# of inputs (3 total including component), picture is vivid and sharp, good mix of features

major screen geometry problems, non-uniform color controls

After doing extensive research on the internet and visiting all the electronics stores in town, I went to Best Buy to purchase the Toshiba 27A40. I actually had the TV on the cart to take to the checkout when I noticed something about the other TVs on the aisle: they all had flatter screens (JVC AV-27150, Sony KV-S42, Panasonic CT-27D10). Flatter is better, right? Of the above 3, only the Panasonic had component inputs, so my choice was easy. Unfortunately though, it was the wrong choice - I should have stuck with the Toshiba.

When I got the Panasonic home, I noticed a slight de-gaussing problem on the left-hand part of the screen. I also noticed severe geometry problems on the left and right edge of the screen, as the sides bowed in (kind of like a bow tie). This was very easy to notice when calling up the guide menu from my satellite. And once I noticed the problem, it was very easy to see whenever vertical lines were displayed toward the edges of the screen. So I took the set back to Best Buy and got a replacement. This set did not have the de-guassing problem, but the geometry problems were worse. Not only was there vertical bowing on the edges, there was also slight horizontal bowing and the right side of the picture was cut off by about 1/8". My third set had the exact same problems, so I reluctantly gave up on the Panasonic. The other minor problem with the set was that the scale of some of the picture adjustments (color, brightness, tint) were not quite uniform. For example, jumping from 10 to 11 on the scale yielded much more change than, say, from 30 to 31. The picture was very sharp and vivid, but I found myself making frequent picture adjustments when going from channel to channel. Also, sources using the composite inputs looked washed out compared to the same sources using svideo until the brightness was turned down.

The one feature I really liked was the number of inputs. You could have a dvd player, satellite receiver, and vcr hooked up at the same time without having to plug/unplug wires. Also, the panablack picture tube displays some really nice blacks.

I was able to run a test pattern on the other TV's mentioned at the store. The Panasonic and the JVC had the geometry problem (bowing on the sides). The Toshiba and Sony had no such problems.

Ultimately, I ended up buying a factory-refurbished Sony KV-27V42, which I found for $350 ($100 off the going price!) at a nearby Sony outlet store. The geometry isn't perfect, but it is much better than the Panasonic. It also doesn't have component inputs, and the picture doesn't have quite the excellent brightness/contrast of the Panasonic, *but* the colors are very natural, well-calibrated, and look great on a variety of video sources (composite looks only a litte worse than svideo) without having to constantly tweak picture settings. This model also seems to have significantly more detail than the entry-level Sony KV-27S42, as well as an extra set of front composite inputs. I'll just need to buy an svideo a/b switch some day.

Bottom line - for a brand new tv, best in terms of picture quality for around $350 is the Toshiba 27A40. If you want better quality and have more $ to spend, consider the Sony V series or better yet (for even more $) the F series (Wega)

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 27A40, Sony KV-27S42, Sony KV-27V42, JVC AV-27150

looks nice, lots of inputs

the picture is stretched out too wide, this is my replacement set and i have had no improvement

Well i got this tv, and i thought it was great, tho i felt sometimes that faces lookes a bit wide.. Then i get the fightclub DVD with a THX configuration test. it turns out the circle in the middle of the screen is 1 inch wider that it's height. also the picture is off center. So after a bunch of service guys telling me its "within an acceptable range of error" i get the store to replace it anyway. This new set is more centered but still stretched an inch wide. I have to get a refund i think and go for another brand!

great clarity, component video inputs,

no PIP, glare if you have lights on

I just got this TV yesterday and I am very pleased with the picture quality - esp. for DVDs. I rented Jurassic Park and was totally stunned at how good the picture was. It was very crisp and clear - especially with no lights on in the room. I think the TV is a great deal for sub-$400 sets. The remote is decent, and it has a nice red lighting feature so that you can see some of the buttons in the dark. The menu options are easy to figure out, and it is easy to hook up to your receiver or amp for HT listening. The regular speakers are OK for regular TV watching, but I would recommend hooking it up for stereo/5.1 sound. Great product, great value.

Component input, gorgeous picture.

none so far

This is a great 27" television. The picture is crisp and gorgeous. I compared this model against all the other 27" televisions at the store and none of them had a picture quality that was equal or better than this model. I also compared this model against a new jvc model that sits in the living room and it still came out best. There are audio/video input/outputs in the back and one in the front of the tv. There's also a s-video input and component input in the rear. It also has an option to turn off the audio from the speakers so you can output the audio to your HT system. Quite frankly, I'm very satisfied with this tv.

Similar Products Used:

Sony

Price, Picture Quality

Video overscan is set too conservitivly, tuner not as good as my Sony VCR.

After much research, I narrowed down my choices to JVC D series, Hitachi, and Panasonic. Panasonic got it due to the deal I was able to get. Floor model discount, +10% discount, +0% 1 year financing. Paid $285 for it. Very impressed with the quality. Blows my old Mitsubishi out of the water. Component Video inputs from the DVD are excellent. I was not concerned with sound quality or tuner as the TV is used mainly as a monitor with all sound going through the stereo, and all video coming from sources other than the internal tuner. PIP was not required as well. All in all an outstanding value!

Similar Products Used:

none

Great picture quality, certainly a lot of inputs, good audio

None Yet.

I've recently picked up this TV and have been extremely pleased with the picture quality. In terms of DVD quality, it's a night and day difference in comparison to the old 27 inch set I was using. DVDs simply look stunning. Colors are incredibly rich to the point I was almost fascinated with the difference. Colors are bold and vibrant while still being crisp and without problems.

The pair of Sony TVs that I've used look rather washed out in comparison.

The TV also seems to fare better with glare, which doesn't seem to be as much of a problem when I'm watching during the day.

It also offers a wide array of connections - there's s-video, component and regular analog. There's also a set of connections on the front. There's also the usual set of options - sleep timer, channel labeling, color temperature adjustment, audio management (the speakers on the television are fine - I mean, I don't particularly expect an exciting experience much from TV speakers anyways)

The menus are easy to use and are nicely designed, allowing the user to adjust the TV with ease.

All-in-all if you're using an older television and are looking for an upgrade, I would definitely recommend this TV - I wasn't aware that the differences would be so drastic between the older set I was using and this one, but they really are.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 27 and 32 in.