| This Toshiba 42HL196 is a high-definition widescreen TV that's ideal for the latest digital entertainment. Not only does it feature a Cinespeed XHD LCD panel capable of state-of-the-art 1080 progressive lines of HDTV resolution and two HDMI input ports, but it also has a built-in Ethernet jack, allowing you to access digital photo and audio files from your home network using the included universal glow remote. You can even connect a PC and have the set double as a computer monitor. The Value of LCD TVs
Aside from their obvious aesthetic value, LCD TVs are much more practical in the home than CRT (tube-style) televisions. They take up a smaller footprint, and thus use up less floor space in the room. Also, LCD TVs are lighter and easier to move around when cleaning or redecorating. The 42HL196 is only 4.85 inches deep and weighs less than 64 lbs. without the stand. Best of all, LCD screens use less power than CRTs and plasma screens. Video
Response time is the interval an LCD screen takes to switch from its darkest color to its lightest color and back again, measured in milliseconds (ms). This screen's response time is 8 ms, which is at the faster and better end of the spectrum. This screen is likely to display cleaner, sharper images during high-action scenes and display fewer image artifacts than other screens in its class. And because the set has a 12-bit digital processor, it can display many times more shades of gray and levels of color than 8-bit systems can. The set is rated with a 176-degree viewing angle, so the picture will be viewable from nearly any part of the room. While it has a CableCARD slot and built-in QAM digital cable tuner, it lacks an ATSC tuner that would bring in terrestrial or over-the-air HDTV signals. HDMI Compatible
The set comes with two built-in High-Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI) ports. HDMI is an interface format that provides uncompressed digital audio and video directly from a DVD player, next-generation game system, or some other digital video source. It represents the current state of the art in high-definition video and sound because the information never has to be converted into an analog format or compressed. Another benefit of HDMI is that it puts all that information into one cable and one easy-to-use connector. Audio
SRS WOW, a combination of SRS 3D, TruBass, and Focus sound-expanding systems, creates a 3-D sound field with improved bass response over standard TV audio as well as a directed, three-dimensional audio sweet spot for maximum enjoyment. The cabinet includes stereo speakers, but the TV also has optical digital output for connecting to your audio system. Toshiba's StableSound feature maintains television volume within a preset range regardless of the source signal. This is an extremely useful feature when transitioning between a quiet television program and a very loud commercial advertisement or when changing channels. Parent Features
The 42HL196's sleep timer allows you to set the television to automatically shut off after a preset duration. It's a handy and common feature to modern TVs, but the 42HL196 takes it a step further. Game Timer shuts the TV off after set duration and can only be turned on with a special lockout code. The Video Lock feature allows the user to lock out selected inputs, which is handy when limiting a child's access to video games. Of course the built-in V-Chip functionality makes it so parents can set a threshold content setting and effectively lock inappropriate TV content out of the home. Another handy filtering feature is the 42HL196's Channel Lock, which password protects channels you select. Other Features
The 42HL196 comes with a TV Guide on screen interactive program guide that provides a searchable, easy to read listing for eight days in advance. It includes the G-Link IR blaster for controlling a cable box. It also features double window/multi window POP, allowing you to view two sources at once and get snapshot images of up to 9 channels at once. 42-inch Widescreen
A general rule of thumb for selecting the right size television screen is that the screen width--not its 42-inch diagonal measurement--should be between three and five times the optimum viewing distance, such as the distance from the TV screen to where your eyes are while sitting on the couch. Less than that, and you may be distracted by the scan lines of the picture. More than that, and you may lose the detail of your TV. Based on this guide, the 42HL196 is ideal for viewing distances of nine to 16 feet. Here is a list of the set's audio, video, and data connections: - A/V input: 2 (back and side)
- A/V output: 1
- ColorStream HD component video input: 2
- G-Link/record out: 1
- HDMI input: 2
- Optical TosLink digital audio output: 1
- PC monitor input: 1 (VGA 15 pin D-Sub)
- RF input: 2
- S-video input: 1
- THINC Ethernet port: 1
What's in the Box
Television, remote control, AA batteries(2), blaster cable, installation guide, operating manual, TV guide onscreen, lead clip |
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 Amazing picture & great sound |
| Review Date: October 2, 2006 |
| Reviewer: M. Thomas, Seattle, Washington |
I currently have a TiVo series 3 hooked to this unit via an HDMI input and the picture is stellar thanks to the TV's 1080p native resolution. The colors are vivid and lifelike, and the ability to use various Theaterwide settings allow 4:3 video look properly sized on the screen. Two HDMI inputs are great for expandability and cablecard support means there is no need for a separate cablebox. (Unless you want Video on Demand or Pay per View movies.)
The audio is impressive for this unit. With it's SRS WoW settings, the audio sounds clearer and has more range. It's speakers are mounted below the screen so the unit is narrower than similar TVs with side mounted speakers. This allows for more space surrounding the TV.
I have the unit hanging on a Sanus wall mount and it installed with no problems. My only complaint is with the instruction manual. There are no directions describing how to remove the base. It only states the unit is wall mountable. With a bit of fiddling I finally found the 5 screws located on the back just above the base and the TV lifted off it's pedestal easily.
This unit is Ethernet enabled. What does that mean? It has an option for viewing pictures across your network, it can check your email and it also has an option for downloading and upgrading the firmware of the TV.
As with any TV there are some Cons.
There is no 1080p input. However the TV does display all video in 1080p so everything is upconverted, including 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i. (I hope Toshiba will release a firmware upgrade that will allow 1080p input sometime in the future, but this is probably wishful thinking.)
As with all LCDs, the viewing angle is somewhat limited. At angles more than 45 degrees off center, color looks a bit faded. and the backlight is more visible.
Minor problems aside, this TV is a great deal for the price, has a wonderful picture, great sound, and input connections galore. I highly recommend it! |
Best value for the money
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| Review Date: November 22, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Karl S. Babij, Pitman, NJ USA |
When the wife and I set our minds to getting an HDTV, we scouted out many brands in many different stores, both retail and online. At first we thought about a 42" HP plasma set that was similar in price. It got some good reviews, and people seemed to like it. Then we gravitated toward a 42" Westinghouse HD monitor, mostly because of price and the 1080p res. As we noticed the price drop on this Toshiba, we started looking closely at it. This particular model has dropped over a thousand dollars in the last six months since it was released. It will probably continue to drop as the battleground of 42" continues between plasma and LCD. I can honestly say that I have never been happier with an electronics purchase.
The amount of inputs are good, with two component video and two HDMI. Right now, I'm using one of each, so it doesn't look very cluttered. The screen quality is excellent in Hi-def. Standard is O.K., but you'll miss the hi-def quality when you navigate away. I have not yet noticed any pixel lag on this LCD, even with high-speed sequences such as football or horse racing.
The sound is O.K. It's not spectacular, but that's what separate audio systems are for, anyway. One thing I did notice is that when I have the sound from the TV output to my stereo receiver, there is an ever-so-slight lag between the TV sound and the stereo sound. I simply mute the TV during those times to correct the problem. This TV also has a half-mute function, which is very useful when you want to have volume, but still take a call, for instance.
Viewing angle is fairly good, although you do lose a bit of contrast and brightness when viewing it at an angle both horizontal and vertical simultaneously (if you're standing up higher than the TV at say, a 30 degree angle horizontal).
It's true that the input does not accept 1080p inputs, but as it upconverts all signals into 1080p anyway, you can feed it a 1080i signal and still have it look just as good. The IR blaster is nice for use with cable and satellite boxes, but you'll probably prefer to use the box itself to control the TV rather than the other way around. The TV Guide built-in function is praiseworthy, but only useful if you have a hi-def cable signal coming in with no box. Otherwise, you'll probably just use the cable or satellite box and their scheduling guide.
A month ago, I was just like you, agonizing and researching about a 42" HDTV to purchase. I read all the posts, checked all the prices, and went to my local stores to see them all in action (which is also very difficult to tell the difference in the stores between the models). This model had very little feedback of any kind when I purchased it, but I took a chance and it paid off. Don't give it a second thought. Buy it without remorse. But it here (some of the cheapest prices and shipping from a reputable merchant). Buy it now. Even if the price drops tomorrow (as it literally did for me!), I can tell you that there's a very good chance you won't be disappointed with the price you paid or the quality of the merchandise you ordered. |
TV Guide puts this over the top
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| Review Date: February 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: G. Laws, Seattle, WA USA |
I have had this TV about three weeks now. I am very satisfied with the purchase.
The pros are: 1) Excellent Picture 2) TV Guide feature 3) Lower Price 4) Cable card
The cons are: 1) DVD has audio out sound delay with receiver 2) No 1080P inputs.
Picture: This TV upsizes all input to 1080P output. It does an excellent job of upsizing the standard 480i digital signal. The Hi-Def looks awesome. The super bowl on 1080i looked fantastic, and I got a lot of comments on it. DVD looks great using the component video input.
TV Guide: Now that I have it, I would not buy a TV without it. It's a lot better than the Comcast guide. You can see way more listings at one time, you have more and better information about the program, and you can turn off stations which you don't get, which always irked me with the Comcast guide.
Price: In the store, I thought the Sony looked the best, but the difference seemed marginal. I could see definite difference between the Sony and the Vizio. In the end, the Sony was just way to expensive compared to this TV, which was priced equal to the Vizio.
Cable Card: The Card gives me 1) Unscrambled Premium stations 2) Hi-Def Channels with a regular number instead of hyphen format 3) Direct Digital Input. (Instead of the cable box which converts a digital signal to analog for channel 3, not nearly as good). I opted not to get a Hi-Def box which costs more, but just kept the old box connected to Antenna 2. I don't pay anything extra for the old box and I can get ON Demand. I found that some TV's don't come with the cable card, like the SONY.
Audio Output: I connected the analog audio output to my receiver. I can listen to TV with very nice sound from both the TV and receiver this way. However, when connecting the DVD I found a very annoying audio delay between the sound coming from the TV and the sound on the receiver. I need to turn off the sound coming from the TV when I watch DVD's. Also, output is fixed not variable, which would be nice to mute commercials. I would have had to buy the more expensive HZ model to get the variable output.
No 1080P output: This is not a big deal for me. In terms of picture quality, it will not be a problem. Consumer Reports had a side bar on this in the Nov issue, and it was "not a big concern". If I do decide to buy a Hi-Def player, I will make sure it has a switch for 1080i output, like the Samsung Blu-Ray player I reviewed. I just don't like the way Toshiba markets this as Full HD. The more expensive HZ model has 1080P input, but that retails for $600 more.
I summary, this TV is a good value for the money, and the TV guide puts it over the top.
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WOW!!!
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| Review Date: September 30, 2006 |
| Reviewer: A. Beck, Alabama, USA |
| Stop the search for the perfect big screen TV. The Toshiba 42HL196 42" LCD is what you are looking for. This set has all the bells and whistles and above all it has a truly beautiful picture. The two HDMI inputs are an absolute must because it makes hook-up extremely easy and from what I have learned it maximizes picture quality. I matched this set with the Sony DVP-NS75H CD/DVD player which converts my DVD collection to near HD quality. It is wonderful to watch my favorite movies again with such a high quality picture. I am very, very pleased with this purchase. |
setting up the set
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| Review Date: March 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: gameman of NC, new bern, nc |
I received this beauty 8 days after ordering, Eagle delivered & unpacked the set and would take packing material if i wanted them to.
I have the unit wall mounted on a peerless model 650, ordered thru amazon, saving $150.00 over local big box store. the model 650 is only 30" wide so no 3 stud mounting.
the set came with enough installion, operating and tv guide manuals to keep me busy for a week, ONLY COMPLAINT - not one word on how to remove the pedestal for wall mount. You must remove the five screws on the back of the set and the pedestal sleeve slips right out.
Be sure you plug in ALL of your connecting cables before hanging, or you will be standing on your head trying to do it.
I have the main video thru HDMI 1 to a DVR cable box. My DVD/VCR is direct thru HDMI 2 and my computer thru the VGA cable slot. Highly recommend the HDMI cables, they are SO EASY!!!!
Even with a 3 month old Dell D-521 computer, I had to get another Video card for direct output to the TV, due to the highest resolution video was not supported by the set.
I tried using the DVD "Digital Vedo Essentials" to fine tune the set. What a waste. This TV with a few adjustments to the picture (Brightness was set at maximum) suits me fine.
The onboard Audio is just fine for my 70 year old ears that sometimes can't hear my wife in the next room?
Overall a great TV, excellent for the average viewer.
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Great TV and fast delivery
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| Review Date: December 26, 2006 |
| Reviewer: B. J. Beebe, MN USA |
This is the first high definition LCD I have purchased. After doing quite a bit of research, I ordered this Toshiba 42" LCD television from Amazon. I used Amazon's free delivery, which Amazon said would take about two weeks. However, after four days, I used the tracking link and found out that the television had been scanned into the local Eagle facility. Rather than waiting for Eagle to call me, I called Eagle and scheduled a delivery time for two days later. So, the delivery ended up being much faster than I originally expected.
The televison itself has a very good picture as well as good sound. My cable company could not get me hooked up to high definition for several weeks, so I found an old "rabbit-ears" antenna and hooked it to the Toshiba, and I get five HD channels from the local broadcast stations. (You can have cable service and an antenna hooked up at the same time; you use the remote to go from one to the other.) The HD picture quality is incredibly good! The picture is extremely clear, and the colors are crisp and bright. I am very impressed. Overall, I am very happy with this Toshiba televison.
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First time hi ticket buyer
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| Review Date: January 18, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Appleseed, Akron, OH |
| I first checked out what I wanted at a few local stores, then went to the Internet for more info on this set without the hype that comes with store salespeople. In the process, I discovered the price for the set is significantly less online. You do give up, generally speaking, the store's responsibility for anything that may soon go wrong with the set when you buy online, but Amazon's reputation is comforting. The set arrived sooner than projected and the Eagle shippers were outstanding and helpful. The Toshiba is performing as expected, if that's your concern, but if like me you're more concerned with the risk of buying high price items online, rest easy with Amazon. |
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