Toshiba 32DF46 Review

What the reviewers like:
The Toshiba 32DF46 is a full-featured set at a relatively inexpensive price. It uses Toshiba’s FST picture tube, which is flat to reduce glare. Reviews also like Toshiba’s StableSound, which evens out sound levels to combat too-loud commercials. Connectivity is good, but not exceptional, and includes front A/V inputs for connecting a camcorder without trying to reach behind the TV. The digital tuner is QAM compatible for watching unscrambled HDTV programming on a cable-TV system, and can receive HDTV signals over the air with an antenna; however, since the 32DF46 is not an HDTV, all programming is displayed in standard definition (480i).

What the reviewers don't like:
The Toshiba 32DF46 has good -- but not great -- image quality that trails that of the best sets in this category. We have also seen user complaints of slow channel changing and weak sound. Like all CRT TVs, the Toshiba 32DF46 is large and heavy.

Toshiba 32DF46 review highlights

Overall, reviews say the Toshiba 32DF46 is a good TV that's somewhat overshadowed by similar Sony televisions. The full-featured 32-inch Toshiba 32DF46 digital standard-definition TV has a flat picture tube to reduce glare. However, users and critics generally give the edge in overall picture quality to the 32-inch Sony KD-32FS170 (*est. $545). We’ve also seen complaints that the Toshiba TV is slow to change channels. On the other hand, the Toshiba 32DF46 has good features and includes Toshiba's StableSound, which is widely praised for its ability to even out the sound between programs and commercials. The TV has a digital tuner, which means it won’t become obsolete when the analog broadcast system is turned off in Feb. 2009. It can receive HDTV signals, but will display them in standard definition (480i).

Consumer Reports, which is one of the best remaining sites for CRT TV reviews, has included the 32-inch Toshiba 32DF46 (*est. $480) in its latest round of testing. Consumer Reports is one of only a few remaining review resources for CRT TVs. Unfortunately, discussion about individual TVs is limited to just a few sentences. The standard-definition Toshiba 32DF46 has also received some user feedback at Amazon.com, Epinions and Sears.com.

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*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
Conventional TVs
Editors of Consumer Reports
Nov. 2006

Consumer Reports continues to report on CRT televisions and is currently the best source for reviews of this type of TV. This update includes tests of eight high-definition sets and 12 standard-definition models, including the Toshiba 32DF46. Along with general buying advice, there is a ratings chart. While the discussions about individual TVs are disappointingly short, the ratings are updated regularly.

2. Amazon.com
Toshiba 32DF46 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

About ten users have rated the Toshiba 32DF46 on Amazon.com. However, several of those reviews dealt with issues beyond the TV -- including delivery difficulties. Overall, most users seem very pleased with the set, with several calling it a great value.

3. Epinions
Toshiba 32DF46 32
Contributors to Epinions

Epinions is a user review site that lets owners share their opinions about products that they own. Thus far, the Toshiba 32DF46 has only received a single review, but it is generally positive. Negatives are weak sound and a need for additional inputs.

4. Sears.com
Toshiba 32DF46 Review
Contributors to Sears.com

Sears is one of the growing number of retailers that allow customers to rate products that they have purchased. The Toshiba 32DF46 gets three ratings here. While one is positive, two are rather negative. Complaints are poor sound,weak color and slow channel changing.

Also see full report: Televisions