View Full Version : Toshiba 43" Rear Projection TV
I've noticed that a few people on here have raved about the Toshiba 43PJ93 rear projection TV. Now that most people have had them for quite a while, what do you consider to be the good and bad points about it? Any little niggles? Happy with it not being 100Hz?
Ta!
Michael Brooke
12-10-2001, 15:02
I've now had mine over four months, and I'm still absolutely delighted with it - the picture still blows me away, especially with 4:3 material, which makes up the overwhelming majority of my DVD collection (bearing in mind most extras are still 4:3 format, as is much broadcast TV).
My only real niggle is that the convergence is slightly off towards the extreme right of the frame, but apparently that's a side-effect of the rear projection process and impossible to remedy completely (for example, I can adjust it, but that creates similar problems on the left of the frame!). It's a very very minor point, though - we're talking about a centimetre of the screen with a slight red fringe, and it's not at all distracting.
My only other problem is that this TV <U>ruthlessly</U> exposes poor source materials - most notably broadcast TV and VHS. But that's not something I can fairly blame Toshiba for!
SimonInd
12-10-2001, 16:05
I'd second Michael's opinion. It's a great TV, particularly for £1200 which means the only competition is 32" 16:9 - tiny in comparison.
The fact that it's 4:3 is great for TV and non US/UK DVDs which are less likely to be anamorphic and may have subtitles below the black bars ( some HK titles spring to mind ). The widescreen mode leaves no line at the top of the 16:9 image and the switching in and out of 16:9 mode works on all 3 SCART inputs ( unlike my old Sony where it only worked on 1 ).
The 50Hz image is rock solid and there are no 100Hz nasties to worry about - quite surprising given the size of the screen.
I would agree about the convergence, although I only notice it on black and white films, the right hand side of the screen can look slightly more red than the left - although this is dependent on your viewing angle, it's barely noticeable from straight ahead.
The other thing people harp on about is screen burn from logos etc. I run my set with the contrast at 40% and brightness about the same. Screen burn tends to occur when you've got the contrast whacked up to 100 and you just don't need that.
Buy one, you'll never look back - unless you find it too small after a while:D
Simon
pjweston
12-10-2001, 17:10
It's great. I agree with all the comments above. My 'little niggles' are:
- The picture is not as bright as a conventional set; the picture is greatly affected by the ambient light.
- The picture seems a slightly softer than a conventional set. This may, however, simply be due to the size of the screen.
- Illumination is not perfectly even across the entire screen; it's very slightly brighter in the middle (although this is not generally noticeable).
- The set - esp. on its stand - is so tall that it dominates the room. A fact of life with such a large 4:3 format screen, I guess.
- On my set the mis-convergence issues mentioned above are quite noticeable along the very bottom edge of a 16:9 image.
- There's nowhere to mount a quality center speaker; the top is too narrow and the slots in the Toshiba stand too small.
- Setting volume to 0 on the TV turns off the fixed level phono audio outputs; when set to min. volume the internal speakers are inaudible above the external speakers but this design decision is just incomprehensible to me...
Thanks for the responses. Now, how do I justify such a purchase to the wife... :)
...take her along to Currys or somewhere to see it, that's what I did; though my wife preferred the Widescreen version (40pw13b) so that's what we now have on order from QED:cool:
You bad people!!
I had no intention of buying a new TV but having read this and other threads it looks like I now have no choice!!
I did have concerns about rear projection but from what you guys say (and the reviews I have read) that is not an issue with this set.
Will be placing my order for one tomorrow, any ideas as to where the best place to buy one is at the moment?
don't worry Zander, there was an enormous thread on this model a while back which I took a look at once.......I've had my 43"er for some time now!! :)
It is gorgeous and I am always amazed by the picture with whatever DVD I bung in. It looks great with Sky Digital broadcasts too.
Go on...........
MUST........RESIST.......EVIL........MAN.......!!!
I have just spoken to AV Direct who will do it for £1020 inc £120 stand and £37 delivery. £1177 doesnt seem to bad!!
Have also spoken to Unbeatable who will beat their price by £8 and seemed much more helpful.
The only problem is I have to wait 2-3 weeks and I want to order it and have it delivered that day!!
I've been told that this model has now been replaced by model 43VJ13B. I can't find anything about this anywhere. Anyone have any idea what the differences might be?
mjb1975,
well I went and ordered one!! Thanks for the advice, she gets here tomorrow so we will see..........
Originally posted by Zander
well I went and ordered one!! Thanks for the advice, she gets here tomorrow so we will see..........
Where are you getting it from? Is it the new replacement model 43VJ13B?
well done Zander...!!
This forum can cost you a lot of money. As I said earlier, I was not even considering a RPTV - maybe a 32"CRT model - but saw the thread on this Tosh and it soon changed my mind. I did operate on recommendations, as it is difficult to find a store which showed it in it's full glory as they are always set up incorrectly, or using a 'normal' terrestrial signal (usually crap one too!).
I know widescreen is sexy, but I consider this to be the best of both worlds - you get fabulous (not to say enormous!) pictures via Sky Digital on 4:3 broadcasts (just wait to see the Simpsons!) and also a fantastic picture on widescreen DVD's. So a 43" 4:3 picture and between 35" and 37" for your DVD's (depending on aspect ratio's).
No unnecessary stretching or zooming - just a simple 16:9 mode to take advantage of anamorphic pictures....
Have fun with it - you won't regret your purchase! Maybe except when you get it out of the box and realise how BIG it is!!
Originally posted by R2-D2
Where are you getting it from? Is it the new replacement model 43VJ13B?
I got it from a place called TV & Video Direct (put it in Bargain Forum). I didnt get the replacement model, I figured that would probably be way more.
Originally posted by Zander
well I went and ordered one!! Thanks for the advice, she gets here tomorrow so we will see..........
So didn't it arrive? Is it any good? :)
Originally posted by R2-D2
So didn't it arrive? Is it any good? :)
Oh my god!!!
That is the biggest TV I have ever seen!! It really is quite imposing!!
Watching things like The Simpsons or EastEnders is really weird, its just so damn massive!!
The picture is fantastic, I was a little bit worried about it being grainy etc but it really isnt. Very bright and clear.
The other thing I was a little concerned about was viewing angles, i.e. if you were at an angle not being able to see the picture. This doesnt appear to be much of a problem, it does get a little less bright at the sides but not bad enough to be a problem. It does seem to get a little worse if you stand up or sit down to low which is a little odd??
Over all I would recommend this set to anyone, the only thing I would say is to make sure you have a big enough room for this bad boy as you will not fully appreciate its size until it is in the room (on the stand it comes up to my eye level and I'm 6ft 2"!!)
good news Zander.
If you've got them, try playing the open matte versions of Toy Story 1/2 or A Bug's Life.....if you think The Simpsons looked good, woah!!
Yes, I was a little worried about the angles, but our living room is designed ok and there's only one seat where it might be a bit too acute, but it's fine apart from that.
It is enormous yes, but I tell you what, it doesn't take too long to get used to and soon you'll be wanting a bigger one!!
If you've got a THX setup function, either stand-alone discs, or sections on say T2 UE or Toy Story, use them to set up the colour, brightness and contrast - it'll look fandabbydosy!
Originally posted by mjb1975
good news Zander.
If you've got them, try playing the open matte versions of Toy Story 1/2 or A Bug's Life.....if you think The Simpsons looked good, woah!!
Yes, I was a little worried about the angles, but our living room is designed ok and there's only one seat where it might be a bit too acute, but it's fine apart from that.
It is enormous yes, but I tell you what, it doesn't take too long to get used to and soon you'll be wanting a bigger one!!
If you've got a THX setup function, either stand-alone discs, or sections on say T2 UE or Toy Story, use them to set up the colour, brightness and contrast - it'll look fandabbydosy!
M8 thanks a lot for all your help!! Really was worth it!!
Could you have a look at my other thread in hardware about a new DVD. I would be interested to hear you views.
Ta.
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