Remote Control:
Toshiba can do it: The remote controller is neither too large nor too small, and the buttons have enough space around them to press them individually. The manufacturer has organized the buttons for program swapping and volume as a navigational cross - which also serves to navigate around the screen menu. The changeover between these two functions is trouble-free and without confusion.

The only bothersome switch on the remote is the one used to toggle between TV control and other video recording equipment. If switched accidentally, then the TV will seem to no longer react. This function is anyway not particularly useful as it is limited to Toshiba equipment only.

Screen Menu and Channel Changing:
The appealing layout of the screen menu is further enhanced by the remote controller navigation possibilities. The first time the TV is switched on, and following a brief query, the unit starts to search for recognized channels, which it ranks in a meaningful order and allocates an appropriate name. Aggravating however, is the slothful channel-zapping reaction. A full one and a half seconds to switch between television channels is an absolutely intolerable value for today's analog televisions.

Converted, but not equal: The 37" set differentiates itself from its larger brother - cable TV pictures are processed by the 37 WL 67 Z in very pleasing manner, details remain evident even when the camera pans, and even marquee texts have well defined contours. This Toshiba only lightly enhances subject edges - nevertheless, the resulting picture appears crisp.

Playback of DVD material through the Scart interface is processed reasonably well. The picture is focused and because of its excellent image processing ability, even awkward camera panning shots are free of jagged edges or flicker. A modern DVD player with HDMI output and high-class video processor is counterproductive as the resulting image is oddly pixilated and grainy.

At 9,200 Kelvin, the color temperature of the 37 WL 67 Z is way too high and the picture is pitched rather on the cool side. Furthermore, the color casting which plagued the larger 42 WL 67 Z model making the picture appear unrealistic is thankfully suppressed on this model. Black and white pictures are reproduced faithfully, and as a television or DVD monitor, the 37 WL 67 Z is a good reasonably-priced option.

The Toshiba falters in HDTV playback - regardless of it being a full HD TV. Only interlaced pictures, when played back in a digital RGB format, are free of overscan and appear pixel perfect on the screen. Generally, HDMI sockets of Blu-ray players are YUV signal coded - which costs the Toshiba dearly in terms of sharpness. Non-interlaced or progressive formatted HD pictures are not accepted at all by the Toshiba and hence, neither is material shot with a video refresh rate of 24 Hz.

Nevertheless, HDTV playback on the 37 WL 67 Z can still be viewed with pleasure. In the Blu-ray film version of "Casino Royale", fine details are accurately portrayed, such as the office building stairs. The colors remain coherent even when viewing the screen from the side despite the somewhat cool undertone. Even in HD operation the 37 WL 67 Z suppresses conspicuous color casts.

Computer Operation:
Too bad: The high resolution display could have turned the set into a sharp and crisp computer monitor. The technical trappings however, work against the user's ambitions. The 37 WL 67 Z indeed accepts computer VGA signals to a maximum reasonably acceptable resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. Desktop fonts from a PC with Windows or MAC operating systems are somewhat blurred; website content is rendered with limited legibility and digital photographs or HD video material are lacking in all detail. Since the Toshiba does not accept progressive or interlaced pictures through the HDMI interface, the user can save on a DVI to HDMI adapter - trying to output PC graphic content in this manner will prove tiresome.

Sound Quality:
A rather gloomy chapter: The Toshiba scored mediocrely in the test chamber due to its rather bloated bass. The mid ranges were somewhat tinny; clear high pitched tones were absent, but at least speech came across reasonably well. In other words: Use headphones or connect the TV to a HiFi system or surround sound equipment as otherwise enjoyment will falter.

Ideal Setting: On

Color Matching: Magenta: +4, Cyan: -1

Panel Brightness: 40

Contrast: 96

Brightness: 53

Color: 40

Hue: 0

Sharpness: -28

Black Adjustment: Off

MPEG Noise Reduction: Off

Color Temperature: Warm

* applied to realistic playback from HD-DVD/Blu-ray material through the HDMI interface in a darkened environment. Manufacturing and HDMI playback device deviations may necessitate slight adjustment. The centimeter (cm) setting refers to the length of the bar that appears in the menu.  

No frills: The casing of the 37 WL 67 Z is functional and is void of designer gimmicks.

Meager: Just two Scart sockets and two HDMI interfaces are barely enough for today's rich multimedia offerings.

Perfect: The remote controller has the ideal proportions, its buttons are organized according to their function, are easily accessible, and not too firm to press.

Chilling: The color temperature of the Toshiba is too cold - conspicuous color casts are however suppressed.