Toshiba 46SV670 Regza LCD HDTV with LED Backlighting (Playback 25)

LED Backlighting & Local Dimming Set This Toshiba Apart

FEATURES

The LED backlighting system is the principal differentiator here, compared to most other LCD HDTVs. The set also features 240 Hz screen refresh, as you would expect with a top-tier LCD flat panel, which helps to sharpen up moving images and also smooth out judder from film-originated content.

The set features both USB and SD card ports, a nice convenience for putting on a slide show of your favorite pictures or listening to MP3 audio tracks. Dolby Volume helps maintain a more constant volume, substantially reducing annoyingly loud commercial interruptions. While the inclusion of Audyssey EQ is a step toward better audio fidelity, you’ll never mistake the Toshiba’s audio for hi-fi. Connection to an external audio system is aided by the provision of both stereo analog outputs and an optical digital output.

Where the Toshiba falls short (compared to some other top-line HDTV flat panels) is the lack of an Ethernet port, which precludes on-demand internet video streaming, a desirable feature given the wide choice of downloadable movies and TV shows from services such as Amazon, Blockbuster, Netflix and Roxio.

Connectivity

In addition to two HD-compatible component video inputs, there are four HDMI inputs, of which one is located on the side panel convenience jack-pack. An RGB PC input is provided, but the maximum resolution is limited to SXGA (1280 x 1024). The side panel’s jack-pack features both USB and SD slots, as well as a standard definition video input with stereo audio. No Ethernet port though, which is a curious omission on a top-tier set like this Toshiba.

User Interface

On Screen Display

Nothing too fancy here, as the Toshiba’s OSD is similar to their other recent models, but it gets the job done. Of note is the inclusion of their Theater Lock feature, which locks the various picture adjustment settings, preventing inadvertent user mis-adjustment. The range of picture adjustments is quite extensive, offering a high level of fine tuning capability.

Remote Control