Picture quality

Just as the 32-inch Toshiba 32C120U has the best picture quality in its size, the 40-inch 40E220U similarly stands out among its peers. While you don't get plasmalike depths, the E220U's black levels are good for the price, and shadow detail is acceptable.

Despite measuring fairly poorly, its color reproduction is a plus, with a vivid, yet natural color palette. Video processing is average -- good in some areas and not so in others -- but its motion performance is noticeably crisper than its peers'.

Bright-room performance is fine, but in the dark some spotlight problems in the corners spoil what is otherwise a good picture.