LCD HDTV for standard def viewing

Not sure where to post this, so I chose this forum, since it is related to HD video displays.

I am shopping for a solution to having a large display for my laptop and also replace my slowly decaying TV. Basically, I want to have a TV that I can both edit photos on with good color and I also want to be able to watch standard definition TV on without it looking irritatingly pixelized. I am looking at the 26" as the ideal size for me. I don't really like the plasma tv approach and it probably isn't the best anyway for photo editing. So I am looking at the Samsung and Sharp 26" LCD HDTVs.

A couple more specific questions. Are there any LCD TVs that you can calibrate (such as with a spider) or at least color correct with some sort of on-board management console? Sharp or Samsung? Are there any models that have mastered the art of pixel interpolation for dealing with lower definition sources. Is 1366x768 good enough for photo-editing on a 26" monitor?

Alternatively, can I use a large computer monitor and get a video converter such as an RCA-to-VGA cable? I am guessing that this approach will probably have a horrible looking standard def TV display.

Is this too much to ask of one monitor? Probably. Thanks, any help is appreciated.