Toshiba 32ZP38 Review

Overall Rating

Good picture
Good sound when kept at reasonable level
Great looks
Practically no picture processing noise

Poor Scart positioning
PAL prog scan a little flickery
Basic on-screen display

I really, really liked this Toshiba 32ZP38 and wanted to keep one of the THREE I had but sadly they all had to go back !
The first set was from the very first batch and seemingly this was a faulty batch. My TV kept switching itself off randomly and I wish Toshiba could have just sent someone out to fix it as the picture and screen itself were immaculate. Sadly they couldn't and the set had to go back.
When the second set arrived the power problem was gone but the screen had what looked like a thumb print at the centre top of the screen with a very thin line below it running all the way to the bottom of the screen. I thought I'd just wipe it off but it was on the INSIDE of the screen. On closer inspection there were smear-like marks of a similar colour in both of the top corners of the screen.
Set 3 arrived with the no marks in the centre of the screen but with worse smear marks in the corners. Again on the inside of the screen. It was as if the screen had been polished but there was some residue left on the glass. I tried to suffer it but when light reflected off the screen it was clearly visible and really distracting. Return and refund !
I've gone round a few shops since and none of the display sets have had these problems so I may purchase another and just hope I have better luck as it is a fantastic home cinema performer.
The picture is very natural and there are practically no processing artefacts.
The sound is as good as most of the budget sub/sat all in ones on the market providing you don't have a massive room to fill.
The connectivity is very good too, although if you have quite chunky scart plugs you might have a little difficulty. The component inputs are a great addition though, allowing prog scan (both PAL and NTSC)and Prog Scan NTSC DVD's on this set are a sight to behold !
This is a great set and I believe I was very, very unlucky. However with the Panasonic 32PD30 now available I may not buy the same set again. I need to audition them side by side !

Members' Comments onGraham27's Review

• MonkeyLover26 on 14th Jul 2004

  Hi there,
  I am also interested in buying this TV model and am torn between the toshiba and panasonic that you mentioned. Could you tell me which company you bought the toshiba from. Also since that time did you buy the panasonic and was it any better?