Digital Trends

Toshiba 52HM84

November 7th, 2004 | by Dennis Barker

Features and Design

Toshiba is using TI's new 0.8-in. HD DarkChip2 along with its own proprietarily designed light engine — designated TALEN, which stands for Toshiba Advanced Light Engine along with a six-segment color wheel.  To project these bright images, Toshiba employs a Radiance high-output DC lamp that includes two settings — day (high brightness) and night (low power).  This model also uses a TheaterFine DFP (Digital Fine Pitch) Screen that features super-fine pitch and anti-reflective coating for increased brightness and contrast.  Combined together it helps achieve some of the finest, most detailed images possible on any display products today.  Even though Toshiba does not publish contrast and brightness numbers per se, the set's contrast ratio was clearly in excess of 1500:1 with brightness levels reaching more than 1000 cd/m2.

Toshiba's 52HM84 with matching stand

Toshiba has also improved its motion-adaptive progressive scan technology greatly over previous models.  Unlike other Toshiba display devices, the 52HM84 employs the IDSC Digital (Intelligent Digital Scan Conversion), which is an advanced de-interlacer and scaler.  It upgrades and converts all incoming signals to 1080i (including non-HD signals of 480i or 480p) to achieve optimum picture quality from both analog and HD sources.  Since high definition video is shot in 1080p, the 52HM84 presents those images as they were intended to be seen giving those images the true look and feel of 35mm and 70mm film.

Audio power is rated at a total of 40-watts.  The set also includes SRS WOW!, which is psycho-acoustic effect technology that is comprised of SRS 3-D, FOCUS, and TruBass for enhanced TV sound.  There are two main 4-inch woofers and two 2-1/2-inch tweeters for better-than-average sound.  Obviously, to receive a complete surround sound effect, it is highly suggested that you include a separate AV Receiver with high-quality speakers.  For this evaluation, I used a Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi AV Receiver with six 700 Series B&W loudspeakers.  The set includes dual antenna RF inputs, 2 rear A/V /S-Video inputs, 2 HD-level component video inputs, 1 HDMI w/HDCP input , and 1 A/V/S-Video and RF outputs,.  Convenience features include twin-tuner PIP (picture-in-picture).

Toshiba has also included an average 41-button illuminated universal remote that will control the TV, a VCR, Cable/SAT box, and DVD player via a left-hand sided slider wheel.   The remote is now light gray in color instead of dark gray in previous TV models.  A smart idea is that now the illuminated keys feature numbers or symbols right on the key itself for easy recognition in a darkened room.   Cool!  To access video inputs, simply press the TV/VIDEO button, and then press the number on the keypad that corresponds to the appropriate video source.  It's a two-step process.  Other companies, however, have direct keys to access specific inputs, which make it much easier to access your DVD player or Satellite/Cable Receiver, for example.  It's a minor inconvenience.

Unlike other direct-view or rear projection televisions with front-mounted controls hidden under a panel, this model features a touchpad key display found in the lower right quadrant of the protective screen that provides for a very clean appearance.  Front A/V/S-Video jacks are located under a hidden flap on the right-hand side of the set.  These inputs are included for the easy attachment of a camcorder or game console.  The set is housed in a silver trim cabinet.  An optional matching (and quite attractive I might add) base is available that features bottom storage on two shelves for all of your gear.  In any case this set, like other Micro-Displays, needs to be placed onto a base, within a cabinet or on a shelf so that it's at the proper viewing height.