Toshiba 30HF85 30" TheaterWide HD-Ready Flat-Screen Direct View TV
Great price on a great HDTV
We decided on HDTV. Problem: I was replacing a 27\\" Sony Trinitron. I wanted at least as much screen on \\"standard TV\\" as I already had but my cabinet limited me to a maximum width of 32\\".  Further, it's the only place in my den a TV fits.  We checked around. The CRT-type HDTVs appeared more like a movie screen to my eyes. Not glaringly bright and not overly contrasty. The 30HF85 met our needs best. Going from store to store the picture on these sets varied from horrible to impressive depending on how good the store's video distribution system was. Salesmen pointed this out to us.    <br /> <br />No problems with \\"lines\\" on the screen or \\"pock marks\\" on the surface of the screen as other reviewers here complained. Kept on the 1080i HD setting we never see the \\"gray matting\\" another person complained of. Toshiba made some improvements? There are many settings. The image can be adjusted quite a bit. <br /> <br />Our set connects to a digital cable box via a \\"Monster HDMI cable.\\" Take our advice and DO NOT skimp on the cable or you will regret it.  One can find it at a 40% discount from internet auction sites.   <br /> <br />Let us caution against buying the Toshiba this way, though. Some internet marketers retail new HDTVs which are \\"B grade units.\\" Sold cheaply because their HDTVs are \\"not quite perfect.\\" And we would not care to wrangle this monster back inside the carton and re-ship it across the country were we to get a lemon. Too much trouble, too much time w/o a tv.    <br /> <br />My son is in college and he sells HDTVs part time at an electronics store. They do not carry Toshiba HDTVs at 'short-circuit city.' He comes home from work and becomes mesmerizied by the PERFECT image on this set. (-He did protest when he learned we were buying a Toshiba...!) <br />   <br />The sound from the built in speakers is unimpressive. But we use our home theatre sound system so it is not an issue. <br /> <br />MANY retailers carry this unit. For instance, Sears does price matching + a 10% bonus. AND they have the most reasonable service contracts around...  Retailers \\"rack up\\" on cables and service  <br />contracts... <br /> <br />45 days later we remain pleased with this television. Our search is over until technology shifts again.