TICKETS, PLEASE. PASS THE POPCORN. Review on Toshiba TP61H95

Our great room (Florida's name for living room) is HUGE! This room measures 18'2'' x 24' (which includes a 2' nitch for TV (or entertainment center). We knew that no ordinary size TV would be adequate for a room this size. We didn't want a full-sized entertainment center as we already had a nice cabinet for our other electroncis, such as our built-in, multi-room stereo system, VCR and surround system. We saw no use in discarding this as it matched the decor in our room.

Our decision was made upon these facts. We opted for a big screen TV. Now we had to decide on which one.

There were so many on the market that we were sure to check each one out carefully. With some models, if you walked to the side of the screen, the visual picture was either lost or distorted. We didn't want that. Then there was the price. Talk about ''astronomical'' figures! They were ''sky high'' (yes, there is a pun intended, here.)

Our final decision was the Toshiba TP61H95/TP71H95 Color Stream.

We measured the area in our home and found this TV was the perfect size. Our problem was that our new home was still under construction and we would not need the TV for another 6 months. We made a deal with the appliance store manager.

Finally moving in and taking possession of our TV, we were enthralled with all its options. First of all, the picture does NOT disappear when you move to either side of the screen. Hook up to cable, antenna and/or a satellite dish is a piece of cake. The instructions are in text and diagrams. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure them out.

On the front of the TV just under this huge screen, is a small hidden panel, behind which you will find many controls: a DEMO button (in case you get bored or impatient reading the manual), the channel and volume selectors (in case you lose your remote), the menu button and the switch for antenna/TV control. Also behind this panel, which is a fantastic idea, are jack inputs for an extra VCR). The power button is along side this panel. BUT - - with modern technology, why use the control panel when I can use the REMOTE!

With the remote, I can control:

the volume,

channels,

the ''picture in the picture'' (which is the small picture option and can be either the same channel or a different one) (great for sports fanatics),

the timer (so the TV will shut itself off should I fall asleep)

Closed Caption

and the Menu.

Okay, let's talk about the Menu. This option lets you control the contrast, brightness, color, tint and sharpness of your picture and the variables for your audio. With this option, you can also set up your TV to change the language reception (for those who prefer a non-English dialogue). You can program your surround sound, set the clock and for those who have young children, control which TV programs are watched by entering a password of your choice.

With this TV, I can connect a VCR, a DVD, two VCRs or even my own video camera! The possibilities are endless.

The TV runs on a 120 V AC, 60 Hz power source, with an average power consumption of 240 W. The audio power is 14Wx14W and is equipped with two 6-1/4 inch round speakers. The remote takes 2 AA alkaline batteries that are supplied with it. (at least for the first time)

The cabinet surrounding the screen is black which fits the decor on that wall (which I did in pearly white and black). There is absolutely nothing wrong that I can find with this TV. When I'm watching a picture, using the surround sound system, I would swear I'm in a movie theater. I can almost feel the wind in my hair as the sound rushes past me to the rear speakers. (Oops, that's another review....)

My honest recommendation would be to check out this TV. It is just awesome.

Oh, the deal I made with the store manager? Well, normally this TV goes for about $7000.00, but as I said, our house was under construction, which meant we would need all new appliances - all of which were purchased from him. Since we ordered everything in advance, we got the sale price, along with the cost for THAT year. So we paid the 1998 price for a 1999 model.

Instead of the newer $7000.00 price, we only paid $4000.00.

Now, that's a deal!