Toshiba 47L7453: 3D Picture Quality

The first thing to say here is that mercifully the 47L7453 doesn’t exhibit the localised heavy-duty crosstalk problems witnessed on the first two LG-branded passive 3D TVs of 2014, the 42LB730V and 55UB950V.

That said, there is quite a bit more general crosstalk on Toshiba’s set around distant bright objects than we might expect to see on the very best passive 3D TVs (like the recently tested John Lewis 55JL9000). But at least it’s consistent in its appearance, which makes it a bit less distracting than the more localised crosstalk problem. It’s also a relief to find the crosstalk doesn’t affect subtitles like it does on those two LG models we mentioned.

The intense brightness and colour richness of the 47L7453’s pictures serves it well with 3D too, countering the usual gentle dullness you experience when watching 3D. Though it’s possible the intensity of the brightness might be causing the crosstalk we mentioned.

Having so much brightness on tap helps the TV delineate key depth signals in 3D sources effectively, so that you get a good sense of 3D depth and space.

There are a couple of other issues, though. First 3D pictures join 2D ones in looking rather soft. In fact, they look even softer. Also, there’s quite a lot of judder in 3D images if you don’t use the 47L7453’s 3D Judder Cancellation processing. Yet you get quite a lot of motion processing artefacts if you DO use the judder cancellation system.

Sound Quality

The Labyrinth duct speaker system certainly delivers a step up in sound quality from Toshiba’s previous mid-range flat TVs. There’s more volume, more dynamic range, and a far more open mid-range that leaves voices with space to breathe even during action scenes, while also making sure the speakers don’t distort even when pushed hard.

Bass levels are considerably improved versus past Toshiba efforts too thanks to the Labyrinth duct speaker design. Though the bass still ‘bottoms out’ considerably earlier than it does on the very best rivals.

Another audio problem finds 3D playback suffering regularly with lip-synch errors – and we weren’t able to fix these via the provided audio delay tool.

So we can finish on a high, though, the virtual surround performance delivered via the CEVO Audio processing is surprisingly successful. It doesn’t deliver a true surround sound sensation, of course, but it does manage to widen the soundstage and push it beyond the boundaries of the TV frame quite tidily, without losing cohesion.

Other things to consider

Toshiba doesn’t provide a second ‘smart’ remote with its 47L7453 like some brands do with their ‘premium’ sets. But the remote you do get is actually quite effective despite not supporting any point and click, touch pad or voice control functionality. Its spacious, and the way its central section emphasises key buttons works quite nicely. Plus, unlike the remotes we’ve found with some budget Toshiba TVs, the one with the 47L7453’s handset proves very responsive to your button presses.

Input lag – the time it takes for a TV to produce pictures having received picture data at its inputs – has often proved a challenge for IPS screens. However, using the Game preset and making sure every bit of processing we could access was turned off, our input lag tests of the 47L7453DB delivered a figure of only just over 30ms (and some measurements we took came in as low as 7ms). This classes as a good-to-excellent result, making the 47L7453DB potentially very useful as a gaming monitor.

Should I buy a Toshiba 47L7453?

Whenever we’re looking at a mid-sized TV in the £800-£1000 price bracket it’s impossible not to draw comparisons with the outstanding Sony 50W829, which offers three inches more picture and richer, more natural contrast than the 47L7453 despite costing only £50 more. For these reasons the 50W829 is the better bet if you’re in the habit of watching films on your TV.

However, the 47L7453’s pictures are brighter and more potently coloured than Sony’s, so if you’re after a set to do day to day TV duties in a bright family room, the 47L7453 shouldn’t be discounted.

Verdict

Although its pictures can’t fully escape the contrast limitations of the IPS panel at its heart, this Toshiba set has enough picture and smart tricks up its sleeve to at the very least least warrant an audition.

Next, check out our pick of the Best TVs of 2014.

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