using the template settings is _always_ a better idea than hand-coding it. Even when it seems slower to add the template settings.
This is because when you set it at the template level you are describing "what" to do, not "how" to do it. When you go straight to code you are describing the _how_ - and that's bad.
If you describe _what_ then the template can change, and things under the hood can change, but what you want remains. If you describe the HOW then as soon as it changes you will have bugs in your program. If you're lucky that means a tougher upgrade, if you are unlucky it means you need to spot the bug at some point.
cheers
Bruce