Toshiba 37AV502R 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 36.3 x 25.6 inches ; 39.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 41 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: B001TA292M
• Item model number: 37AV502R
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,438 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer Manufacturer's Review (March 12, 2009)
Strikingly gorgeous in high-gloss piano black, the 37-inch Toshiba 37AV502R 720p HDTV combines quality, style, and value. It features Toshiba's DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deeper black levels, a fast 8ms response time CineSpeed LCD panel, and two HDMI digital inputs for simple high quality connection to cable/satellite boxes, DVD players and more. It includes a PC Input for use as a PC monitor or gaming TV, and--unlike other smaller TVs--it also features a Gaming Mode to shorten the signal to screen time for faster game controller response. And this HDTV, like all Toshiba 2009 TV models, meets Energy Star 3.0 certifications for reducing energy consumption by up to 25 percent compared with standard TVs.

The elegant Toshiba 37AV502R 720p HDTV (see larger image).

In addition to this 37-inch model, the Toshiba AV502 series also includes the 26-inch 26AV502R and 32-inch 32AV502R. For a step up to 1080p resolution, check out the RV525 series 40-inch 40RV525R. (Learn more about what size TV should you get.)

Key Features

• 720p resolution (1366 x 768)
• 60Hz video scan rate
• 10-bit video processor offers more colors
• CineSpeed LCD panel has an 8ms response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide viewing angle ensures that you'll have the best seat in the house.
• DynaLight Backlight Control utilizes advanced image processing to monitor the brightness of each video frame, and adjust the backlight intensity accordingly. This precision creates seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
• Native Mode restores the size of the picture by the 3-5 percent that is generally lost during the normal over-scanning that occurs on traditional sets.
• Built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning allows for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital "cable-in-the-clear" broadcasts.
• Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown): This HDTV performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, too-- a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. To adapt 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video, frames in the original movie must be duplicated; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this duplication by removing the redundant information to display a frame-accurate picture.
• Color Temperature Control: Most Toshiba televisions provide three user-selectable Color Temperature settings affect the sets overall white balance. The "Warm" setting reduces the color temperature to an NTSC standard 6500 degrees Kelvin and delivers a redder image that is ideal for display in a dimly lit room. "Medium" and "Cool" provide a progressively bluer image for the best picture as room light levels are increased.
• TheaterWide: Sets with TheaterWide modes are ideal for displaying HDTV signals as well as enhanced for widescreen television DVDs.
  • TheaterWide 1:Letterboxed image is digitally expanded 33 percent horizontally and vertically. Useful for reproducing Academy Standard (1.85:1) formatted software.
  • TheaterWide 2:Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 42 percent vertically. Particularly of use when viewing narrow letterboxed images originally filmed in Panavision or CinemaScope.
  • TheaterWide 3:Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 24 percent vertically. Can be utilized when displaying letterboxed images that incorporate narrow bands at the top and bottom of the picture.
• Gaming Mode enhances the gaming experience by reducing the amount of time it takes for the signal to travel from the game controller to the TV.
• Channel Browser allows you to easily scan through the last 32 channels you have viewed, with screen images for the last five channels displayed, by channel, by favorites, and by input, at the touch of a button.
• Channel Labeling allows you to put station call letters on the screen along with the station numbers, so you always know what channel you're watching.
• Energy Star 3.0 compliant
• Warranty: 12 months for parts and labor

Connections

• HDMI (version 1.3): 2
• Component: 2
• Composite A/V: 2 (1 front, 1 side)
• S-Video: 1
• PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1
• Digital audio output: 1 optical

Dimensions TV with stand: 36.3 x 25.6 x 10.9 inches (WxHxD) TV without stand: 36.34 x 23.7 x 4.1 inches (WxHxD) Weight: 39.7 pounds VESA mounting pattern: 300mm x 500mm What size TV should you get?

What's in the Box 37-inch Toshiba 37AV502R HDTV Removable stand Power cord 4-unit universal remote control (with batteries) Printed documentation

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Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. Minimum size = Viewing distance/3 Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Product Description

By combining an HD CineSpeedâ"¢ LCD Display with DynaLightâ"¢ dynamic backlight control, the AV502 Series can bring rich, detailed HD images to any room in your home.

DynaLightâ"¢ Dynamic Backlight -- Utilizes advanced histogram image processing to monitor the brightness level of each video frame and automatically adjusts the backlight intensity based on the image content. This precise signal analysis allows for 256 levels of backlight control and can create a Dynamic Contrast that is 7 to 10 times that of the original panel contrast. The result is a powerful picture with deep blacks for increased detail and incredible depth.

CineSpeedâ"¢ Display -- Has an LCD Response Time of 8ms or less to ensure that the display is also fast enough for high quality home theater.

Gaming Mode -- Enhances the gaming experience by reducing game controller delay. The Gaming Mode allows the video signal to bypass select picture circuitry to shorten the overall signal to screen time. This provides an approximate 33 millisecond response improvement for 60Hz models and 48 millisecond response improvement for 120 Hz models virtually eliminating controller delay.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Color depth and sound a little off, July 3, 2009

By 

Chris S. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba 37AV502R 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV (Electronics)

UPDATE: After only two months this TV has developed a dead pixel. The Toshiba customer service rep told me that "only" one dead pixel is not enough for warranty service, and that less that 5 or 6 dead pixels should not be noticeable at a normal viewing distance. Are you kidding me???!!!! Completely unacceptable. I am very disappointed in the Toshiba brand.

Picture: After setting up this TV the first source I viewed was over-the-air network HD programming - specifically CBS. I noticed instantly that the color detail is not super. Skin tones look a little like "water color," almost cartoon-like in certain situations. Reds are a little over-done as well, they seem to leap off the screen. The colors are very vibrant, but images just look a bit less realistic than on my Samsung. It isn't as noticeable in SD sources, such as DVDs, and the best quality HD programming seems to look better too. Otherwise pictures are super sharp and clear. I am very interested to see how HD cable channels look once I get my HD receiver.

Black levels are good as long as you keep the brightness level down - I keep mine set at 54, with backlight at 86, and the picture is still very bright with nice blacks.

I find the DynaLight feature to be useless. Essentially it turns the backlight down on darker scenes to make the blacks deeper, but the result is a noticeably dimmer picture. I have never been a fan of dynamic backlighting on any TV, and the Toshiba is very slow to adjust, making it quite annoying. I shut mine off, no big deal.

Sound: Sound is not great, but not terrible. I use a stereo receiver so that isn't a problem. The variable audio output allows you to control the volume through your TV even when a receiver is connected.

I have never noticed the buzzing sound that others mention.

Stand: The stand is more than adequate for most situations. My parents have a 26" Toshiba and it uses the same size stand, so it may be a bit small. However, it would take quite a bit of force to tip the TV over. I'm not worried.

Other features: The theater-wide settings are useful for many situations, especially expanding SD sources without distorting the center of the picture. As noted above the DynaLight feature is really useless, but this goes for any brand with dynamic backlight. Just turn it off.

The best advice is to look at this TV in person with an HD source connected. For the price it is a great deal on a name-brand device. In many ways it out-performs the cheaper brands. In a few categories, however, it falls behind.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great deal, May 11, 2009

By 

Douglas A. Hughey (St. Louis, MO. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba 37AV502R 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV (Electronics)

Pros:
very inexpensive, deep blacks, good inputs, bright, vibrant picture, sharp, no discernable ghosting, thin chassis

Cons:
not 1080p resolution, not 120hz refresh, no LED backlighting, cheap stand

For the same price as some of the better 32" LCD TV's, you can now get a 37" LCD TV from a well-known manufacturer- the Toshiba 37AV502R. I was a bit nervous purchasing this TV, since the price really undercut the name brand competition. Because I trust Toshiba, I decided to take my chances. In short, I am happy that I did. You forgo some of the more advanced features, such as 1080P resolution, 120hz refresh, LED-backlighting and a third HDMI input. But what you get is a good basic 37" LCD TV with good picture quality in a compact design. Considering its price, I think it's an excellent deal.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BEST FOR THE PRICE, May 7, 2009

By 

Prasanth Janardhanan "Prasanth" (Wilkes Barre PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba 37AV502R 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV (Electronics)

I ended up paying $551 for this 37 inch TV with all discounts and free shipping which I think cannot be beaten by any of the competitors...
I am dazzled by the performance of this big box!
Pros: Great picture, sleek styling, great price for a 37".
Cons: Menus are a bit cumbersome to use and takes a learning curve. Most of the features need to be accessed from the menu (They dont have an easy button on the remote to select the picture mode or sound mode). Remote is mediocre, with only most common buttons.