LCD TV Reviews

Comparisons & Conclusion
It's very interesting that the 52XV545U and 52XF550U are so similar in some ways and so different in others. The 52XV545U can be calibrated much more effectively, while the 52XF550U's color-management system works much better. Black levels are about the same, both being very good for LCD TVs, and the feature sets are identical except for the 52XV545U's SRT function, which sharpens upconverted material. I was very surprised to find that SRT actually works quite well at lower settings, though higher settings introduce too much edge enhancement and noise. Finally, the 52XV545U lists for $700 less than the 52XF550U.

As for comparable sets from other manufacturers, I must return to the Samsung LN52A750 ($3200) and Sony KDL-52W4100 ($3000). Both are more expensive than the Toshiba by several hundred dollars, but they offer more accurate color, and the Samsung has a lower black level. Both offer access to online and USB content, which may or may not be important to you.

On the other hand, neither of the more expensive sets offer anything like SRT. Without the other sets on hand to do a side-by-side comparison, I can't say how much better SRT is with standard-def material, but I can say I was impressed with it at low settings. If you watch a lot of SD content and you don't mind the slightly fluorescent greens, the Toshiba 52XV545U may be just the ticket.

Highs
Great detail
SRT sharpens DVD material surprisingly well
Excellent blacks and shadow detail
Good colors except green and cyan
Service-menu calibration very effective
Relatively inexpensive

Lows
Fluorescent greens, too-blue cyans
Color-management system does much more harm than good
Video processing mediocre overall
Poor onboard audio