Group test: 37in LCD pt2

Overview Price: £1,000 More info: Sharp Size (no stand): 917(w) x 600(h) x 125.3(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 21.5kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1 Claimed max brightness: 450cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs, two Scarts (both RGB), composite video input, PC input (also takes component via adaptor), stereo audio inputs, tuner input, CAM slot, stereo audio output, S-Video input, headphone jack, RS 232 Sharp LC-37RD2E One technique for fighting LCD's traditional problems with showing moving objects clearly is to use 100Hz, whereby PAL's usual 50Hz picture refresh rate is doubled by picture processing technology to reduce the potential for picture information to be 'lost' between the 50Hz cycles. As you can probably guess from this introduction, the 37RD2E carries 100Hz in its arsenal. But does that also make it by default the best TV in this group test? It's arguably the most attractive, that's for sure, with its curvy gloss-black bezel and stylish 'wave' along the bottom edge. But it's got a slightly annoying connection limitation, as there's no dedicated component video input. Instead the D-Sub PC port has to do double duty for component video sources, via a provided adaptor. As well as the 100Hz processing, the 37RD2E impresses with a claimed 10,000:1 contrast ratio, raising hopes that it might avoid the black level shortcomings of our previous group test contenders. And indeed, while black levels aren't immaculate, they are at least deep enough to leave dark scenes enjoyable to watch, giving the 37RD2E an instant leg up.,p> It impresses, too, with its colours, which are as natural as they are vivid, even during dark scenes. Plus HD pictures look sharp and detailed considering this isn't a full HD TV; standard definition pictures look rich if slightly noisy; and the sound from the set's tiny speakers is surprisingly good. The TV's problem, ironically, is its 100Hz system. Sure, this does make moving objects look much sharper. But only at the cost of frequent shimmering noise and, even worse, triple ghosts of small, particularly fast-moving objects like a cricket or golf ball. Plus the whole effect just doesn't look natural, somehow, distracting you from what you're watching rather than immersing you more deeply in it.

Verdict Plus points Neat looks, solid features, practically no motion blur Minus points Processing glitches, pictures generally don't look natural, sluggish operating system

Overview Price: £900 More info: Toshiba Size (no stand): 920(w) x 614(h) x 122(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 21.1kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 3500:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs, Two Scarts (1 RGB), component video input, composite video input, D-Sub PC input, Digital audio output, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input Toshiba 37X3030 The last generation of Toshiba's 'REGZA' LCDs impressed us with their sharpness, rich colours and (then) newly developed 100Hz processing. So we had high hopes indeed for Toshiba's latest mid-range 37in model, 37X3030 - especially given its surprisingly affordable £900 price. Those hopes are raised by the 37X3030's excellent build quality, which combines a slick glossy black bezel with emphatically angular lines to impressively 'no-nonsense' effect. Plus it's even got a couple of connections more than most, with the usual two HDMIs, component video input, PC port and Scarts being joined by less common digital audio output and subwoofer line out options. Impressively for £900, the 37X3030 boasts a full HD resolution of 1920x1080, and can take in 1080p HD images from HD DVD and Blu-ray players. Plus it sports Toshiba's tried and tested Active Vision LCD processing system, for improving colours, black levels and sharpness. However, disappointingly the Active Vision processing here does not include the 'M100' component that signifies the presence of 100Hz. Darn. Thankfully, we don't miss the 100Hz as much as expected. For while moving objects certainly don't retain as much resolution as they do with Sharp's 100Hz offering, the 37X3030's pictures are still emphatically sharp and detailed. Plus, crucially, you don't get any of the Sharp's nasty image side effects. In fact, noise levels are at a premium generally with HD sources. Elsewhere the 37X3030's colours are extremely aggressively portrayed, ensuring that your attention remains riveted on the screen. Tones tend to be believable too, brightness levels are high, and black levels are solid. Not great, you understand, but just about good enough to let you watch dark scenes without being distracted. Provided, at least, you don't watch from much of an angle, for this sees black levels drop off rapidly. All in all, while its black levels would need to be better to win a wholehearted recommendation from us, the 37X3030's overall balance is good enough to earn it the highest mark in this group test.

Verdict Plus points Full HD resolution, good pictures mostly, plenty of features, aggressive price res Minus points Black levels could be improved

Final verdict To start this conclusion on a negative note, it's perhaps a touch sad that none of our four contenders manages to be an absolute runaway success. Each of them has some little flaw or other holding them back from total glory. And in the Sharp's case, that flaw surrounds one of the technologies we were fast coming to rely on as being key to LCD's future success: 100Hz. Still, while that 100Hz flaw is sufficiently serious to leave us with no option but to place Sharp's 37RD2E in last place, and suggest that this is probably one best left alone (especially considering it's also the most expensive screen featured), the other three models would all serve you perfectly well in their own ways. Putting them into some sort of order, though, to make your life as easy as possible, in a very tight battle between 2nd and 3rd, the JVC just edges out the LG. This is perhaps surprising given the LG's cheaper price and full HD resolution, but talking in terms of sheer picture quality, the JVC's superb DynaPix engine generally makes its pictures that bit more consistently enjoyable than the LG's - especially where standard definition is involved. Our top dog this time out though, has got to be Toshiba's 37X3030. There's still room for improvement certainly, but there's no doubt that in the context of this group test the 37X3030 treads the best line between price, features and performance.

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