Toshiba 42X3030D HDTV

Toshiba has always been a trusted and well-respected electornics manufacturer. May it be their laptop, mobile phones or TV’s, Toshiba always brings out the best. Particularly, Toshiba has always been a popular brand among LCD TV buyers. Toshiba is now offering the Regza Toshiba 42X3030D. On this set, Toshiba’s proprietary Active Vision picture processing system adorns what finally are full HD 1080p panels. This set comes into the market with an ultra-thin frame boasting three HDMI 1.3 ports, 1080p/24 compatibility, and 100Hz motion technology.

This set from Toshiba is definitely overwhelming, its hard not to. With its imposing dimensions, exaggerated by a broad, piano-black surround and a substantial boomerang-shaped stand, it certainly catches attention. The screen is reasonably well assembled with a slim speaker system neatly integrated beneath the clean, glossy front panel. It looks luxurious from the front but the rear panel is cased in cut-price plastic, and the unsteady stand isn’t the most supportive.

Primary controls are hidden away at the right side and can be used to adjust channels and volume or access the main menu system. The rear panel connections appear impressive, however the digital video connections, including two HDMI inputs, are awkwardly arranged across the underside, along with a CI Card slot and a PC input that supports WXGA signals.

The Toshiba 42X3030D features a lot of connectivity options like the twin HDMI ports and VGA connection. Also, there is a digital optical audio output, RF aerial input and Common Interface slot.

The screen’s Full HD resolution (1,920×1,080 pixels) is compatible with all high-definition signals including the latest 1080p format used by next-generation DVD players and games consoles. Blu-ray and HD DVD movies can also be watched as they were intended using 24p scanning, which produces more realistic images without any audio distortion.

The 42X3030D seemed quite capable of delivering all subtlety in shadowy scenes. There is Colour is perhaps this TVs strongest asset, with fidelity and balance closely matching plasma TVs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come like that from the factory. You (or someone else) will need to work at it to make it perfect. That’s what the 3D colour management system will do for you, if you are willing to stick to your guns.

The Toshiba 42X3030D speaker system is rated at 20W RMS like the C series, except that it’s in a much bigger enclosure this time. While a leap in sonic performance is never expected, the Toshiba 42X3030D will do for your usual programming. With SRS WOW enhancements and 3-range basic equalizer adjustments, you’ve got some room to mould the sound into something you will like. For bass nuts, you get to play with TruBass and bass level control to pump a little more juice out of the low end. Or you could try to connect an external bass unit to the subwoofer output that comes with the TV.

Overall, Toshiba 42X3030’s strong points are in the colour department, shadow detail, rich connection and competent video processing. Greyscale inaccuracies and mild digital noise prevent me from giving the all clear, but these are not grave flaws and is something you could live with. Amateur calibrators with instruments may relish the chance at having a go at the 3D colour management system, which is probably the most advanced CMS system we have seen in a consumer digital display.

http://www.hdtv-news.co.uk/2007/08/22/toshiba-42x3030d-hdtv/