Purchase

BestBuy.com is currently offering a $50 rebate on the $279.99 Toshiba 20AF42. There is no delivery charge if you pick it up yourself from the nearest Best Buy store. BestBuy.com will deliver it free if they can't locate one for you in a nearby store.

Build

The TV weighs 51 lb and is about the size you would expect for a 20” TV. The tube is housed in a solid plastic case with the speakers (stereo) on either side.

The TV is made in Singapore.

Inputs

On the front there is a set of audio + video inputs, as well as a headphone output, that is always exposed to view. There is also a headphone output. These connectors are somewhat obtrusive, on the other hand they are convenient for plugging in game controllers.

On the back is the standard VHF/UHF antenna input, in addition to audio, video, S-video and audio + component video inputs. There is also an audio + video output. All the audio connections are stereo so there are RCA jacks for left and right channel for each of the audio inputs.

The only lead supplied with the set is the mains lead.

Don’t spend a lot of money buying RCA leads. Your best bet is to buy sets of inexpensive 6’ RCA leads. Just be sure to connect the like-colored RCA jacks on, e.g., the DVD and the TV.

The Manual

The manual is comprehensive and well laid out.

Picture Quality

The video menu allows you to adjust the brightness, contrast, hue and color saturation. They’re very easy to use.

The picture quality is excellent.

The audio settings allow you to adjust bass and treble, select stable sound (which supposedly decreases the volume during commercials back down to normal level) as well as to turn on or off a BBE (Barcus-Berry Electronics) processor. This really does make a difference to improve the sound.

Sound Quality

The speaker output is rated at 2 x 5W, which is plenty loud enough for me. The sound is surprisingly good for a TV.

Controls on front of the TV

I believe that controls on the front of a TV are essential. It saves having to look for the remote which you may have temporarily lost.

This TV is poor in this regard. Five buttons are immediately accessible on the front of the TV which allow you to turn it on and off, and control the volume and channel. If you misplace the remote, you’re out of luck as you won’t be able to watch either a VCR, DVD or use a game console.

Remote Control

The remote control is decent. It’s especially nice that it is a basic universal remote, allowing you to control a VCR also. That’s a sign that this TV is dated. It ought to allow you to control a DVD player in preference to a VCR player.

Warranty

90 days for labor, 1 year for parts except the picture tube, which has a 2 year warranty.

So much for quality.

Conclusions

The Toshiba 20AF42 is very good value for $230. The Toshiba offers bass and treble controls and a BBE (Barcus Berry Electronics) sound processor. This really does make a difference.

Buy a Toshiba 20AF42 at BestBuy.com while supplies and rebates last (until Feb 28, 2003), or save an additional $55 and buy the slightly inferior Sony 20FX100. The Sony 20FX100 is also being offered by BestBuy.com on sale, and after a mail-in rebate, for $175. I have no vested interest in BestBuy.com.

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11101557&m=1&cat=24&scat=28


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): $230