Getting ready to buy 34 in HDTV set? Help?

[dolph]

Hi, I am looking to buy a good HDTV 34in set in very near future. Been looking at RCA set and at Toshiba 34in Cinema series set. Any suggestions? Want something dependable. Have an 11 yr old 27 in Toshiba that has had no problems till recently. About time for new set. Local dealer handles both sets and just wonder which is most dependable? Help please?

[Blaster]

I see/read this review quite often

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_KD_34XBR960/4505-6481_7-30787600.html?tag=topprods

:)

[Ratman]

Be very careful with RCA sets...
They have had quality control problems for a few years, especially with HDTV's.

[zorki1c]

Got our Toshiba 34HFX84 up and running over the weekend. It was the only 34" set I could find that would fit our cabinet. It comes in at just over 35" wide because the speakes are underneath the screen. Our daughter has the 34HFX83 with the speakers on the side of the screen and it wouldn't fit in our available space.
I had some reservations after ordering the set because of some of the bad reviews the model has received on this forum but those must have been early models as ours looks great right out of the box with no picture distortion. Probably could use some fine tuning on the color but we aren't hooked up digital yet so I'm going to wait.
I'm not an audiophile but to me one of the big pluses is the sound the set delivers which is head and shoulders above anything I'm ever heard in a tube set. The setup menu isn't particularly intuitive but I eventually managed to sort everything out.
All in all we are very pleased with the Toshiba.

I found it interesting that the set is obviously designed to fit in a cabinet with limited space but the manual warns not to put it in a "bookcase" because of ventilation issues!

[newf]

congrats, I love my 30hf83 .Did the number on your box say 34hfx84 a, b, or c.ps spend the time to read faq.

[kevinw]

I found it interesting that the set is obviously designed to fit in a cabinet with limited space but the manual warns not to put it in a "bookcase" because of ventilation issues!
Designed??? Just because it is a small TV does not meen it was built specifically for this. I would be careful about ventialtion and heed the manufacturer's warnings.

The TV was designed to be on this:
http://caraudiovideosystems.com/st34w63.html

[newf]

Thats so true I could have fit a 34hf83 but I wanted space for cooling.

[zorki1c]

congrats, I love my 30hf83 .Did the number on your box say 34hfx84 a, b, or c.ps spend the time to read faq.

Didn't see the number on the box -- the delivery guys cut it out of the box at the truck and I haven't got around to checking the SN.

As far as cooling goes, I knocked out the panel in the back of the cabinet and have considerable space above and on the sides, especially since the case tapers in toward the back. One thing that worried me on the Sony models when we were shjopping was their cases, which have very little taper and obviously were designed to be more appealing in stand-alone mode. Personally, I would rather have it out in the air but my wife likes the cabinet and isn't about to get rid of it.

:)

[newf]

I'm sure you'll be fine ,I'm using endust for electronics this stuff is great when i removed my old tv all the vents in the back were clean .

[arthurking]

I will say avoid Toshiba at all costs. My 30HF84 is horrible and even worse is Toshiba's customer service. Good luck if you are still interested.

[Rufus827]

I bought the 30HF84 about 10 days ago and haven't experienced the problems some of you have described. My only complaint is that it's a bit smaller screen than I'd like, I'd really like to move up to the 34HF84 (not 34HFX84). I have the same entertainment center size limitations as some of you, though, and I can't find this TV in any store to measure its width. Have found 3 different measurements for it online so I don't know how wide it really is. Anyone out there have this TV? If so, how wide is the cabinet? Thanks for any help.

[dolph]

Since considering the Toshiba 34in HDTV have since looked at Sony and Panasonic 34 in sets. They seem quite nice and have great pictures and sound. Any advice? Panasonic is somewhat less expensive but has better warranty than Sony?? Is a Service Contract worth the money with any of these sets? My Consumer Reports Mag. says not,but I wonder with such expensive sets? Any advice would be appreciated. Know anything about Crutchfield.com.?

[Blaster]

have you seen this - take a peek . . .

http://reviews.cnet.com/4502-6475_7-0.html?tag=srch&qt=&100021id=&500965id=&501490id=10847&500961id=11437&500963id=5320862&1000036id=&orderby=-7eRating

[Rufus827]

FYI to anyone interested, I finally found someone who had the 34HF84 on their floor and the cabinet measures in at about 33 5/8" wide. By far the only 34" I've found that will fit in a standard entertainment center, which was the only thing my wife cared about!