Toshiba launches new range of wares in Ware

22 Feb 2008 | 14:00 GMT

By Rob Kerr

TOSHIBA unveiled a new range of televisions for Q2 ‘08 at a spring product preview show in Ware, Hertfordshire this week.

At the show that’s been going on all week for vendors Tosh showed members of the press new series of sets in the form of the CX, XV and ZF televisions.

First up, the REGZA CV series is a step-up WXGA LCD TV, aimed at consumers wishing to upgrade from a high spec CRT or analogue LCD TV. This range will be shipping in March in screen sizes 32-, 37- and 42 inches. These boast features such as an HD-Ready 1366x768 screen resolution, a sleek gloss black finish, 3xHDMI slots and a Digital Tuner with Audio Description.

REGZA CV Series

The REGZA XV series arrives on the heels of X series range from 2007, with full 1080p HD resolution at an entry level price right down to 32-inch. This will also shipping in March in screen sizes 32-, 37- and 42 inches. Feature sets here are noted as the 1920x1080 screen resolution, a gloss black finish to the case (Coo! Ed), with 3xHDMI ports, Digital Tuner and an Auto Contrast Sensor.

REGZA XV Series

The above ranges have a few key features for this generation in the Luma Sens, ActiveVision, Audio Description, Game Mode and Full Power Down Mode.

The Luma Sens automatically measures ambient light conditions in the room and then adjusts the picture accordingly, which in turn enhances image quality whilst consuming less energy, apparently.

Audio Description shipping on the sets add additional commentary to scenes with no dialogue, with approximately three million people in the UK who are likely to benefit from AD also it’s being heavily promoted by the RNIB and other charities.

Game mode is a dedicated function designed for the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles for playing on HDMI, offering 1:1 pixel mapping and automatically adjusting brightness for a more realistic gaming experience.

The Full Power Down Mode is just simply a button to completely power-off the sets, basically meaning the TV’s will be consuming no power watt-so-ever – for the greener option. Toshiba did want pointing out that all LCDs, including 57” pull less than 1W whilst on stand-by anyway.

The ZF from Toshiba boasts “the worlds thinnest frame”, shipping in 40-, 46- and 52-inch screen sizes with its picture frame design in a bezel of just 23mm wide. Features accompanying this beast are Toshiba's active vision M100 100Mhz HD picture processing, dynamic contrast ratio up to 30,000:1, 3xHDMI ports (with deep colour) and full slim-line onkyo speakers to name but a few. Which Tosh believes will be the Ultimate HD performance and seeing it in action, we can see why.

REGZA ZF Series

Prices for these models could not be given by Toshiba as it reckons it does not issue RRPs, for reasons of promoting unfair competition. µ

© 2007 Incisive Media Investments Ltd. 2007