Toshiba 20AF44 20" FST PURE Flat-Screen TV

Manufacturer:	Toshiba
List price:	~~$229.99~~
Our price:	that is 100% off!

Toshiba 20AF44 20" FST PURE Flat-Screen TV

Average rating: Stars

Velocity Scan Modulation ruins this TV

I reviewed the Toshiba 24AF44 with the same problem, however the 20AF44 was so bad it was impossible to watch. It is even worse playing back DVDs.
Velocity Modulation (VM), sometimes called VCM, makes the picture sharper but also causes some distortion on vertical lines, especially with a white background. Most brands offer a way to reduce the VM or turn it off completely (Panasonic and SONY for instance) but for some odd reason Toshiba does not offer the choice.
I found the colors to be very vivid and the sound quality to be quite good. The set is also good looking except for the exposed front inputs which mar the look of the front end of the TV.
However, the VM ruins the TV. I am returning it for a Panasonic CT-20SL14, which does not have VM. I personally think VM is a bad addition to any TV and unnecessary. If you are interested in a SONY, their 20 inch Wega offers a way to reduce VM or turn it off completely.
If Toshiba offered this in their TVs I think they would rate the highest because of the good color saturation, fine audio quality, and attractive case.
Unfortunately for now I would recommend avoiding all Toshiba TVs until the VM can be adjusted or turned off.

Toshiba 20AF44 20" FST PURE Flat-Screen TV - Toshiba

Horrendous Picture

I bought this television and noticed from the first day that the colors tended to bleed into one another to the extent that it was a constant distraction. It also did a bad job with tiny details such as the weaves on a coat or any striped pattern, which always appeared blurry. Anyway I sold it and got a 20 inch Sony which I'm quite happy with. Avoid this one at all costs.

Toshiba - Toshiba 20AF44 20" FST PURE Flat-Screen TV

Annoying color flicker when watching DVDs

I did a lot of research for the new TV I was getting ready to buy. I read the issues of Consumer Reports magazine where they reviewed televisions. I also read a lot of reviews and articles on the internet. I then went to stores to view the picture quality of the TVs I was thinking about buying. It came down between this Toshiba 20" TV and the Sony 20" TV (KV-20FS120). The Sony was about $50-$70 more expensive, so I went with the Toshiba.

The TV picture quality was okay, but when I started watching DVDs I kept noticing this color flicker on vertical lines. Many thin, vertical lines (like on the edges of doors or windows, thin trees, etc.) had this green and pink color flicker. I played the DVDs to others and they saw these color flickers right away without me having to point out where it was to them. I wasn't sure if it was my DVD player, so I played the DVDs in other places and didn't get this problem.

So I returned the Toshiba TV and bought the Sony. Not only does the Sony not have these color flickers when watching DVDs, but I feel the Sony has an overall better picture quality and I am totally happy with it.

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