The Philips 32PF5520D is a 26-inch LCD TV with Freeview tuner and high-definition compatibility. It is a great mid-range LCD, lacking advanced picture processing, but possesses every other feature you could possibly ask for at the price. It can be used for watching digital TV or else as a computer monitor and is ideally suited for the mid-range buyer who wants a future-proof TV for the bedroom or study. Except for an abundance of stickers that have been awkwardly placed on the TV the Philips’ LCD looks great. The desktop stand is packaged separately, so that you’ll need to do some DIY assembly work if you don’t want to wall-mount it. The screen itself is surrounded by a 40mm black bezel, with speakers sitting on either side, making the TV look like it costs substantially more than it actually does. Once it’s all set up, the package easily captures that trademark Philips style.

Picture performance would benefit from Philips’ Pixel Plus 2 technology used in this model. Having good connectivity and an abundance of features along with high-definition compatibility, this is a great buy. It doesn’t offer any of the picture processing or NXT speakers that have become standard on more expensive Philips sets, but with a decent picture quality and a shopping list of features, this is a true bargain. The speakers can reach a loud volume without distortion, making them acceptable for Freeview music channels and digital radio. The 26PF5520D has a remote control that’s rather well constructed, with a sturdy frame that feels like it will survive the rigours of everyday use. It however is a tad confusing remote control and the component inputs need to be shared with VGA - these are two areas that have a scope for improvement.