Toshiba 32 inch HDTVs any good?

[aercy]

Hi,
Still on the quest for my own 32 inch HDTV, I've come at the cross-road where I either go for Sony, or for Toshiba. I have mentioned my requirements in details below; my questions are ...

1) How is Toshiba as an HDTV maker in India?
2) Can I expect at least 2 years' life from their HDTVs?
3) Any idea about their service, especially in the Eastern region?
4) Any suggestion on specific Toshiba HDTV model?

Budget - INR 33,000 (Max)

Requirements (Priortized):
1) HD Movies from USB and PS3
2) Gaming on PS3 and occasionally connecting PC
3) HD Set-Top Box
4) Internet-ability not needed ('Smart' is pretty 'dumb' idea)

HDTV Model Shortlisted:
1) Toshiba 32PU200 (720p)
2) Toshiba 32PT200 (1080p)
3) Sony 32EX330 (720p)

 

[arun malur]

Hi Aercy:

I don't have any experience of 32", but have been using a 40" PS 10ZE Toshiba for more than a year and the audio/video is excellent. I have a Sony E 600 also and the picture quality of Toshiba, in my opinion, beats Sony. Sony's audio is extremely poor but Toshiba's is room filling > 300 Sq. ft. Try and get a demo before buying.

 

[madbullram]

Both 32PU200 and Sony EX330 are direct LEDs and are good. I have 3 Toshiba TVs in my family and never had any issue (1.5 yrs). Toshiba also comes with 3 yrs warranty. Plus its almost 8k cheaper.

Take a demo of both models and decide on what u like. Both are excellent brand and good products.

 

[koushik]

To add to that, for 32" panel, no need to go for 1080p. HD ready is enough.

 

[madbullram]

Also, wanted to add PU200 is almost same if not better than Sony model you mentioned.

 

[kaptan]

I am also having a toshiba 32 in LCD, almost 2 years over good picture quality and no issues till now.

 

[jsmithe]

I bought a Toshiba 32PB200 online for about Rs. 22K and have not had any problem reports with it for about 2 months now. It has a really thin bezel which gives it the appearance of being larger than it actually is. Sound is pretty good for such a thin panel. Really light weight. Picture quality looked pretty good too, though not as good as the Sony HX850, but that one's a different animal altogether. The 32PB200 does not play video via USB, only still pictures. The 32PU200 adds USB video playback and maybe some other features too.

The panel is not very thick so when you try to wall mount, normal cables will get squished against the wall since there are no side connectors except for, IIRC, USB. I therefore could not wall mount the panel since I did not have the right angled HDMI, RCA cables at that time. Call center was prompt in dispatching a service person to wall mount, though as indicated I finally did not go through with the wall mount.

The panel has a 3YW as standard which gives a clue as to Toshiba's confidence in the panel.

 

[madbullram]

jsminthe: Did you compare PB and PU? I found PU is much better interms of PQ may be due to direct LED compared to edge LED of PB.

For your HDMI problem, but this and it will solve it:
http://www.ebay.in/itm/Right-Angled...Domain_203&hash=item27cf319f5f#ht_6002wt_1139

 

[jsmithe]

jsminthe: Did you compare PB and PU? I found PU is much better interms of PQ may be due to direct LED compared to edge LED of PB.

I was unable to compare the PB and the PU variants of the Toshiba 32 since the PU variant was not available at the time I bought the PB. For just around Rs. 3K more the ability to play video via USB and the direct LED may well have been worth the difference.

For your HDMI problem, but this and it will solve it:
Right Angled 90 Degree HDMI Male to Female Extension Converter Adapter-Joiner | eBay

Thanks for the link. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Toshiba's wallmount guys couldn't bring the appropriate wallmount kit for the TV rather than tell me to go get right-angled RCA, HDMI cables. From what I recall of reading the manual, there apparently is a wallmount kit from Toshiba that works with the TV, but the wallmount chaps just bring any old 3rd party kit.

Anyway the TV was for my folks and they aren't too particular whether it is wallmounted or direct LED or whatever, they just want a TV that works smoothly, looks good and doesn't dim the lights whenever it is turned on like their old CRT would.

 

[madbullram]

For them, I think PB is more than enough. I think you made the perfect choice

 

[aercy]

Thanks a lot for your inputs, I am relived to know that Toshiba won't be a bad choice at all. I'll go for 32PU200 only, pretty sure PS3 games will look fine on it. Thanks a lot guys.