Teac LCDV2655HD LCD television

The Teac LCDV2655HD is a 26in LCD television with an integrated DVD player, a high-definition resolution and a simple interface.

Like other models in Teac’s LCD television line-up (the 22in LCD228HDM, for example), the LCDV2655HD looks unremarkable but isn't ugly. A thin black bezel extends around the screen; it's slightly thicker at the base, presumably to hide the internal 8W stereo speakers.

The TV doesn’t have as many inputs as we were expecting. Unlike smaller 22in sets that usually have the ability to connect to a DVI-equipped personal computer or laptop, the 26in LCDV2655HD only has a standard HDMI connector, so you’ll need an adaptor to convert this to DVI. VGA, S-Video, component and composite analog connectors are also available.

The Teac LCDV2655HD’s DVD player is something that helps this player stand out from the crowd (integrated players are hard to find on screens larger than 22in). The DVD player can be detached for servicing.

The TV also has a USB connection and a multi-card reader, allowing you to view compressed video files and pictures, and listen to music files. The file format support certainly doesn’t come close to a dedicated media streamer like the Compro T1000W, but it’s better than nothing.

One niggle we had with the Teac LCDV2655HD was its poor video upscaling. Video often looked blocky and blurred unless it was encoded at the television’s native 768p resolution.

Surprisingly for a television that’s not from a premium manufacturer like Sony, the Teac LCDV2655HD has good internal speakers, with a high maximum volume and low distortion.

The television’s picture quality is the sticking point that might turn some people off. A contrast ratio of 800:1 is good enough for broadcast television, DVDs and downloaded media. However, when playing back a high-definition movie on the 1366x768 screen, the lack of contrast quickly becomes apparent. Blacks just aren’t as black as they could be, while colours weren’t as saturated or as separated as we expected. Don’t get us wrong — while the picture quality isn’t fantastic, it’s more than adequate for casual viewing.

With an integrated DVD player, USB port and multimedia card slot, as well as a pair of competent speakers, the Teac LCDV2655HD is a good choice for a secondary television for a bedroom or study.

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