Should I buy a Toshiba 50H81 RPTV?

[Gumby]

I've got to make a quick decision whether to buy a Toshiba 50H81 50" 16X9 TV. I can pick one up today for $2099. They are throwing in free a Toshiba progressive scan DVD player and a Sony (don't know the model) DD, DTS receiver. They also offer a 5 year extended warranty for $350, half refunded if never used after 5 years. Free delivery too.
It is from a local company that has been around a long time.

They also have an open box Mitsubishi HD decoder for $150.

Can somebody talk me out of this?

Thanks

[FiveO]

Damn...nice price.

I'm getting mine for $2499 and that even beats the Best Buy price of $2549 around here.


And I don't even get any extras :(


Go for it...

If you can wait 5 hours...I'll let you know if I'm happy with it. It should be here in 3 :)

[BigDaddy]

That sounds like a deal. I am trying to decide betweent the Toshiba,Pioneer,Panny and the Mitsubushi. :)

[Gumby]

Thanks all.
I have about 6 hours to decide. After that I can still get the TV for $2099, but not the extras. I need a progressive scan player anyway, but not a receiver.

This is just a boatload of money to me and I don't want to make a bad decision.

[Illinois Enema Bandit]

check out the Toshiba forum at www.hometheaterspot.com if you haven't already done so. Most folks appear to be quite happy with them

2 more days before the 57h81 arrives :)

[Gumby]

Thanks IEB for the link. Most people seemed to complain about the glare on the 50H81 so I bought the 50HX81 for $200 more.

[FiveO]

Originally posted by Gumby
Thanks IEB for the link. Most people seemed to complain about the glare on the 50H81 so I bought the 50HX81 for $200 more.

Yeah...thats the one I have on order too....HX81. Didn't arrive yesterday as planned. The delivery man had van trouble. Should be here today sometime.

Has the built in screen if I recall the specs when I ordered it.

[Sockmonkey]

Gumby...

That was a pretty good deal. You can always e*ay the receiver for some cash.

Did you pick up the HD decoder as well?

The HX line does have a supposedly better "anti-glare" screen when compared to the H series. However, many people still report problems with glare, but fix it completely by restacking the screens. Not a good idea if you have kids or large pets, but otherwise it's not a big deal.

As someone else already pointed out, www.hometheaterspot.com is a great resource for information and tweaks for your new TV.

Some advice: as soon as you turn it on, reduce the brightness and contrast from "torch mode" to about 50. You can then use a calibration DVD like Avia or Video Essentials to calibrate brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, etc. to the correct levels.

After a few hours of use, you'll also want to do a 56 point convergence from the service menu. This made a fantastic difference on my 57H81.

Enjoy!

[Gumby]

Thanks for the tips Sockmonkey. I will make a thorough check at www.hometheaterspot.com before I turn the thing on.

There was a BIG difference between the glare on the 2 TVs at the store. With both turned off the H81 was like a mirror, the HX81 was quite dark. I know you can get the anti-glare screen for about $200, so it seemed like I might as well just get the screen on it in the first place.

The decoder they had was for a specific Mitsubishi TV, but they said they do clear out ones that will work with my set and they would let me know when they get one in.

I don't have a setup disc like AVIA, but I do have Castaway and noticed there was something on there. Would that be any good?

Thanks

[Sockmonkey]

Originally posted by Gumby
I don't have a setup disc like AVIA, but I do have Castaway and noticed there was something on there. Would that be any good?

Thanks

I have Castaway, but I honestly can't remember what type of AV setup was on there. If it's one of the THX calibrations, then it will probably do a pretty good job.

You can usually find Video Essentials or Avia for about $20.
IMO, they are well worth the "investment", since they each have full audio and video calibration utilities as well as more test material than you'll know what to do with ;)

[TonyS]

I too am considering a Toshiba RPTV. I started out looking at the 42H81 (which would be a better fit for my room), then started looking at the 50H81 and am now considering the 50HX81.

The differences I found between the H81 and the HX81 is the following:

The HX81 has the Built-in High Contrast Theater Shield AR with Anti-Reflective Coating, the H81 only has a Built-in High Contrast Theater Shield.

The HX81 has a High Contrast PowerFocus HCF Lens System, the H81 has a High Contrast PowerFocus HC Lens System - don't know what the difference is there, but the HCF sounds better, right?!?

The HX81 has PowerFocus HD Plus CRTs, the H81 has PowerFocus HD CRTs - again, I don't know what the difference is there, but the Plus sounds better, right?!?

Finally, the HX81 appears to have some better audio features (who uses the TVs internal speakers?!?) and a better remote control.

Hope this helps - hopefully I will make my decision soon and get the HX81 for the price I want to pay :)