Folks,
My Toshiba DLP HDTV 52HMX84 died
about a dozen days ago => after less than 4 1/2 years.
The estimated repair costs were over $600 so my misses and I decided to scrap it. We were never happy having to replace the projection bulb (3 in the time we had it at $250 each) and I put in 2 Ballasts ($130 each) as well. This time the high voltage source for the ballast malfunctioned, and took out the ballast, and the bulb. We'll never know what failed further back in the circuit as I'm sending it to the recycle bin this week.
Once we had
consensus on a new Box, I went on the hunt for the best HDTV we could afford that could fit into the room => that wouldn't need any bulbs replaced during it's lifetime. (Like the old CRT ! I want at least 10 years out of it!) It really boiled down to 2 sets. A Samsung and a Toshiba. Both were 55 inches and LED backlit LCD Types. The Samsung UN55B8000 has perimeter LED for backlighting and 240 HZ refresh rate. The Toshiba 55SV670U has grid of LEDs all across the back for backlighting it ramps to 240 Hz => along with a screen 120 HZ refresh rate. LCDs from each company have a less than 3% warranty rate over the last 5 years, so I'll keep my fingers crossed I got one of the 97%.
My misses was really concerned with how SD (standard definition TV signals) would look. (Most of her programming is still in SD) She said go for whatever I wanted, but make sure it handled these well. There is a feature on the Toshiba called
Resolution+™ => But nothing was comparable on the Samsung. (It's like upconverting on a PS3, or DVD Player - but with any input source.)
We shopped the Mall, Future Shop, Best Buy and Visions. For me both TVs were great machines, and each had features the other lacked. I was concerned the Samsung didn't have all 3 tuners (ATSC/NTSC/QAM - only ATSC & QAM) and I really haven't looked into those ramifications as it really came down to the $$ influencing me in the end.
Both Best Buy and Visions had the Samsung on "Labor Day Sales" for really close to $4K ($3,999 and $3,988 respectively plus taxes => it normally lists at $5K) . Visions is the only store around here that carries the Toshiba 55SV670U. It's list is $3,499.
I ran into the local Toshiba Distribution Manager today at Best Buy and quizzed him why. He said each chain carries a high end model the other doesn't. Best Buy has the non LED 55SV650U and doesn't have to compete with anyone else (think Visions) on it => So much for "we'll beat the other guy by 10% of the difference". It's a straight 5% of the price at Visions if their price is more expensive on identical product. So both chains get to sell a high end Toshiba box at whatever price thay can get from the consumer. Seems like a bit of a rip off to me, but I've seen it before with other "exclusive models".
The Visions store manager thought for sure I was going to buy the Samsung, and tried to get me to close on it, but I wasn't ready to decide. Then in a fit of ego he said he was a new store manager, on a slow rainy Sunday, and he needed to show volume sales to his bosses, so he would make me a great deal on the Toshiba at his cost (He's still thinking he had get me hooked to buy the Samsung...). He said he'd give me it (today only) for $2,717 (Cash / Debit) or plus 2.2% for Visa ($2,799 plus taxes). He then did a bit of a two step, and said he didn't have any stock, and he'd have to bring it in from another Metro Vancouver Store in a few days. (Bait and switch?) I took my wife and son home, and went over the specs and dollars again.
I decided to check out the Toshiba & Samsung again back at Visions and decide. I could see putting another $1200 plus taxes out for the Samsung so I told them I was going for the Toshiba.
Of course selling you a TV is only a small part of what they want to sell. There's much higher margins in Surge Protectors / Line Conditioners, Stands, Cables, home theater systems, delivery, set-up, and especially extended warranties.
The Manager advised the closest Toshiba 55SV670U was at their Capalino Mall in North Vancouver about 25 miles away. So I said we'd pick it up today. (I borrowed my Brother's Pick-up.) The manager was crushed when I said all I wanted was the TV. He was pissed when I said I wouldn't go for the extended warranty(big margin for them!), and would use my Visa (no financing) and it would give me an extra year of warranty for free. (He tried to "crap" on this which bugged me).
So anyway, my son and I picked up the set and brought it home. I set it up after dinner and it looks great. Now bring on Hockey and NFL Football seasons. I'm ready
Here's some reference stuff it you want to read more about the Toshiba 55SV670U.
Below is from Crutchfield:
Introducing Toshiba's most advanced HDTV. The 55SV670U sports a new LED backlighting system and several other clever technologies to give you a gorgeous picture with everything you watch. This sleek HDTV also features Toshiba's Deep Lagoon design that adds a three-dimensional appearance to the edges of the cabinet, plus a new Infinity Front Flush finish — the entire front of the TV is one seamless surface.
An LED backlight for improved contrast and color
Most LCD TVs use a fluorescent backlight to illuminate the image. While this creates a bright picture, the backlight shines constantly so it's not capable of delivering very deep black levels. On the other hand, the 55SV670U uses an array of LEDs that dramatically boosts picture contrast to deliver everything from the inkiest blacks to the most brilliant whites. Plus, different sections of the LED backlight can be controlled independently, and this "local dimming" enables both light and dark portions of the same image to be accurately reproduced. LED backlighting also creates richer, more lifelike colors than a conventional fluorescent backlight.
Consistently clean images, even during fast-paced scenes
If you're a fan of sports or action movies, you'll really appreciate Toshiba's ClearScan 240 technology. It creates incredibly smooth, blur-free images by combining 120Hz screen refresh rate (double the standard LCD refresh rate) with a new backlight scanning system, to simulate a 240Hz refresh rate. Images remain crystal clear no matter how fast the on-screen action gets.
A vibrant picture from all your video sources
Even the most die-hard HD fan will still watch some standard-definition material like DVDs, so Toshiba equipped the 55SV670U with their Resolution+ technology. It upconverts standard-def video and further improves picture quality by enhancing sharpness, brightness, and color. Also, Toshiba's AutoView system automatically adjusts the picture of both high-def and standard-def sources based on the quality of the video signal and the amount of ambient room light, ensuring a beautiful picture day or night.
A wealth of component hookups, plus USB and SD Card slots
A full suite of audio/video inputs, including four HDMI inputs and two component video inputs, make it easy to hook up your Blu-ray player, HD satellite or cable box, and high-def video game console. And with a USB port and SD Card slot on the side of the TV, you can enjoy your downloaded movie clips and digital photos without booting up your computer.
Details:
- 54.6" screen (measured diagonally)
- widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
- Deep Lagoon™ high-gloss black finish<LI sizset="168" sizcache="86">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)
- FocaLight™ LED backlight with local dimming for high contrast and natural colors
- ClearScan 240™ anti-blur technology (120Hz refresh rate plus backlight scanning)
- 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- Resolution+ upconversion improves the look of non-HD video sources
- AutoView™ continuously monitors and adjusts the picture based on ambient room light
- DynaLight™ dynamic backlight control for improved contrast and black level
- PixelPure 5G™ 14-bit digital video processing
- ColorMaster™ color adjustment
- Deep Color support
- built-in stereo speakers
- multibrand remote control
- REGZA LINK™ simplifies control of compatible Toshiba components via the HDMI connection (HDMI-CEC)
- picture settings memory for each video input
- 8 A/V inputs, including:
- 2 composite video (1 rear, 1 side)
- 1 S-video
- 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080i)
- 4 HDMI v1.3 (3 rear, 1 side) — accepts signals up to 1080p (60Hz, 24Hz)
- PC input: analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin)
- RF input for antenna/cable signals
- optical digital audio output for Dolby® Digital
- side USB port for digital video/photo/MP3 playback
- side SD Card slot for displaying digital still photos (JPEG)<LI sizset="169" sizcache="86">Energy Star® 3.0 compliantdetachable swivel stand
- wall-mountable (bracket not included)
- 53-5/8"W x 33-1/8"H x 4-1/2"D (35-1/2"H x 16-1/4"D on stand)
- weight: 98.1 lbs. with stand; 86.2 without stand
- warranty: 1 year parts & labor — in-home service or pick-up for service
My Toshiba DLP HDTV 52HMX84 died => Long live the 55SV670U LED LCD!
same here
Hybrid Mode
