Group test: 26in LCD TVs

Overview Price: £700 More info: Panasonic Size (no stand): 657(w) x 473(h) x 107(d)mm Weight: 15kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1366x768 Claimed max contrast ratio: 1200:1 Claimed max brightness: n/a Connections: Two HDMI inputs, One component video input, S-Video input, Composite video input, RF input (digital and analogue), Two Scarts (both RGB), Headphone jack, CAM slot for subscription digital services, Stereo audio input Panasonic TX-26LXD60 The 26LXD60 gets off to a rather uninspiring start by being aesthetically the drabbest set in this group test. Just as well, then, that it makes a better impression with its connectivity by providing twin HDMIs alongside the usual component video inputs, Scarts and so on. However, uniquely for this group test, there's no way of connecting a PC. The set does carry a digital tuner though, along with such attendant functions as a seven-day electronic programme guide and recording event memory. Plus it's got the rather scarily named V-Real Advanced LCD AI system - a picture processing engine containing a whole mountain of tricks including Digital Remastering to improve contrast and colour range. These include Active Light Control for automatically optimising the backlight brightness; Active Contrast Control to help dark areas retain more shadow detail while bright areas remain unaffected; an Overdrive circuit which suppresses motion artefacts to make moving objects clearer; and colour management facilities which help the set produce a claimed 3 billion colours. Happily any niggles with this Panasonic to this point are obliterated in an instant by its stunning picture performance. Black levels, for starters, are as rich, subtly shaded and deep as any we've seen in the LCD world - a factor which also helps the TV serve up outstandingly vivid but natural colours. If you're a fan of HD then the 26LXD60 loves that too, combining stellar quantities of fine detail with an almost total dearth of video noise. Unusually for LCD though, the Panasonic's pictures still look pretty sharp while showing standard definition fare, making it a true all-rounder. The 26LXD60 is rather more average sonically. But it gets the job done, and only having average sound seems like a very puny price to pay for what are far and away the finest pictures in this entire group test.

Verdict Plus points Twin HDMIs, good price, stunning picture quality Minus points No PC input, slightly drab looks, average audio

Overview Price: £700 More info: Philips Size (no stand): 805(w) x 438(h) x 114(d)mm Weight: 17kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1366x768 Claimed max contrast ratio: 600:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs (for PC and video); One component video input; S-Video input; Composite video input; RF input (digital/analogue); Two Scarts (one RGB); Stereo audio inputs; Headphone jack; CAM slot for subscription digital services; Digital audio output Philips 26PF5521D Costing just £700, the 26PF5521D is one of the lower-end models in Philips' currently vast LCD range. But that doesn't stop it from looking very tidy with its slender black screen frame and contrasting silver speakers. It also scores a hit by including two HDMI inputs - both able to take PC or HD video feeds - alongside a component video jack and all the other TV standards. The set carries a digital tuner, backed up by the usual seven-day EPG as well as a digital audio output with which you can ship broadcast Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks to a suitable AV receiver for decoding. Its HD Ready status is confirmed by a native resolution of 1366x768, but another key specification, the contrast ratio, seems worryingly low at just 600:1. There's no sign of Philips' Pixel Plus image processing on hand to improve pictures either. Hmm. Sadly the concerns over black levels raised by the 600:1 contrast claims are borne out by the 26PF5521D's pictures. Dark scenes all appear to be coming from behind a bluish-grey mist, which makes them look flat and short of background detail. This problem pretty much kills this TV's chances of really impressing us almost immediately - but at least there are a few redeeming features on hand elsewhere. Colours, for instance, are terrifically full-on and well saturated; sharpness and clarity levels are first rate; and motion is handled with precious little sign of LCD's common smearing problems. But things go back to average with the 26PF5521D's audio, which in common with many of its rivals in this group test lacks sufficient bass to meet the demands of anything more stirring than a normal daytime TV chatshow. Ultimately the 26PF5521D is rather a frustration, in that it allows lots of really good work to be undone by a single serious glitch. Darn.

Verdict Plus points Twin HDMIs, good price, bright colours Minus points Fairly significant black level problems, average sonics

Overview Price: £800 More info: Sony Size (no stand): 658(w) x 516(h) x 219(d)mm Weight: 20kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1366x768 Claimed max contrast ratio: 1200:1 Claimed max brightness: n/a Connections: One HDMI input, One component video input, S-Video input, Composite video input, RF input (digital and analogue), Two Scarts (both RGB), PC D-Sub input, Headphone jack, CAM slot for subscription digital services Sony KDL-26S2010 With Sony's Bravia range setting superb standards further up the size scale, we had high hopes for this 26in model. Hopes that were only slightly deflated by the 26S2010's rather bland design. Our concerns grew however with the discovery of just one HDMI input when every other set we're considering here has managed two digital video inputs. Oh well; at least there's a built-in digital tuner, as well as component video and PC inputs. Probably the 26S2010's most interesting features beside the digital tuner are its Bravia Engine processing and its Super Vertical Pattern Alignment screen design. The former is a picture-boosting system that targets the contrast range, colour palette, detail levels, and amount of video noise displayed. The latter employs a new pixel design so the picture can be watched from a much wider viewing angle than usual without significant contrast or colour loss. At first glance the 26S2010 seems like another highly successful chip off the old Sony Bravia block. For instance, there's remarkably little video noise, be it dot crawl, grain or 'glowing' edges. Also impressive are the TV's colours, which combine a strikingly natural tone with outstanding vibrancy and full saturations. Black levels too, are very good. Not as profound as those of the Panasonic perhaps, but certainly able to go deep while retaining decent amounts of subtle shadow detail. However, the picture is less sharp and textured than that of our other contenders in this group, even while showing high definition. Also, motion blurs a touch more than we'd like. Sonically the 26S2010 is the most powerful and accomplished in this group. But even so there's no shaking the feeling that while the 26S2010 is eminently respectable by general LCD TV standards, by the standards of Sony's own Bravia range it's actually a touch disappointing.

Verdict Plus points Remarkably little video noise, good colours, solid sound, wide viewing angle Minus points Picture slightly soft, motion blur, only one HDMI

Final verdict Although the general standard of this group test rates as fairly high, we have to say we still feel slightly aggrieved that so many LCD TVs at this relatively unambitious screen size continue to suffer with uninspiring black levels. The only upside of this is that it's made it easier than usual for us to pick an outright winner. Bringing up the rear though, is Philips 26PF5521D. Early signs on this one bode well, and it even gets many elements of its pictures spot on too. But tragically it's the worst affected by the black level problems we mentioned a moment ago - a real pity given how important good black levels are to a TV picture. Just losing out in the battle for second place is Sony's KDL-S2010. This is by no means anything like a bad TV, but we couldn't in the end find a place in our hearts for a TV that fails to deliver the full sharpness of HD sources, only has one HDMI, and costs slightly more than most rivals. Second spot belongs to the LG 26LX2R. This may lack the digital tuner found on all of its rivals here, but it's also a bit cheaper and delivers very appealing pictures from within one of the most attractive bodies in town. So our clear winner this time out is the Panasonic 26LXD60. In fact, by actually managing to combine truly believable and involving black levels with a plethora of other picture strengths, it pretty much wins by default - especially considering that it costs just £700.

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