Toshiba 55L6200U Review

55" Passive 3D 120Hz LCD/LED TV with NET TV, WiFi, and Aero Design

by , Senior Editor

Toshiba 55L6200UThe most important difference between this 2nd tier model and the top end L7200 is the Clear Scan 120Hz feature rather than the 240Hz in the L7200. Aside from this difference, it has all of Toshiba's top end 2012 features such as LED edge lighting and passive 3D compatibility, Toshiba's Smart TV suite, the new CQ Video Engine (dual core) and passive 2D to 3D conversion. It also has a full web browser and QWERTY keyboard. This model becomes available in April or May of 2012 and will continue until March of 2013.

Picture Quality Rating: 8.6/10

Clear Scan Anti Judder Feature

Toshiba's edge lit LED 55L6200U has a good bit of judder effects when panning side to side or during fast motion. We recommend leaving the 120Hz anti-judder feature on for this TV as it does not produce too much "soap opera" effect when left on as many other televisions do. This is a result of taking out natural background blur. For sports programming the feature improves the picture considerable – especially with HD sports.

Side Angle Off Center Viewing

Though the screen on the 55L6200U is more of a clear coat which we like it still exhibits some weak side angle viewing characteristics. Contrast and color saturation decrease starting at 20 degrees off center. This is one of the weaknesses of this TV.

Passive 3D Viewing

Toshiba is very proud of their passive 3D Viewing Quality and what is nice is that there is no flicker from the 3D glasses from any internal room light. The 3D picture still looks deep and involving even though it is not active 3D. 2D to 3D conversion is much better this year and is worth trying from time to time. Effects are more muted than normal 3D content, but do provide a better option to 2D than in the past.

One of the big surprises from this TV was the quality of 3D viewing. I expected much less depth from the passive 3D glasses than we've been seeing with the active-shutter 3D glasses, but that was not the case. With active 3D we have seen more depth in the background of the picture, but with this passive 3D TV, we see images popping out of the screen towards us more. In the end I would say it's a wash. Side angle 3D viewing was also very good, while more straight on-center viewing is required with active 3D. Coloration is excellent. Image edges are not quite as crisp as some TVs we've tested recently. We did not experience the normal negative attributes from last year's 3D TVs – flicker and blurring in the bottom right and left corners. And one last big plus for this TV's simple passive glasses – they didn't tire my eyes.

Toshiba 6200 Series LED TV Passive 3D Glasses
Toshiba's Passive 3D Glasses cost a fraction of active 3D glasses and are very light.

Daylight Sensor

We recommend giving the Dynalight sensor mode a pass. This mode automatically adjusts the backlight intensity depending upon room and content, but it adds slight flicker to the picture.


A shot from the 3D Blu-Ray of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in passive 3D

Toshiba 6200 Series LED TV
Warm, realistic color stands out in this sunset shot on the L6200

Features Rating: 8.7/10

Wifi/Web Browser/QWERTY Remote

The 47L6200U includes built in Wifi and a web browser for easy access to the Internet. Navigation is better as well due to a full QWERTY keyboard remote control with a typing pad. I can attest to how slow trying to use the 5-way controller on a remote is when attempting to enter keyword serch terms. The keyboard solution is welcomed and is also Wifi compatible for extra convenience. An additional features, the eportal web browser is new for 2012 and allows Tablet and Smart Phone control apps to control the L6200.

MediaShare DLNA is an included feature that makes shared media content easy.

Smart TV

The L6200 has all the Internet Apps that Toshiba has to offer. Key premium Smart TV options include:

  • Netflix, YouTube, Blockbuster, Vudu, RealD, CinemaNow, Picassa, etc.
  • Plus Vudu Apps with FaceBook, Twitter, Flickr, etc.

Vudu Movies is one of the choices (via subscription) on the L6200.

Appearance and Design

The beautiful nearly frameless look is in for a reason this year. It's great looking. Toshiba does a great job with the design on this TV similar to the top end Samsung's and Cinema Screen LG TVs in looks. Depth is just 1.72” total counting speakers.

Audio Performance for the 55L6200U

Toshiba is focusing more attention to the sound systems in their high end TVs. This is a very welcome development due to the normally thin, tinny sound quality coming from ultra thin LED TVs – even Toshiba's prior models SL515 and 417 models. Audyssey is the firm they have chosen to implement better sound quality and following is what the company has to say about their concentration in this area:

"With the invisible speakers in flat-screen televisions, Audyssey technologies really kick in to give you quality audio you didn't know was possible. Our equalization technologies balance speaker levels, then bass and volume extension technologies push the speaker drivers give you fuller and louder sound. When you need to turn down the volume, our volume technologies preserve the bass and adjust volume variances so dialog stays loud and clear. With Audyssey's heritage in home theater and decades of experience collaborating with manufactures on acoustic software technology and hardware design, we give you a best-in-class audio experience for your movies and music."

Inputs

A new HD PC input accompanies 4 HDMI inputs and a component input option as well.

Standout Features

  • Full 1080p, ClearScan 120hz, Edge Lit LED
  • Passive 3D with trivector 2D to 3D conversion
  • CQ Video Engine (Dual Core)
  • New Aero "Bezel-less" Design w/ glass table stand
  • 2-Way Ported Speakers w/ Audyssey Premium Suite Sound Enhancement
  • Smart TV with ePortal w/ Open Browser, MediaGuide, & Tablet/Smart Phone Control Apps
  • Built-in WiFi
  • Includes QWERTY keyboard (wifi)
  • HD PC input
  • Dimensions: 48.59”W X 28.99” H X 1.72” D (11.29” Deep with stand)

Bang for the Buck: 8.4/10

Priced at $1899 the 55L6200U is around $100 less than the Samsung UN55ES7100 and $100 more than the LG 55LM7600 (240Hz) so there is no shortage of tough competition. At 55” we also get into a slew of competitive plasma TV models. But this model holds its own for a variety of reasons – not least of which is a good features set. 3D glasses are included and less expensive than active 3D choices. LG also has passive 3D.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10



Robert Wiley Having reviewed and written about Television Technology for over 10 years, Wiley never tires of researching the newest qualitative trends related to the technology. Most people do not get excited about possibilities behind the latest video engine...Wiley does. Read more about Robert

 



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