Preliminary Review Toshiba 62HM195
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Overall Rating: To be Determine
Value Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Review Date: 11-08-05
MSRP: $3699
I have been looking for a TV for a year now. I had my heart set on the Samsung after seeing the picture quality at Tweeter. I decided to go with the Toshiba in the end, based on screen size features and price. I was able to get the 62HM195 for less than the Samsung HL-R5678W, including a 3-year onsite warranty.
Build Quality: 4.5
Overall the Toshiba feels very sturdy, no creaks or flexing when being picked up and moved. Only one exception is the pop out door for CF Media the tag was not quite adhered to the curvature of the door. All component inputs are laid out nicely and feel very sturdy when plugging in connections. Some have reported hearing the fan during operation. At 12 feet away I cannot hear it even during momentary silence. It does run for several minutes after turning the tv off.
User Interface/Remote: 4
Remote is backlight requiring a button to be pushed for the feature. I found OSD very easy to navigate and easy to understand. Dynamic contrast does have a great effect on dark colors.
Detail and Video Quality: Still to be determined
I’m currently replacing my equipment; my DVD player has no progressive scan. OPPO OPDV971H should arrive this week. Did try my Xbox on s-video connection and the games play smoothly and looked fantastic. DVD video played with out a hitch from my xbox. The widescreen modes really help to fix 480i input issues.
CF Media: Inserted Sony Memory Stick, Short duration TV switches to Media View and all images are recognized and displayed.
I have yet to pick up a new receiver, as I quite interested in the HDMI inputs.
Figured I would try the old bunny ears to see how well it tuned in local channels. I’m in a depressed area in between several large almost mountains. Cell pone service is sporadic at best. Comparing to my old Sony auto setup picked up channel I had not been able to in the past, hate paying for locals. Actually as a signal strength meter on the OSD.
Contrast & Black Levels: 4.5
Comparing to my 4-year rear Sony CRT even at 480i is much improved. I also notice very little pixilation in fog set against dark backgrounds.
Color Reproduction: Still to be determined
Calibration Options: Still to be determined
Overall: Still to be determined
Value: Still to be determined
Cobalt Cables Arrived and will try to give impressions on those, between my old Monster Cables.
