Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI

Review by M. Yatabe for Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI
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I bought this tv as an upgrade from an analog set. I was aiming at getting a screen that was big enough (but not TOO big) for me to not feel as though I should have gotten the bigger size. To date, I am 90% satisfied with the purchase.

It’s very convenient that the HD tuner is integrated into the television. When I brought this set home from the store I was able to plug in my set of amplified rabbit ears and immediately receive the local HD broadcasts. Ironically, even though I have a digital cable subscription, I still use my rabbit ears intermittently because Comcast hasn’t negotiated a contract with CBS for their HD signal. Strange, but true.

I had no problems with the construction of the TV when it was unboxed. There were no noticable flaws or defects, and I haven’t noticed any sort of physical flaws or defects over the course of my initial ownership. The size and weight of this set is excellent. Carrying it up and down stairs is only a two-man job because it weighs just under 80lbs. It’s also very slender at only 15.25 inches (387mm) deep, which gives my lots of placement options.

The picture quality is excellent when viewing from a distance greater than six feet – any closer than that and the clarity breaks down a bit. Due to the size of the picture, the standard (NTSC) resolution images are rather grainy, but the HD images are excellent. There are clear edges, good color saturation, and off-axis viewing is surprisingly good too. It takes a second or so for the processor to switch formats if you’re changing from an analog signal to a HD signal, but I’m getting used to that. I just love the depth of color and brightness that you get with a DLP set – better than current LCD and just a notch below plasma, IMHO.

There are plenty of inputs for my home theater equipment, and the built in multi-format flash card reader was a nice surprise. The front accessible panel also has both standard A/V inputs and an S-video input, which is also quite convenient. The layout of the rear inputs is easy to negotiate, and I was able to find connections for all of my home theater devices (digital receiver, digital cable box, DVD player) with no problems. And the owner’s manual provides setup suggestions for various combinations of components. At the current time I am only using the component and optical digital signal inputs, and have nothing to comment on regarding the HDMI or IEEE1394 connections.

Due to my digital cable with HDTV package subscription I have to use a cable box supplied by my provider. I was advised that I wouldn’t be able to receive premium services if I opted to use the Cable Card slot.

The remote is large and kind of confusing to navigate, and there seems to be a low level high-pitched whine when the backlight buttons feature is active. And though I’ve made a few different attempts to set up the TheaterNet device control system, I haven’t been able to get it to work as smoothly as I’d have liked (but this point would be moot if you plan to use a universal remote.)

Now on the negative side of things; I’ve had to completely reboot the processor several times over the first few months that I’ve owned this TV. The HD signal processing software seems to be a mite touchy at times and can go into complete brainlock, which is what forces the reboot. Also, there seemed to be an issue with the POP (picture-outside-of-picture) feature that caused a similar lockup when I tried to view two broadcast HDTV signals simultaneously. This could have been due to user error in retrospect, and all problems have been solved without having to contact tech support.

Because this is a rear-projection set, I will eventually have to replace the projection bulb assembly. I’ve heard other owners say that they’ve had problems in ordering a replacement bulb because Toshiba is backordered at the present time. I can’t confirm or deny this rumor. However, it appears that the bulb assembly replacement procedure is simple enough, and the access hatch is conveniently located so I won’t have to move the set in order to get to it.

All in all, I’m extremely satisfied with my purchase and would definitely recommend this particular model to anybody who is shopping for an entry-level widescreen HDTV. The price, size, and features are all very good in comparison to other TVs of similar size and design.

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Since I have written my review, I have had to replace the projection bulb assembly. This was covered under warranty and done via the Toshiba Customer Service working through a local service rep. It took a reasonable amount of time to get my set back up and running and their online/telephone service was very helpful and courteous. I hope that the replacement bulb assembly lasts longer than the first one did though…

Review by Stretch for Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI
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I have talked with Toshiba Direct about the numerous reports about lamps blowing after only 3 or 4 months and they admit they had been given defective lamps from A company that was manufacturing them for Toshiba DLP TVS. Toshbia told me that these “bad Lamps” were in DLP models manufactured in August and early Sept.05 Toshiba also said they were getting lamps from a new company and the problem had been fixed. I purchased the 46HM95 on black Friday at BB and i LOVE the TV, DVD and HD are bright and crisp, much brighter than plasma or LCD with outstanding black levels . BTW Toshiba will replace the lamp IF it gos during the 1 year warranty.

Review by M. Carney for Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI
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The bulb burned out in less than two months! Toshiba doesn’t have any replacements in stock and they are not sure when their next shipment is coming in!? Did these people ever hear of tracking information? It’s a great tv if you remove the front screen and host puppet shows inside. Very roomy. But if you want to actually watch tv, this product can’t help you. Toshiba’s customer service line is one of those that makes you key your phone number, zip code and favorite color into the phone before someone answers, then, when someone finally does answer they ask for your phone number, zip code and favorite color! Didn’t I just do this? Didn’t I just do this?

TV still doesn’t work…

Review by leftypockets for Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI
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I compared to 42 Sony LCD, 44 Panasonic LCD, 42 and 46 Samsung DLP. Have a small viewing location and larger TVs upclose won’t look as good. Liked the 44″ Panasonic chassis by far the best, 42″ Sony didn’t come with PIP or POP but had a nice compact size. The picture quality of the two Samsungs at 3 stores seemed grainy (SDE)and poor overall but in a very nice chassis. Panasonic complaints about bulb ($300) are rampant (but now 18 mo. warranty,) Samsung quality issues seemed common also. That left me with the $1,900 Toshiba with POP and the $1,600 Sony. LCD rear projections just “don’t do black” as well as DLPs.(Surprisingly even the $4,000 Sony XBR isn’t as good in black level as a 1080P DLP.) I ordered the Toshiba on-line from Best Buy but they screwed up the order so I cancelled and bought locally.

Very, very happy with the picture quality with OTA inputs. Much better than anything I saw in ANY store. DVDs with or without an upconverting Toshiba XS52/50 DVD-HDD are excellent. Sound is very acceptable, menus are comprehensive but not mind boggling. Fan noise is noticable (could be better Toshiba), overall chassis appearance design is just fair – 3 year old design. TWO (2) HDMI inputs (only TV in its price range). 2 level lamp ($200)with hi-lo setting is supposed to give 8,000 hrs in lo setting. (Hi would give you radiation burns) Lamp back orders seem to be a problem for everyone (except Sony?) Wide viewing angle, very bright, excellent blacks, no rainbow for me, TV guide works perfectly (I know that’s a surprise), superb picture quality . Remote can be back lit (low level high-pitched whine is designed to remind you its on). Over-all very pleased. I’ve seen the 56″ Toshiba 1080p and the 50″ Samsung 1080p and they are better so 5 stars for them and 4 to the 46hm95. (Former Circuit City manager)

Review by ROBERTO J. MORENO for Toshiba 46HM95 46-Inch Diagonal 16:9 Integrated HD DLP Projection TV with HDMI
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Like many others, I bought this DLP on Black Friday ’05.

I did my research and found DLP’s to have a more sufficient lifetime and video gaming capability. So, when I saw this I was directly attracted to it.

I took it home and gave it to my father as an X-Mas gift. I went ahead and got DishNetworks HD package Ultra.

I paired this set up with my old PC speaker Logitech Z-5500 and WOW!

The whole setup blends in.

The TV’s quality at 720p is amazing.

I also purchased a Toshiba Upconverter DVD player and the movies are amazingly & vivrantly displayed in this DLP.

Unlike many of the DLP’s at that time, this one also comes with 2 HMDI connectors.

Giving the image a more pure source for audio and video.

There has been rumours about the rainbow effect. Well I’ve experienced it only while loading PS2 for the first time.

The only thing confusing about the DLP is the control. It has a lot of buttons I’ve even yet to use.

My dad has an older Toshiba Projector that comes in a cabinet. It’s about 52-56’s and it’s from the early 90’s.

When he saw the color quality of the 46′ he gladly did the downgrade in size and upgraded to the newer technology.

I did read about the bulb factor and I’ve had this unit for 6 months and i’ve yet to experience any issues. I have had to reset the set once. By unplugging it, and plugging it back in.

PS. with all electronics over $1k I dd get a 3-4 yr warranty from Best Buy. Figured it’s better to be safe than sorry.

All of our entertainment units in our house are Toshiba (dvds, vcrs and tvs). Not a regret yet.