[Curly99]

This is a continuation of the Toshiba ZF thread found here http://www.avforums.com/forums/lcd-t...oshiba-zf.html

Thanks to Raitzi for starting the original thread.

Here is a copy of the first post from the original thread.

Toshiba ZF discussion.

SPECS:

1080P
100Hz/120Hz (M100)
5:5 pulldown(24p compatibility)
500CD/M2 BRIGHTNESS
10:000:1 Contrast ratio
10bit prossecing
SRS WOW SOUND BY ONKYO
3xHDMI 1.3

Full specs in German:Toshiba Europe

Currently available models(in some countries):
46": 46ZF355D
40" and 52" versions have been listed in the middle of this page(not official release) : http://tesc.toshiba.co.uk/Web/Websit...t?OpenFrameset

A review of 46ZF355D translated with google to english:
Translated version of http://ht/

As you can see edges are very narrow which makes it fit nicely even to most "demanding" interior designs.

My small review.

No sign of dead pixels or anything that would count as fault. Screen uniformity is also good for lcd but there is a bit whiter spots in both top corners. So it seems like a good panel so no need to change it because of that. Blacks are good and motion handling is very good. Also there was not input lag that some tvs suffer from.
uniformity

SD

First i tried SD programs with external tuner and first it seemed awaful. After some setting changes i got it to aceptable quality. Tuner was connected to scart with rgb signal. Standard from Picture settings presets again produced most natural picture.(color temp. was warm)
I also tried internal tuner and it had a hint of cleaner picture than my topfield(external cable tuner). I think the reason for difference is my cheap Scart cable with topfield. SD seemed better than i expected after that german review and maybe even better than it was on my friend's 37" R87 samsung. It seemed some channels with low bandwith would be better to watch with MPEG NR in low setting but it took detail away from better channels so i decided to turn all "aids" off.
SD 1
SD 2

HD

PS3 connected with hdmi to ZF produced one of most amazing HD i have seen. As i said previously blacks were good and there was no bluring, smear or other nasty things. I just tested Casino Royale for 1080p 24HZ and it took it nicely without noticable judder(see EDIT). Intrestingly enabling M100("100Hz") with bluray movie playing at 24Hz produced even more smooth motion but everybody might not like it if they have used to "juddery movies";film look is lost to some extent with m100. I liked m100 and saw no reason to turn it off. Games were also amazing with and without m100. Again i liked m100 and choose to use it.

HD casino royale
Uncharted Drake's Fortune(sun hits tv)

Other things:

Sound from internal speakers is good it even has some bass I am no expert in acustics but this is much better than samsung r87. Seems Onkyo knows how to make good sounding stuff.

Settings: TV has no individual settings for inputs so you must find settings that work for every input. This sucks if you have many devices but i have only ps3 so no problem for me. Options to picture and sound are better than in most TVs but if you have many devices , it might be a bit waste of effort.

The good:

-Blacks(good for lcd)
-detail with HD
-motion handling
-aspect ratio automatics
-It has "3d" Color management system(though i have no touched this yet)
-M100 works well
-Design

The Bad:

-No individual settings for inputs
-menus could be more user friendly.

EDIT: Deeper 1080p24 test:
-M100 and film stabilation off produces judder but it is a bit smoother than without m100.
-M100 and film stabilation standard judders but with steady frequency(unlike 3:2).
-M100 and film stabilation smooth has no judder what so ever.
-M100 off judders like with 3:2 pulldown(60Hz mode)

My current settings:

Active backlight: off
cinema mode: on
film stabilation: smooth
active vision m100: on

->other menu

backlight: 30
contrast: 98
brightness: 62
color:55
tint: -6
sharpness:0
Black stretch:off
Mpeg NR: off
DNR: off
color temp. :natural

Power consumption with backlight at 28:134W

Wyrminarrd Review
I just wanted to post my review of the 46" ZF. I´ve had this set now for a bit over two weeks and I´m very happy with it but first the bad news:

There is slight bleeding in the two upper corners, it´s something you only notice on a pitch black screen or a very dark screen if your looking for it (No one other then me has noticed this by them selves). Other then this the screen is perfect with no dead pixles or distortions.

The good:

The picture is stunning on this set, the colors look great and the blacks are very good (I don´t have much experience with LCD TVs so this might be subjective).

I´ve watched a couple of Blu-ray films through my PS3 ( Life of Brian & Fanstic Four) as well as checking out bits of other movies (Spiderman 3, Casino Royal) and I found the picture to be amazing. The colors are exceptional and vibrant (everyone I´ve shown the picture to has been amazed by how good they are). There has been so smearing or judder that I´ve noticed

The TV looks amazing, this has simply got to be the best looking TV on the market. It´s slim frame makes everyone think it´s a much smaller TV so if you can only fit in a average sized 42" tv then I´d recommand you try this one instead, you´ll be getting extra 4" and using the same space

SD content looks good on the tv, at least the channels I get through my cable subscription (I live in Iceland by the way so no idea how UK channels would look like). Other channels aren´t good but then they weren´t good on my old 28" sony crt, they are however easily good enough to watch without getting irritated

General stuff:

I found the picture straight from the box to be good though I´ve since lowered the backlight and brightness down to 60.

The remote could be better, I really wish they hadn´t placed the setup for DTV or something like that right bellow the "0" button, I keep pressing it by mistake You also have to point it accurately at the Tv.

The menu system seems to be simple enough, I at least had no problem setting this up.

I found it helped a lot to have film stabilization set to smooth, it reduced judder to the point where none can be seen. It´s only when I´m actively looking for judder to the exclusion of all else that I might bee seeing very faint judder but then again it could just be my eyes playing tricks with me since I´m the only one who notices this. I haven´t really tested every possible set up choice since I found setting that I thought were perfect rather quickly (and if your happy why change things?).

[morgs]

But the first post has nothing at all in common with the last?

The ZF range has developed (and some of it has gone)

This could be misleading.

I still like my ZF355D though! (It's even stopped looking big!)

[albani]

Hi

Welcome ZF users+

I'm still like my 46"ZF too even we like it this unit with line-defective too!!

Now ZF discontinued serie as well+
Wait until ZF575 or 555,etc.,

-----
Tosh now released "ZV555" with "Res+"!!
Discussing another thread+

Bye++

[jakx]

At this point, as I am (again) seriously considering buying the 40ZF now that the price has now entered £850/975 range!

Please, can anyone explain this "5:5 pulldown(24p compatibility)" .. is this not up to the standard of the rest of the 'opposition' at this price? What does it (compatible) mean in the 'real world ... for example were I to get a Blu-ray player how well will this TV handle/display it?

Sorry if this has already been 'dealt with' on the ZF (Part 1) forum, or elsewhere here?

[JanB]

Originally Posted by jakx

...Please, can anyone explain this "5:5 pulldown(24p compatibility)" .. is this not up to the standard of the rest of the 'opposition' at this price? What does it (compatible) mean in the 'real world ... for example were I to get a Blu-ray player how well will this TV handle/display it?

The M100 HD and 5:5 sequencing processing means that when you play a disc with 24Hz material on a BD player that can output 24p signal you have the choice how to display it:

1) Set Filmstabilization to "standard" to get the 24Hz constant "judder" or vibrating effect in motion and medium to fast panning (in most films).
It looks similar to the 25Hz motion from film material on european DVD and TV broadcast on progressive TV:s that don't have smooth motion processing (or Toshiba Filmstabilization set to "standard").

2) Set Filmstabilization to "smooth" to take advantage of the Motion Compensated Frame Interpolation (MCFI) that produce a much more stable picture and smoother motion in slow to medium fast motion and panning.
The processing tracks the motion up to a certain speed limit so now and then the original 24Hz judder sneaks through. The advantage of the M100HD implementation is that the side effects of the processing is mild and rare.

3) If you set Filmstabilization to "Off" it seems that the 5:5 sequencing is disabled and the result is a time varying judder like a 3:2 sequencing in 60Hz.
I don't see why anybody would want this setting.

[morgs]

Mate, don't pay £900 for this telly.

I mean it's great, but I got mine for £760 with a five year warranty. I wouldn't have been rushing out at £900 though.
I don't understand the 5.5 pulldown milarky, but all I know is that as long as I remember to select exact scan through the remote when I'm watching bluray, it looks simply amazing!

I think that not being able to preset this on the tv is a stupid oversight on Toshiba's part, but hell, it's only one more button press afterall

The tv is great. My tweaking in settings and running the set for a couple of weeks seems to have resolved my initial backlight bleed issues...

And it so damn pretty!

[ADDA35]

Hi guys,
I've had my 46" fz since may from le concepts and no line problem yet.I'm I right in thinking that this is more likely to happen then not and it's just a matter of time with this set?.Or are still alot of guys with 46" zf not having this problem and it only effecting the few unlucky ones?.

[albani]

Hi ADDA,

As you asked that those "line problem">>it means Vertical-stripe(Line-defective)is occure 46" only!! I'hvnt seen/read etc.,yet on any 40"/52"!!
I'v also use 46s and satisfied
Dont think about this issue,at least if occured,just they refund or replacement(with another same unit/serie/model if availible,but its too
late hereafter!)
So just use it+
Bye+

[jakx]

Originally Posted by morgs

.... don't pay £900 for this telly .... tweaking in settings and running the set for a couple of weeks seems to have resolved my initial backlight bleed issues ....

I paid £750 with free delivery - but without an extended warranty, am considering buying Allianz 5yr cover from Amazon ... any thoughts about Toshiba or more general LCD TV reliability would be most welcome!

Backlight bleed is evident in 4 areas (towards each corner), how did you, or others here, manage to 'deal' with it?

I've tried .... somewhat unsuccessfully so far!!

[JanB]

Originally Posted by jakx

...Backlight bleed is evident in 4 areas (towards each corner), how did you, or others here, manage to 'deal' with it?

I've tried .... somewhat unsuccessfully so far!!

Just some general tips (without knowing how bad your bleed is):
* What we regard as "black" is relative to general light level, so don't watch in the dark. Arrange some bias light in the room. Aim for 10-20 percent of the maximum white from the TV.

* Don't use unnecessarily high Backlight setting. Adjust Backlight together with Brightness using a test image so that you can see difference between close to black and black, while black is as black as possible.
Doing this on the 37Z model I find the optimum is achieved with Active Backlight Control set to ON and Black Stretch set to Low. With the Backlight set to 20. Brightness = 58.

If the bleed still is disturbing, consider it a fault.

[bornesen]

Hi, mine is set to backlight level 30 (no dynamic backlight control) with a brightness of 55 and no black stretch. With these settings I do not have any bleeding at all.
I find the blacks that this set produces very good. I watched 'Blade Runner' yesterday (without any lighting in my living room) at I do not think that the blacks could be any better.
Maybe there are some Kuros or LED-LCDs that are even better but I am really perfectly happy with what I have now.
The only negative point I find with my 40ZF is the viewing angle; this is ok (120 degrees) but not brilliant. My old 37WL58 was much better in that field (but much inferior in general).

[jakx]

Many thanks for the tips ... I did set the backlight level to 30 and have to admit that last night there was no obvious bleed!

I will try the other settings, referred to by others here, this evening!

Meanwhile, this TV is everything I'd hoped it would be - and, it looks fantastic on or off!

Last year I had been considering the XF and then decided to wait for the ZF but at that time couldn't justify the cost!

The slim bezel was always going to be an added attraction for me - moving up to a 40" screen from a 32" Sony widescreen CRT!

Any comments regarding Extended Warranty on this model ...?

[albani]

Hi

Generally set Backlight>>30(or less than,but not less 20!!!)
Active Backlight Control>>ON
Black-Stretch>>LOW(or some watching some sources>>MED)
--------------------
For correct 3 Base setting,I'll recommend you the following prog.
D/L it and apply to your panel>>

1-Brightness
2-Contrast
3-Colour

proceed 1 to 3 respectively!!

-Unrar file and burn with NERO and use DVD-R("minus" media not "plus"!!)
insert HD-DVD/BR or at least your PC and apply all tests,while you watching the Test-Pattern
------------
http://rapidshare.com/files/16335099...uningbyCAN.rar

Set your panel under appropiate room-lighting condition!

-----------

Such as mine settings with 46"
-Backlight>>30

1-Brightness>>61
2-Contrast>>80
3-Colour>>48

I'v set this values under above Test

Bye+

[gingerben]

jakx and morgs

where did you get this set for £750

cheers

[ADDA35]

Line fault started showing up intemittently over christmas after 7 months bliss.Those of you who got their tv from le concepts and have the line fault.Have you replaced it with another other tv from them or are playing a waiting game?.

Got my 40ZF 2 weeks ago from Empire Direct, with 10% discount and 5 year warranty. The guy from empire could not do his maths and I had to correct him with the 10% and a further 2.5 % VAT. Bargain at £731.

HD looks excellent through my Popcorn Hour media tank. Built in Freeview SD picture is better than my Humax SD PVR.

Hi folks,

I've been monitoring this (and the main Z Series) thread for over a year now and am happy to say my brand spanking new 40ZF355DB arrived yesterday

For all interested I got it for just shy of £780 from Digital-Point.co.uk, with a free glass stand, gold plated HDMI cable & 2 year warranty - but unfortunately the "deal" ended on 31 December

All the advice re picture settings and setup have been extremely helpful, so a MASSIVE big 'Thank You' to everyone for their willingness to share their expertise!

I do have one question which I'm hoping someone can help me with though, and it's related to a post by JanB back in the first part of this thread (Post: 1972 on Page: 132):

...I have had problems with S-Video from some boxes but not RGB.

I'm connecting an old Sony DAV-300S (combined 5.1 amp/dvd player) to Ext 2 via a high quality S-Video to Scart cable - but the picture I get isn't particularly crisp when the dvd is playing, or even on the 'holding page' when not playing anything

I've made sure the 'AV Connection' setting for that input is set to 'S-VIDEO' (as it was in b&w before that!), but this hasn't made the picture any crisper.

Any ideas what the problem could be would be very much appreciated??

Many thanks in advance.
Martin

[albani]

Hi back_bedroom

-very good choice ZF40"

*****I'm connecting an old Sony DAV-300S (combined 5.1 amp/dvd player) to Ext 2 via a high quality S-Video to Scart cable - but the picture I get isn't particularly crisp when the dvd is playing, or even on the 'holding page' when not playing anything *******

but for this type of connection,as you wont get any "miracle" picture as well

S-Video/Scart,etc,. just forget those "classical" ports and connections!
--------------
Always you have to choice/use/select HDMI connection,but for old
systems,ofcourse you use it Scart,etc.,but for in this way as you cant
get it perfect picture as well,so pls upgrade your systems!

S-Video>>bad
Scart>>better than bad!!!

Bye++

Hi Albani,

Thanks for your response.

I'm SO chuffed with the tv, and will be even more when my bracket arrives so I can put her up on the wall.

I am little disappointed with the SD Freeview quality though - but hey we all knew it wasn't going to be spectacular - plus I don't have the worlds greatest ariel at the moment

Unfortunately I can't stretch to anything with HDMI, but I had a play with a different dvd player and (as you say) it seems S-Video is the culprit in this case.

So I'm going to plump for a good quality component instead, which should give me something a little more acceptable in the meantime.

Thanks again and Happy New Year

[albani]

Originally Posted by back_bedroom_st

Hi Albani,

Thanks for your response.

I'm SO chuffed with the tv, and will be even more when my bracket arrives so I can put her up on the wall.

I am little disappointed with the SD Freeview quality though - but hey we all knew it wasn't going to be spectacular - plus I don't have the worlds greatest ariel at the moment

Unfortunately I can't stretch to anything with HDMI, but I had a play with a different dvd player and (as you say) it seems S-Video is the culprit in this case.

So I'm going to plump for a good quality component instead, which should give me something a little more acceptable in the meantime.

Thanks again and Happy New Year

Hi

-SD Freewiew>>due to stream-quality may differ picture,but ZFs at least
to create acceptable and also good picture,well such as mine unit is 46"
and I'm satisfied,so dont think about for SD!!!

-If your external source such DVDPlayer has "Component-ports" pls use
Component2Component cable(YUV type)buy a good quality cable!

Bye++

[JanB]

Originally Posted by back_bedroom_st

...So I'm going to plump for a good quality component instead, which should give me something a little more acceptable in the meantime.

If you can use Component (YPbPr), that is 3 coloured video signals plus sound, connected to input 3 (set to Component) that can give a very good picture.

If you have a round S-Video connector you can try input 3 on the side just to make sure there is no problem with the Input-2.

Some units can give an acceptable picture via S-video but never as sharp and clear as RGB or YPbPr.

[Persiflage]

Hi guys,

I bought a 46XF355 back in January and was thoroughly thrilled with it (mostly watching Blu-Ray via PS3) until it developed the Dreaded Vertical Line Fault of Doom a few weeks back... Well, I had plenty of time left on the warranty and the shop I bought it from (Apollo 2000) picked it up today for repair. Talking to the sales guy, of the six 46XF's they shifted this year before they were discontinued, two of them have developed the same fault. Not a statistically significant sample perhaps, but interesting in the light of all the comments here.

However, when it went back to the shop, they quickly ascertained from Toshiba that it couldn't be fixed because Toshiba no longer "make" (heheh) those panels. And thus, sadly, they were forced to offer me a new TV as a replacement; to a value up to the purchase price I paid for the 46XF. My Google-fu did not fail me, and I found a site offering the 46ZF for £1199; more-or-less exactly what I paid for the 46XF just under a year ago! Apollo 2000 price-match, so that made the decision on a replacement easy.

As such, I will very shortly be the proud owner of a brand-new 46ZF355DB, replacing the XF, for no extra money.

I'm not even bothered that it sounds like the 46ZF suffers from the same Line of Death problem: I've got two years left to run on the warranty and if it fails me again in a year's time, I'll just get whatever the latest replacement model is for free

[freestuffinnit]

Hi All,

My 46ZF355 has developed the dreaded line, for the second time now.
First time was approx 4 months, then had the panel replaced and 4 months later the line has appeared again.

I'm hanging in there for the 2nd Generation ZF, which I hope will be released in Feb, if it's as good as it's hype then it's worth the wait.

Does anyone know how long the "Uplift for Credit" from Toshiba is valid for?

[albani]

Hi

As it seems the "classical">> Line-defective has still occured!!
Even XF or ZF


Might be as you know that this Line-defective has occured only
46s!!!
I haven't heard/seen yet any 40" or 52" with this issue!!
Seems 46s has something "specially"

But dont worry about this,at least Tosh knows this issue and allowed
to replacement(or refund according your Sale aggrement)
You just contact your vendor(before Tosh Service Dept. as well)and get
it a new unit++

---------------
@Persiflage>>you got right TV(dont think about Line-defective symptom!)

@Freestuffinnit>>your decision right toowait until the new ZFs release
time in order to replacement++

But I'm wonder that when Tosh release the ZF575???

Bye+

[Stevejdp]

Originally Posted by freestuffinnit

Hi All,

My 46ZF355 has developed the dreaded line, for the second time now.
First time was approx 4 months, then had the panel replaced and 4 months later the line has appeared again.

I'm hanging in there for the 2nd Generation ZF, which I hope will be released in Feb, if it's as good as it's hype then it's worth the wait.

Does anyone know how long the "Uplift for Credit" from Toshiba is valid for?

I asked this when I got my authorisation number last month and the person at Toshiba said "months". She couldn't be specifc but said to ring again if any problems. I'm hoping the ZF575 will be out sooner rather than later.

[freestuffinnit]

Originally Posted by Stevejdp

I asked this when I got my authorisation number last month and the person at Toshiba said "months". She couldn't be specifc but said to ring again if any problems. I'm hoping the ZF575 will be out sooner rather than later.

Yes I too hope it's sooner than later, I wonder what the price difference is going to be, I see the euro price was around 1900 euro, and with the current exchange rates, I hope it does not translate into £1900, since my credit is only for about £1400...

[Persiflage]

Now it has been confirmed that I can't after all get a 1st generation ZF, I'm seriously thinking about hanging on for the ZF575 too! It's either that or go for the Sony Z4500 (or W4500 maybe) so I don't have to wait months for a proper telly... I'm still thinking about it. *sigh*

[Lord Midas]

Woo and yay!!!! I now have the Toshiba 40ZF355DB TV and the Toshiba XDE500 DVD player, as well as the Xbox 360 and SKY+.

This is one of the most gorgeous tellies I've ever seen. It looks dinky yet has a brilliant 40"s of screen. The missus is well pleased too (phew, it was her money )

SKY+ is quite pixely but I was expecting that to a degree. Standard def image being all compressed from satellite and all that.

I tested The Dark Knight DVD on Xbox and DVD player. The scene where the Joker walks up to Batman on the road just after he crashed the podbike and then gets captured by Gordon.
Plenty of darks and low lighting (pretty much like the whole film )

Xbox image was surprisingly good. Plenty of detail and the image was crisp.
DVD image just seemed sharper overall. More definition on characters hair and the raindrops on the police car.

But you know, I don't have the trained eye of some of these reviewers. They say lots of stuff about details in the dark scenes, etc. I don't know if I'd ever notice this stuff. It all looks good to me

I do, however, notice the quality using the Xbox. The NXE dashboard is stunningly crisp. Text is now finally readable. I haven't played any games yet but I know they'll gorgeous.

I'm finally hi-def and lovin' it!!!

[davidpfitz]

Gents,

Hoping someone smart here can help me with this.

I am thinking of buying the 40" ZF, but have one question I can't find the answer to ... I have Sky HD, and on my current TV anything which is broadcast in 4:3 is stretched out to 16:9, making people all wide and fat on the screen. i.e. it doesn't automatically change the aspect ratio of the display through the HDMI interface (but will through SCART).

Does this TV change the aspect ratio automatically when watching 4:3 shows on Sky HD (through HDMI interface) - it's a pain to have to do it manually.

Thanks,
D.

[Raitzi]

In my original review(and thread) i pointed out that aspect ratio switching works fine and automatically.