14 DAY TRIAL // It has been a long time coming, but the availability of Toshiba 4K-capable television sets has finally ramped up, with the L9300U series taking center stage. There are three of them up for order.
Toshiba was quite eager to update its product lineup with the new liquid crystal displays, just like it was eager to show them off at previous trade shows. The L9300U has actually been the talk of the press on and off for several months now.
Not surprising, seeing as how 3D technology received the same sort of glowing endorsement last year.
It's still unclear whether 4K will be lauded, only to become nothing but a small niche in the end, like 3D TVs. If this happens, it won't be due to lack on the part of promoters. Toshiba's product release makes that clear enough at least.
There are three TVs in the new line, with diagonals of 58 inches, 65 inches and 84 inches, respectively. The size difference is really the only difference.
One of the assets of the line is the BDX6400 4K Upscaling Symbio Blu-ray player, which can turn Full HD video into 4K. It's not the same as shooting something in 3840 x 2160 pixels, but it's the next best thing.
The CEVO 4K Quad+Dual Core Engine handles color quality and the like, as well as the Smart TV features.
Toshiba has also included the Resolution Restoration, Color Restoration, and Surface Brilliance Enhancement technologies.
Add to that the ClearScan 240Hz refresh rate technology, Expert Mode and ColorMaster calibration capability, and you have more than the necessary share of pro skills. The HDMI 1.4 capability (HDMI 2.0 and 4K 60 FPS soon enabled via free firmware update) qualifies a natural addition at this rate.
Toshiba's L9300U ship for $3,999 / €3,999, $5,499 / €5,499 and $16,999 / €16,999 and have Wi-Fi and WiDi (Wireless Display streaming).