Toshiba REGZA 26HL67 26" 720p LCD HDTV (Review)
Toshiba REGZA 26HL67 26" 720p LCD HDTV
| Average Customer Rating: 4.5 |
 |
| Toshiba's Regza line of TVs marry state-of-the-art technology to hip design. One feature that sets them apart is PixelPure 14-bit digital video processing, which creates more than 4,000 levels of color gradations for a smooth, natural-looking picture without posterization or image banding. Another benefit is a fast response time. Response time is the interval an LCD screen takes to from its darkest color to its lightest color and back again, measured in milliseconds (ms). This screen's response time is 8 ms, which is at the faster and better end of the spectrum. This screen is likely to display cleaner, sharper images during high-action scenes and with fewer image artifacts than other screens in its class. This technology is housed in a black gloss cabinetry that is sure to fit well with most any decor. The 26HL67 has a panel resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This qualifies it as 720 progressive-line HDTV, which is a noticeably better picture than standard definition sets, but not as detailed as the 1080 HD sets available. Its 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio delivers most movies the way they were meant to be seen in the theater, without back bars wasting the top and bottom of the screen. The Value of LCD TVs Connections
Audio 26-inch wide screen What's in the Box |
| I like this set and for my home office it works fine. However if you are viewing this TV from an angle you'll discover the colors and contrast fade considerably. That is NOT to say it is unviewable but the vibrant colors and contrast do disappear. This is a common problem with LCD TVs.
Consumer Reports (in their lastest issue) gives the Toshiba a good review (32") but notes that the Panasonic (32") performed far better in off axis viewing. Consumer Reports does not rate (in this particular issue) 26" TVs. However in looking over both the Panasonic and Toshiba web sites I think it is fair to conclude the 26" TVs will perform similarily. Had I read this review prior to making a purchase I probably would have bought the Panasonic If you are planning on using this TV in a Kitchen or another room where you won't be always be directly facing the screen I'd look at the Panasonic TC-26LX70. ...i won't write a long review about this.....i got the TOSHIBA REGZA LCD TELEVISION in the mail a few days ago,and it is spectacular!....it is replacing a 30 inch sharp aquos....the picture and sound quality are great,and the price was lower than a sony,sharp, or samsung lcd...highly recommended!...you'll be very happy with this tv... It was not that long ago that Samsung was considered the "low-end," relatively cheap consumer electronics product line compared to Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic and virtually anything Japanese. Although the Korean manufacturer has definitely established a dominating position, its current popularity seems overdone. Having recently used Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung HD LCD television sets ranging from 20" to 26" screen size, I'm most impressed by this Toshiba model. It starts with the instruction manual. The Toshiba's is twice as large yet written in clearer, more precise English (if you're hazy, for example, about things like HDMI and DVI connectors, you'll definitely appreciate the attention Toshiba gives to such matters). Proceed to attach the base to the screen. The Samsung's is all plastic, with screws that are slippery to deal with and resistant to a tight and true fit; the Toshiba's is metal, with more screws along with the right washers and even a hex wrench to insure proper attachment of the base. The Toshiba not only provides every type of connection--HDMI, DVI, component, composite, S-video, digital audio, etc.--but clearly explains the purposes, pluses and minuses of each. Next, look at the remote, beginning with the four buttons at the top (power, size, mode, sleep). Clearer and more logically laid out than the Samsung's. Moreover, I've been able to program it more successfully than the Samsung's, reducing by two the number of remotes needed to operate television, DVD and VCR. Picture--I don't have the capabilities of comparing the Toshiba with the Samsung side by side, but the Toshiba's picture quality, after minimal tweaking, was easily the equal of the Samsung's (Consumer Reports confirmed this conclusion). Toshiba has been researching LCD screens for many years--in fact, unlike Samsung they've stopped manufacturing CRT ("tube") sets altogether. It's highly unlikely they're any the less state-of-the-art than Samsung when it comes to LCD technology, especially in this size range. The Toshiba has three "Theater-Wide" aspect ratios (among 5-6 others), the first of which is designed to fill out the entire screen when the source aspect is 4:3. Rather than the entire image being "stretched," thus producing distorted, asymmetrical shapes, the proportions in the center of the screen are normal while only the sides are extended. It's the most ingenious "compromise" I've seen on any flat panel set, making it possible to watch a 4:3 image in a 16:9 aspect ratio without sensing something is terribly wrong. Sound--maybe the Samsung's surround sound effect is a bit more spacious but, unlike the Samsung, the Toshiba doesn't vibrate and introduce unwanted buzzes at certain select frequencies (tighter cabinetry?). In any case, the Toshiba's audio is good enough to permit anyone but an unrepentant audiophile to forget about using an external sound system. Style--the Samsung indeed is a bit lighter, slimmer, and shinier, with less plastic around the screen. But it's only plastic, neither a deal-maker or breaker. Extras--With the exception of the Toshiba's "Theater Wide 1" setting, the Samsung has more bells and whistles. There's a light in the remote control (nice) as well as a glowing blue light emitting from the bottom of the screen when the set is off (a novelty that soon wears out its welcome) and a fragmentary melody that is heard when the set comes on (shoot that piano player). In addition, certain variables, such as aspect ratio and input source, are automatically sensed. With just a bit of patience a Toshiba owner can automate or store the same settings, but clearly Samsung isn't placing as much trust in its customers to read the manual. In fact, after being plugged in, the Samsung sings its little melody and automatically locates and produces an image worthy of its vaunted contrast ratio. With the Toshiba, it requires an adjustment or two first to get the picture and then several more to get the "black" black's and sharply defined edges of the Samsung's picture. (Samsung clearly knows its export market better than Toshiba does.) Durability--too early to say, but I've had worse luck with other Samsung products than I have with anything made by Toshiba. So Toshiba scores higher in the subjective peace-of-mind category. Conclusion--price is probably the biggest determiner. If the difference is no more than $30 or so, Toshiba gets the nod. |
| Read More Flat Panel Tv Reviews |
