TechRadar Verdict
Pros
- +
Generally pleasing HD pictures
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Resolution+ upscaling
- +
USB ports and DLNA streaming
- +
Decent sound quality
- +
Freeview now/next banners
Cons
- -
Motion causes soft detail and blur
- -
DLNA for Windows 7 only
- -
Sluggish EPG
- -
Limited viewing angle
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LED backlighting is currently all the rage, but Toshiba reserves that luxury for its top-end WL and SL Regza ranges. If your budget can't quite stretch that far, then the company's RV range packs many of the eye-catching features found on those premium models into traditional CCFL LCD sets, all for a more wallet-friendly price.
Toshiba calls RV its 'everyday' TV range, presumably because it's aimed at people who aren't necessarily looking for the ultimate picture quality – just a good-value set that'll do a decent job with TV shows and the occasional Blu-ray movie.
But despite the alluring price tag you still get a lot of features for your money, the most significant of which is a built-in Freeview HD tuner that brings all three of those lovely high-definition channels to your screen through a rooftop aerial without a black box in sight.
The RV range comes in three sizes – 32in, 37in and 40in – making it ideal for modest sized rooms, but if you want anything bigger you'll need to step up to the XV range, which includes a 46in set, or the WL range, which includes 46 and 55in models.
Aesthetically, the RV sets are characterised by their sleek, gloss-black finish, curved swivel stand and a gently gradated silver strip below the screen. There's none of the flush-bezel jazziness of Sony's Monolithic or LG's Infinia sets – this frame is as chunky as they come – and compared with most LED sets, the Toshiba could be considered a little portly. But overall the 40RV735B is an attractive TV that's sure to enhance any room.
