Hi,

I am new in this place, so pardon me if I ask things which have been clarified before.

I saw in Jusco that new Toshiba LCD TV is on offer till 15 Feb 2011..32" is selling for RM999 and 24" for RM699.

The salesperson said it is new technology with 10bit video and 50Hz, so the picture should be smooth with no jerkings.

I looked at the colour and it is ok..not like those older LCD tvs which has very deep colours and looks artificial.

Can anyone help me and tell me if Toshiba is a reliable TV and is it a good buy?

I plan to watch a lot of HK soap series, so the TV will be heavily used.

Thank you.

10 bit video and 50Hz are not exactly new technology. Those with 100Hz should give a smoother picture but the Toshiba 32AV700 is an entry level LCD TV and at below RM1K, it is as good as any other brand at this price. I have one and quite happy with it so far, you can learn more about this model in the official thread here. Cannot comment on the reliability since I have got it only for about 6 months but so far so good. I'll be happy to answer your specific question on this model if you have any. Go for it if you like the natural colour. Other owners may want to add their comments.

This post has been edited by ronaldkwok: Feb 14 2011, 11:44 AM

Wow..very informative posts Ronald and I appreciate it.

I am new to LCD TVs and would like to buy one.

May I know:

(a) What's the difference when salesman says LCD HD-Ready TV and those that does not say LCD HD-Ready TV ready? Saleman says HD-Ready LCD TVs have better picture quality than non HD-Ready LCD TVs even though both are 1366 x 768 spec. Jusco has 2 Toshiba units, one old and one new model. The newer model has HD-Ready markings while the older one does not have it.

(b) Difference between LCD TV and monitor as mentioned in the posts above?

© How to check how many hours has the TV been used before so that I know I have a new set and not a display set.

(d) How to check for defects eg. like backlight leakage (whatever that is) which I read in the Net somewhere but cant recall...hehehe..

(e) What's 3D Management?

(f) What's hotel mode? Does it fucntion in the Toshiba TV set?

I need to ensure I am getting my money's worth and the set I am getting is not defective when I buy one.

At the moment, looking at 32" Panasonic RM1,139 and 32" Toshiba (Toshiba is a bit cheaper with the offer now though).

Thank you.

This post has been edited by 88Samantha88: Feb 14 2011, 12:51 PM

The most important use your eyes to justified which look best, and get at least a HD ready(32inch and below) or TrueHD TV(40inch and above). If possible as them test with HD content. Most shop shall have sample HD demo disc. Check out few shop, few more models before proceed with purchase. Always love Google as they do everything you ask for, to be more understanding a product before making any decision. Off course I know internet things can't be trust 100% but at least it give you some guideline on it.

**

• HD - High Definition | 720P/i to 1080P/i | Example: Blu-ray, Astro B.yond HD channel, downloadable HD content.
• SD - Standard Definition | maximum up to 480p | Example: DVD, Astro SD channel (non B.yond subscriber).
• P - Progressive
• i - Interlace
• BD - Blu-ray Disc

For more description, google / wiki.

Always remember you probably get even bad viewing experience when watching SD content in latest LED/LCD/Plasma HD/HD Ready TV compare with your current CRT SD TV.

DVD need to use upscale player to get decent better look, any HDMI DVD player in market shall support DVD upscale to 1080P or all BD player is support on it as well.

If you own Astro, the only choice now is upgrade to Astro B.yond and subscribe to HD channel, HDMI in Astro B.yond also functioning upscaling the SD channel, better than normal Astro decoder but still can't compare viewing experience for SD channel as in CRT TV, this function-the HDMI is disable if you unsubscribe the HD channel after taken the Astro B.yond

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Feb 14 2011, 02:55 PM

if the TV used for HK drama only, i would say get any cheaper LCD will do...
as concerned that HK drama's video quality never reach as high as 768p, the most only 400-500 only...

unless u planned to watch some sort like Avatar or Transformer with HD bluray quality, no doubt u have to invest for Full HD (1080p) rather than HD-Ready (768p)

Hotel mode used to prevent the hotel guest to access into TV setup menu for configuration such as TV channel, etc

if u worry for used unit, just make sure the box sealed with 1 layer of original tape, no re-seal with other tape, hence 32" are easy to carry by any vehicles, just cash & carry if it still sealed... i tried to carry toshiba 40" with myvi and just fit into...

anyway, use your eye to judge which TV you comfortable with... about the warranty and customer service, i think toshiba is quite ok as i sit in toshiba service center before almost for 1 hour (waiting for personal issues), i no feel that any customer bring in any set of equipments for warranty... so should be TV built quality quite ok... as for LG overall customer service (brem tower) definitely no good as experienced...

as for TV stand, look for full steel support from stand till TV body... as my colleague using LG/Samsung (cant recall which brand), he shown me the cracked fancy bling bling plastic TV stand, it fell down and almost kill a relative's kid who sitting in front of the LCD and he complain seriously about the quality built...

This post has been edited by gkl83: Feb 14 2011, 01:30 PM

I owned one of this .. so far so good, no problem at all watching channel 311.
At RM999 now, i think it is a good bargain cos i bought it at rm100 more
They even throw in a free 4GB pendrive when you register your warranty online

@88samantha88, since bro Andrew has answered most of your questions, I'll just add the following.
(a) HDReady TV can accept full HD (1080) inputs while older non-HD Ready 720p TV cannot so always go for a HDReady TV. At 32", need not get a Full HD TV, you cannot tell the difference unless using as a PC monitor at the highest resolution.
(d) I suppose backlight leaking refers to uneven blackness in a dark scene so freeze a totally dark scene like at the end of a movie when the credits roll and check with your eyes! I think this was a problem in older LCD TV but new models should be OK.
(e) 3D (Colour) Management is just a Toshiba marketing jargon. It allows you to adjust hue, saturationa and brightness for each of six basic colours. I never use it but it is there if you want to tweak the colours to your liking.
(f) AFAIK, there is no Hotel mode in the Toshiba. There is a Store and a Home mode, though; use the Home mode.

You can check my HDTV Blog to get a general idea on HDTV.

If you ask around, you get a used Sony Trinition 29 or 33" CRT for about RM200 - 300 only. Guarantee having picture quality far better than any LCD. In fact, a LOT better.

did i say get used unit or CRT? hence TS only mention want LCD only...

i means any cheap LCD will do (RM999 and below) and no point get RM1k+ for normal quality (TS claimed getting Panasonic @ RM1139), some sort like getting Full HD LED to view normal quality HK drama ONLY...

This post has been edited by gkl83: Feb 14 2011, 05:41 PM

Actually I not so agree with your opinion as well, no point getting even a not HD-Ready LCD for that little around RM 100 to RM 200++ cost saving. (It is not a huge saving like RM 700 ++, then it is different story).

HD-Ready is the basic and important, so that your TV will last longer before it get obsolete. (for me non HD or HD-Ready TV is already obsolete).

You not watching HD material now not means in future you also not watching it.

but thought 99% of current branded LCD should HD Ready? correct me if wrong...
so far i never come across a LCD (32" & above) just a SD or no support HD yet...
bcos even my house 32" LCD provided as free gift supported HD Ready too and the TV should launched 2-3 years ago... i think that none of LCD without HD Ready now, but of cos PC monitor is different due to the size & price...

Edit:
even the 24" Toshiba also supported HD-Ready... unless TS getting real old branded model or china brand...
or i should amend my statement to "get any cheaper HD ready LCD will do" for better clarification... as i believe out there have better pricing than RM999 such as warehouse sales, hypermarket promotion, etc...

This post has been edited by gkl83: Feb 14 2011, 06:16 PM

You respond on getting as cheaper as it can previously, they is still do selling non HD-Ready LCD, it is not much but still can be find in certain place, and I believe your statement to "get any cheaper HD ready LCD will do" is better to prevent confusion, later people go get the most cheapest one and instead the model is damn old and no HD-ready.

sorry for the confusion... my "cheap" no defining the quality, but about the pricing
hence as my info when 2008 biggest SD LCD up to 20" only...
anyway, i wont said that dont have any new 32" SD LCD selling in the market now...

This post has been edited by gkl83: Feb 14 2011, 06:32 PM

How long were u having it? Any problems so far?

since Christmas last year. No problem so far. It is as good as it comes. No complains whatsoever.
My advice to you is just grab it , dont have to think so much. After all, it is only RM999.
I have used it for watching TVB drama series. Quality is good.

Thank you everyone for your valuable input. We bought it and took it home, asked the Jusco salesman easy to install or not and he say simple job and all cables are in the box emphasizing HDMI included too.

Went home and set it up but cant hook with DVD-HDMI player cos no HDMI cable...now watching blurry shows..will try to find HDMI cable at Tesco or Carefour.

I heard got many qualities and price range..not sure what to get..perhaps basic one will do..budget tight mah...hehehe..

Many thanks again guys for the advice.



This post has been edited by 88Samantha88: Feb 18 2011, 10:50 AM

Tesco is selling HDMI cable at RM19.90 and I saw Carrefour Midvalley also selling at RM19.90 a different brand but I think both should be OK. Both are 3 metres if I am not mistaken which I find a bit too long for my use. The one in Carrefour is better packaged in a bigger bag since the one in Tesco appears to be sharply bent to fit into the small plastic bag. Not sure if it affected the cable, just my observation. Sri Com Low Yat Plaza sells a shorter (2m?) HDMI cable at RM20 the last time I was there, not sure now. Anyway, any basic HDMI cable will do. Enjoy your Toshiba, but it works best with HD material!

Any HDMI cable will do.

As for DVD upscale 1080P HDMI support, don't put too high hope on it, it sure getting much more better quality but it still ain't HD source. You won't see spectacular quality on DVD for HD / HD ready TV.