Toshiba 30HF84 30" TheaterWide HD-Ready Flat-Screen TV
I love it
I wanted a TV that would fit in my existing entertainment system, so the options were very easy between this Toshiba 30HF84 and Samsung TXN3098, both which were less than 33\\" wide. The decision on which one, however, was excruciating for me.  I had a difficult time finding either of them in person to compare side by side, researched every possible feature down to the smallest detail, ending up looking at the Samsung 26\\" or a similar model Toshiba in the store for comparison purposes, and read all the online reviews you could imagine. Yes, I'm one of those types of people.   In the end, I chose the Toshiba based on the following: <br /> <br />Pros on Toshiba <br />- Less money <br />- I bought it locally so it got here in time for football season <br />- Generally thought of as better product than Samsung <br /> <br />Cons on Toshiba <br />- Does not have PiP <br />- Silver case instead of charcoal (my preference) <br /> <br />Pros on Samsung <br />- In the store, seemed to have a brighter picture <br />- Had PiP <br /> <br />Cons on Samsung <br />- An issue - as seen in reviews and confirmed by their tech support - where if you go in and set the picture to wide, stretched, etc, it doesn't remember it and you have to reset it each time you turn on the tv. <br />- Generally thought of as a lower end product, but I had differing stories that they were making TVs for Sony, they were up and coming, etc etc. <br /> <br />The Decision <br />I was going back and forth for 2 weeks. Was I stupid to get the Toshiba if the Samsung picture looked better? Did I need PiP? There were pros and cons on each.  In the end, I realized that I would be getting a great TV no matter what. I called tech support for both companies and got right through. So in the end, the switching-modes issue for Samsung was a slight factor, but the Toshiba was $200 cheaper and I could have it 2 days later (I consider this a 'filler' TV anyway for a year or two until I'm ready to step up to a 42\\" plasma whenprices come down). <br /> <br />Here's what sucks... while I was concerned because of the Samsung issue in switching modes, this feature is not usable AT ALL for me on the Toshiba.  I have Time Warner in NYC and HD channels work fine widescreen in that mode. But non-HD channels show up as 4:3 and I guess they're broadcasting at 1080 or 720, because I can't stretch a 4:3 show into wide mode. Toshiba only can take 480 signals and stretch them. Could be a setting I'm missing, but that's me. However, I'm finding I mostly watch the main networks and DVDs anyway.  Right now I hooked up my 'regular' DVD player through digital audio cables and component video, and it looks and sounds spectacular.  Not sure how much better it can get with a progressive scan player, but they're only $65 so I'm going to get one anyway and hope there's at least a noticeable difference. <br /> <br />Bottom Line <br />Both TVs are sweet, and I am very very happy so far with the Toshiba. I have it hooked up through an HDTV digital cable box with DVR built in using component video, and to my receiver with Digital Audio Coaxial cables for sound. Ten seconds watching Discovery Channel HD Theater and you'll be in heaven. I recorded the Patriots-Colts NFL kickoff game and have been using that as a demo to show my friends how good the signal and picture are.  I'm looking forward to a great fall of football, baseball playoffs and am currently buying some 'surround sound widescreen' DVDs off Amazon (True Lies, Ronin, Braveheart, Gladiator, True Romance, The Fugitive, Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Carribbean, etc) to build up a little collection. <br />