Toshiba 26HL66 26-Inch Diagonal TheaterWide 16:9 Integrated HD LCD TV

by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 26 x 10.8 x 21.1 inches ; 32.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 40 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000FA0DFM
• Item model number: 26HL66
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,623 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This Toshiba model is a high-definition widescreen TV that's ideal for the latest digital entertainment. Not only does it feature a Regza Premium Cinespeed LCD panel capable of 1080 interlaced lines of HDTV resolution and an HDMI input port, but it also has a 15-pin D-sub port, allowing you to connect a PC and have the set double as a computer monitor.

The Value of LCD TVs
Aside from their obvious aesthetic value, LCD TVs are much more practical in the home than CRT (tube-style) televisions. They take up a smaller footprint, and thus use up less floor space in the room. Also, LCD TVs are lighter and easier to move around when cleaning or redecorating. The 26HL66 is only 4.61 inches deep and weighs less than 33 lbs. without the stand. Best of all, LCD screens use less power than CRTs and plasma screens.

Video
Response time is the interval an LCD screen takes to switch from its darkest color to its lightest color and back again, measured in milliseconds (ms). This screen's response time is 8 ms, which is at the faster and better end of the spectrum. This screen is likely to display cleaner, sharper images during high-action scenes and display fewer image artifacts than other screens in its class. And because the set has a 12-bit digital processor, it can display many times more shades of gray and levels of color than 8-bit systems can. The set is rated with a 176-degree viewing angle, so the picture will be viewable from nearly any part of the room. While it lacks the CableCARD slot that other sets have, the 26HL66 does come with a built-in QAM digital cable tuner and an ATSC/NTSC tuner that will display terrestrial or over-the-air HDTV and traditional analog signals.

HDMI Compatible
The set comes with a built-in High-Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI) port. HDMI is an interface format that provides uncompressed digital audio and video directly from a DVD player, next-generation game system, or some other digital video source. It represents the current state of the art in high-definition video and sound because the information never has to be converted into an analog format or compressed. Another benefit of HDMI is that it puts all that information into one cable and one easy-to-use connector.

Audio
SRS WOW, a combination of SRS 3D, TruBass, and Focus sound-expanding systems, creates a 3-D sound field with improved bass response over standard TV audio as well as a directed, three-dimensional audio sweet spot for maximum enjoyment. The cabinet includes stereo speakers, but the TV also has optical digital output for connecting to your audio system. Toshiba's StableSound feature maintains television volume within a preset range regardless of the source signal. This is an extremely useful feature when transitioning between a quiet television program and a very loud commercial advertisement or when changing channels.

Parent Features
The 26HL66's sleep timer allows you to set the television to automatically shut off after a preset duration. It's a handy and common feature to modern TVs, but the 26HL66 takes it a step further. Game Timer shuts the TV off after set duration and can only be turned on with a special lockout code. The Video Lock feature allows the user to lock out selected inputs, which is handy when limiting a child's access to video games. Of course the built-in V-Chip functionality makes it so parents can set a threshold content setting and effectively lock inappropriate TV content out of the home.

Other Features
For optimum display of each type of input source, the 26HL66 allows the viewer to make video adjustments for each type of input, such as RF, composite, S-video, and ColorStream component video inputs. The SurfLock feature gives the viewer the freedom to browse programs on other channels then return to the original channel at any time simply by pressing one button.

26-inch Widescreen
A general rule of thumb for selecting the right size television screen is that the screen width--not its 26-inch diagonal measurement--should be between three and five times the optimum viewing distance, such as the distance from the TV screen to where your eyes are while sitting on the couch. Less than that, and you may be distracted by the scan lines of the picture. More than that, and you may lose the detail of your TV. Based on this guide, the 26HL66 is ideal for viewing distances of six to 10 feet.

Here is a list of the set's audio, video, and data connections:

• Audio/video inputs: 2
• ColorStream HD inputs: 2
• S-video inputs: 1
• HDMI input: 1
• PC input: 1
• RF input: 1
• Audio video output: 1
• Optical digital audio output: 1

What's in the Box
Toshiba 26HL66 TV, 4-item glow universal remote, TV stand, product manual and warranty information

Product Description

26" HD 16:9 LCD TV

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars September 2006 Consumer Reports 26" LCD HDTV Top Rated, October 15, 2006

By 

mkb (new york, new york USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba 26HL66 26-Inch Diagonal TheaterWide 16:9 Integrated HD LCD TV (Electronics)

I've been spending time seriously researching which LCD HDTV I'm going to buy. My choices are between the Sony 26S2000, Panasonic 26LX600, Samsung LN-S2641D, Sharp 26SH20U and Toshiba 26HL66.

I'm a Sony fan, owned several of their TVs over the years and been pretty happy. I was leaning that way again - my last TV was a wonderful 23" Sony LCD HDTV that I gave to a close friend because she didn't have a TV and I wanted a slightly larger model with HDMI anyway. I know most people now pass over the 26" and go for the 32" but the smaller size suits my small living room which I don't want to make a screening room!

However the recent Consumer Reports (that I personally respect a lot in the absence of any other thorough independent comparative study I can get my hands on) on the new crop of LCD HDTVs put my Sony preference on hold because the Toshiba is TOP RATED in both the 26" and 32" categories. I spent some time looking at these models over the weekend and my decision is almost made. The Toshiba picture looks great - better than the Sony (though it's hard to tell in a TV store where everything is on an HD feed).

So with Consumer Reports ratings and analysis placing the Toshiba ahead by 3 points overall, actual design and price comes more into play - and I have to hand it to the Toshiba! The Sony looks pretty dull and a bit too plastic (I know they all are made of the stuff!) whereas the Toshiba ironically looks pretty cool because it seems to have taken it's styling cues from Sony's highly desirable XBR line! BTW

I didn't include the XBR in my quest because it's much more than I can afford - though of course I lust after it. But for some $300 less, the Toshiba may well prove to be an excellent top rated XBR substitute. In fact it's the least expensive of all the other models I mentioned in this review.

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as great as stated in various reviews but good, December 24, 2006

By 

CURTAIN CALL "DEPECHEMODE101" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Toshiba 26HL66 26-Inch Diagonal TheaterWide 16:9 Integrated HD LCD TV (Electronics)

In regards to the previous reviewer's comments, I noticed the same problem. Our tvs must have come from the same "defective" batch. Light leaks from the bottom left center of the screen when watching wide screen (16x9) movies. The light emanates upwards from the bottom of the screen, above the tv shell, and shines like a small spotlight on the black bar. I thought is was just light being reflected from the light on the ceiling in my room. Unfortunately, it wasn't a reflection. Then I hoped it would eventually just go away. It hasn't.

In regards to the Toshiba 26HL66, I can't knock it or brag about it. I will only offer you my experience. Let's start with the exterior. It's nicely designed, and just as sharp as Sony's high end XBR1 model. Although I've always been a Sony devotee, I purchased this tv because it performed better with fast motion than all other lcd hdtvs I looked at, and also because the color was excellent and produced a sharp image. Anyways, I went to Best Buy, Sears, Circuit City, K-Mart, Target, and Ken Cranes, to see for myself the pros and cons I've read about lcd hdtvs. The main con has been that lcd tvs can't handle fast motion, such as a football game or quick camera movement. Call it what you want, blurring, pixelation, or ghosting. This is definitely true. Lcd tv technology has not yet been perfected. Remember, this technology, not too long ago, introduced lcd computer monitors to the market. When it comes to handling fast motion, the Toshiba Regza lcd beats them all, including Sony's high end XBR1 line. I must have seen every 2006 lcd model on the market. Toshiba was the only manufacturer that stood out above the rest when it came to fast motion. I'll give this tv's response to fast motion a B+. Very good but not perfect as would be viewed on a crt tv. The sound quality is very good in a bedroom setting, which is where I have this tv. There are five viewing modes: natural, theater wide (1, 2, 3), and full screen. In standard definition (local channels), the natural mode produces an image of 17 (L) x 13 (H). It fills the screen from top to bottom with black bars on the sides. The three theater wide modes and full screen mode fill the whole screen. But only natural, full, and theater wide 1 modes show the whole image. Theater wide 2 and 3 modes zoom in, so you lose a little of the original image. I prefer theater wide mode 1. You get a nice full screen without image distortion. The image is slightly better in natural mode but it defeats the purpose of the tv's 26" screen size. It's nice to have choices. The remote control configuration is ok. I don't like the fact that the channel "enter" button isn't located near the numbers. It may take a few days to get a hang of all the buttons. They could have left a few off. But once you know the functions of all the buttons, navigating through the on-screen menus is simple.

Unfortunately, now comes the cons. Toshiba doesn't offer a 1/8" stereo headphone input jack. I can live without this feature, but it would be nice, especially, since I've used headphones on my prior tv. Several other manufacturers lcds feature a headphone jack. Overall, standard definition tv (local channels) come in fair. Sharpness is disappointing, which basically means the image is grainy. However, some local programs come in better than others. I expected local channel viewing to be inferior to what I was seeing on my 1996 Sony 20" crt tv, which was sharpness and true colors. It is factual that local channels produces an inferior picture on lcd tvs, as compared to an analog crt tv. Regardless what the lcd tv is connected to, whether it be a cable box, satellite receiver, or a coaxial cable drop, it won't make a significant improvement to local channel viewing. Note that I am talking about local channels, not hd channels. Basic cable channels do come in better, with channels such as CNN, MTV, and ESPN standing out. I don't have premium digital channels.

Another drawback that I read about was that vcr playback doesn't look very thrilling on an lcd tv. I didn't hook up a vcr, but I believe the reviews. You would expect everything to improve with hdtv. In fact, it is the opposite. However, understand that it is not the hd technolgy that fails. It's the lcd technology that downgrades all viewing, with the exception of the few channels or shows that provide an hd signal. So if you're watching vhs tapes, store purchased dvd movies, local & cable channels, expect a downgrade, not an improvement with an lcd tv. Hdtv (high definition television) is only worthwhile when you're watching programming in hd. So if you have an analog tv, you may want to wait before jumping at buying a sleek lcd hdtv at a premium price. Perfection for hdtv may come when all channels switch to hd rather than the present analog signal. You may not be happy with your purchase until then. So if you have a bulky analog crt tv that puts out a great image like my ten year old 20" Sony, you may want to reconsider purchasing an hdtv at a premium price but not yet a premium product. As the market share for lcd tvs continues to increase and the problematic plasma tvs are phased out, expect significant gains in lcd performance in the next five years. I'm sorry I can't tell you how high definition looks on this tv. None of the local channels in Los Angeles have switched to an hd signal. Only a few select local and basic cable programs are carried in hd. I'm not sure how many of the premium cable channels carry hd, but I'm sure there aren't many. I guess we'll now have to wait until 2009 until our government makes the earthquake-like switch to hdtv, or is it 2011, 2012, 2014, 2020, 2050, 2060.....

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CR is Correct, this is a great LCD for both SD and HD, December 18, 2006

By 

P. Rudy "Adventure Traveler" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba 26HL66 26-Inch Diagonal TheaterWide 16:9 Integrated HD LCD TV (Electronics)

I needed a good LCD panel for the kitchen. I had bought the Sharp Aquous and found it the worst flat panel I had seen. The motion artifacts were horrible on the Sharp. The PQ on this set is great. NO motion artifacts, very good black levels, easy to adjust. The SD from cable is very good and easily watchable. No, its not HD like, but one of the best SD i have seen. Using the component 720p is excellent. I fed it signal from my 1080i sat dish and the PQ jumped out, 3D vividness.

Loads of inputs, including one HDMI. Even a digital audio output.

Based on all the reviews, this one got the highest for 26". Amazon had a great price and shipped the next day. Arrived in perfect condition.

Yes, there are cheaper 26" LCD sets out there. For the $100 difference, i was glad to have paid it and get a great panel.

I wish the set was 1080, but i have not seen any 1080 sets in 26". and to be honest, not sure if it would matter in PQ with this size screen. The set also has a fixed power cord. I wish it had a detachable one. Sound is good, not great. But no small sets have great sound. But the sound is very listenable for kitchen or bedroom use.

I would not hesitate to recommend this set to someone that wanted a quality LCD for a kitchen, bedroom, etc. You will enjoy the PQ.