Toshiba HD vs. Sony Wega

I have experience with both and, because I was a Sony employee, was able to purchase any product under dealer cost. I have stayed with the Toshiba line simply because they are a more accurate television set. For around the same amount of $$$, you should consider TRYING to obtain a the Toshiba TW40x81. It's a widescreen TV and is the most friendly for calibration and for Progressive Scan DVD players. (The Sony HD sets will upconvert 480p to 1080i, which will definitely not yeild as good results as native 480p). I asked one of the two people in the US that has the $15,000 color analyzer for the Toshibas what set to get (at any price) and the answer was alwasy the same: TOSHIBA..

I have a Toshiba TW 65x81 and it's similar to the 40x81, but with better CRTs. I had it calibrated by Robert Busch, one of the only two people in the US to have the Toshiba Color Analyzer. Of all of the sets that he has calibrated, the Toshs come closest to full accuracy, especially after calibration. The Sony Wegas are very nice, but have the most "out of box" problems of any direct view set (just check with the large volume dealers and they'll confirm it). It's not that I don't like Sony, but it really comes down to what it important to you. I tend to steer my friends toward the Toshiba because of its HDTV capability and its superior calibrated accuracy. For those who absolutely must have a Wega, more power to them. ( the replacements are due out in the Spring and will be HDTV ready) Elbert