I need a new TV in the bedroom, my budget is $1000 (+/- $100 max), and as far as I can tell, the best choice seems to be the Sharp 37D43U, as it can be had for well under my budget amount and is truly a great TV according to the reviews. My dilemma is screen size. I have a 50" Panasonic Plasma in my family room, so I've grown to love lots of screen real estate. I see that the Toshiba 40RF350U is only slightly above my budget, but according to the reviews, it's not such a great TV. The reason I've narrowed my choice down to these two TV's is because my cabinet width is only 37.75 inches, and this Toshiba is the only 40" that will fit. The 40XF550 is far beyond my budget, so please don't even go there. And I'm looking for a new TV within weeks, I can't wait 6 months for the new Toshiba model to drop in price.

Does anyone have experience with these two sets? I'm wondering if the Sharp PQ is so much better than the Toshiba that it warrants buying the smaller size? Or is the PQ between these two sets negligible, where the larger size Toshiba is the better choce? Are there any other TV's I'm missing that would be a better choice than either of these two? Any feedback would be helpful and greatly appreciated!

I have the Sharp LC37D43U in my bed room and love it... I'm very pleased with the HD picture quality... I was watching Leno in HD last night and was quite impressed with the image quality.... Can't tell you much about the Toshiba set.

Here are some pics of my set (keep in mind they were taken with a crappy camera)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13628815&postcount=546

If you get this set, be sure to try kingmark's settings:


Originally Posted by king mark View Post
Try mine


AV mode(under remote door):Movie(turns off the electronic contrast enhancer)
OPC:ON
OPC range -11Min to -10Max
Contrast at +30
Brightness at +12
Color at +3
Tint 0
Sharpness:-5
Color temp middle
Black extension off
Film mode On for DVD's,Off for TV

Let me know

Wolf - thanks MUCH for sharing! You gave me just enough info to choose this TV. I really like the idea of saving a few hundred bucks, but more importantly, it leaves me a "justifyable" reason to upgrade in a year or so (to a 40") when these new 2008 models come down in price. I don't think I'd be inclined to upgrade from a mediocre 40" to a high end 40".

And thanks again for the photo's, they helped me see that 37" is really not too small. I currently have a 34" CRT in my space/cabinet, and I thought a 3 inch gain wasn't enough to justify spending $800 bucks, but I really think I'm overcomplicating things and being far too critical - it's just a freakin' bedroom, lol!

Glad I could help... Enjoy the set!


One correction to King Mark's settings, try AV Mode User instead of Movie.

I see that the Samsung LN37A450 is now the same price as the Sharp. Does anyone have experience with both of these TV's???

Samsung is a better set, love Sharp but lately most of their sets have been plauged with banding issues. Samsungs 2008 line-up is rock solid and very hard to beat.