46LX177 Features and Build Quality

Now that everyone is doing 1080p these days it seems the next big advance has to do with display “speed”. The new Toshiba REGZA LCD TVs sport 120Hz ClearFrame technology. This means that images are displayed twice as fast on the screen and flicker and display-induced motion blur is reduced. Toshiba is not the only game in town that has this technology but it is definitely promoting it well and introducing consumers to the ideas and concepts behind these faster displays.

Features

When comparing displays quality is first, but it also helps to start at the top and determine if a display has the features you want. In the case of the 46LX177, Toshiba has a healthy list of impressively-named technologies and features that will help differentiate it from the competition:

• 1080p with Deep Color and 24p support

• 3) HDMI inputs

• 120Hz ClearFrame technology

• THINC Ethernet network system with email, photo and music support

• DynaLight dynamic backlight control

• ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners (single RF input)

• Premium gloss black cabinetry

Delivery and Build Quality

The Toshiba REGZA 46LX177 comes, as you'd expect in a large box with removable lid. The form-fitted foam corners protected the display well, but fell apart when I unboxed the system. Most people I know won't be saving the box or re-shipping the unit after it is received so I doubt this is any kind of practical issue. The first thing I noticed was that the display has a beautiful piano-gloss finish that really makes it look like a piece of fine furniture. On power up a small and unobtrusive orange light appears at the bottom right of the display. After witnessing all manner of blue LEDs and fluorescent buttons this year, it was nice to see that Toshiba didn't believe in the super-bright indicators we've seen in many other models.

There are several locations where the display's inputs are to be found:

On the rear we have bottom-facing HDMI inputs (3), an optical TOSlink output, RF antenna input, RJ45 for THINC functionality and an HD15 PC input.

Analogue component (2), composite (1) and S-video (1) inputs are located on the back as are dedicated audio inputs for PC/HDMI-1 and a couple of fixed and variable analogue audio outputs. IR in and out jacks are also provided for use with an optional dual-want IR emitter or IR repeater (not included). The side of the TV features some hard buttons as well as a set of AV inputs (handy for plugging in a camcorder or other digital camera).

The Toshiba correctly stores independent picture controls for each input (we specifically tested both component inputs and the three HDMI inputs to make sure. This means that you can calibrate each device independently. While this may have been a bit less significant in the past, the advent of multiple gaming systems and high-definition DVD players means that each video device can interact with a custom calibrated input that ensures black levels and color are accurate for all.