The Toshiba 58L9300U is an Ultra HD television (also called UHD, or 4K) with 3840x2160 pixel resolution, four times that of a 1080p HDTV. As an LCD TV with LED backlighting, this Toshiba not only functions as a regular HDTV, but it can also display higher-than-HD resolution movies and videos that are delivered in the Ultra HD format. Unfortunately, we have no commercially available UHD content to play on this TV at this time, so we could not evaluate this display's image quality with these high resolution videos. However, using an HD-to-UHD upconverting Blu-ray player, and our UHD images and test patterns we can offer a very good prediction of how well this display will perform with native UHD content. To evaluate this Toshiba's overall performance we ran the TV through all our standard HDTV tests, most of which remain valid regardless of the video type, unless otherwise noted. Comments about this TV's UHD picture performance are provided.
PICTURE QUALITY This model had very good high-definition picture quality. It did a top-notch job displaying the finest detail. Color accuracy was excellent, so colors looked very natural and lifelike. Contrast--the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites--was good, so images showed some depth and dimension. In this respect, the TV was similar to most of the models we test. The brightness level was good, making it a suitable choice for most rooms. Black levels were only fair -- black areas of the image were too bright, and darker scenes looked unnaturally illuminated. Dark scenes, in particular, were lacking in contrast. In scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas, such as a sky during sunset, the TV did a very good job producing a smooth transition without distinct, coarse bands. There was a noticeably uneven brightness effect that created cloudy areas that were distracting in dark scenes. We routinely see this type of issue with many brands of LCD TVs, regardless of the type of backlight used (CCFL or LED). Though it's generally not a significant problem, it can vary in degree from TV to TV. The deinterlacing and film mode operations were excellent on HD content; there was little or no trace of jaggies on the edges of objects for video and film-based 1080i video content, such as from cable, .
VIEWING ANGLE This Toshiba has a moderate viewing angle overall, decent, but not quite as good as the better-performing LCD sets we've tested. The optimal seating position for best picture quality is directly in front of the TV. If your family is seated in chairs off to the side of the TV, they'll see decent but compromised image quality.
When we moved off to the sides the horizontal viewing angle was good; the picture showed a slight loss of color so flesh tones looked a bit washed out. Black levels brightened significantly, making dark scenes look hazy. When viewing the image from above or below eye level to the screen, the vertical viewing angle was very good. The picture showed minimal change in color, contrast, and black level.
ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE To test UHD picture performance we used our reference 4K upconverting Blu-ray player, the OPPO BDP-103, with its video output set to 3840x2160 resolution. While the Oppo can't yield the full performance of native UHD content, we can nevertheless determine how well the TV preserves the image quality of a variety of HD videos that have been upconverted to the UHD format. Based on our observations we rate this Toshiba as having fine UHD picture performance. After adjusting the picture settings for best fidelity using our calibration procedure, upconverted 4K picture quality was observed to be free of added oversharpening, edge enhancement, noise reduction, or other processing effects which tend to reduce image fidelity. We anticipate that playback of native UHD content on this TV will yield full 4K detail, with the beyond-HD clarity we expect from the best Ultra HD content. How does this TV do with1080p? Since you'll likely watch mostly regular HD programs for the near term, we also checked to see how well this Toshiba's internal HD-to-UHD upconverter performs on 1080p input video. We found that Toshiba's upconversion was good, but shy of the Oppo's output quality, with higher than expected jaggies visible along the edges of objects (visible only when viewed up close). In addition to our video tests, we also confirmed that digital photos played back via the USB port do take full advantage of the display's 4K resolution, a plus, but Toshiba provides no picture adjustments in photo viewing mode. Fortunately, photos are presented with no oversharpening or other processing effects applied so images look quite natural.
MOTION BLUR This Toshiba TV has good motion performance, with some blurring on our motion tests, thanks to Toshiba's ClearScan. This feature is designed to reduce motion blur, a shortcoming of most LCD TVs. With the feature turned off, motion performance was only fair, with significant blurring on our motion tests.
SCREEN REFLECTIVITY Though not as mirror-like as on some LCDs, this screen surface is glossy and therefore susceptible to reflections from a nearby lamp or window. The screen is dark so it does a good job reducing glare from ambient light and maintains contrast even in a bright room.
3D PERFORMANCE The overall 3D effect was only good, a notch below the better 3D displays. 3D images generally showed effective depth but with a noticeable level of ghosting (left eye/right eye crosstalk) on our 3D test patterns and on a wide variety of 3D program content. We didn't see any increase in ghosting when viewing at off angles. In 3D mode, the display presented full 1080p resolution to each eye, showing all the detail from the best 3D content from Blu-ray disc. In 3D mode, the picture was brighter than some other sets, a plus.
SOUND QUALITY This TV's sound is only fair, acceptable for typical programming but shortcomings become obvious with movie soundtracks and music. It has a limited volume range allowing the TV to play just adequately loud. At more typical listening volume levels the TV's sound has only decent bass and lacks impact, and is thin-sounding. If sound quality matters to you, you might want to add a soundbar or other external speaker system to this set.
EASE OF USE Overall, we found the set very easy to use. Setting up the TV for the first time was very easy, as was access to features and controls you'll probably adjust only once. Ease of access to features you typically use more often was excellent. Also, the remote control is excellent, and the on-screen menu is easy to navigate.
lacks a dedicated menu button on the television display, so you can't access the menu if you lose the remote. Remote has a dedicated button to access Internet features, and to access 3D. All buttons on the remote are backlit so they're easy to see in the dark. The remote's major function buttons were sufficiently large and have high-contrast labeling, making them easier to see and navigate. The full QWERTY keyboard on the remote makes it easier to enter text data.
STAND ASSEMBLY Mounting the TV to the included support stand is easy, though the stand requires the assembly of two parts before mounting.
INTERNET FEATURES This TV provides basic Internet functionality with a limited selection of applications. Movie streaming services include: CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Vudu . It also supports an optional Web cam for access to video conferencing applications such as Skype.
CONNECTIONS This TV includes four HDMI inputs, one shared connection between the component and composite inputs (which means you can only use one type or the other at a time), one VGA input, optical digital audio out, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, built-in Wi-Fi, and a Secure Digital memory card slot. Wireless connectivity includes: DLNA network file sharing. HDMI and analog cable connections made to the rear-facing panel will protrude beyond the panel's slim depth.
INCLUDED IN THE BOX The TV comes with: while no user manual is provided there is one built into the TV's menu electronically, a quick start guide, a remote with batteries, two pairs of 3D glasses, one IR Extender, and one Wireless Touchpad Keyboard. ABOUT FIRMWARE VERSION: Our test results and picture settings are valid for the version of firmware indicated. If your TV's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the TV's firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your TV via a wired or wireless network (if internet capable), USB port, or memory card, depending on your TV's capability. You can check your TV's firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer's website if further guidance is needed.
