Toshiba 30HF83 30" Widescreen HD-Ready TV w/ DVI Input - $799.99

[bradolson]

Another price drop - Amazon.com has the Toshiba 30HF83 30" Widescreen HD-Ready TV w/ DVI Input for just $799.99 plus $69 shipping (includes delivery, unpacking, removal of packaging materials)

This TV comes with 2 HD-component video inputs and a DVI-input, which is something most models costing this little won't have.

Price at Amazon was $1099 on 5/1, which was a great deal by itself at the time. Dropped down to $999 a week later and then in the middle of May it was down to $899 and went out of stock very quickly. Back now for just $799 while supplies last. Cheapest price on Pricegrabber is around $1,000 shipped.

 

[madman300]

anyone own this set? or have any thoughts on it?

 

[m0bius]

I just bought this last night. Should be here in a week or so. I'll keep you guys posted when I get it.

 

[ravana]

I am very tempted right now.....m0bius be sure to give us your thoughts once in comes in

ravana.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah, and if possible hook up your computer to it through the DVI. I'm tempted to get this as both a nice TV and a monitor. I know it won't be able to handle the really high resolutions (I believe its got 1000 pixels vertically, but I definitely could be wrong on this). I would be using it in a small room, so I won't want a massive 50" or anything, and this would be a very nice size I think.

 

[manno]

this is an "HD Ready" TV not an HD TV make note of that it will accept a 720p, and 1080i input but it will then scaled it down to 480p so if you want to hook a PC up to it and use a higher resolution that 640p no dice.

 

[Hugenstein]

Toshiba's CrystalScan HDSC upconverts all signals to 1080i resolution

 

[Wag]

this is an "HD Ready" TV not an HD TV make note of that it will accept a 720p, and 1080i input but it will then scaled it down to 480p so if you want to hook a PC up to it and use a higher resolution that 640p no dice

Incorrect.
"HD Ready" means there is no HD tuner. Like most CRT based HDTVs this TV displays full HDTV 1080i.

You might be right about the PC input, as these sets are made for HDCP DVI consumer electronics devices and not for PCs.

 

[mzkhadir]

For tv watching you need a HDTV Tuner if it is just HD Ready, if it said HD Built it, then you would be able just hook it up and go.

 

[Wag]

I thought I just said that?

The TV has a standard NTSC tuner in there for regular TV watching.

 

[madman300]

From what I have read at Avs forum you can't use a DVI from a computer. The TV could except it but the pc lacks sometype of signal to make the TV realize it is hooked up. They have been working on it but with only small success. Seems like the best hookup for this is the DVI ---> component dongle from ati.

Def. Keep us posted with how the TV turns out!

 

[chibchakan]

These are getting cheaper because the newer 2004 models are coming out later this summer. The 2004 models will have the HDMI Digital Video Inputs.

BTW, not all the reviews are good.

Reviewer: An electronics fan
I've had a bad experience with my 34HF83 TV set. It worked fine on standard definition, but on high definition I noticed periodic (once in 5-10 minutes) horizontal jerking to the left. The problem is more likely to appear if the set was switched off for about 5 minutes prior to testing. After about two hours the problem disappears. Picture quality is very good, excellent design, but I hate this problem with horizontal jerking. I called for service and they confirmed that this is a known problem and they are working to find the solution. The problem was also found in some other TV sets, like 30HF83. Unfortunately most customers don't notice the problem because it happens only on high definition, and noticeable only on relatively static scenes. I am happy that I noticed this problem before my warranty expired. But my concern it that most people don't have high definition receivers these days. I think they will be very unhappy in a couple of years when they connect their Toshiba HDTV to a high definition source and realize they have a jerking picture. They would have to pay big money to fix their TVs and this is'nt fair. If you are the owner of any Toshiba HDTV set, you should connect it to a high definition signal (cable, satellite, HDTV computer adapter or special signal generator), switch your TV set off for 5 minutes, then switch the TV set on, switch the source to a HIGH DEFINITION static picture (for example, HDTV receiver setup menu, just make sure the output is high definition) and carefully watch it for 5-10 minutes. If you notice any horizontal jerking, make sure to call for service before your warranty expires. If you can't get the problem fixed, you should at least get the warranty extension. This problem is found in all 83 series Toshiba TV sets: 30HF83, 34HF83, 34HFX83, etc...

 

[madman300]

What exactly is the HDMI digital Video Input?

Also the review that you quoted is the only negative one that I found online. I did hear some people say they were getting a dirty screen effect from a protective layer under the glass. But I guess that is commonn with quite a few sets and not everyone can see this problems. Reminds me of the rainbow effect people complained about on DLP projectors.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

yea, that was the only bad review I saw too. I checked out the AVSforum, and the overall response was that everyone who had it, liked it alot. The only thing was that "dirty screen" thing that most people said they were able to get used to it, unless they watched hockey.

 

[RBC]

Is this the best deal you can get right now on a 32 - 36" CRT tv in this price range? I have a 10 yr old 36" RCA that's on its last legs. I have time so I want to get the best value, not to exceed ~$800. I'm looking for best picture quality. Don't care about hooking up a computer or game console.

 

[chibchakan]

Originally posted by: madman300
What exactly is the HDMI digital Video Input?

Link

hdmi.org



Same person who gave this TV a bad review started a thread over here

 

[madman300]

without trying to sound like the guy that always holds back and waits, I probably won't be buying a new tv for 5-7 more years.

Is hdmi worth waiting for?

any opinions?

 

[Wag]

Is HDMI worth waiting for over DVI? Probably not, not if you get a good deal anyways. HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI- it's actually just DVI combined with audio over the same cable. If you run audio to your home theater, receiver, etc, you'll still have to run a seperate cable anyways.

By next year this time all new sets should have HDMI connections.

 

[bit]

price raised back to $1000 2 days earlier, now back down again to $700 + $69 shipping = $769 shipped. and no tax for most states.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I bought one of these the other day. I really dig the TV. My cable reception is flaky (that's the run from the street to the house), so I can't really give an accurate description of SD reception. I am picking up an HD digital cable box soon, so I'll see how that is too. Even with a regular DVD player, the picture is nice and crisp. the colors are good. The remote is easy to use. I really like it.

 

[grandeCC]

Pretty nice box! Without an HDTV tuner, watching Monday Football is a sad... sad situation...