Toshiba 65H81 65 HDTV-Ready TheaterWide Projection TV
Great TV!  But it better work right or . . . . .
I purchased this set online early in September.  It arrived in due time and I marvelled at the amazing features.  The sheer size and clarity of the screen are the attributes that got me to plunk down all that money in the first place.  This is one fine television, as far as I can remember.  It worked great for the two days that I was able to use it.  Now for the real story . . .<BR>After using the TV for probably 11 hours straight, watching the larger than life picture with some buddies, we called it a night and I went to bed.  That was two months ago and the last time I saw any picture on the set.  It was manufactured in August 2001, so it was brand new when I received it.  The set worked less than 48 hours before dying.  The set won't start up and only a blinking red light indicates that there is any life at all.  The saga began simply enough with a call to Toshiba America to figure out my options.  I thought return, simple visit to determine the problem or whatever it took.  Toshiba only has 1 authorized dealer within 25 miles of me.  I'm less than 40 miles from Boston and under 25 miles from Worcester, but there is only one authorized dealer in my entire area (They must be responsible for over 200,000 people).  The dealer didn't return my calls at first and I complained to Toshiba.  Check this out very carefully!!!!  Toshiba will only send you to an authorized dealer, and basically will disavow any responsibility for getting the set repaired under their warranty in a timely fashion.  I have wrestled with them over 7 different times, and I finally got the local authorized dealer to come and get the set.  But they don't take the whole set.  They take it apart and remove the base which contains the main components, leaving the cabinet with the mirror, screen, etc. behind at your house to store wherever you can.  The dealer has had the set for over a month now.  Hasn't returned any phone calls inquiring as to the progress on repairs.  Toshiba also leaves it to the dealer.  They don't offer any replacement set or &quot;rental&quot; like you would hope after purchasing such an expensive item.  I'm hoping that the TV will be ready before the SuperBowl and that it is really repaired, but don't have any hope.  I'm pursuing options with the Better Business Bureau and possibly the State Attorney General.  It is my firm belief that a company should stand behind their product and should replace it immediately if there is any problem whatsoever within the (1 year) warranty period.<br />So be AWARE!!  If you purchase the televisiion, and if it works, this is one great set.  If however it fails, you will be without your Television for an indeterminate amount of time, seemingly without legal recourse because of the way Toshiba manages it's warranty work.  Keep this in mind before purchasing and make sure you read the fine print in the warranty section.  Good Luck!