Samsung is developing a seriously likeable habit of revolutionising various sectors of the AV market with a surprisingly simple winning formula - make a product look nice, make sure it performs well, and then sell it for less money than any of the other big brands.

The 26in LE26R74BDX representing Samsung's latest LCD newbies nails the first part of the bargain by looking drop-dead gorgeous. Seriously, with its devastatingly high-gloss black screen surround and stand, plus a sumptuous light silver 'triangle' section along the bottom, it's hard to imagine how a TV could get much prettier than this.

Stare at this design long enough, though, and you start to notice something a bit odd - there don't appear to be any speakers. They are there, of course, but it turns out they're hidden away under the ledge caused by the fact that the silver triangle angles back under the main screen frame.

Connectivity isn't quite as prodigious as we might have expected, given Samsung's tendency t o push the envelope in such matters. In other words, while you get HDMI and component jacks for high-definition use you only get one o f each, when some new rival machines are now offering two HDMIs as standard. Also, there are only two Scarts - and only one able to take our beloved RGB signals.

On the upside, the set has a D-Sub PC input, all the usual lesser-quality AV suspects and also a welcome digital audio output, which Samsung has added because of the possible day when Freeview broadcasts might start including Dolby Digital 5 .1 audio tracks. We can all hope!

Other tricks associated with the digital tuner include a CAM slot for adding subscription channels, and compatibility with the 7-day electronic programme guide system, right down to being able to filter its listings according to programme type and set timer events directly from it.

You probably won't be shocked to learn that the LE26R74 is completely HD Ready, with its HD connectivity being joined by a native resolution of 1,366 x 768 and compatibility with the key HD formats. Note, though, that in keeping with the vast majority of its rivals, the LE26R74 can't take 1,080p signals.