Toshiba 40L2200U

Bottom line

The Toshiba L2200U LCD TV is a value-priced set that eschews the bells and whistles of pricier models in exchange for solid picture quality. Though you won't find 3D or Internet capabilities, what you get for your money in this 1080p LED-backlit TV is good color performance, deep blacks for its class and excellent screen uniformity.

The Toshiba L2200U series comes in three screen sizes. The 40-inch Toshiba 40L2200U (*Est. $540), and the 50-inch Toshiba 50L2200U (*Est. $700) share the same specifications save for screen size, and should perform similarly. The 32-inch Toshiba 32L2200U uses a lower-resolution 720p panel, however, so this review does not apply to that set.

Performance

Picture quality is great, for the money. Performance is where the Toshiba L2200U really shines, at least for its price bracket. Black levels are very good for this set's price range, experts say, and one user at Amazon.com goes so far as to say that in terms of black levels, the L5200U is "one of the best I've ever seen." Turning to color performance, Robert Wiley at LCDTVBuyingGuide.com says that color representation is "realistic, yet saturated" and overall performance is "very solid." A few critics, on the other hand, note that color temperatures are a little cool and slightly on the bluish side. Josh Fields at TelevisionInfo.com says that the set handles motion very well, especially considering its 60 Hz refresh rate.

Robert Wiley at LCDTVBuyingGuide.com notes that unlike some super-thin LED sets that rely on edge lighting, the Toshiba L2200U instead places its full-matrix LED light source behind the LCD screen. The result is a deeper cabinet than found in many other sets, but better screen uniformity than typically seen with edge-lit technology. That's verified by TelevisionInfo.com's Josh Fields, who describes screen uniformity as "excellent."

Viewing angle is only average, but Fields says it is better than competing budget sets editors have tested. The near-matte finish is said to do a decent job of reducing unwanted glare. The audio is mediocre and the two 7-watt speakers don't get very loud except when a Dynamic Volume setting is engaged, experts say.

Features

Just the bare necessities. When it comes to exciting features, the Toshiba L2200U has little to none -- at least compared to some of those offered by pricier TVs. There's no Internet access, 3D or Smart features. The menu interface is a little dull, but hosts the necessary functions. You can access your own media (music, photos, video) for playback via the USB port. There is a simulated surround sound feature called Audyssey ABX, which TelevisionInfo.com says improves sound quality and presence a touch.

Design

Average-looking set with a few minor shortfalls. In terms of style, the Toshiba L2200U is nothing more than average. The new Aero Cosmetic Design is really just your typical black cabinet resting on a rectangular piece of plastic. It's nothing special -- and, as noted above, is thicker than some other cabinets -- but still looks good enough. Get used to the metal-colored strip on the bezel: This is home to the IR sensor, and where you'll have to directly point the remote or else your inputs will be ignored -- a major annoyance to some reviewers.

Connectivity could be better, with only two HDMI inputs and a single USB port. Some of the lesser-used ports face downward, which Josh Fields at TelevisionInfo.com says can make them hard to access.

Value

Good performance at an affordable price. Despite its shortfalls in features and aesthetics, the Toshiba L2200U is good at what it does -- providing a quality picture. This is no Smart TV, so if you're looking for anything like Internet streaming or 3D you'd better look elsewhere. If you're on a budget, however, and just want a decent LED set with a midsize screen, the Toshiba L2200U could be worth a look.