Toshiba has never been a company that likes to produce “me too” products. Its new 52XV545U LCD TV is a perfect example. Like its 42- and 46-inch siblings, the 52-inch 52XV545U (MSRP $2,599) is part of the company’s new Cinema Series line of HDTVs. This beauty is a 1080p LCD HDTV that features Toshiba’s newest proprietary SRT (Super Resolution Technology), which creates better images from all signal sources. Essentially, SRT upconverts and enhances 480i/p and 720p images to higher HD picture quality.

Toshiba has also added its ClearFrame technology, a 120-Hz system that doubles the frame rate from 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second, helping eliminate motion blur in fast-moving scenes. Other image-enhancing technologies includes ColorBurst (for improved color accuracy), PixelPure (for improved digital video processing), and DynaLight (for deeper blacks). The set is housed in an attractive high-gloss black “Double Skin” cabinet.

Using Dish Network’s ViP722 as my HD Satellite source, the displayed images on the 52XV545U produced realistic color with precise picture detail and resolution free from visible artifacts. In the end, it all comes down to images and pictures. The picture quality is well above par for this Toshiba set, which offers a palette of vibrant and accurate colors. Both over-the-air broadcast and satellite HDTV images were exceptionally good, even with 480p and 720p programming from cable channels SciFi, AMC, A&E, ABC and Fox.

The vibrant 1080p images were just as compelling when viewing high-definition Blu-ray movies via LG’s Super Blu HD DVD/Blu-ray player. Clearly, there are certain movies that are meant to be seen and heard in HD. With a variety of HD test discs, including “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “300,” “Transformers,” “Across The Universe,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Planet Earth” and “The Ultimate Matrix,” the display could easily distinguish subtle color shadings and hues, reproducing colors accurately and realistically.

Black levels were better than those of most other LCD HDTV sets. Standard-definition DVDs, from classic films like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Casablanca” to musical concerts such as The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over, looked quite clean, thanks to Toshiba’s SRT technology.

Toshiba’s 52XV545U produced some of the best viewable images from regular cable fare, over-the-air HD, Satellite HD and high-def Blu-ray Disc. This is a set that will be enjoyed for years to come. In many ways, it’s superior to its competitors in both design and function. Extended viewings are recommended.