Toshiba CZ36V51 36 inch TV

The Toshiba CZ32V51 32" Color TV set (Chassis No. TAC 9910).

We purchased a Toshiba CZ32V51 32" Color television receiver a couple of months ago and I'll have to admit that the picture that it makes is VERY impressive. It has one of the nicest pictures of any of the TV sets that I looked at, and at a reasonable price to boot (watch for the sales)!

The CZ32V51 has most of the bells and whistles of any modern TV receiver, a full-function infrared remote (that will also control two other items), automatic active channel scanning and storing, stereo or Second Audio Program (SAP) sound, favorite channel recall (12 in all), auto turn-off timer, etc., but it also has a number of other features. It has an easy-to-use PIP (Picture-In-a-Picture) option, but you need to use your VCR as one of the tuners. It's also easy to "swap" between the main picture and the PIP picture.

Additionally, it has the normal video/audio inputs for using the video and audio out of your VCR for better quality tape playback, but then carries it a couple of steps further. There are actually TWO video/audio inputs. The first will accept either normal video and audio via standard "phono" connectors or video/audio via an "S" video connector (often found on some of the modern add-on equipment). The second video/audio input is even better though. It will accept either normal video and audio via standard "phono" connectors and it's also capable of processing what's called "Component Video" (Y, CB and CR "Color Stream" video). Suffice it to say that "Component Video" gives far better results than standard "composite video", so if your DVD player or VCR has it available as an output, your CZ32V51 will accept it as an input. It also has video and audio outputs (for recording directly from the TV), something you don't see on many sets. One thing that's missing that I feel is important on all large screen sets today, is an isolated audio output that is varied by the on-screen remote volume control, and can be muted during commercials. This type of audio output is needed to feed a separate component stereo system with it's own speakers, etc. I had to add that capability myself but the average consumer may not know how to do it (you need to add audio isolation transformers and audio attenuation pads to properly feed most stereo systems).

Toshiba did provide 3 pre-set video settings in the CZ32V51 though. The first is a factory preset (not my favorite!), second is a user pre-set (now we're getting there) and the third is what Toshiba calls their "Theater" setting (this is one that I like). The "Theater" setting smooths out the often harsh, noisy, over-saturated color that's seen on so many channels today. The "Theater" setting actually looks like the quality of the picture that you'd see in a movie theater, I was surprised. And when you watch a DVD feeding the TV set with component video and on the "Theater" setting, you can soon forget that you're really at home! The only thing missing is that your feet don't stick to the floor (no "Cinamuck"!).

Do I like the Toshiba CZ32V51? You bet. It is the "perfect" TV set? Probably not, but for the time being it's a very good choice.

Be aware ... 32" TV receivers are heavy. This one weights in at 125 pounds, but then all large screen TVs are in the same category. When are they going to put safe carrying handles on these things?