Toshiba 26HF85 26" Widescreen HD-Ready Flat Screen TV
Nice product, great deal
After reading many questionable reviews and forums about the product, I decided to take the chance as the price had dropped to $350 (refurb).  Received the set last night and after set-up here's what I see so far.  Hope this helps: <br /> <br />Standard Definition: <br />My biggest concern was how SD would look upconverted to 1080i.  To my pleasant suprise, it looks significantly clearer and brighter than on my old 27\\" JVC SD CRT.  I have a 56\\" Panny DLP that SD looks much worse on.  But with the large screen size it amplifies the picture weaknesses.   With the 26\\" screen, need to be within 2 feet to clearly see the picture imperfections <br />Design: <br />Because speakers are on the bottom, the width of the 26\\" model will fit in almost any entertaiment center.  That was also a selling point.  We did not want large TV in Family Room and didn't need a new entertaiment center.  Very basic design, nothing flashy, but nothing gawdy. <br />Price: <br />At least for now, can't be beat. <br />Picture: <br />SD looks very good, DVD looks better (see below), but has more artifacts than the 56\\" DLP. <br />Whites and Blacks/ contrast ratio off the charts compared to DLP - very good. <br />DVD: <br />I have a good upconverting Panasonic DVD.  Best picture is sending 480p to the 540p.  1080i to 1080i caused very visible screen shaking.  Using HDMI connection. <br />Ease of Use and Set-up: <br />Plenty of connection options, plug and play for the most part. <br />Very simple to use on screen menus, took 2 minutes to figure them out. <br /> <br />Drawbacks: <br />Pic Size:  <br />TheaterWide 1, 2, & 3:  Manipulate the picture in different ways, but each cuts off part of the picture. <br />Full: Stretches the picture evenly to fill the screen but nothing is lost.   <br />Natural: Retains aspect ratio but has gray bars on either side, big concern for burn in. <br /> <br />DVD: <br />1080i with HDMI caused the shimmering <br />