Customer Reviews

Toshiba 46HM94 46-Inch DLP Integrated HDTV with Cable Card Slot

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This DLP HD set from Toshiba has a great picture! I upgraded from a toshiba 42" rear crt projection and will never go back to a crt projection display again! This DLP display is twice the picture.The color's are so vivid they jump off the screen! This TV also does a good job of cleaning up less than perfect signals. The HDMI connection really shine's when hooked up to the Toshiba SD-5970 DVD player. Well worth the upgrade to HDMI equipment. The onboard menus are easy to follow as well as fuctional. The two power level lamp is great, I am using the lower level and it is more than bright enought. The 1394 firewire ports are another plus, allowing connection to newer video equipment.

The only complaints are the channel changing is a little slow, I am using terrestrial HD signal, and I have not gotten the "TV Guide on screen system" to work yet.

The future of rear projection TV's is here.

January 12 2005
Problem with the built in "TV Guide" was resolved a couple days later. It just took more time to download the information from my local stations. TV is working great after 2 months.

This TV has the HD2+ DLP chip, which is larger and has a much better contrast ratio than the HD3 chip. There are better chips that are just now being released (xHD3), but at a much higher cost. I bought this TV back in December and have NO complaints. It has performed well beyond my expectations. As the previous reviewer stated, I also upgraded from a 40" Toshiba rear projection CRT. I have had great luck with Toshiba, and saw no need to change to a different manufacturer.

I use a surround sound setup normally, but I have to say this TV has GREAT sound. The bass is pretty impressive. The TV fit nicely in our built-in bookcases. The screen does a good job at blocking glare and reflections from the lamps and windows.

The HD tuners pick up the signals very nicely. We live about 12 miles from downtown Nashville, but are able to pick up all the HD channels with just plain old rabbit ears.

I haven't been able to get a CableCard from Comcast yet as they can't seem to get it together. They never have them in stock, and after I was quoted $15 a month I really don't want one anyway.

My only complaint (very minor) is the TV only has one HDMI port on the back.

3/8/06 - Just wanted to offer a quick update. TV is still going strong. No lamp problems here. Word of warning about the lamp. If you are in an area prone to power outages, put the TV on a UPS. The damage to these lamps occur when the electricity goes out, and there is nothing to cool it down. I think this has been the reason for my success with the lamp.

If you look on the web, you'll see that these DLP's have a limited life span due to lamp-powered system, like a light bulb. The manual says 6000-8000 hrs, so like 1-2 years. Mine last exactly 2 months. Even if I'm watching it 24/7, it is no where near 6000 hrs.
It does give a great picture while it was working. Make sure you get the extended warranty. You're going to need it.

This Toshiba has a great picture and works great with my standard cable service. The only problem is with the cablecard and Comcast service. I have yet to be able to get the cablecard working with Comcast HDTV Digital service. The reason I got this TV was so I would not have to get a cable box. Comcast uses a Motorola cablecard and the Motorola card they provide does not work with this Toshiba model....three different companies not really working closely together make this difficult. If you don't care if you have a cable box I would just get a TV without the cablecard slot. Toshiba is working on the problem but this is very new for the cable companies so expect problems.

The picture on the TV itself is stunning. HD feeds are the best, good-quality DVDs are pretty good, and regular feeds, well...you can now see the difference. In terms of performance and picture, I'm very pleased.

My advice to purchasers is to make sure the delivery guy waits while you unpack it and power it on for a test. I naively sent him on his way, only to find out that something inside the TV itself is broken, causing a distortion in the picture on the screeen. The retailer (Vann's) was very quick about arranging for the return and exchange of the product, but it would've been easier if the deliver guy was still there.

I owned this tv for about six months and I realized that enough was enough! The picture on this set is just horrible, the blacks aren't even black and the color is just abysmal! As time went on, I began thinking that I had made one of the worst purchases ever! The picture on this tv is average when there is lots of light in a scene, but watch dark content material and it is terrible! I now switched to a Panasonic TH-42PX60U, and that plasma has it going on! Great contrast, color, black levels! It is just plain beautiful, sure you may pay more but it is worth it! HD content is out of this world and the image is so lifelike. The image on the toshiba is just dull and lifeless, it could never compare to my panny plasma.

purchased 8/22/05 - no longer working 9/2/05. It has just been taken into the shop.

Before signing and accepting delivery of any Toshiba DLP, be sure to check the screen to make sure that the coating on the inside of the screen is uniform. On mine, there was a circle about 10" in diameter that you can see in certain lighting and even when the TV is off! It will appear lighter than the surrounding areas at times and can be annoying. I called Toshiba and had a service man come out and even though he acknowledged that this is common, Toshiba will not replace the screen. I would have given them a negative 10 if it were possible just because of their attitude. So, look at the screen VERY carefully before accepting or purchasing. If you see this problem, refuse to accept it. Or else just buy a Samsung or Mitsubishi DLP to avoid the problem I have.