Toshiba 32RL853B

Toshiba 32RL853B review

The 32RL853 is one of the first of Toshiba's 2011 range to hit the market. It's at the budget end, with a price tag of around £450, but is one of the better specified sets from Toshiba until its 3D screens arrive later this summer.The design is neat enough, with a 40mm depth, gloss black bezel and some silver trim along the bottom giving it an air of class. Everything is angular, though, including the supplied desktop stand - Toshiba's designers obviously haven't caught the curve bug yet. This 32-inch set is the smallest of the RL series. Those looking for something larger can check out the 37-inch 37RL853 (available for as little as £500) and the £600 42-inch 42RL853. Rival screens at this size and price include Panasonic's TX-L32E3B and Sony's KDL-32CX523. The feature set of the 32RL853 serves up a handful of surprises, as well as a few disappointments. The main shortfall is with online access, which is limited to YouTube, BBC iPlayer and Flickr from this new breed. Shoppers who want to get VOD content on a budget may well be seduced by Sony's KDL-32CX523 with its Lovefilm and Qriocity features.