, and I won't risk the import charges and potential warranty issues. I wasn't so impressed with the f510.

I saw the Tosh HX84 and H84 in a local (non-big box) store and was impressed with the HX84 (noticeably better picture than the H84 IMHO - the main performance diff between these models been a "super wide band" video amp versus a "wide band" video amp, damn marketing names) and it comes in an atttractive black case instead of the latest silver trend.

The Panny X54, I saw in Best Buy which is a crap environment for evaluating TVs so don't know if its fair to compare it to the Toshiba.

Right now, the Toshiba was the most impressive, but the environment I viewed it in was ideal (and I had plenty of tweak time). I also like its 56 pt convergence as opposed to the Panny's 9 point convergence.

I am prepared to obsess about optimizing my picture, so want the most amount of control possible.

I have yet to see the Panny TW54 which should be better than the X54 (although the only obvious feature diff is Digital HD Shortwing Lens System vs Digital HD Short Throw Lens System, which means nothing to me... damn marketing names again!)

Anyway, I can get a GREAT price on the TW54 if I am prepared to wait 4 weeks for delivery, the HX84 is currently on sale for $2300 at the store I viewed it in, and the Hitachie I want is unavailable, thus I have no idea what to do. I have been shopping for close to two months now and its driving me nuts, I just don't want to regret my purchase decision.

Robin

 

[Mike Boniferro]

Robin, I am surprised that you saw a PQ difference between the H84 and the HX84, since they are supposed to be the same TV this year. The only differences that Toshiba cites are that SVM can be turned off in the menu of the HX (whereas you have to go to 'movie' mode in the H), the cosmetics of the casing and the sound system.

 

[Robin Smith]

One other difference between the two is the HX has a "super wide band video amplifier" (which the sales guy said was 30Hz - whatever that means) and the H has a wide band amplifier (which sales guy said was 10Hz). This difference is what I am describing as noticeable, the contrast on the HX with High Def was noticeable to me.

And the remote is different too...

 

[KimGI]

Let's complicate the decision a bit. What would be the choice if price came in to play?

the 53X54 can currently be had for $1799 cdn
the 51H84C can be had for $1999 cdn includes a xbox
the 51HX84 is going for $2199 cdn

Also the 57H84C is on for $2399 cdn and the
57HX84 is on for $2499 cdn

Any thoughts on value...I have seen all running with the standard store promo feed and all look amazing to me which doesn't say much as my current viewing is done on a 19" and 27" crt. I am currently leaning toward the Panny but haven't been able to pull the trigger due to the xbox 720p factor. Is there a huge difference using the 720p feed from the xbox?