Toshiba 34HF84 34" TheaterWide HD-Ready Flat-Screen TV
Great picture, but what's with the grey bars?
I thoroughly researched my first HDTV purchase, settling on a 34\\" widescreen for my small space, not to mention the cheaper price for these sets, plus their reputed superior picture. I bought this Toshiba sight unseen, so I was a little nervous about the picture quality. Once I got it a couple of days ago I was quite impressed. I have both digital satellite (DISH) and basic cable, and even the cable looks great. One thing that did bother me was the grey bars on the side of the screen when watching a 4:3 standard TV source (SAT, CBL). The manual warns that burn in caused by these bars is not covered under warranty. So why the heck didn't they make the bars black, which don't pose the same kind of risk? Fortunately, the Toshiba set offers a multitude of modes to stretch the 4:3 image to fill the whole 16:9. And much to my delight, the image doesn't appear badly distorted. In fact, in many instances, it almost looks more natural, as if that's the way it was originally filmed. Mind you, I don't yet have an HDTV source.     Movies on DVD are spectacular. The TV upconverts the 480p signal from a progressive scan DVD player to either 540p or 1080i.     I was also impressed with the sound from the TV's built-in speakers. In fact, at one point when I was testing them, I even forgot that I was getting the sound from the TV rather from my audio receiver, which is how I'll normally watch it.    PROS: connectivity options, picture quality, stylish design (small footprint, 33 1/2 in. wide, with speakers below screen), stretching modes, sound from built-in speakers, lighted remote.    CONS: grey bars for 4:3 sources and POP; minor geometry problems; upconversion of standard TV (480i) to 1080i is automatic (can't deactivate it) and may make some programs look \\"shimmery\\" esp on basic cable.    On a side note: the first set I got through the Amazon marketplace retailer BeachAudio arrived busted up. I refused delivery, called BeachAudio, and they had a replacement out to me in 3 days.Excellent customer service. It sometimes pays to go with an established online retailer.     Updated 12/12/04: I recently saw the following posting on AVSforum.com: \\"The grey is used by Toshiba to delay burn in, as it uses the pixels underneath the grey, rather than leaving them not activated or activated with black.\\" At any rate, I suggest not letting the grey bar issue effect your decision.