Overview
Do not just watch the scene, be a part of it, which is what Toshiba 47â class TL515U LED HDTV says and delivers. This super thin model gives many online options, networking features, and facility to convert 2D to 3D. Some of the online options include Skype and Yahoo widgets. The 47-inch unit is an edge-lit LED LCD TV with local dimming that improves black levels. It is a 1080 full HDTV, which has the highest level of HD quality picture available in the market. The energy saving TV also has an in built Wi-Fi.
Whether you are going to watch movies or play games on the TV, it promises to give you a brilliant imagery in 2D and natural experience in 3D. It includes four HDMI port, one USB port, and the standard set of analog inputs. It is integrated with a Gaming Mode that reduces the time taken by the controller to start the game.
Some other features include Auto View-adjusts the display according to room light, Cine Speed-gives fact paced video and sports, and Clear Scan with 240 Hz anti-blur technology. It has a passive 3D feature that puts most of the 3D into the display rather than the glasses. Here we are talking about the glasses that we get in most commercial theaters.
The energy saving TV has InstaPort that connects it in a fraction of second and allows faster HDMI switching between components. It has invisible speakers integrated with Audyssey Dynamic EQ that improves the sound based on calculation of the difference between the original recorded level of audio and the level at which it is going to play.
You can easily unbox and assemble the lightweight TV. In fact, it is very light with only 50 pounds. It can be placed on the table or can be hanged on the wall. When you place it on the table, you can turn the display to face viewers at different corners of a room because the TV swivels on a stand.
Now, let us see the design of this squared TV. The sleek 515U has a medium width bezel, with a two-tone finish, glossy strip of black and textured finish on the rest of the frame. The stand has an angle sitting above the glass-topped base and facing the viewer that allows the panel to swivel.
After the design, it is time to check the remote. The buttons on the clicker are too numerous, similar, cramped together and their transparent angled faces distort the small labels making them difficult to read.
Pricing and availability
The model is currently available with a price tag of $1,299.99. You can directly purchase it through the online website of the company.
Whatâs great
The model gives good picture quality with relatively deep black levels in dark scenes. Matte display works perfect even in bright lights and it has built-in Wi-Fi. The 3D feature is bright and the company includes four pairs of non-powered and lightweight glasses in the TV.
Whatâs not so great
The backlight of this model fluctuate more the usual and sometimes the picture loses fidelity in dark scenes. Picture quality of the passive 3D is soft with more artifacts if compared to other manufacturers. Apart from that, it has a slow start up time and a packed remote, which also has sometimes a delayed response.
Things to watch out for
If you are going to purchase this model then keep in mind that it cannot be the center of attraction of your home theater system, but it can be a nice living room TV for family viewing.
Verdict
The TV has attractive features, appearance and passive 3D works well, but the picture quality of Toshiba 47 losses its appeal when put in comparison. There are only three brand producing 3D television-LG, Vizio, and Toshiba. The TL515U LED HDTV has more or less same 3D performance like the LG doppelganger. When we look at the picture produced by the Toshiba in 2D, it does not matches with LG, may be due to its overactive back light. Therefore, it will be tough to recommend Toshiba to the buyers because LG is less expensive and provides better picture quality.
