Toshiba UX600U Series 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV with Net TV Review

The Toshiba UX600U series is a premium feature packed, competitively priced LED LCD HDTV which makes one wonder why Toshiba are not further up the HDTV bestseller lists. Compared side-by-side with other leading brands they display an equally impressive picture yet hold a lower price sticker. The Toshiba UX600U series has three models; the 40 inch 40UX600, 46 inch 46UX600 and the largest by far 55 inch 55UX600.

Toshiba UX600U

The Toshiba UX600 series has edge LED backlighting in comparison to the flagship SV670U series full matrix, still delivers much higher dynamic contrast ratio (3,000,000:1) and deeper blacks than conventionally CCFL backlit LCD HDTVs. Among the premium features , Toshiba’s Net TV combined with a Wi-Fi adapter is pre-eminent providing an Internet sourced content portal to match other premium brands. Also improving digital content access is network connectivity to other DLNA compatible devices and HDMI connectivity to A/V components. Some other features worth special mention are; 120Hz frequency for smoother motion, 5:5 pulldown for 24p film sources, 4 HDMI, a photo viewer and extensive picture optimization options.

Toshiba’s Net TV

Net TV includes applications which deliver content via a customized Internet connection. VUDU Movies gives access to over 3,000 Full HD, 5.1 surround sound movies on demand. It will save time for trips to the video store and perhaps some late fines as well. Pandora provides personalized music Channels. Social Networking applications including Facebook and Twitter can be used on the big screen. Digital images can be shared with friends using photo applications such as Flickr and Picasa Web Albums. News and information services include news services such as the New York Times, AP and National Weather to name some. A customizable Ticker across the bottom of the screen lets you stay current with information from Twitter, News, Weather or Stocks. Net TV vastly expands the content available on your HDTV.

Software Updates

An excellent add-on feature to Internet connectivity is the ability to download and install new operating software by simply navigating to the Software Upgrade option and selecting it. This is far more likely to happen than the alternative method of downloading on a PC, transferring it to a USB storage device, transferring it to the HDTV then running through the upgrade menu.

Motion Blur Reduction – 120Hz Refresh Rate

Motion blur is an inherent weakness of LCD displays compared Plasma and manufacturers have compensated by implementing higher refresh or frame rates. The Toshiba UX600U models have Toshiba’s ClearScan 120 technology which greatly reduces motion blur common to action movies and sports by doubling the frame rate from the base 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second (Hz). The extra frames are computed by the video processor using Toshiba’s Motion Vector Frame Interpolation technology.

One final point to note about Toshiba’s implementation of ClearScan 120 technology is that it can be controlled separately from the film stabilization processing which minimises film judder. So, if it happens that the anti-judder (film stabilization) process produces annoying artefacts it can be switched off.

Video Processor

Each generation of HDTVs reveals continual improvement in the power of the video processing chip and this is true of Toshiba’s 5th generation PixelPure video processing system. Software constantly monitors changes in signal quality (noise), content, and motion across frames to enhance sharpness, contrast, and color reproduction. The digital video processor runs at an impressive 333Mhz. The PixelPure 5G 14-bit internal digital video processor increases gradation levels to 4,096 levels or 16x the numer for a standard 8-bit processor) creating smoother, clearer images. Resolution+ super resolution technology upconverts and enhances 480i/p and 720p input signals for a more detailed picture.

Two factors helping with picture quality are the CrystalCoat display coating which prevents light reflections from degrading picture quality and AutoView which combines information from an ambient room light sensor with incoming video content monitoring to automatically set most TV picture parameters.

Sound Quality

Sound quality has been well addressed by Toshiba and includes Dolby Volume sound leveling, and Audyssey EQ. Dolby Volume utilizes highly specialized human psycho-acoustic algorithms to ensure a even volume level through channel changes and commercials. Considering how many consumers find these volume changes annoying this should be a highly regarded feature. There are twin 10W bottom-mounted, invisible speakers integrated into the bezel design.

Sound Controls

Bass And Treble: adjust bass, treble and balance.
Surround: activates a virtual surround sound effect

Voice Enhancement: boosts clarity of vocals
Dynamic Bass Boost: selects a deeper, richer bass
Dolby Digital Dynamic Range Control: switch from ATSC to analog broadcast at the same dynamic range.
Two-level Mute: half volume and complete mute options
Digital Audio Output: An optical digital output available to connect to surround processor (Dolby Digital or PCM formats).

Digital Image Viewing

There are a number of options for looking at digital images uploaded from a USB or SD card storage device.

Multi View mode: A grid of photo thumbnails in a grid layout allows for quick searching

Single View mode: For viewing a large version of any photo.

Slideshow mode: Creates slideshow of photos from the digital files in the selected directory.

Gaming Mode

The Gaming Mode improves the gaming experience by reducing annoying game control delay. For best gaming performance remember that it’s important to match the game console output resolution to the native resolution of the HDTV (1080p in this case). Less exciting for younger gamers is the GameTimer which can be used by parents to set a time limit (30–120 minutes) for video game playing. When the GameTimer expires, the TV enters Input Lock mode and locks out the input source for the video game device.

Toshiba’s Cinema Mode 24fps Technology

The Toshiba UX600U models will perform 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. This is a sophisticated feature seen only on premium HDTVs such as the Sony NX800. Movies are shot at 24 fps and broadcasters and many DVD players convert 24 fps movies by 3:2 pulldown to play on an 60 interlaced fields per second (similar process with PAL TVs). The pulldown process can introduce a form of judder called Telecine judder. Toshiba’s Cinema Mode 24fps Technology, in an impressive feat of sophisticated number crunching by the video processor, reverses the process so you can watch a movie in its native 24p. A couple of points to note however; 1) you will still have the judder resulting from the film being shot at 24 fps and 2) Telecine judder can actually reduce the harshness of the worst of the 24p judder. For more in-depth explanation read our technology guide on judder.

For 24p film video sources Toshiba have provided 5:5 Pull-Down whereby to maintain the cinema quality each frame is repeated by a multiple of 5. Frames being repeated rather than performing any sort of pulldown means no associated judder is introduced. In cinemas it is common for the each of the 24 fps to be shown twice for an overall frame rate of 48. Any judder that results from filming at the slow 24 frames per second will still be present. However, that said, some much prefer 24p playback to what they see as the unnaturally smooth motion produced by smoothing by the video processor.

Read our Technology Guide on 24p playback vs 3:2 pulldown for more background information.

Picture Adjustment Options

Picture Size: Extensive range of choices is available for sizing image to match the display size and includes: Natural, Theater Wide 1, Theater Wide 2, Theater Wide 3, Full, 4:3 HD, 4:3 Stretch, Native and Dot-by-Dot.
DNR: noise reduction effect for weak signals
Auto Aspect Feature: automatically selects the picture size
Picture Modes: Matches the picture optimisation to the video source and includes: AutoView, Sports, Standard, Movie, Game and PC.
Color Temperature: three preset color temperatures – Cool (bluish), Medium (neutral), or Warm (reddish). Levels of greens and blues can be adjusted for each preset temperature.
ColorMaster: adjusts hue, saturation, and color brightness of six different colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Magenta, Cyan)
Base Color Adjustment: select the base color to adjust and fine tune the Hue, Saturation and Brightness
Expert Mode: individually enables/disables the Red, green, and Blue components of the picture for more accurate adjustment of each color.
Dynamic Contrast: HDTV adjusts video automatically when changes in picture quality that affect contrast settings are detected
DynaLight Backlight Control brightness of each video frame is monitored by an advanced image processing algorithm and the backlight intensity adjusted to create seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
Backlight Adjustment Pro: adjusts backlight to match the ambient light conditions

MPEG Noise Reduction: reduces visible interference caused by MPEG compression
Static Gamma Adjustment: adjust picture black levels
Film Stabilization: minimizes video shaking that can occur during Cinema Mode processing.

Connectivity

The Toshiba UX600U LCD HDTV has an excellent range of connection options including;

HDMI: 4 (HDMI-CEC) with 2 ports on the side
Component: 1 (on the side)
Composite A/V: 1 (on the side)
RF (antenna): 1
PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1
Digital audio output: 1 optical
Analog audio input: 3 pair (for each component and composite video input)
Ethernet networking: 1
USB: 2 (side)

If the home network is not wireless there is an Ethernet port for a wired connection. If used, the dual band Wi-Fi Adapter (802.11a/b/g/n) plugs into a USB port (security options: WEP64/128, TKIP, AES, WPA/WPA2-PSK, WPS, None)

DLNA compatibility means that content can be searched for on other DLNA compatible devices attached to the same network. Digital multimedia files (photos – JPEG, movies – DivX, or music – MP3) can also be uploaded to the HDTV using one of the USB ports or the digital camera memory card friendly SD Card Slot.

REGZA-LINK is Toshiba’s name for its implementation of CEC which allows basic control over HDMI connected A/V devices using the remote control. An added convenience is the ability to select input sources from the remote and switch them on and off. The typical 5 second or so delay when switching between connected HDMI A/V components is eliminated by Toahiba’s InstaPort.

A PC can be connected using the 15-pin, D-Sub or a HDMI to DVI adapter and audio cable. A convenient helper feature is REGZA-LINK PC Link which automatically sets suitable widescreen formats and picture preferences when the TV is connected.

Built into the UX600U models are ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuners for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital “cable-in-the-clear” broadcasts.

Toshiba UX600U LED LCD HDTV Review Summary

The Toshiba UX600U series is a premium feature packed, competitively priced LED LCD HDTV which should make an impact in shifting Toshiba LCD HDTVs further up the bestseller lists. Compared side-by-side with other leading brands they display an equally impressive picture which is supported by LED backlighting. The UX600U models deliver when it comes to content access coming with a Wi-Fi adapter, customized Internet access to a wide range of services with Toshiba’s Net TV, DLNA network access to digital content stored on PCs and other network attached DLNA compatible devices and HDMI interactive connectivity to A/V components.

If superb picture quality is paramount over content connectivity then you should read our review of the Toshiba SV760U LCD HDTV series which has full matrix LED backlighting and faster 240Hz for smoother on-screen motion.