Toshiba 51H83 51-Inch HDTV-Ready TheaterWide Projection TV

Blazing forth with its huge screen, high style, and bountiful high-tech features, Toshiba's 51H83 TheaterWide HDTV projection monitor is set to render vivid, smooth, and detailed video signals from DVD players, digital TV set-top boxes, digital satellite systems, cable television boxes--you name it. The set's TruView feature combines several enhancements (black level expansion, fine white, flesh tone correction, and color detail enhancer) to automatically display accurate picture and color details. Also automated, HD Dynamic Contrast continually analyzes picture information and sharpens and deepens those parts of the picture with the most detailed information.

And since not everything you watch will be high-definition in origin (wouldn't that be nice), CrystalScan HDSC upconverts all video signals (including 480i/p) to 1080i HD. This significantly reduces jagged-line artifacts for a smoother, more natural image. (Selectable 540p, for those who want a progressive-scan image from a progressive-scan source, is available through the onscreen menu.) CableClear DNR+ Digital Noise Reduction circuitry optimizes poor NTSC signals from antenna or cable by eliminating video noise (snow).

Meanwhile, DFine high-speed velocity-scan modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas.

A 3D Y/C (4 MB, 10-bit) digital comb filter with Vertical Contour Correction processes RF and composite-video signals for a sharp, clean picture. This advanced filter significantly reduces detail noise, seen as shimmering or flicker, in complex or intricate scenes. The TouchFocus digital convergence system creates perfect corner-to-corner focus at the press of a button.

Cinema Mode (3:2 pulldown) circuitry identifies film-based content from DVDs and reassembles the frame sequence to more accurately reproduce a movie's original 24-frame rate. This process eliminates artifacts and gives you sharp, accurate full-frame progressive images.

Finally, the set's TheaterFine HD super fine-pitch screen uses a 0.52 mm design to reduce the space between lines on the lenticular screen, thereby sharpening the image. With convenient direct video input selection, you can choose specific inputs right from the remote's numbered keypad--no more scrolling through all the inputs to find the one you want.

The 51H83 is loaded with connections of all stripes, including a DVI HDTV input, which gives you a pure, uncompressed video connection with your DTV receiver or set-top box (not included).

For audio, the 20-watts-per-channel 51H83 offers SRS WOW, combining SRS 3D (which creates a wide three-dimensional sound field), TruBass (which boosts bass frequency perception for dramatic low-frequency effects), and Focus (which raises the perceived sound image vertically to clarify voices) to greatly enhance your home-theater sound. StableSound maintains television volume within a preset range regardless of the source signal, and Toshiba's Sub Bass System (SBS) boosts a program's low-end audio for heightened dramatic impact.

The supplied illuminated universal remote also controls most manufacturers' VCRs and DVD players.

What's in the Box
TV, cabinet, remote control, batteries, user's manual, and warranty information.

The only complaint I have is that if you're eye level is about 2 feet above the screen, the picture almost completely disappears, but since I usually sit while watching tv, this is not an issue.

I also use the tv with my XBox and Plastation 2 and with the composite video connections it looks great.


EXCELENT Television, Picture that rivals/bests more $$$ sets   February 27, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

First off, the first reviewer is either completely lieing, or bought a used/grey market television from a shady vendor. This television came COMPLETLY assembled, and with no setup problems whatsoever. I literally set the box down, cut it open slid the top off, shoved the set back into the place it resides now, hooked everything up and it worked FLAWLESSLY. I would bet on the first reviewer not actually owning this television due to the extreme nature of the misinformation he put out there.

Rest assured, the picture quality on this set is second to none in its price range, and in my (and from what I have read, many others) eye it has a better picture than sets costing mor in many cases. The setup is very intuitive, anyone with half a brain can get this thing up and running in no time.
I had looked at several TV's and after narrowly avoiding the sony mistake, I am VERY glad I went with this model.


The First Reviewer Has the Wrong System in Mind   March 3, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

After reading these two reviews, I felt I had to try to set this record straight: I completely agree with the second reviewer. This is an EXCELLENT TV. I had absolutely no problems setting up or using mine and it came completely assembled. As the second reviewer said, all you do is take it out of the box, plug it in and it fired up. Setup involved answering a few on-screen questions and that was it. I too have been impressed with the quality of the picture and feel that I made a smart buy with this TOSHIBA. I think the first reviewer either was taken by the local Rex store or he has this 51" mixed up with some other model. Nothing he described matched my experience with this TV. Believe the second guy....both of us had basically the same results.


Amazing TV - Recommended   December 6, 2003
 11 out of 14 found this review helpful

Love this TV - Best priced 51" on the market as well! Make sure you adjust the convergence using the tv menus.


Can we say not so "wow"   February 12, 2004
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

WARNING! I've had this set for 2 years and have come to learn is does have problem. When you adjust the volume, an image of a volume bar appears on the screen. Over time, this image will burn itself on the screen. Make sure and select a set that lets you turn off the volume control image or moves it around on the screen to avoid screen burn-in.


After weeks of reading about HDTV I came to the conclusion that eventually, you simply must make a choice and go with it. I feel like a made the right choice with this set. Viewing DVDs, the image quality looks every bit as good as I remember seeing it in a theater on the big screen. Older movies don't look quite as good but then again, they don't look bad either. For example, a new movie like X-men 2 is stunning while an older movie like Silverado is not quite as crystal clear. One nice surprise, regular cable TV looks very nice and the settings on the set allow you to display "normal" 4:3 format in the wide-screen mode with little notice of distortion. The back of the set offers many connection options. While the set is heavy, it comes with hidden casters that make it easy to move. I was somewhat concerned about the condition of the set on the day it was delivered as it was freezing cold and I worried that might harm the set. I let it adjust to room temp before I powered it up but the convergence was fine. Right out of the box I was totally pleased with the picture quality.

I want to add that my set came fully assembled. I've been using it for about a month and I'm completely happy with it.