Head-to-head

26in LCD TV Approx price: 950

JVC LT-26DX7BJ

JVCs pre-World Cup LCD assault starts here, with a new 26in model boasting twin HDMIs and features galore. We investigate this tempting LCD
ith the run up to the World Cup in June looking like being a veritable LCD TV bloodbath, theres denitely something to be said for getting out there rst. So while JVC hasnt quite beaten Panasonic and Toshibas new LCDs to the punch, its new LT-26DX7 has certainly stolen a march on the upcoming newbies from key names like Sony, Philips and Samsung. Plus, of course, its hit its stride alongside the Sagem HD-L26T weve considered it against for this issue.

looks and features

Aesthetically the new JVC which rests around the middle of the companys new range is decent rather than spectacular. On the upside, the way the speakers are hidden in a recess under the screen means it takes up far less space than the Sagem wide boy. Plus its black and silver colour scheme is reasonably ash. On the downside,
digital audio output, or USB connectivity for viewing your digital photos in JPEG form. When it comes to features, though, the JVC takes the lead. Weve already seen that it matches the Sagem in having a digital tuner and HD Ready specication (rounded off by a native resolution of 1,366 x 768). But it also scores over the Sagem with its 7-day electronic programme guide by letting you select programmes that you want to record/watch in the days ahead directly from the EPG listings. OK, yes, the Sagem lets you store 30 events compared to the JVCs 10, but the facility for directly selecting recordings on the JVC is far more important. The 26DX7 also has a potential ace up its sleeve in the shape of JVCs DynaPix image processing. This cover-all name accommodates a whole host of tricks, including digital and MPEG noise reduction; motion adaptive frame rate
in the addition of the ubiquitous initials HD to the end of its name. Other handy tricks include singletuner picture-in-picture facilities; backlight brightness adjustment; JVCs Super Digipure system for emphasising edges on low-contast images and de-stressing them on high-contrast images; and a whole host of audio enhancements for getting more out of those tucked away little speakers.
Decent rather than spectacular when it comes to chassis design

ease of use

We have to say, though, that accessing all of the TVs features isnt an especially enjoyable experience. The text in the onscreen menus is too small for comfort, especially while using the semi-opaque menu background option, and the remote control is rather sluggish and occasionally uncomfortable.

Test Data

TEST Colour Frequency response READING Good Excellent

performance

The 26DX7s pictures are a mix of the really very good and the really only average. And the differences in quality were talking about arent solely dependent on the quality of your source. In the plus column the picture is packed with DIST-inspired ne detail. This is especially evident with high-denition sources, but can also certainly be seen with static standard-denition images, particularly via the digital tuner. Well return to why we stressed static images back there presently The sets contrast range is also good, managing a healthily wide spread from peak whites down to deep(ish) blacks, and in doing so giving the picture an unusually solid, rich, almost luminous appearance. We really cant stress this strength enough, and its reason enough in

DISTs main advantage is that it radically ups the perceived detail levels and pixel count
the overall design feels fussy, and the nish strikes us as a touch plasticky. Connections are just about on a par with those of the Sagem. Things start well with the discovery of two HDMIs and component jacks for HD (Ready) duties. Plus theres a VGA PC jack and, unlike the Sagem, a slot for a CI card to add digital terrestrial subscription services to the sets built-in Freeview reception. The two provided Scarts are both RGB capable, too. Having said that, theres no evidence of either the Sagems conversion; automatic colour management, PAL 3D Y/C separation; a supposedly high performance interlaced-progressive converter and formatter; and last but not least JVCs Digital Image Scaling Technology or DIST to its friends. DISTs main advantage is that it radically ups the perceived detail levels and pixel count. We should add briey here that DynaPix has undergone some tweaking to make it better equipped to handle high denition, resulting
For a full explanation of test data, please see page 114

Details

FEATURES
Screen size and shape: 26in 16:9 Tuner: Freeview and analogue Sound system: Nicam with 3D Cinema Sound, Voice enhancer and MaxxBass options Resolution: 1,366x768 HD Ready: Yes Quoted contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Dimensions (on stand): 670(w) x 514(h) x 240(d)mm Weight: 19.5kg Other features: Dynapix HD with DIST; Super Digipure processing; colour management; single tuner picture in picture; 12-screen multipicture; 7-day EPG; 10-event timer memory; backlight adjust; MPEG noise reduction; picture management; Movie mode; 20W RMS audio output with Oblique Cone speaker tech; sleep timer; child lock

CI slot

The CI slot lets you add subscription services to the TVs digital tuner
Two HDMI sockets mean youll be able to attach an HD DVD player and a PS3 simultaneously

Scarts

More than two Scarts would have been nice, but at least theyre both RGB

SOCKETS

Two HDMIs; component video jacks; PC VGA jack; two Scarts (both RGB); stereo audio inputs; CAM slot; RF jack; composite video input; S-video input

CONTACT

www.jvc.co.uk
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Also Consider >>

PANASONIC TX-26LXDmore, theres no PC compatibility and audio is merely average but pictures are outstanding Reviewed: Issue 302
LG 26LX2R A much cheaper HD Ready 26in set delivers great pics but theres no digital tuner and audio is average Reviewed: Issue 302

HD Ready 1,366 x 768 native resolution 1,000:1 contrast ratio Two HDMI inputs Freeview tuner itself to audition the set. Colours within this contrast spectrum for the most part look eye-catchingly vivid and bright, too. Next theres impressively little in the way of most forms of image noise, be it MPEG blocking, moiring over ne details, digital artefacting via HDMI (a problem with the Sagem) or grain. Edges, too, look generally free of jaggedness or false contouring. This helps the picture forge an agreeably direct relationship with its viewers as does the fact that the screen is far less reective of ambient light than that of the Sagem. Elsewhere there are no problems with backlight spillage, as we experienced with the Sagem. So what are those average bits we mentioned earlier? Well, rst and worst, the picture is surprisingly prone to smearing over motion. This is especially apparent with TV broadcasts, but even high-denition movement can occasionally feel fractionally laggy. And when this happens it certainly detracts from the images clarity and sharpness. Next, although black levels can reach get pleasingly deep levels of darkness, like experienced on the Sagem theyre not particularly natural, lacking the sort of subtle shadow detailing thats necessary to give them a sense of depth. As a result dark areas look rather empty and dominant. As a nal point the sets colour tone occasionally loses its way slightly, especially with standarddenition sources. Although this is seldom to the extent that youre distracted from youre viewing. You might not be able to see the 26DX7s speakers, but you can sure hear em. The soundstage they create is actually quite remarkable, combining outstanding width and depth with an unusually clear, wellrounded mid-range and astonishing amounts of distortion-free power. Meanwhile, the impressive frequency range leaves practically all other 26in rival sets snivelling like the sonically underpowered little wretches they are. Those speakers might be small, but they come up with the goods

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Image solidity; sound; features; detail with HD/static images

WHATS BAD

Hollow blacks; some motion issues
Not the most comfy to hold, and the buttons react sluggishly

conclusion

This amazing sound together with the pictures at times spectacular richness suggest that if only JVC can overcome its continuing problems with black level detailing and motion smearing, it might one day deliver a truly classic LCD TV. Heres hoping, anyway

Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value

Looks Layout Labelling

VERDICT
Moments of genius combine with moments of averageness to leave this JVC short of a Best Buy badge but still worth an audition
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