Toshiba 32C120U Review

32" 720p LCD TV

by Jack Burden, Senior Reviewer

The 32 inch 32C120U replaces the 32C110U. This 720p LCD model is perfect as a second TV for small rooms. It isn't packed with all the latest and greatest features but it provides good picture quality at a solid value.

Picture Quality

The 32C120U does not feature LED back lighting, it uses flourescent lighting to save on production costs. It does not produce the same bright whites as LED but it often has more uniform lighting than LED edge lighting. The cost savings from using CCFL to back light the panel allows you as a consumer to get a good picture at a lower price point.

This model is not really replacement for the top end HX929 series but a continuation of the same type of characteristics and features that Sony is putting into their top end LED backlit LCD offerings. You will find all of Sony's top features on this 2012 TV offering.

Black Level

Black levels on the Toshiba 32C120U are satisfactory for a television in this price range. The darkness is inky but it loses detail in low light scenes. Color performance is good, reds are a bit hot but can be dialed back in calibration resulting in a realistic and warm picture.

Back Lighting

Like most every flourescent back lit LCD (and even many LED back lit LCDs) the off angle viewing on this television suffers. At angles more than 25-30 degrees off center the contrast starts to degrade and by 50 or more degrees off center the picture becomes washed out. This is not a concern if the viewer is positioned at the center of the screen but in some room configurations it can be something to keep in mind.

60Hz

A 60Hz panel suffers none of what we have termed "the soap opera effect", an effect where the television can make even the most high budget productions appear as if they with shot with video on a cheap soap opera set. In scenes with slow camera pans you will notice some judder on the 32C120U but on a budget priced television that is to be expected.

Standout Features

• 720p, LCD
• Auto brightness control
• 2-Way Ported Speakers w/ Audyssey Premium Suite Sound Enhancement

Special Features

It's unusual for a 32” flourescent backlit TV to have such a good input selection. Especially at the very attractive price. The most impressive extra feature in this TV is the USB input which enables photo or video display immediately on the screen. This gives the owner a lot of flexibility.

Pricing and Availability

The 32C120U 32” TV will be priced very competitively for 2012 at between $289 and $319. It is available starting at the end of January of 2012 and will continue to be sold until around March of 2013. It is Toshiba's most competitively priced TV for 2012 and will be one of the best deals in the 32” LCD TV market for this year.

The digital optical output is also nice to have allowing you to take the audio from the TV to a surround sound system if you happen to be receiving your signal from broadcast directly into the TV.