Summary: I wanted my next HD TV to be future proof and last for at least 10 years; well, they don't come as cheap. So, I waited for one year to buy a 1080p (later on that) LCD TV. When I saw a 1080p labeled 47' toshiba (yes lowercase) LCD TV in a show room, I thought that was it.
I went online as soon as I arrived home and started my research. They have had models of 47': LZ196 and LX196. I printed out the specs and compared them; on the specs were only two differences. The LZ model had some extra IR inputs and a feature called 'ColorMaster Pro color management system'. I decided that I didn't need those features. So I went out to the PC Richard store around the corner with my best friend and bought the LX model (thanks ortak for all the hard work).
Well, I have news for those who think of buying the LX model (or any 1080p labeled TV for that matter). In toshibish language, 1080p means that 'the TV panel has 1080 vertical pixels'. None of the connections on the LX model can accept 1080p signal. Even the two HDMI inputs don't accept 1080p signal, so if you think of playing a 1080p signal from your HD DVD (or Blue-Ray) player, XBOX 360, or PSP3, now you know that you have to buy a TV with an HDMI 1080p input capability. You might buy a 1080p TV, but can NOT play a 1080p signal.?#%^!
Is this a big deal (that is what toshiba told me)? Clearly, toshiba thinks it does: it turns out that the main difference between the LX and LZ models is that the LZ model has HDMI 1080p inputs and they also produce HD DVD players with 1080p output capability. Some TVs accept 1080i signal, deinterlace it, and plays it as 1080p. I couldn't find if the LX model does that, but even if it did, it wouldn't be the same.
I went back and rechecked the specs. They disclose the inputs on LZ model as `dual HDMI digital inputs with 1080p input capability; on the other hand, for the LX model, they write `dual HDMI digital inputs'. That is very cheeky of you toshiba. I didn't even know HDMI inputs come in two varieties, and it was very (street)smart of you to take advantage of that.
They advertise their TV as 1080p without disclosing the difference, and moreover, conceal the fact that its HDMI inputs have only 1080i capability while they find it worthy to reveal the 1080p input capability on the other model. Someone once sold a box full of papers as a camcorder to one of my friends. I am sorry toshiba, but you are not different from that thug on the street: you just did it in a more sophisticated way.
I told toshiba that I was ready to pay the difference between the two models if they sent me an LZ and took the LX back with shipping on them. They said they wouldn't do it. Here is a summary of what toshiba customer reps told me: 1- If I wait long enough I can watch broadcasted 1080p signal through antenna (so much for HD TV) 2- They are sorry for how I feel (that is not very original of you toshiba; you are not the first thug who feels sorry for his victim) 3- They didn't lie; they just hid the fact that it has only HDMI 1080i signal (that was very smart of you) 4- I didn't pay them; I made the payment to PC Richard (actually when said PC Richard takes money from me and gives it to them, they dared to say `no, they first pay us, and then take the money from you.'. Thank you for showing the difference).
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't buy ANY product from a company whose execs gather around a table say:
Person A- No no! Let's not write `dual HDMI inputs with 1080i digital input capability' on the specs sheet. People might think it does have the 1080p input capability just by seeing the 1080p label we stick on the TV.
Person B- That was very clever of you! Why didn't I think of that? But, what will happen if they figure it out?
Person A- Everybody is not a tech geek and daily checks wikipedia on tech updates man. They could learn about it only when they plug an HDMI cord with 1080p input into the TV. They might even think it is a compatibility problem. But you never know! If they are smart enough to check the manual and find that little detail we put there, our customer reps could say we feel sorry for them.
Person B- My conscious is not completely clear on that man. They will pay $3600.00 for something they didn't get.
Person A- What does that mean? They don't pay us! The retail stores pay us and the customers pay to the retail stores. Beside, once we get paid for the TV, what do you care? Look at you man! It's bonus time, are you crazy? Let's go!
Person B- Yes, I guess you are right. I don't understand why you are always the smarter one. Hey! At least, now they will know that there is HDMI 1080i and there is HDMI 1080p. Come on, let's go! Drinks are on me!
What about it?
Credits: when you connect the TV to this TV, it is not bad. However, toshiba saved money here as well and only provided an analogue VGA port. I would prefer a DVI connection. Secondly, it doesn't support resolution more than 1024.
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