Features:

• 26-inch LCD TV ready for HDTV right out of the box; measures 26.9 x 21.75 x 4.5 inches (WxHxD)
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 450 cd/m2 brightness, 1200:1 contrast ratio, ultra-fast 6 ms response time
• Inputs: 3 composite(2 video, 1audio), 1 S-Video, 2 component, 2 HDMI, 1 RF
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); digital optical audio out

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Sophisticated design and first class performance for the ultimate in home entertainment. With a 16: 9 aspect ratio, HDTV resolution of 1366 x 768 and breathtaking color purity, this 26" LCD television is a next-generation TV to carry you into the high-definition future.

Amazon.com Product Description:
Sharp's LC-26D40U high-definition LCD HDTV proves you don't have to sacrifice style for technology. This gorgeous 26-inch set features a strikingly shiny piano black cabinet that will become an elegant centerpiece to any room. It also features the latest Sharp screen and video processing innovations, as well as an integrated HDTV tuner, a space-saving design with bottom-mounted speakers, included stand, pure digital audio/video connectivity with two HDMI inputs, and a rapid-fire response time of 6 ms (milliseconds)--perfect for watching fast-action sports and movies.

This set features Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD panel technology, which uses an enhanced color filter that permits more light throughput. This increases the contrast ratio by 150 percent to 1200:1 for pure whites, deep blacks, and a higher range of colors. Sharp's Quick Shoot video circuitry provides an ultra-fast pixel response time of 6 ms, which helps to ensure excellent detail and smooth motion during high-speed scene transitions. The screen also offers a low-reflection coating to reduce the effect of sunlight and interior lighting to provide vivid large-screen pictures wherever you install your LCD television.

The built-in ATSC tuner pulls HD signals right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. The screen delivers a true 1366 x 768-pixel HDTV resolution, and it also features a wide 176-degree viewing angle and 450 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) brightness rating--perfect for viewing colorful details in even direct sunlight.

You'll enjoy enveloping audio from the set's built-in 20-watt bottom-mounted stereo speakers (10 watts per channel), which can also produce virtual Dolby surround sound. It provides the following connection options:

• Composite AV (RCA): 3 in
• S-Video: 1 in
• Component Video: 2 in
• HDMI: 2 in
• RF: 1 in
• Total analog audio in: 4
• Analog audio out: 1
• Digital optical: 1 out

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

What's in the Box
LCD TV, remote control (with batteries), stand, AC cord, cable clamp, printed operating instructions

Rating : - A Major Disappointment.
We decided to purchase our first LCD television after reading reviews and doing research. The Sharp Aquos 26 inch LCD TV seemed promising and offered many excellent features.

Initially, the picture was great and much sharper than the picture on our Mitsubishi CRT (which lasted for over 10 years). Then, within a few weeks after the one year warranty period, the picture soured. A vertical blue/green line appeared shortly after the television was turned on (every time it was used) and then disappeared after 30 to 45 minutes. I wrote to Sharp, since this problem was not going away. They were unhelpful, noting that resetting the television should help, and referring me to a local repair shop for service (that I would have to pay for).

We decided to wait, given the likely high cost for repairs. Unfortunately, the blue/green line continues to appear, every time the television is turned on (and stays on for at least 45 minutes). And, a second blue/green vertical line has appeared, closer to the right side of the screen. This second line lasts for a shorter period of time, but leaves me feeling certain that this expensive LCD television will continue to deteriorate, even though it is only 1 1/2 years old. My next LCD television (likely to be bought within another year) will definitely not be from Sharp.

Addendum: (October 2008)

After several phone calls, I finally spoke with someone at Sharp headquarters who listened. He requested that I send in digital pictures, which I did. Three weeks later when I called back (since they did not contact me), the technician explained that the LCD "panel" was bad. She noted that it was not worth trying to fix, since this would cost more than the television itself. The best she could do was make me an offer: I PAY $240 for a reburbished 26" LCD tv (with a 30 day warranty) or $350 for a new 26" LCD tv (with 1 year warranty).

My decision: I plan on giving this television away (to someone who won't really mind the blue bars) and buying a Panasonic Viera instead.