Smooth Operator

September 12th, 2008 -- by default
Source: Playback

The 46LX177 is the second-smallest model in Toshiba’s flagship REGZA Cinema Series line of LCD TVs, which also includes 42-, 52-, and 57-inch screen sizes. As you would expect in a top-of-the-line model, the 46LX177 is packed with high-end features and produces a superb picture in almost every respect. When all is said and done, this sleek LCD panel receives a strong recommendation with one rather “colorful” caveat.

Features

120Hz refresh rate purports to “virtually eliminate motion blur” by doubling the rate at which complete frames are flashed on the screen.
SoundStrip speakers fire through thin horizontal slot below the screen.
Cabinet is clean as a whistle with almost featureless gloss-black bezel.

User Interface

Remote

Universal design that can control up to six devices.
Buttons are logically organized, clearly labeled, and fully illuminated.
No direct-access input buttons.

Menu System

Not well organized.
Picture settings are scattered among several sub-menus.

Recommended User Settings

Picture Settings

Contrast: 96
Back Light: 5
DynaLight: Off
Brightness: 55
Color: 50
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 20

Advanced Picture Settings

Dynamic Contrast: Off
Static Gamma: +1 or 2
Color Temperature: Warm
Vertical Edge Enhancer: Off
Cinema Mode: Film
ClearFrame: On
Film Stabilization: On

Theater Settings

Picture Size: Native
Auto Aspect Ratio: On

ColorMaster Pro

ColorMaster Pro: Off

HDMI Settings

Lip Sync Latency: On
Deep Color: Off
xvYCC: Off

Performance

	Detail	Color	Blacks	Shadow Detail	Artifacts/Noise
HD DVD (Mission: Impossible III, Planet Earth)	Razor-sharp; could clearly see each member of large bird flocks in long shots on PE.	PE green foliage was overhyped, looking limey and unrealistic; other colors, such as varied hues of ocean blue, were superb.	Letterbox bars were completely unobtrusive.	M:i:III low-light details in catacombs well-rendered; no significant loss of detail.	120Hz mode smoothed out pans quite noticeably, improved sharpness during motion; M:i:III pan across stairs looked better than on most TVs; no banding in subtle gradations.
DVD (Star Trek: Insurrection, Master & Commander)	Excellent; plants in fields around village in ST:I were clearly rendered, as was the ship’s rigging in M&C.	Greens very exaggerated; otherwise, colors were right on the money; flesh tones natural.	Black of space in ST:I very deep; letterbox bars completely unobtrusive.	Below-deck walk in M&C excellent; low-light details clearly visible.	120Hz mode significantly smoothed out opening pan across village in ST:I; no sign of jerky motion or jaggies.
HDTV (Mythbusters)	Shelved items in cluttered warehouse/work space sharp and clean.	Skin tones and blue water natural, green foliage exaggerated.	No opportunity to test.	No opportunity to test.	120Hz mode smoothed out pans and moving objects; no problems noted.
SDTV (Baseball game on local station)	Softer than DVD; probably in broadcast signal.	Green grass almost fluorescent, otherwise good.	Windowbox bars quickly faded from consciousness.	No opportunity to test.	Noisier than DVD; probably in broadcast signal.

Ambient Light Tolerance: My settings optimized blacks, causing peak light output to drop, so moderate room light will wash out picture; can increase backlight setting for bright room light.
Viewing Angle: : Better than many LCDs.
Audio: About average for a TV.

Conclusion

Priced at $2700 list, the Toshiba 46LX177 is not inexpensive, but it has all the latest and greatest LCD features and technologies. It delivers superb video performance in almost every area but one—its greens are too bright and oversaturated. Not everyone will find this objectionable, and I’m sure there are those who will actually think it makes green playing fields and the like look better. As long as you fall into that camp, this high-end LCD TV will draw you into the action and keep you coming back for more.

Toshiba 46LX177 LCD TV