According to Toshiba, the REGZA AV61 series is the ideal digital and HD Ready LCD TV for the budget-conscious home.
The series features Active Vision, their high performance picture processing technology which is constantly evolving to enhance the colour, detail, movement and contrast of the images you watch.
It has a contemporary black gloss finish, with narrow bezels and new slim speakers.
The stylish design hides a wealth of technology, including 3 x HDMI™ slots, a PC Input connection and powerful audio performance from the integrated stereo speakers
Active Vision is Toshiba's acclaimed high performance picture processing system. It has been designed to produce high quality, high definition images by enhancing core elements of a television picture:
Images are now spread over a larger number of smaller pixels compared to a conventional LCD TV.
Active Vision reproduces colours with more tones than conventional LCD televisions, producing images with reduced banding for a smoother, more realistic colour progression.
Picture sharpness in fast moving scenes is increased, with a reduction in the jagged edges often seen on lines and fine detail.
The monitoring and adjustment of contrast, enhances detail and increases the ability of the television to represent subtle shade changes.
Dynamic ContrastDynamic Contrast
Dynamic Contrast decreases the TV’s backlight brightness in dark scenes and increases brightness in highly-lit scenes. Getting the best picture detail requires the right balance between brightness and contrast, too much or too little of either is a problem.
Toshiba’s Dynamic Contrast technology automatically adjusts the LCD panel backlight, depending on the level of brightness required by the original signal giving you more vibrant images with a greater intensity when it needs to.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections between TV, DVD and other digital equipment are gradually replacing older SCART connections and make it possible to deliver high definition pictures and sound to your HD Ready TV.
The REGZA AV61 Series has 3 HDMI connections, making it possible to connect 3 HD sources (satellite -TV, DVD, games consoles etc) to your TV at any one time.
Toshiba description: The REGZA AV63 series combines
All Regza AV63s feature Resolution+ technology which enhances standard definition content to virtually high definition quality.
The AutoView function is able to adapt to the lighting conditions in the room and analyses the content on screen, automatically and instantaneously providing optimal picture settings at all times.
All Toshiba TVs carry the Digital Tick and come with Freeview built-in, making them the ideal option for preparing your home for the digital switch.
37" wall-mountable LCD TV with all Freeview channels
Digital text and : 8-day programme guide
Game Mode for enhanced gaming entertainment
Powerful built-in speakers with Bass Boost
USB port - plug in your PC or other electronic device
AutoView Resolution+
Toshiba’s unique Resolution+ upscaling technology takes everyday standard definition content and instantly improves edge detail and texture, enhancing it to virtually high definition picture quality.
It will produce near HD picture quality on all standard definition TV, DVD and downloaded content you watch while still delivering the most pure and stunning picture quality possible from all high definition sources.
Watch as your favourite movies, programmes and games become clearer, richer and sharper than ever before.
AutoView
Toshiba’s unique technology that automatically adjusts picture settings depending on not only the room lighting, which is common feature on quality LCD TVs these days, but also the content shown on screen. The technology eliminates the need to constantly have to adjust the backlight brightness and colour settings in order to find the best viewing experience in all environments.
AutoView means that your REGZA LCD TV will be performing to its full potential, delivering the best possible picture quality at all times.
Active Vision II
Active Vision II is Toshiba'sm acclaimed high performance picture processing system. It has been designed to produce high quality, high definition images by enhancing core elements of a television picture:
This allows highly detailed images to be produced far more accurately across all colour tones.
Active Vision reproduces colours with more tones than conventional LCD televisions, producing images with reduced banding for a smoother, more realistic colour progression.
Picture sharpness in fast moving scenes is increased, with a reduction in the jagged edges often seen on lines and fine detail.
The monitoring and adjustment of contrast enhances detail and increases the ability of the television to represent subtle shade changes.
Game Mode
An exciting new feature for the gamers amongst you - Game Mode. This feature bypasses much of the picture processing technology required to enhance TV programmes and films, resulting in an improved response time and screen refresh rate.
Game Mode is compatible with any HDMI equipped games console and automatically adjusts the picture to deliver a more realistic game setting. This allows every last detail of the original image to be shown without cropping the edges; giving the online gamer a distinct advantage over opponents without a dedicated Game Mode.
Full Power Down
Toshiba have fitted an On/Off switch in response to the concerns expressed by many consumers who would prefer to turn their television off completely.
HDMI
Simply put, HDMI is the new industry standard for the connection of home entertainment equipment.
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections between TV, DVD and other digital equipment are gradually replacing older SCART connections and make it possible to deliver high definition pictures and sound to your HD Ready TV.
The REGZA AV63 Series has 4 HDMI connections, making it possible to connect 3 HD sources (satellite -TV, DVD, games consoles etc) to your TV at any one time.
Attributes
3D Digital Comb Filter: Yes
Active Vision LCD: Yes
Auto Backlight Control: Yes
Auto Description: Yes
AutoView: Yes
Brightness (cd/m2): 500
Digital Noise Reduction: Yes
Dymanic Contrast Ratio: 23000:1
Eco Panel: Yes
Exact Scan Mode: Yes
Full Power Down Option: Yes
Game Mode: Yes
HD Ready: Yes
Meta Brain: Yes
MPEG Noise Reduction: Yes
PC Fine Mode: Yes
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Resolution Plus: Yes
Response Time (G to G): 5 ms
Screen Format: 16:9
Screen Size: 37"
Selectable Picture Format: Yes
Viewing Angle: 178
Visible Screen Size: 94 cm
Audio
Bass Boost: Yes
Dolby® Digital Plus: Yes
Dolby® Digital Plus: Yes
NICAM Stereo: Yes
Sound Output (RMS)W: 20
Stable Sound: Yes
Connections
Analogue Audio Input: Yes
Component Video: Yes
Composite Video: Yes
DVB Common Interface: Yes
HDMI: 4
Headphone: Yes
PC input: Yes
RGB (via Scart): 1
SCART: 2
S-video: Yes
USB: Yes
Dimensions
Depth: 90 mm
Height: 590 mm
Width: 902 mm
Interactive Features
Digital Text: Yes
Electronic Programme Guide: 8 days
Favourite Channel Memory: Yes
Now and Next Information: Yes
Text Page Memory: Yes
Other Features
Integrated Signal Amplifier: Yes
Off Timer: Yes
Panel Lock: Yes
Wall Mountable: Yes
Tuning
Analogue Tuner: Yes
Auto Set-up: Yes
Digital Ready: Yes
Freeview Digital Tuner: Yes
The manufacturer description of this television is: 37 inch full high definition LCD television with integrated freeview. 3 x HDMI connections. Gloss Black Frame.
The Samsung 37" has had mixed reviews, mostly good with the issue being about sound quality. At the end of the day it depends on your expectations and requirements from your television.
For example:
"This TV really looks great - the only problem is that the internal speakers are pathetic! I already had the 32" version of a samsung TV and the sound is brilliant!! - I think they simply forgot to put the speaker into my 37" one!!"
Two different customers had this to say:
"I have had no problems, the quality is great and if I had it all to do over again I would certainly buy it again! I have a wii, sat. dish and hd-dvd player hooked up and all are super."
"Very impressed with this purchase so far. I have only used SD upto now but have no complaints with what I see. I can only imagine i'll be more impressed once I go HD and upscale to 1080P. I agree the sound ain't perfect but I have no need to have it blasting and it does what I expect for the price I paid."
Full HD 1080p technology with 37'' widescreen format LCD TV
Integrated IDTV tuner capable of receiving free to air digital channels plus analogue tuner compatible with analogue broadcasts
3 x HDMI sockets in total for excellent connectivity , 1 side connection and two rear connections , featuring HDMI version 1.3
Screen resolution of 1920 pixels horizontal and 1080 pixels vertical
1080p 24 fps Real Movie mode
15,000:1 Contrast ratio
Samsung's second generation Digital Natural Image Engine Plus technology (DNIe+) and Movie Plus Technology
Speaker output 2 x 10 watts with Nicam Stereo or Mono A2 and SRS TruSurround effect
Anynet+ compatible
Teletext level 2.5
Single tuner Picture In Picture capable of displaying second feed source material
HD Ready 1080P
Its resolution(1920 X 1080) is enhanced two times to that of HD TV(1366 X 768). Enjoy the highest definition possible today when viewing content through next generation game consoles and BluRay players. Experience films and games like never before with unbelievable crystal clear clarity and Motion.
DNIe +
DNIe + (Digital Natural Image engine+) technology creates clear, vivid images that are bathed in natural beauty. Motion Optimizer produces soft, luid motion and ensures the clearest images are displayed. Colour Optimizer provides finely balanced natural colours. Contrast Enhancer delivers deeper black tones that appear natural to the human eye. Detail Enhancer sharpens the edges of the images to present them in sharp, lifelike detail, and Digital noise reduction presents images with clarity and precision.
Entertainment Mode
To provide you with the best entertainment possible, hot keys have been preset for Sports, Movie and Game modes. In this way you can be sure the picture quality you are experiencing is optimised for your specific needs. Fast motion imaging, dynamic detail enhancement, and down-firing speakers combine to deliver the most dramatic entertainment experience you have ever been a part of.
Clear Panel
Enjoy images viewed in their most comfortable light by the reduction of glare end enhanced contrast of the Clear Panel. Images are even clearer then they were before; ensuring that what you see is as clear as can be, and your entertainment as pure as possible.
1080 24P Real Movie
Typical movies are filmed at 24 frames per second, and are later converted to 50 fps (frame per second) to show on a TV screen. The Samsung LCD TV supports these 24 fps sources through the HDMI input, and is capable of showing scenes in the maximum resolution of 1080p as the director intended.
3 HDMI
3 HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs enable you to connect quickly and conveniently to a broader range of external devices. HDMI allows uncompressed streams of digital data to be transmitted via one cable, delivering a purer picture quality to be displayed for your appreciation and enjoyment. Appreciate the best that digital entertainment has to offer with Samsung.
And Finally,
"First impressions are that this is superb value for money. HD through my Xbox 360 look fantastic. SD TV looks ok, but just as good as SD is going to be. Bring on HD Freeview. The only downside is the sound quality, which is really quite bad for a Samsung TV. I run the sound through my hi-fi, which sounds great, though. The sound through the TV has just got NO bass whatsoever, so sound is all flat.
According to the manufacturer, this 37 LCD TV is packed with Toshiba’s own Active Vision LCD processing power, this 37 CD TV instantly gives you Freeview with an eight-day TV guide. This gloss black screen is also HD Ready, so you can attach the latest hi-def equipment.
Toshiba is a word synonymous with quality and innovation; principles that have guided the company in the 130 years since its creation.
Customer reviews indicate:-
" . . . delivers great quality HD-ready pictures at an extremely attractive price . ."
"Excellent HD-ready picture, crystal clear. Not full HD, but who gives a monkeys?"
Active Vision
All AV models have integrated digital tuners, an important feature with the switch from analogue to digital signal transmission already having begun. Take a good look at the AV series and the REGZA family likeness is unmistakable.
The stylish looks hide a wealth of audio technology designed to deliver a powerful audio performance from the integrated speaker system. It will quickly become the centre piece of your home entertainment system thanks to its great looks and the quality of its picture and sound reproduction.
HD Ready
All Toshiba's REGZA AV series models are HD Ready, which guarantees compliance with the standards set for HD broadcasts and playback media. The dramatic increase in picture quality being offered by high definition broadcasts has to be matched by advances in display technology if you are to benefit from the HD revolution. Toshiba claim they are at the forefront of technological advancement, ensuring the perfect integration of technologies to deliver you the ultimate viewing experience.
LCD Picture Processing Active Vision 2
Colour – MPEG noise reduction and 8-BIT colour gamut processing produces screen images with much smoother colour gradation and a reduction in the ‘blocking’ effect that is often noticeable with large areas of colour of a similar detail. (Both high definition and standard definition images are produced with increased detail compared to conventional LCD televisions.)
Movement – Toshiba's Real Speed Continuous Progressive technology removes motion blur and maintains the benefit offered by progressive scan over interlaced image technology. This giant leap forward in the rendering of fast moving objects is particularly attractive to sports fans and overcomes the blurring often found with conventional LCD televisions.
Contrast – Active Vision LCD constantly monitors and adjusts the contrast levels required by the original signal.
Dynamic Contrast
The Dynamic Contrast technology automatically adjusts the LCD backlight depending on the level of brightness required. Dimming the backlight enables the system to reproduce fine detail and more realistic dark scenes, without compromising brightness levels in lighter, more colourful scenes. Increasing the brightness of the backlight in bright scenes will give images more intensity whilst retaining the contrast essential for great detail.
HDMI connectivity
The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is now regarded as the industry standard for connecting modern audio visual components, having replaced SCART as the connection of choice. HDMI transmits uncompressed digital video and multi-channel audio content through a single cable. Use of this single cable greatly simplifies the installation of home entertainment systems and ensures the very highest quality picture and sound reproduction. All AV series models have two HDMI connections offering convenient connection to more than one HD source, without having to continually disconnect and reconnect your hardware.
Powerful Audio Performance
It’s important the quality of the sound you listen to, is as good as the pictures you watch and the REGZA AV series won’t let you down. A powerful audio performance is delivered by full range NICAM stereo, further enhanced by the optional Bass Boost feature. When you hear the output for yourself, you will not believe all that sound could possibly come through the slimline speakers, cleverly positioned under the screen – it delivers so much, from so little.
The integrated digital tuner gives access to Freeview. The digital signal delivers high quality digital sound and images without the interference and ghosting associated with conventional analogue signals. There’s no end to the entertainment, with Freeview currently offering over 40 TV channels and more than 20 digital radio stations, a superb digital text service and a high-tech electronic programme guide.
EST Recommended
Energy saving products use less energy, which lessens their impact on the environment and lowers their overall running costs. Only products that meet strict energy efficiency criteria are endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust and are allowed to carry the 'Energy Saving Recommended’ logo.
Digital televisions manufactured by Toshiba carrying this logo, are guaranteed to meet the strict energy efficiency criteria.
With an array of features and technologies that enhance connectivity and user convenience, the Samsung Series 4 enables you to feel more comfortable is how Samsung describe this model.
Customer reviews say:
"Its only early days but the sound and picture quality are very good, would recommend to any one good price and good delivery."
"Slick & stylish design, great picture quality, Freeview and numerous features. Its easy to use and set up."
HD Ready
HDTV produces the richest colours and the sharpest images possible. and allows you to experience television like never before with the widest range of colours and the clearest images ever seen on a TV.
High Definition contains four or five times as many pixels making the image much clearer than standard definition.
DNIe + (Digital Natural Image engine+) technology creates clear, vivid images that are bathed in natural beauty. Motion Optimizer produces soft, fluid motion and ensures the clearest images are displayed. Colour Optimizer provides finely balanced natural colours. Contrast Enhancer delivers deeper black tones that appear natural to the human eye. Detail Enhancer sharpens the edges of the images to present them in sharp, lifelike detail, and Digital noise reduction presents images with clarity and precision.
Entertainment Mode
To provide you with the best entertainment possible, hot keys have been preset for Sports, Movie and Game modes. In this way you can be sure the picture quality you are experiencing is optimised for your specific needs. Fast motion imaging, dynamic detail enhancement, and down-firing speakers combine to deliver the most dramatic entertainment experience you have ever been a part of.
Clear Panel
Increased readability and reduced reflection are realised by the Clear Panel. Enjoy images viewed in their most comfortable light by the reduction of glare end enhanced contrast of the Clear Panel. Images are even clearer then they were before ensuring that what you see is as clear as can be, and your entertainment as pure as possible.
Wide Colour Enhancer 2
Wide Colour Enhancer 2 technology creates a dynamic display on screen colour and allows traditionally week colours, such as green and blue, to look vivid and deep.
In addition, red colours are enhanced to provide stronger colours across the spectrum.
3 HDMI
3 HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs enable you to connect quickly and conveniently to a broader range of external devices. HDMI allows uncompressed streams of digital data to be transmitted via one cable, delivering a purer picture quality to be displayed for your appreciation and enjoyment. Appreciate the best that digital entertainment has to offer with Samsung.
Sometimes when watching films it is difficult to hear human voices over the background sounds of their environment. The Clear Voice feature alters the sound balance to emphasise human voices and reducing the background noise.
Invisible Speaker
Wide Sweet Spot - The front bezel works as a speaker, replacing the normal speaker grill. With the Invisible Speaker system, the speakers are embedded in strategic spots underneath and around the front bezel. This new speaker system provides a clean and fashionable design compared with traditional side or bottom speaker designs.
AV Mode
LG TVs have 3 special preset AV Modes which provide the best suitable image quality and sound for specific types of content. They are easily accessible using the AV MODE hot key on the remote control.
Cinema Mode allows you to enjoy a film as the Director intended, preserving the original colour expressions and atmosphere.
Game Mode optimises the TV for computer games, for a more dynamic gaming experience. Sound quality is adjusted simultaneously, completing the dynamic experience.
Sports Mode makes watching sport feel more exciting by emphasising the vivid primary colours (eg greener grass) and optimising the TV to display fast moving images with no judder or motion blur.
Simplink
SIMPLINK system can control all the connected AV devices with one remote control. By pressing the SIMPLINK remote control key, you can switch on and control all devices connected by HDMI. When the TV is switched off, all connected AV devices are automatically switched off as well.
"Picture superb even on SD pictures. Blu Ray is amazing there are no words to describe how fantastic the picture is. Amazing colours and extra crisp picture quality."
"This TV is quite exceptional. The quality of the picture is stunning. I have progressed from a very good 32" HD TV to this one which is hooked up to both Freeview and Freesat (for HD transmissions)"
- Just two comments from reviews for this amazing television.
When Panasonic first introduced their award-winning VIERA range of televisions, the aim was to give consumers the pinnacle of a viewing experience – an experience so real, so true-to-life, that viewers would unwittingly feel themselves to be almost part of the on-screen action.
All VIERA TVs are equipped with the Panasonic award-winning V-Real picture technology which perfectly optimises the performance of the display panel to render smooth, crystal-clear motion without compromising on delicate colours with rich graduation.
VIERA LCD IPS alpha panels have a viewing angle of 178 degrees both vertically and horizontally, eliminating faded images that can occur by viewing the panel from certain seating positions. The extra-wide viewing angle makes VIERA LCDs perfect when watching TV with the entire family or a group of friends.
IPS ALPHA PANELS
Many LCDs suffer from colour wash-out when not viewed from directly in front – a big problem if you have a large family trying to watch a film together.
However the latest generation of IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology, manufactured in-house by Panasonic, builds on years of experience with industry leading wide viewing angle technology, providing an unrivalled LCD TV viewing experience.
New generation (or "alpha") IPS provides the widest viewing angle possible with the least colour washout, even when viewed from the side. Our LCD panels are built on the strengths of IPS by delivering faster response time and reproducing intense realistic deep black levels and contrast ratios, especially when employed with Panasonic Intelligent Scene Controller technology.
24P PLAYBACK - 24P REAL CINEMA
When reproducing a 24p movie source, the 24p Real Cinema function generates smooth motion transition based on the original 24 frames. Models that do not include 24p Real Cinema are equipped with 24p Playback. The 24p Playback function provides cinema-like images by using a pull-down up to 96Hz.
What does this mean?
Most movies are shot at 24 frames per second, while TV is shot at 60 frames per second. Since TV shows are shot at a faster rate, TV sets need to be able to properly show this. Until now, most TVs use a technique known as 'pull down', which approximately matches the 24p frames with the TV's native frame rate, but this can cause some image judder as the source frames and the displayed frames do not match up exactly.
Panasonic have taken this into account and to overcome the issue, they have introduced a 24P Playback function on its entire new range of 2008 VIERA flat screen TVs.
Most movies are shot at 24 frames per second, while TV is shot at 60 frames per second. Since TV shows are shot at a faster rate, TV sets need to be able to properly show this.
SDHC CARD READER
View your photographs on VIERA’S beautiful screen – Just insert an SD or SDHC Memory Card into the slot on your VIERA TV, and your high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) 16:9 digital photos fill the large screen. The viewing is simply sensational.
V-AUDIO
Panasonic VIERA televisions deliver the best of Sound with V- AUDIO surround and V-AUDIO technologies. V-AUDIO surround features Panasonic‘s unique digital amplifier, carbon speaker and slim side speaker design as well as featuring SRS tru surround XT or BBE ViVA HD3D Sound.
HDMI INPUT
All VIERA flat TVs are equipped with up to four HDMI ports making it incredibly easy to connect High Definition sources like Blu-ray Disc players, HD camcorders, gaming consoles, and some satellite set-top boxes. All VIERAs fully utilise the control possibilities of HDMI to link all your AV products via VIERA Link and allow easy operation whilst using only one remote control – one remote, total control!
VIERA LINK
Multiple AV devices can be controlled using only the VIERA remote control – Use an HDMI cable to connect your VIERA TV to a DIGA DVD recorder, Blu-ray disc player, HD Camcorder or other compatible device, and you can use the VIERA remote control to operate all the connected equipment.
Say good-bye to the confusion and hassle of switching between several different remote control units. With VIERA Link, you’ll find it easy to enjoy the superb entertainment home cinema offers.
AND FINALLY . . . .
Review snippets :-
"The sound is far superior to that of most LCD flat screen TV's and is really excellent all round. In a nut shell, buy it you will not be dissapointed and it will blow your mind away. Easy to set up and change picture settings to your liking. Just buy it!!"
"The colours just ooze from the screen. The 37inches are more than enough for my lounge, so goodness knows why anyone needs anything bigger. Seriously, I've never seen anything look this good."
Just when you're sure you've found the best 37" LCD TV, Toshiba go and release their latest Regza XV Series Full HD Ready LCD television.
New for 2009 the Toshiba Regza 37XV555DB 37 inch LCD TV with its superb audio quality and picture squeezed into the flattest design to date definitely has the edge on earlier models. The 1920 x 1080p HD ready panel is driven by Toshibas acclaimed Active Vision LCD picture processing technology and creates high definition pictures with vibrant colours and an almost 3d feel to the images.
If you’re looking for high definition content, you’re on the cutting edge. The REGZA 37” XV is a Full HD 1080p Ready LCD television, blending superb picture and audio quality and delivering it in a slim and stylish package.
Enables the display of a 24 frames per second input at the native frame rate of the TV (50/100 Hz).
HD Ready 1080p
The highest definition signal currently available carries which 1080 horizontal lines of information progressively scanned to create a high definition image (1920 x 1080).
3 x HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface is an all-digital audio/video interface capable of transmitting uncompressed streams. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source and video monitor.
Active Vision LCD
Toshiba's high performance and flexible picture processing system offering different picture modes.
Digital Approved Product
Allows a TV to receive free-to-view digital broadcasts through its standard aerial with no need for an additional digital decoder box.
Dynamic Contrast
Automatically adjusts brightness required by the signal. This system allows fine detail to be reproduced, without compromising the rendering of colourful, high-bright scenes, by dimming the backlight. Conversely, for bright scenes the backlight can be brightened to give images a new intensity.
Full Power Down
Your Toshiba LCD TV can now be fully turned off when you do not want to leave it on stand by mode.
Game Mode
A dedicated setting for Gaming enthusiasts. Select "Game Mode" when connecting your HDMI games console, the picture will automatically adjust to offer a more natural gaming picture. Offering the online gamer a distinct advantage over your rivals who don't have a dedicated Game Mode.
Luma Sens
Auto Contrast feature - working closely with the Dynamic Contrast backlight, but takes things a stage further by measuring the ambient light in the room, automatically adjust the picture accordingly depending on if you are watching your REGZA LCD in a dark or light environment. Offering a better picture quality, it makes the TV run more efficiently and consume less energy.
According to Toshiba, the REGZA AV61 series is the ideal digital and HD Ready LCD TV for the budget-conscious home.
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