This well-priced LCD debut from set-top box brand Sagem boasts plenty of features that make it stand out from the crowd, but what we really like is its extra media channel. Simply insert a memory card (Compact Flash, Smart Media, Secure Digital, XD Card or Memory Stick) directly into one of the two multimedia card slots on the left-hand side of the screen and the set transforms into a luxury, high-resolution photo album - a great excuse for showing off a new flatscreen to friends and family!

Aesthetics aren't run-of-the-mill either and, despite not being particularly flat, the HD-L27 is well-built and appealing, with a curved back (don't worry, it's still easily wall-mountable) and glossy piano-black screen frame. Combine this with the fact that you'll be getting 27in of screen for as little as £850, and this set looks like a good bet for replacing that fat-boy CRT in the living room.

That price looks even better when we discover that not only is the HD-L27 HD-ready in terms of screen resolution (1,280 x 720), but it also has a DVI input that is HDCPcompliant. Other connections are plentiful, too, and number component video inputs (for top-notch progressive scan and analogue high-def images) three Scarts (two of which are RGB-capable), composite video, S-video, analogue stereo inputs and outputs, a headphone jack and a PC audio input.

On the audio side, there are two 12W speakers which output both Nicam stereo and Virtual Dolby sound.

Ease of use is another boon - something that shouldn't be taken for granted. The remote control is nicely laid out and makes changing between inputs child's play, while on-screen menus are impressive in their simplicity - which is also handy for when you want to use the screen as a photo viewer.

With pictures from the HD-L27's analogue tuner, we were pleasantly surprised. Many LCDs struggle with low-quality feeds like this, but here news and studio footage looked colourful, while edges were as sharp as we can expect from such pictures.