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.
Thanks from me as well for a great review – I bought a Toshiba 37XV505D a week ago.
I’m also trying to calibrate and after seeing the above posts, I’m going to try those settings on the Operation page – the picture settings, the colour temp ones and the base colour adjustment ones.
I’m also going to turn the sharpness right off as DM suggests (I’ve got it on 0 at present). I’ve got the MPEG NR at Low and the DNR at Auto.
At present, I’ve got both the Active Backlight on and the Auto contrast on.
If I use David’s settings, should I alter either of these?
Thanks again to Davd M. for a great, detailed review.
Russ.
Hello again.
I’ve now turned off the auto contrast which seems to have improved things a little more by slightly lightening the picture. But what do others think?
I’ve also brightened it up to 50 as I thought DM’s level was a tad too low for me.
I was interested to see DM’s point about turning the sharpness way down to -50. I’ve tried it at -40 and can see a very (very) small improvement and I won’t be turning it up any more than this.
The contrast way up to 98 seemed a bit much but when combined with the other settings, the picture looks good.
What do others think of DM’s settings? I think everything looks very natural, if a little low on light which is why I upped it to 50.
Russ.
I bought one last week
I receive standard digital sky (not HD), the signal strength was at 90%, I tried PAL to RGB change etc etc etc and no matter what, On match of the day or live ford super sunday etc THE PLAYERS ARE BLURRED!!!!!!! They all look like the kid off the old Ready Brek advert.
Close up is great.
I tried the signal from the Toshiba built in digital receiver – shockingly bad
I tried David Attenboroughs life on earth thro my standard DVD player – sometimes good sometimes poor.
3 seperate signals, although not HD nor Blueray
ARE ALL LCD’S LIKE THIS?
Luckily I bought from John Lewis – its going back next week for a full refund – 28 days – thank God!
Hi maybe im being a bit think but i cant seem to find the calibration settings either here in the coments or on the forum thread anywhere!
cant somone point me in the direction of them please?
So by the sounds of it this LCD isn’t the best, is plasma going to give me that shop quality edge im after. Also is there anything else close to this for the same size and price?? anyone!
I wish I had read these comments before buying from Amazon, the picture is so poor lacking in shades of colour that pictures resemble a water colour painting with faces appearing as pink blobs. Movement is blurred and sometimes erratic and fast motion turns into small squares. I think i will retrieve my old CRT. Is the bulit in digital tv upscaled? Are all LCD TVs the same?
Funny to come back and read the comments here and on other websites after nearly 2 years. Have had this tv for over a year now and simply cannot fault it. I’m usually very picky and fussy and would never settle for anything sub-par; but for £303 from Tesco Direct, (partner works there so had discount), this was an utter steal. How glad was i. I’ve come to accept that virtually EVERY lcd/Plasma has its silly little quirks which will ultimately never please everyone, and this is no exception. HOWEVER, i think some people worry too much about what new tv is around the corner, or maybe rely on too much hearsay – this tv has NEVER failed to disappoint either us, or any visitors to our home.
SD material from Sky looks great, those commenting on the inbuilt Freeview tuner will be rightly disappointed – Freeview neither have the technology nor the knowhow that Sky have at their leisure, so SD pictures WILL look a bit shabby. However after spending quite some time fine tuning he tv’s picture virtually everything looks great, (even ITV2+1 lol). Switch to HD or Blu Ray/PS3 content and this is where the tv really sizzles. detail is fantastic, and the white is REALLY white. Ok the black level is let down by the slightly low 18,000;1 contrast ratio, but those in the know will realise that these ratios can often amount to nothing and are often marketing ploys to outgun rival sets.
Motion blur? Yeah, well i do agree here, but i’ve seen this on expensive LCD’s AND Plasmas and until there’s a cure i can live with it, (come off it it’s really not that bad!), and 24fps content looks lovely and filmlike so i am not compaining.
Benchmarking tests are all well and good, but back in the real world people should just ensure the tv looks right for them, switch off all the gizmos like auto contrast blah blah and enjoy this tv for what it is; an utter LCD bargain which, as demonstrated by it’s own thread at AV Forums has become a bit of a ‘cult classic’ LCD that has seen many happy customers :-) My settings in case anyone cares :-)
Picture mode; Movie
Auto Contrast/Backlight; Off
Black level; Low
Contrast 70
Back Panel 70
Brightness 45
Colour 45
Sharpness -20
3D Management Off
Cinema Mode On
Screen mode; Exact Scan
Looks the business and simply cannot fault it, even after seeing many friends more expensive TV’s, the difference is so marginal, their sets are certainly not £1000 better if you look at it from a cost POV ;-) It’s all design and build stuff which sets it apart.
I’m a happy camper so just wanted to share my thoughts
I currently have this TV and I like it. But the review didn’t mention anything about how much input lag the TV has.
Reason I’m asking is because I want to upgrade to a Sony TV but need to know what the input lag is in standard mode with all the post processing switched off. If it’s similar to the new Sony I’m looking for, then I’ll be very happy!
So please post what the input lag for the TV is!
hi, just bought this tv after hearing some rave reviews that say it is the bussiness. But the picture is so damn pixelated and the freeview reception is poor. Is there anything i can change to the settings or buy to increase resolution thus decreasing pixelation??? Help
I haven’t been very lucky myself with my 37in Toshiba 37xv505DB TV. I bought it in August 2008. After 13 months, the picture dissappeared and only the sound would work. Great! Annoyingly, because it was outside of the 1 year warranty I had to use my knowledge on consumers law to get the Retailer (Currys) to pay for the repair, as it was a manufacturing fault rather than my own.. (£200). One of the internal panels was replaced and guess what, it has gone faulty again after 14 months the replacement was made. This time the left hand side of the TV was unwatchable with white lines, etc. But the guarantee for the repair was 12 months as well! So the TV is now being checked by Currys and hopefully they’ll pay for the repair (again). Actually, I think the picture and sound of the TV are excellent, but only when they work…