Toshiba REGZA 42ZV650U – Special Effects
Posted by hdtv buying guide on August 24, 2009 under HDTV Reviews, LCD HDTV, Toshiba | 
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Now that 1080p high-definition resolution has been tackled on a large scale, flat-screen televisions with that feature can be found for hundreds less than even a year ago.
But the new battle for LCD television manufacturers appears to be refresh rate. Most source material is broadcast at 60 frames per second, which can sometimes create motion blur during fast action scenes. Mid-level televisions double the frames and refresh the on-screen image 120 times per second — or at a rate of 120Hz.
The newest batch of high-end televisions from Sony, Samsung and others refreshes at a rate of 240Hz — quadrupling the frames to make every movement smooth.
And that brings us to the Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U, which retails for $1,299.99. The 42-inch television can be found at online retailers like Amazon.com for less than $1,000.
Toshiba’s Regza ZV650U line fights the refresh rate battle by using something called ClearScan 240, which creates a “240Hz effect.” If that sounds like it isn’t actually running at 240Hz, it’s true — the screen is running at 120Hz. But by flashing the backlight at 120Hz as well, it creates the effect of 240Hz.
The good news is that for most viewers it’s really difficult to see the difference between 120Hz and 240Hz. But the other advanced features of the 42ZV650U — like resolution control, customizable settings and film stabilization — could make it a good choice for the viewer who likes to tinker.
For those who don’t like to tinker, the television is still a solid choice. It includes four HDMI inputs, a PC input, as USB port and an SD memory card slot. Used in concert, those ports can help make the 42ZV650U the center of a fairly high quality media center.
One thing missing is internet connectivity (none of Toshiba’s LCDs have them), but if you’re savvy with the PC input, you’ll be OK.
In terms of design, the ZV650U series is a bit of a departure from the standard black plastic case look. The edges fade from black to silver, giving it a much more distinctive look. Also, the screen has a glossy finish. That could be distracting for some viewers — especially in a bright room — but others may enjoy it.
If you can find the 42ZV650U around the $1,000 mark, it will likely be one of the most full-featured televisions at that price. The picture quality will more than satisfy the average viewer, while the advanced features can keep even heavy-duty tinkerers happy as well.
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