Toshiba 37XV505DB / 37XV503DB Review
Thursday, 1 May 2008, 3:39 am GMT
The Toshiba 37XV505DB is the first of their Regza XV range of LCD televisions we managed to get our hands on to review. Replacing the ever-so-popular Regza X series, the new Toshiba XV LCD TVs feature true high definition (HD) 1920 x 1080 native screen resolution, “Luma Sens” technology which automatically adjusts the LCD backlight depending on the ambient light detected to improve blacks and save energy, a full power down mode which consumes even less power (compared to standby), and a dedicated game mode that decreases input lag for better gaming experience.
While researching this LCD HDTV on the internet, you may have come across different model names such as Toshiba 37XV503DB and Toshiba 37XV505DB. They are essentially the same panel (in terms of specifications and presumably picture performance) bar some minor cosmetic differences. However, some retailers have taken advantage of this difference in model name to refuse price-matching requests which may erode their profits.
Here’s our full Toshiba 37XV505D review.
“automatically adjusts the LCD backlight depending on the ambient light detected to improve blacks and save energy, a full power down mode which consumes even less power (compared to standby)”
Save energy, consumes even less power… but not a single word about power in the actual review???
I cant even understand why people consider buying LCD tv sets with all the inherent flaws it carries.
“The panels fitted to these screens, although well-specified in terms of resolution, just can’t muster the contrast to produce an image that really “pops”, and like all LCDs, the contrast ratio drops off even more when you view the panel from any position other than straight-on.”
And I have yet to lay my eyes on an LCD that would produce a decent non-lagging picture when watching sports in standard definition.
LCD is good as computer screens in the size below 30 inches, otherwise is total crap in comparison to plasma and CRT.
Johan. There is no doubt that in most situations plasma gives better picture than LCD, but if you look at TV like Samsung A656 (A650 in USA) and say it is total crap in comparison to plasma and CRT, then I say you are mistaken. LCDs were total crap, but they are getting better and better, I say at the end of the year 2008 (RGB local dimming LEDs etc.) they are really close to the PQ of plasmas like Pioneer PDP-5090.
Looks like a great TV for this budget, but how exactly would it compare to the Z3030 in a 1-on-1 shootout? Would you still recommend the Z3030 over this model despite the higher CR? (Of which I know it doesn’t say everything, but still…)
Thanks for the review Vincent. I got myself one of these pre-review so it’s nice to see my choice was OK…Having used it for a few weeks I think it’s a pretty excellent set for the cash.
@ Johan - I’m always surprised when people say that CRTs are better than LCDs….this TV completely blows away my Panasonic CRT…..the only thing that the CRT just edges it out is bass performance…..but that’s common to all flatpanels anyway.
@Vincent - Is there any chance you could post the final post calibration settings that you used?
I purchased the Toshiba 37XV503DB LCD set based on Vincents review, but I am unable to calibrate the picture settings to a satisfactory level.
I was wondering if you would be kind enough to post the picture calibration settings used in the review?
hi,i know this is normally not the case,but are the figures we see on the operation page of this tosh 37xv503 review,are they the final calibrated settings you came up with or not,because they seem to give me a very good picture on my set well as far as i can tell it looks good.
I would also like to know if the numbers on the pictures are postcalibration settings.
Thanks!
Yes, they were.