Toshiba 42HP66 Plasma TV Review

When you get the system home, it's ready to rock thanks to the built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner that pulls HD signals from the airwaves. Also, the QAM tuner is compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. Standard definition TV signals come through clearly from the analog NTSC tuner. Placement of the Toshiba 42HP66 is easy thanks to the included tabletop stand or the unit can be wall mounted with an optional hardware kit (sold separately).

People who buy plasma displays do so for their exceptional picture quality and this set won't disappoint. The Toshiba 42HP66 features Toshiba's CableClear DNR+ technology, which cleans up video noise from antenna or cable sources buy using a digital 3D/YC comb filter. This filter compares frames and determines the amount of video noise present. It then applies any needed digital noise reduction and adds sharpness to maintain a crystal clear picture. This feature also works on RF, composite and S-Video inputs.

In addition to handling noise reduction the comb filter is able to separate brightness and color signals better in 3D domains. This allows the Toshiba 42HP66 to be virtually free of cross color, cross luminescence and dot crawl distortion. Field-by-field comparisons of the TV's image are done so that color and black and white information are separated. The filter then is able to remove horizontally as well as vertically hanging dots. The result is a razor sharp image nearly every time.

Viewers of progressive-scan movies can now watch their films the way they were meant to be seen with the Toshiba 42HP66's Cinema Mode feature. Cinema Mode performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, which means that progressive-scan movies can be seen in their native 24 frame-per-second format. In addition, the set offers five TheaterWide modes to expand letterboxed video. This is particularly useful for watching the narrow films done in Panavision or CinemaScope.

Picture details of the Toshiba 42HP66 are very impressive. The display has a 1024X768 pixel resolution (XGA), a peak 1200 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) brightness rating and a more than adequate 8000:1 contrast ratio. One feature parents can appreciate is the Game TImer, which allows them to limit their children's TV or game time by programming the unit to shut off after a specific amount of time. Only after entering a key code can the TV be turned on again.

To achieve the best display of each input source the Toshiba 42HP66 has an Individual AV Settings by Input function. This feature allows users to make adjustments to the video for each type of input such as: RF, composite, S-Video and each component video input.

Other features that come standard are color temperature control, closed captioning, sleep timer, trilingual on-screen display, video input labeling, channel/video lock and V-Chip parental controls.

Sound from the Toshiba 42HP66 comes out of two stereo speakers that pump out 10 watts of power each for a total of 20 watts. SRS WOW virtual surround sound emulates the surround sound experience with only two speakers. Another handy feature dubbed StableSound, which keeps the volume level at a constant, preset range regardless of the incoming signal. This helps to eliminate annoying situations where loud commercials come on after a program of normal volume.

The Toshiba 42HP66 also employs component and HDMI connectors-the latter allowing pure digital audio and video performance with no degradation in the signal in just one cable. In addition, the TV offers these connections:

Composite A/V: 3 (1 front) in, 1 out * S-Video: 3 (1 front) in * Component Video: 2 in * HDMI: 2 in * RF: 1 in * PC VGA: 1 in * PC audio in: 1 * Digital audio out: 1 coaxial, 1 optical

Conclusion

Best DVD Recorder Reviews Rating

10/10

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Toshiba 42HP66 Plasma TV Review
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