Insignia NS-LCD26-09

If you're shopping for an HDTV, chances are price is a big consideration. There's likely a top price you're willing to pay, and if you come in under budget, getting a set that delivers excellent performance is merely icing on the cake. The $479.99 (direct) Insignia NS-LCD26-09 26 inch LCD HDTV is built for and sold by Best Buy, and its tempting low price includes an impressive picture brimming with detail and accuracy provided you make some minor setting adjustments and stick to the set's digital inputs.

Featuring a matte screen framed by a glossy black bezel that measures about 1.4 inches wide, the NS-LCD26-09 is relatively thin for a TV this size. An integrated stereo speaker bar with two 5 watt speakers adds a stylish curve to the set's bottom edge, but the relatively weak audio output is best suited to a small room. The TV's on display controls are located within easy reach on the right hand edge of the set. With its glossy oval shaped stand attached, the TV measures 19.1 by 25.7 by 9.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 19.4 pounds.

Without its base, the height and depth are reduced to 17.1 and 3.8 inches, respectively, and its weight to 17 pounds. The baton style remote control features a roomy keypad layout with clearly labeled buttons that help compensate for its lack of a backlight. Performance was good, for the most part, even at distances exceeding 20 feet and at off axis angles greater than 50 degrees. I did occasionally have to press the remote's power button twice before it turned the TV on, however.

The selection of HD compatible video inputs include two HDMI, a component video input, VGA (cable included), and an RF input that feeds the TV's combo analog/digital/cable tuner. With this set, Insignia offers the ability to customize the TV's input names (up to ten characters). Most HDTVs provide only a handful of preset generic input labels such as VCR, DVD, Cable, and Satellite.