I have a Toshiba TV Model # XXXXX Not sure how old it is but think about 8 years. But about 3 months when the TV would be turned on there were about 5 fine lines across the top of the screen. I have a July 2008 manufactur ed Toshiba 19LV505 model, Serial#BCD 561097944 TV/DVD. I can not turn off the closed captioning or adjust the aspect radio to get the entire TV signal on the screen.
One of the things I take for granted as a TV reviewer is the translation from model number to things like screen size, model line, display type, and so on.
I've gotten a few e-mails lately from people looking for help trying to decide between similarly priced models, with radically different model numbers. Are they similar? What does the alphanumerical soup mean?
While model numbers change yearly (or sometimes even more often), there are a few guidelines you can use to help you sort out the what from the what.
No list like this can be totally complete, but generally brands keep the 'language' of their model numbers consistent. In some cases, companies make it easy for you to tell the current year's model, by keeping the series the same but changing one number to indicate the year. Panasonic is a good example of this: 'VT50' is 2012, 'VT30' is 2011.
Also, when I say 'series' I'm talking about the family of TVs that a model belongs to. Generally, TVs within the same series will offer several different screen sizes, with the same features and similar specifications, while having somewhat similar performance.
LG 55LM6200
55: 55 inches diagonal. If you see two numbers together, for any brand, it's probably the size.
LM: Generally, this is the technology. LM is edge-lit LED LCD, LS is direct-lit (backlit) LED LCD, and CS regular LCD, PM and PA are plasma
6200: This is the series.
55: 55 inches diagonal. If you see two numbers together, for any brand, it's probably the size.
LM: Generally, this is the technology. LM is edge-lit LED LCD, LS is direct-lit (backlit) LED LCD, and CS regular LCD, PM and PA are plasma
6200: This is the series.
Panasonic TC-P65GT50
TC: Product category (televisions)
P: Technology. P for plasma, L for LCD
65: Size
GT: Series. The 'T' in the series means it's 3D. So this TV is 3D, while the TC-L55E50 is not.
50: Year. '50' is 2012, '30' is 2011.
TC: Product category (televisions)
P: Technology. P for plasma, L for LCD
65: Size
GT: Series. The 'T' in the series means it's 3D. So this TV is 3D, while the TC-L55E50 is not.
50: Year. '50' is 2012, '30' is 2011.
Samsung UN60ES7100F
UN: Technology. UN is LED LCD, LN is CCFL LCD, and PN is plasma. The 'N' stands for North America.
60: Size
E: Year. 'E' for 2012, 'D' for 2011, 'C' is for 2010. 'C' is also for cookie.
S: A slim LED LCD model. This could be an 'H' instead, for a deeper model.
7100: Series
F: Not, sure, actually..
UN: Technology. UN is LED LCD, LN is CCFL LCD, and PN is plasma. The 'N' stands for North America.
60: Size
E: Year. 'E' for 2012, 'D' for 2011, 'C' is for 2010. 'C' is also for cookie.
S: A slim LED LCD model. This could be an 'H' instead, for a deeper model.
7100: Series
F: Not, sure, actually..
Sharp LC-80LE844U
LC: Product category. 'Liquid Crystal,' presumably. Blu-ray players are BD, for example.
80: Size
LE: Type. Download mavis beacon for mac. LE is LED LCD, whereas SV is regular LCD.844: Series.
U: For any company, this almost always means it's a U.S. model.
LC: Product category. 'Liquid Crystal,' presumably. Blu-ray players are BD, for example.
80: Size
LE: Type. Download mavis beacon for mac. LE is LED LCD, whereas SV is regular LCD.844: Series.
U: For any company, this almost always means it's a U.S. model.
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KDL: Display type/product category. LCD in this case, though you'll also see XBR for the high-end. 'VPL' is its front projector prefix.
40: Size
EX: Series. Right now EX, BX, and HX.
640: Generally, year. For example, the HX929 is the 2011 model, the HX950 is the 2012 model. Due to carry-overs and other factors, this isn't a steadfast rule. Also, different models get released at different times during the year, so there's no easy '5' means 20XX or anything.
Toshiba 55L7200U
55: Size
L7200: Series
U: U.S.
55: Size
L7200: Series
U: U.S.
Vizio M3D550SL
M: Series. You'll also see E for the lower-price models, and XVT for the top of the line.
3D: Yep, it means 3D
550: Size. Not sure why Vizio puts a 0 after the size, but all the current models have it.
SL: Various internal subcategories within the larger series. You'll also see VSE, KD, and others.
M: Series. You'll also see E for the lower-price models, and XVT for the top of the line.
3D: Yep, it means 3D
550: Size. Not sure why Vizio puts a 0 after the size, but all the current models have it.
SL: Various internal subcategories within the larger series. You'll also see VSE, KD, and others.
Lastly, if you find a TV that's got a weird model number, but seems identical to another TV with a number more in line with a company's nomenclature, it's probably an outlet-specific model. A lot of the warehouse clubs, like Costco, do this. For example, the TC-L55E54 is the Costco version of the TC-L55E50. These derivative models can be identical to the model they're based on, or they could be very slightly different, either with an additional feature (or lacking a feature) or slightly different cosmetics. Only close study of feature lists can reveal the difference (if any). There are many reasons companies do this, not least so that the store doesn't have to price match (as they're the only ones selling that exact model number).
Got a question for Geoff? Click 'Geoffrey Morrison,' then click the e-mail link in the upper right to e-mail, wait for it..Geoffrey Morrison! If it's witty, amusing, and/or a good question, you may just see it in a post just like this one. No, I won't tell you what TV to buy. Yes, I'll probably truncate and/or clean up your e-mail. You can also send me a message on Twitter: @TechWriterGeoff.
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In 2018, it’s pretty clear that Toshiba wants its TVs to be noticed for their tech as well as their affordability beside high-end manufacturers like Samsung and LG. Toshiba has now unveiled its full 2018 lineup and we’re seeing everything from big screen OLEDS to titled LEDs as well as HDR, Onkyo speakers and Alexa smart assistant support.
2018 will see the release of a lot of TVs from Toshiba and let’s face it those model numbers aren’t exactly memory-friendly. In light of that, we’ve put together this catalog of all the Toshiba TV releases for this year so that you can peruse the entire lineup and see which set has all the features you’re looking for.
Toshiba 2018 TV technology
Toshiba isn’t really known for pioneering any cutting edge TV technology but what it does do is bring the latest tech to the market for a more affordable and accessible price point, which we’re definitely not averse to.
This year, Toshiba is continuing its mission to make OLED TVs affordable with its X98 series, while its entire UHD range will support Dolby Vision HDR as well as HDR10 and broadcaster standard HLG.
Across its UHD and Full HD ranges, Toshiba has also announced it’s aiming to smarten things up with Alexa voice support. This will mean that Amazon Echo and Echo Dot owners will be able to talk to their wireless speakers to control their TVs, whether that’s turning it on or off, changing channels and inputs, or adjusting volume.
This maybe isn’t the most exciting addition for those who haven’t invested in the smart home just yet, but Amazon’s Alexa is certainly one of the more common and sensible assistants that Toshiba could have selected to support.
Toshiba has also pushed to improve its sound in 2018, confirming that it’s collaborated with hi-fi and home cinema brand Onkyo on the design of all its speakers and subwoofers.
The final improvement comes in the form of Toshiba’s smart TV portal. A part of the whole 2018 TV range, Toshiba promises this portal will deliver “a more user-friendly and personalized viewing experience” thanks to its integration of on-demand services, customizable menus and ‘view as you scroll’ feature.
Toshiba 2018 TV ranges
X98 (Available in 55- and 65- inch models)
Want to upgrade to an OLED display? Then you need the slim-bezeled Toshiba X98 range. OLED displays are still premium in the TV market so while were not expecting these to come in at under £1000, it’s likely they’ll be very competitively priced compared to the competition.
Thanks to the fact that they don’t have a backlight, these 4K HDR TVs are able to dim or switch off their pixels to display deeper blacks and more striking color contrasts. And with each pixel’s light and color individually regulated you can be assured of more realistic on-screen colors.
Like the 75-inch U68 model, both of the X 98 TVs will have a wider color gamut, displaying up to 1024 shades per color and reproducing 99% of the DCI-P3 colour space.
This being the top range for Toshiba this year, you won't be surprised to hear that it also features its XSound Pro technology, which offers DTS TruSurround HD™ and comes with larger speakers for distinct audio quality as well as internal subwoofers for better bass projection.
U68 (available in 43-, 49-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75- inch sizes)
The U68 range is where Toshiba is looking to go big on screen sizes so if you’ve been thinking you might just have enough room for a 75-inch set this is where you should be looking. All U68 sets are 4K with support for Dolby Vision HDR as well as HDR10 and HLG, tough Toshiba says the 75-inch model also boasts a wide colour gamut which displays up to 1024 shades per color for more life-like images.
This range also makes use of Toshiba’s XSound Pro technology which offers DTS TruSurround HD and comes with larger speakers for distinct audio quality as well as internal subwoofers for better bass projection.
U78 (Available in 49- and 55- inch sizes)
The U78 range doesn’t quite reach the same screen sizes as the U68 range, but it doesn’t go small either. This 4K range also offers support for Dolby Vision HDR alongside HDR10 and HLG. It also boasts a built-in upscaler so that even when you’re not watching 4K content, you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your 4K screen.
As far as sound technology goes, this range uses Toshiba’s XSound Plus which offers DTS HD and DTS TruSurround which should sound good in the front-facing Onkyo speakers.
U58 (Available in 43-, 49-, 50-, 55- and 65- inch sizes)
The U58 range is the most affordable and accessible of Toshiba’s 4K HDR range. Although it supports Dolby Vision, HDR 10 and HLG like the U78 and U68 models, however, it doesn’t have a built-in upscaler and nor does it have the same sound chops. Instead, this range has the standard XSound technology.
T68 (Available in 43-, 49-, 55- inch sizes)
Love what the U58 range is offering but you’re looking for slightly better sound? Then try the T68 range. Here you’ll find the 4K displays with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG support. But you’ll also get the XSound Plus sound like the U78 range, with its more direct and clear front-facing speakers.