Nelson

Note: Toshiba has just changed the listed specs for its current (not new) 16:9 models, such as the 42H82. Now in the specs list is "DVI upgradable." Checking to see what THAT means in their website glossary, I see that they claim that an "optional jackpack" will allow DVI.

This is big news, as far as I am concerned, and beats Mitsubishi's "Promise", in that DVI is specifically mentioned. No word on cost, but I am going to buy the current 42H82 at a great price, not waiting for the soon-to-be-released new models, which will have DVI built-in.

ineptabouthdtv

Hey Nelson.......do you know the link I can go to where Toshiba mentions the "DVI upgradable optional jackpack" for current 16:9 models? Thanks!!!

Nelson

Yes...this'll get you to the Toshiba website. Note, however, that the 42H82 is essentially the 42H81 with the DVI "upgradeable" feature added, so I may have misspoken when I called the 42H82 "current." "Interim" may have been a better word.

Once you are at the website, go to the glossary; that's where they explain DVI "upgradeable" and "jackpack".

The TRUELY new models, such as the 42HDX81 due in October, will have a DVI port built-in.

Nelson

http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/curr...etail.html#spec

ineptabouthdtv

Thanks Nelson.....I appreciate the info. I'm looking to buy my first HDTV and had narrowed it down to the 50H81....then I come to find out there is a 50H82, 50HX81, 50HX82, and i guess the newest to come out the 50HDX82 (and prob. a 50HDX81 i'm assuming???) So the H82 vs H81 difference is mainly the CRT's (i think thats what i read???) and the upgradable DVI feature? Do you know what basic features differences are between the H and HX series? (and I guess from what you said the HDX's are the newest that have the DVI built in?) If you happen to know the differences it would be a HUGE help for me in deciding on which model to go with. Since you know quite a bit more than I, if you were in the market for your first, what would you go with at this point in time? Thanks again!!! - Rob

JoeInBH

Does anyone know if the Toshiba "DVI Upgradable" sets were ever purposefully designed to be upgradable? Or is the only thing that makes them more upgradable than the other Toshibas the promise to upgrade if and when the time comes? Put differently, is there a technical or mechanical difference between upgradable and non-upgradable sets or is the only difference the marketing? It's a factual question that has an answer. I've been doing significant research and have some ideas, but I'd like to hear if anyone else has helpful information (not just your unsupported opinion). Thanks.

Joe

Nelson

Joe...you hit the nail on the head with your question. I'm afraid I don't have THE answer, but I think I can add something helpful:

When doing my DVI research this summer (looking to purchase my first HDTV), I noticed that Toshiba's website suddenly stopped featuring the "old" 42h81 (which never had any mention of DVI in any way), and started--without fanfare--to feature the 42h82 about a month ago. In that an entirely new 42 inch Toshiba is coming out shortly (the 42hdx81, with a true DVI port), I have my suspicions about the 42h82. By that I mean that I am pretty sure it's just a 42h81 with "DVI upgradability" suddenly marketed in response to all the uproar! I think the 42h81 was "DVI upgradable" all along!

In any case, I went ahead and bought the 42h81 from Best Buy two weeks ago and am happy with it. When I got it, I arranged with Best Buy to exchange it (no charge) for a 42h82 on Aug. 11!

50H82 Owner

I have had a 50H82 for about two weeks. I waited for this model because of the DVI upgradeability and the hope they would correct the intermittant on/off defect. Unfortunately, the set does exhibit the on/off problem, and they provide no information about the DVI upgradeability. I would hold off on buying one until both issues are resolved. If the DVI upgrade will end up costing another couple hundred bucks, what's the benefit? Also, it's very annoying to have your TV toggle on and off in the middle of your favorite show!