JVC's LT-26X576 is an attractive 26-inch TV with a bright, wide-format LCD screen, removable pedestal stand, and built-in stereo speakers.

The thin-film LCD screen is framed in black, and it is supported by a silver pedestal stand with an attractive oval base that will fit into tight corners or on crowded countertop. Control buttons and inputs are accessible but out of sight on the sides of the monitor.

The high-resolution WXGA display has a native resolution of 1,366X768, with all images converted to 770p. A separate high-definition tuner is required for HD viewing, as this unit has only one NTSC tuner. Nevertheless, images look very sharp and lively even without the addition of an HD tuner, particularly progressive scan DVD, which are perfectly suited to the wide format and digital display. Contrast and detail are lively and sharp, with a contrast ratio of 800:1. The LT-26X576 has a 3-D Y/C digital comb filter to eliminate dot crawl and rainbow effects, and automatic 3:2 pulldown conversion of film content ensures smooth motion in action scenes.

The LT-26X576's screen can be formatted four ways for standard content and two ways for high-definition content, and five video presets make quick work of adjusting the picture settings to suit multiple types of content. The speakers are rated at 10 watts of output per channel, and they can simulate a 3-D audio experience and amplify bass tones with JVC's Active Hyper Bass function.

Convenience features include a timer that can be used to turn the TV on and off at preset times, an automatic shut-off when no signal is received for 10 minutes, a lock on the control buttons, and an automatic clock set. The screen can be split for viewing a TV program alongside another input source, and 12 channels can be previewed at once.

The LT-26X576's connectivity options are adequate, with one RF input, three composite video inputs, two S-video inputs, one component video input, and one HDMI digital input, all located on the side of the monitor. A headphone jack and a fixed audio output make it possible to listen to the audio outside of the TV's speakers. The universal remote control can operate several associated components.

Consumers wanting a fine image from a wide-format 26-inch TV, especially using progressive scan DVD, should take a look at the JVC LT-26X576.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor