Toshiba 57hdx82 vs Hitachi 57swx20b

[Ruhvngfun]

Hi,
Wondering if anyone has had opportunity to compare these 2 sets and give me advice regarding a purchase. Was nearly convinced on Toshiba when I read lots of good things about this Hitachi (Hitachi is about $400 more).
The "specs" are confusing to me and no stores display the Toshiba "hdx" models. the "h" models look good but "hdx" boasts of "clearcable" feature that may benefit me since I'll be viewing mostly digital cable (nonhdtv). Guess I'm looking for encouragement to make the Toshiba hdx purchase !
Thanks for any advice

[Draggon]

Not that I'm the voice of experience, but I just bought the Toshiba 57HDX82 this weekend. I've played with it a lot over the last few days, and all I can say is that it is incredible.

Draggon

[LeeS]

Here's a link to the Toshiba 57HDX82 (http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/current/57HDX82.html) and a link to the Hitachi 57SWX20B (http://www.hitachi.com/tv/browse/projection/16-9digital/16-9digital_index.shtml), also a link to the Toshiba 57H82. (http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/current/57H82.html)

Somewhere in the forum I read that the Hitachi and Toshiba share some of the same components, technology. The Toshiba HDX has better guns and lenses, screen, remote, video amps etc. than the H series.

Lee

[Ruhvngfun]

Thanks for advice,
Dragon - can I ask how basic cable picture quality looks on your new Toshiba ? Also would appreciate advice on where you found best place to purchase 57hdx82. $2266 delivered 'curbside' is best I found and am about to pursue this unless I hear any other good advice. Specs weigh this in at 238lbs - how many friends do I need to get it in 1st floor living room (no steps).
Thanks!

[Draggon]

The basic cable picture looks VERY good (for low-res TV) as long as you pick the right stretch mode. In "Natural" mode, the aspect ratio of the image is not changed, so it looks just like it would on any other TV, but it is highly advised not to watch TV in this mode due to the very real possibility of burn-in (permanent lines or images on your screen).

Therefore, the Toshiba has a stretch mode for "regular" TV images called "TheaterWide 1". This mode stretches the regular picture to fill the screen, but stretches it more at the sides than in the middle. What this does is allows for some very natural-looking images in the middle of the screen, though people on the edges of the screen look a little distorted. I just watched the Pacers beat the previously-unbeaten Mavericks last night, and the picture was awesome.

As for the price you've found, I like it! I payed $2550 delivered and am still happy at that price.

As far as moving it with your friends, I would HIGHLY recommend that you rent an appliance cart of some kind from your local tool rental company. The guys that delivered mine did so with a regular old two-wheeled dolly without much trouble. Once the unit is sitting in your viewing room, it is on wheels of its own and moves rather easily.

Hope this helps! :)

Draggon

[Ruhvngfun]

Draggon -
Thanks for your words of encouragement regarding this tv and advice regarding "theater 1". I just made purchase and am looking forward to it's arrival - it will be a nice replacement for the old 27inch. pk/charleston sc

[57U]

Just to be clear, the new Hitachis have a very similar stretch, they call it 4:3 Expanded. Last year it was called Smoothwide.

You can see actual pictures of it in --> This Post (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1044) showing the various stretch modes on my Hitachi. The pictures are about 3/4 of the way down the rather long post.

You lose a very small amount of information at the top and bottom, but the "fat people" effect that you have with the "full" mode is not there.

[Ruhvngfun]

57U
-Great comparison pics regarding various modes. Appreciate your hard work... pk/charleston, sc

[Draggon]

You're welcome, PK. I think you're REALLY going to like that TV once you get it set up. Also, if you're not aware of it, I would highly recommend the "Sound & Vision Home Theater Setup" DVD, available from Best Buy for about $18.00. This DVD helps you set up your TV's Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, Color, Tint & various other settings to their optimal levels. It also will help you set up your Dolby Digital 5.1 sound system optimally (assuming you have such a system - I only have Dolby Pro Logic Surround, but it still sounds great).

The DVD accomplishes this through On-Screen video test patterns that remain on screen while you make your adjustments.

There are several threads on this bulletin board talking about the advantages of using this DVD. One of the main ones that caught my eye is the fact that your TV is setup at the factory to look it's best on a brightly-lit sales floor. In other words, the brightness, contrast and sharpness are usually set MUCH TOO HIGH for normal home viewing, and will result in premature aging of your color guns.

As far as your original thread question and regarding 57U's input, I would say I would be comfortable buying either the Hitachi or the Toshiba based solely on price. The two units are virtually identical.

Draggon

[Ruhvngfun]

Toshiba's arriving curbside this week and will need to razzle dazzle wife with a smooth hookup and great picture to help justify purchase! My technical skills regarding hookup, etc. is VERY weak at best (but greatly improved thx to this website).

Draggon - since you just hooked up your new set, was hoping you could offer me advice w/obtaining proper connectors, cables, etc. prior to it's arrival. Also, I'll be purchasing prog. scan DVD player - any features you recommend I look for regarding compatibility to this tv is also appreciated.

TV will be hooked up to:
-- Digital comcast cable box ( currently hooked to old TV w/coax cable but box has s-video and RCA connects)
-- DVD player ( to be purchased)
-- VCR
-- CD player
-- receiver

This question may clue you in to my skill level: I understand s-video may be best connection between tv and cable box, but if I purchase an s-video connector, will I also need to have the coax hooked up between them as well? Also, have heard of "monster cable" - would this benefit connection between wall and cable box?
pk/Charleston SC

[Draggon]

I've tried twice now to offer an elaborate and lengthy reply, but have lost both of them due to errors beyond my control (stupid computers!!!) So, in light of the fact that I'm getting tired of typing, I'll just point you in the right direction. The owner's manual for your new TV is very good at detailing the various connections you'll need to make. Here's a link to the manual:

Toshiba Owner's Manual (http://tacpservice.toshiba.com/ConsumerProductSupport/Manuals/TV/2002/42_50_57_65hdx82_ownman_a2.pdf)

Study it until your new TV arrives and let me know if you have any specific questions about your connections.

I purchased the Sony DVPNS715P due to it's extensive list of features, but Consumer Reports rated the Toshiba SD-3750 as it's top single-disc progressive scan player, followed by the JVC XV-S502SL. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of these. They all play CD-R, CD-RW & MP3 audio.

Monster cables are great cables for audio/video connections, but they can get expensive quick. The only Monster cable I used was for the connection between the TV's VAR AUDIO OUT and the Receiver. I bought the best I could afford here, which turned out to be the Monster 300 series. You can use some reasonably-priced cables for any of your connections, and you PROBABLY won't notice much difference.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Draggon

[Ruhvngfun]

Expecting to receive delivery of my 57hdx82 on Monday and more advice/help from the pro's is greatly appreciated:

How's the sound package on this Toshiba hdx without a receiver?

Also, any recommendations on this Samsung receiver/DVD unit?

While searching for a stand-alone DVD player, I came across a Samsung DVD surround sound system with progressive scan video output, 70w powered subwoofer all for 300 bucks at Best Buy, model HT-DM150. This would seem to be a nice upgrade to my old receiver and would also give me DVD all in one handy unit. Or would it be wise to get a higher priced stand alone?

I'm having trouble understanding the basics regarding hookup options/opportunities on various components: This Samsung has component video connections but no optical digital (or would I even need this?). Also, when does a 5.1 channel audio connection come into play?

[Glenn]

Since you are going to use the set for standard NTSC for now, be sure to take a long, hard look at the picture running a std picture. I find the Hitachi has way too much noise in the saturated colors. They look like something is alive in the colors and it has a tendency to generate "amoeba" in the large patches of saturated color. Watch it long enough and you will see them.
And it's the Zenith that has the same guts as the Hitachi, not the Toshiba. Good hunting!

[57U]

Glenn, a couple of things.

Make sure that you've done a good setup on your TV to get the best picture, especially from NTSC. If you haven't looked at it already, please check out the FAQ, 6th section down on the home page - "What to do to your new HDTV". It's extremely important to turn off the automatic settings that can make 480i signals look really bad.

Hitachi do supply some guts for the Toshibas. It's model dependent on which guts are "shared".

Ruhvngfun, separate components are typically better than "HTIB" type units. You could go for a "HTIB" (home theater in a box) without a DVD player and buy a separate DVD player, but that'll definitely cost more than $300.

You've just spent a bundle on a really good TV, do you really want to feed it a lousy signal? A good DVD player costs at least $150-200. A usable HTIB can probably be had for $4-500.

DVD players send a digital signal to the receiver and that is decoded into DD5.1 if there is a DD5.1 signal on the DVD, which there usually is.

Also, some HD channels like ABC and HBO have DD5.1, but there are few others at this time.

The digital input on the Samsung may be "coax" (like an RCA plug) instead of Toslink (optical). The digital coax is excellent.

[Draggon]

Ruhvngfun,

I wouldn't dream of buying a TV like this and then trying to watch DVD's with just the speakers that came with it... :)

Needless to say, I can't tell you how adequate it might be, I just have to guess it wouldn't be adequate for ME. What I've done with mine is "bridged" the speakers in the TV, and I'm using it as a big Center Channel speaker in addition to my small Center Channel speaker that sits above the TV. This setup is really great for me, because the conversational clarity is greatly enhanced. The manual describes how to do this, but basically, you just run your Center Out pre-out on your receiver to the Center Channel In on the back of the TV and then flip the switch on the TV that bridges the speakers (right underneath the Center Channel In plug).

I don't know anything about the Samsung you mentioned. I do agree with 57U that seperates are going to give you better quality unless you buy some high-end HTIB stuff (although even the high-end HTIB can be pretty inferior to high-end seperates).

Draggon

[Ruhvngfun]

Toshiba 57HDX82 has arrived!

Wanted to share info that this set is incredible. Awesome bright clear picture, great sound and very easy to move around on it's large casters. My old directview TV produced lots of glare in my house, but this anti-glare screen seems to eliminate all of it. It's hooked to my digital cable box via S-video and regular channels are surprisingly clear. Amazing DVD picture quality was able to keep my wife awake thru entire movie last nite (1st time ever).

Have a couple questions for anyone familiar with this set:
- From the menu, then theater, there are WOW options for SRS 3d, Focus, Trubass and all 3 were preset to off. Do you recommend I turn any of these on? Wasn't able to tell much difference with limited viewing I've had so far and don't really understand what they do.

- Also, if you look at very edges of screen from a few inches away, there appears to be indications of a protective "film" covering screen. This almost looks like the peel away film that covers many glass/chrome products. I assume this is the protective anti-glare shield but just want to make sure that I shouldn't peel this off.

[kevinw]

There are some HTB's that are economical and produce a good bang for the buck. I would NOT buy a combined DVD/Audio unit in one. If one breaks then it is all for loss.
Since you all ready have DVD player go for the sound system first. A cheap progressive scan is no better than a good interlaced player. An investment in a good 5.1 system will yield more than a cheap DVD player or combined system will.

[Draggon]

Hey Ruhvngfun, glad you like the picture on your new set! I'm still infatuated with mine. I've watched more movies in the last 3 weeks than I've watched in the last 3 months.

The WOW options you mention are described on Page 54 of your manual. Basically WOW is an option that electronically tries to simulate "surround sound" with your TV's speakers. Frankly, I think these modes are not very useful, you can only fool your ears so much. Play with the settings and see which you prefer, you're not going to hurt anything. Just remember to turn 'em all off if you end up hooking your TV up to a Surround Sound audio receiver (highly recommended).

I haven't noticed that thin film that you describe in your post, I'll have to check when I get home tonight to see if mine has it, too. I don't think I'd peel it off without calling Toshiba's technical support and asking them about it! :)

Draggon