Toshiba Regza 55ZL800 (55-inch LCD)

The newly launched Regza 55ZL800 is Toshiba’s current flagship 3D TV in most Asian markets. It stands out from the competition with a high-performance LED-backlit panel, external sound bar and a powerful CEVO video-processor with CELL (the CPU used by the Sony PS3) DNA. These boost the panel’s overall visuals and audio, though its 3D performance and value-added extras could have been better.

Design

This 55-incher is surprisingly slim at only 50mm thin despite featuring an LED-backlit panel. That said, it is a lot taller than its peers due to a separate sound bar unit, which floats under the brushed-metal bezel utilizing translucent mounting brackets. The hefty 36kg ensemble is held upright sturdily by a matching swivel stand and further dressed with chrome trimmings. The TV’s illuminated touch controls is another nice touch, while the side inputs are relatively accessible.

The Toshiba active shutter 3D goggles (model FPT-AG01A) fit well over prescription eyewear and sport a conveniently located power button. However, only the height of the nose pad can be adjusted to suit both adults and kids. Its battery is also difficult to replace as the cell compartment is secured by a screw. Note that the frame lacks soft rubbery parts to cushion its heavy 60.9g bulk as well. Overall, we found these glasses functional, but a little lacking in aesthetics and comfort.

	Design and layout
Form factor	Two-piece design: Main panel and sound bar, 50mm thin
Finishing	Black brushed-aluminum with chrome trimmings
TV controls	Front, touch-sensitive, backlit
Auxiliary A/V inputs	Right side: 2 x USB, component-video, composite A/V, Ethernet, optical audio, 2 x HDMI
Mounting option	Swivel table stand, manual wall bracket

The panel comes with the same faux-brushed-metal remote bundled with the WL700. This clicker has dedicated 3D and Quick keys to quickly access 3D and common configurations, while other specialized controls are tucked away under a pull-down cover. These buttons have a tactile rubbery feel and are well organized save for some clutter around the directional pad. To hasten video switching, there is a Source button and option to manually filter unused ports via the menu.

	Remote control
Form factor	Arched bottom, 240mm long
Finishing	Black and brushed-metal finish
Key backlighting	N.A.
Input switching	Input
Multifunctional control	N.A.

On the one hand, the menu has both regular and advanced users covered with abundant video presets offering independent memory and advanced settings. There're also some test patterns and control visualization charts to accommodate tech-savvy consumers. On the other hand, the primarily text-based interface needs a long-overdue facelift.

	Software Menu
User interface	Text-based
Video modes	AutoView, Dynamic, Standard, Movie1, Movie2
Audio modes	N.A.
Advanced settings	Backlight adjustment, white balance, six-hue color management

Features

The LED-backlit 55ZL800 will support 3D Blu-ray and 3D broadcast, plus 2D-to-3D conversion driven by Toshiba's new CEVO processor. Also tapping on the chip's computing power is a local dimming function to deliver deeper blacks, Resolution+ technology for enhanced video upscaling and ClearScan 400 based on a fast 200Hz refresh rate. Complementing the TV's visual prowess is a powerful sound bar packing a 40W amplifier, two tweeters and four woofers for richer sonics. Furthermore, it comes with Audyssey EQ software to compensate for room acoustics and to optimize the speakers.

In terms of multimedia playback, this Regza can stream MP3, JPEG, MPEG-2 (DVD) and 1080p AVCHD from DLNA-ready PCs and devices over an Ethernet connection. Its dual USB 2.0 ports will further accept other HD video clips such as WMV-HD and MKV (undocumented), although the secondary input plays JPEG only. Storage file systems supported range from FAT16 to high-capacity NTFS ideal for space-hogging Blu-ray rips. What we feel could have been better is more comprehensive DLNA media compatibility, as well as provisions for Wi-Fi and a digital TV tuner.

	A/V and multimedia
Video	Full-HD resolution, LED-backlighting, local dimming, 400Hz scanning backlight
Audio	20W x 2, Audyssey EQ, woofer x 4
Multimedia	MP3, WMA, JPEG, MPEG-1/2/4, H.264, DivX HD, WMV-HD, AVCHD, MKV (unofficial) via dual USB and Ethernet
TV tuner	Analog

Users have access to a total of six 1080p inputs with four HDMI terminals featuring the latest audio return channel (ARC) and InstaPort functions. An optical output is available for connecting a home theater system to produce full 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. Still, we find the component-video and composite-A/V adapters unnecessary and cumbersome considering the abundant space behind the panel.

	Connectivity
HDMI input(s)	Four sockets, version 1.4, 24p-ready; Regza Link (HDMI-CEC), HDMI ARC, Instaport
Component-video input(s)	One socket, 1080p-ready
PC input	Analog, 1080p-ready
Audio output(s)	Analog, digital optical

Performance

Standard-definition (SD) content
The 55ZL800 was a strong performer, thanks to Toshiba's Resolution+ technology. Most of the analog channels exhibited grain-free reception and minimal ghosting. The pictures were only marginally softer compared with the unusually sharp Samsung C9000. We also observed stronger details for upscaled DVDs, which were generally smooth-looking and devoid of jaggies. That said, there was excessive image cropping along the sides and the noise reduction was too conservative. Rounding it up were the panel's accurate color decoding and grayscale tracking results in Avia test patterns after calibration.

SD performance	Analog TV	Digital TV	DVD
Details	Average	N.A.	Good
Sharpness	Average	N.A.	Good
Noise suppression	Good	N.A.	Average
Motion	Good	N.A.	Good

High-definition (HD) content
HD content displayed through this Regza looked more film-like than most razor-sharp LCD TVs. We had to configure Film Stabilization to medium to completely eliminate judder for 24p Blu-ray Dics, and observed negligible motion artifact. Best of all, blacks were inky deep and there was minimal backlight blooming unlike the LG LX9500. The Toshiba's revealing shadows, natural skin tones and rich hues further bolstered its sterling HD performance. It even managed to tackle HQV's video resolution loss test convincingly, except for mild flickering for the film version.

The 55ZL800 delivered solid 3D depth better than the Toshiba WL700 we reviewed earlier, yielding distinct layering effects from native 3D Blu-ray footage. The ZL800 has a fairly effective 2D-to-3D conversion system and was able to maintain its inky blacks in 3D. However, it exhibited excessive crosstalk, as well as visible judder during some slow-panning scenes. The Toshiba glasses also suffered from slight off-screen flickering operating under room lighting, together with the tendency to blackout whenever we tilted our heads by up to 90 degrees.

HD performance	HD broadcast	Blu-ray	Game
Details	N.A.	Excellent
Sharpness	N.A.	Excellent
Noise suppression	N.A.	Average	N.A.
Motion	N.A.	Excellent

Games, PC and Multimedia
Setting the 55ZL800 to game mode correctly produced cooler colors coupled by fluid and crisp graphics without noticeable video-processing lag. It was a similarly strong showing for a 1080p PC feed rendering ghosting-free text and smooth color gradations on our test chart. This Toshiba handled most media files we threw at it well, though it was music that truly shone. The brilliant sound bar was musical enough to belt out clear and soulful tunes from jazz to pop and rock. We even managed to register an impressive 70Hz bass response on our instruments using test tones.

Multimedia performance	USB	Ethernet
8-megapixel JPEG	2 sec, print quality and original aspect ratio
MP3	Near hi-fi-quality sound with tight bass and good transparency.
Video	Good sharpness for SD, but can be a bit blocky; Crisp for HD	Refuses to play AVCHD due to a file directory issue

Audio
It took around 100 hours for the speakers to run in, but it was worth it for the resultant full-bodied sound. There was no shortage of power either and we were able to play movies loud, while maintaining tight stereo imagining. Furthermore, we found the TV's spatial surround mode relatively effective in widening the overall soundstage without messing up the sound quality.

Conclusion
We liked the Toshiba Regza 55ZL800's strong 2D visuals and hi-fi sound, but find crosstalk a big turnoff for its 3D performance. At a staggering S$11,299, it costs more than the S$9,999 Philips Cinema 21:9 Platinum, which has a larger screen on top of Wi-Fi, Web streaming and an Internet browser. These value-added features are not available on the Toshiba despite its higher price tag.

Test setup and tools

Equipment	Model(s)
Reference 3D Blu-ray player	Panasonic DMP-BDT300
Reference DVD player	Pioneer DV-S969AVi
Reference game consoles	Sony PS3/Xbox 360
A/V interconnects	Monster cables/Philips/Gefen
HDMI distribution	Gefen
Reference LED-lit TV	Samsung LA46A950
Reference plasma/3D TV	Panasonic Viera TH-P50VT20S
Calibration tool	DataColor SpyderTV Pro