If you are looking for a big screen television that will give you great picture clarity, tons of connections, a stylish case, and a good price, go with the Toshiba 50H81.

I searched and searched for reviews on this tv before purchasing it but had to settle to similar Toshiba sets. So, I was concerned. However, I discovered that 50" screens are rare..typically you have a 48" or 55" projection tv, not 50". I wanted 50" because I thought it was a good compromise between 48 and 55.

My set was delivered and I connected it to my cable box within 5 minutes out of the box. At first, I was a bit unhappy with the picture until I realized that I had not connected the coaxial cable from the digital cable box to the tv securely. THEN it all came to life!! I was happy with the picture. After about the first 8 hours of use the picture even improved. I guess the lamps need to warm up after the first time it's turned on. Now, it looks supurb after every time it is turned on.

I then proceeded to connect the television according to the Toshiba manual which accompanied it, to my A/V reciever, DVD player, and HIFI VCR. DVD's are OUTSTANDING on this television!!!!! Beautiful rich full tones!!!

Also, it has a PIP (although Toshiba calls it POP) with dual tuners, so you don't have to see the POP through a VCR or anything. Although, I have not yet figured out how to connect my digital cable to the television for use with the POP. I can only use POP through the VCR or DVD player. This is only because I have digital cable. If you have analog cable, you can connect your cable directly to the tv without a box. But for digital cable you need a box. This is not the TV's fault, just the way the cable company does things.

Also, the tv is flatscreen but has a 160 degree viewing range. It is very good sitting down from all angles but if you stand up right in front of it and look down it's hard to see the picture. Also, be sure that you have around 10 - 25 feet away from the tv if you purchase this tv for the best picture. Otherwise, get a smaller one. My living room is about 13' wide so there are about 10 from the tv to the wall. I notice that when I am in the kitchen which is about 15 feet from the screen the picture is even BETTER than sitting in front of it at 10'. I understand now why the distance from the television makes such a difference. So be certain to get a tv that is adequate for the size of you room.

As for the Widescreen aspects, (this tv has a 16:9 ratio - like movie screens rather thatn 4:3 like most tvs) it is GREEEEEEEEEEAT!! I can now see widescreen format movies as they were meant to be seen rather than being squished to fit the screen. There are 4 widescreen options with this tv. It really makes a difference.

The tv seemed a bit dark or bright depending upon what I was watching but as I read the manual and learned the features I switched it to "movie mode" (there are also "Sports Mode", "Standard Mode", and "Custom Mode") and the movies I watch are OUTSTANDINGGGGGGGGG! I prefer the way Movie Mode looks for all channels, including broadcast television.

I have yet to see an HDTV program on this set, but I'm anxious to see ER on Thursday which is broadcast in widescreen and simulcast in HDTV. However, I don't think the HDTV will make much difference. This television is "HDTV-compatible" which I THINK means you need a set-top covnerter to recieve the signal but that when you do your picture will be the same as an HDTV with a built in decoder, as opposed to a regular analog non-widescreen tv with a decoder.

As for the appearance - on the net the tv's speakers look black but they are actually a medium/dark grey color. Which I prefer, it looks more modern and matches the screen closure. It's a nice looking set.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 2200