Toshiba 2008 Line of LCDs

Toshiba showed off its 2008 LCD TV introductions at CES, including 20 new LCD TV models in five distinct series. The AV500 and CV510 series will obviously appeal to people that are more worried about saving money than 1080p. The RV530, XV540, and XF550 series are for more discerning consumers with larger budgets. We weren't super impressed with these displays as they were easily 5 inches thick though the rep did inform us that they were not final models and might be housed in different cases. We'll see.

The 2008 Toshiba LCD TV Series:

AV500 Series – 720p HD
The new AV500 Series is available in screen sizes ranging from personal 19" to home theater 42" (diagonal), all in high-gloss black cabinets (with 19" (diagonal) also available in high-gloss white). The AV500 Series features 720p HD resolution, DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deep black levels, and built-in ATSC/QAM Digital Tuning for over-the-air and cable-in-the-clear digital tuning capability. These models also include HDMI Digital Inputs, and a PC Input for easy connection to a personal computer.

REGZA CV510 Series – Step-up 720p HD
For "TV and Gaming" Enthusiasts, the premium REGZA CV510 Series is available in 32" & 37" (diagonal) sizes with 720p resolution and enhanced picture quality. This REGZA series features Toshiba's PixelPure 4G 14-bit Internal Digital Video Processor, which assures smoother, cleaner images with 4,096 levels of gradation, and a new 1.5" ThinLine Bezel Design with the thin SoundStrip speaker system. Also incorporated is the new Gaming Mode providing more direct video signal-to-the-screen for faster game controller response and 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs with REGZA Link (HDMI CEC) for easy connection to an HD DVD player or other A/V component.

REGZA RV530 Series – 1080p Full HD
For "Home Theater" Enthusiasts, the REGZA RV530 Series features 1080p Full HD resolution in the new two-tone "Surface Tension" Design with high-gloss black bezel. In addition to the exclusive Toshiba REGZA technologies found in the CV510 Series, the 1080p Full HD RV530 Series also features enhanced DynaLight dynamic backlight with a higher 15,000:1 dynamic contrast for deeper black levels. Available in a wide variety of screen sizes including new 32" and 37", and 42", 46" and 52" (diagonal), these models also include 4 HDMI (1 side) inputs for full digital connectivity, and a new High-Res PC Input, which is perfect for PC gamers looking to play on a big screen.

REGZA XV540 Series – ClearFrame 120 Hz Frame Rate
For "Sports and Action" Lovers, Toshiba is introducing the REGZA XV540 Series which includes models in 42", 46", and 52" (diagonal). Distinguishing the 1080p Full HD XV540 Series is Toshiba's improved ClearFrame 120 Hz Frame Rate with Film Stabilization and new 5:5 Pull-Down for clear fast-motion video, and 14-Bit PixelPure 4G Internal Digital Video Processing with 10-Bit LCD panels for a stunning 16,384 levels of gradation. These models also include ColorBurst wide color gamut CCFL at 108% of the NTSC color gamut for rich lifelike color, and 4 HDMI (1 side) 1.3 Inputs with x.v. Color and Deep Color for the amazing possible color depth and REGZA Link (HDMI CEC) for simple connectivity to home theater components.

Cinema Series REGZA XF550 Series – Super Narrow Bezel Design & ClearFrame
For "High-Style" Conscious Consumers, Toshiba has brought its award-winning "Super Narrow Bezel" (the world's thinnest LCD TV bezel at only 0.9"), and thinner SoundStrip 2 speaker system, to its new top-of-the-line XF550 Cinema Series REGZA models, allowing more TV in less space. These "virtually all-screen" models combine 1080p Full HD resolution, and 14-Bit PixelPure 4G Digital Video Processing with 10-Bit LCD panels for 16,384 levels of gradation. These models also include DynaLight SuperContrast for superior black levels, ColorBurst wide color gamut CCFL at 108% of the NTSC color gamut for rich lifelike color, and improved ClearFrame 120 Hz Frame Rate with Film Stabilization and new 5:5 Pull-Down for clear fast-motion video to deliver an all-new level of picture quality. Available in 40", 46" and a new 52" (diagonal) screen sizes, these models also incorporate 3 HDMI 1.3 Inputs with x.v. Color and Deep Color for amazing color depth and REGZA Link (HDMI CEC) for simple connectivity to home theater components. For additional information please visit http://www.tacp.toshiba.com.

Expected Availability & Pricing:

AV500
19AV500 (March $429.99)
19AV501 (March $429.99)
22AV500 (May $549.99)
26AV500 (February $649.99)
32AV500 (February $799.99)
37AV500 (February $999.99)
42AV500 (March $1,299.99)

REGZA CV510 Series
32CV510 (March $899.99)
37CV510 (March $1,099.99)

REGZA RV530 Series
32RV530 (March $1,099.99)
37RV530 (February $1,299.99)
42RV530 (February $1,499.99)
46RV530 (February $1,999.99)
52RV530 (March $2,699.99)

REGZA XV540 Series
42XV540 (March $1,699.99)
46XV540 (March $2,199.99)
52XV540 (April $2,899.99)

Cinema Series REGZA XF550 Series
40XF550 (February $1,999.99)
46XF550 (February $2,499.99)
52XF550 (February $3,199.99)

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.