Ten... 40-42in net connected HD TVs

Sony Bravia KDL-40NX713

Positioned above Sony’s cheaper EX models, the KDL-40NX713 is a lavishly finished 3D ready Internet connected screen. Artfully styled, its 3.2cm thin panel delivers an outstanding picture, with deep black levels and snappy motion resolution. To enjoy 3D you’ll need to invest in Sony’s optional £55 Sync transmitter and 3D glasses (£100 a pair).

While not particularly adept at streaming video (it’s only interested in AVCHD), MP3 music playback looks good, with album art presented smartly on screen. Video file playback from USB is more co-operative, although there’s no support for MKV content.
 The set also offers access to Sony’s Bravia Internet Video portal, which boasts a wide selection of VOD (Video on Demand), including BBC iPlayer and Demand 5. There’s also music and pay-per-view movies from Sony’s Qriocity streaming service. Overall, a top flight TV choice.

Toshiba Regza 40VL758

As a TV brand, Toshiba definitely seems to be in two minds. At one end of the scale it pumps out cheap, cheerless supermarket fodder and at the other makes refined models with understated styling. This set is one of the latter. Produced in collaboration with the acclaimed Jacob Jensen Design studio, it’s a beautifully made, 29mm deep model with some cracking picture technology on-board.

Pulling extra clarity from standard def and HD sources is Toshiba’s Resolution+ picture processor, while Active Vision M100 ensures good motion resolution. The set’s Edge LED backlight is slightly uneven, but not disastrously so. On-line content is restricted to YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Video playback support from USB is good and includes AVI, MKV and Xvid – although I had less success across my network ®