As well as TV viewing (an analog tuner is built in) this screen's strength comes from its LCD-ness which makes it awesome for plugging into a PC (Media Center, anyone?) or for components like digital set-top boxes or DVD players.

There is something totally decadent about playing your favourite PC game on a 30-inch LCD monitor with stereo sound from two banks of speakers - one on each side.

HITACHI PD32-A2100

TFT screens are notoriously expensive to manufacture and even more expensive to purchase in comparison to their conventional CRT counterparts.

It feels like I say this every time I write a TFT review, but by gum theyve come ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years, in terms of technology, price and sales.

Almost all computer monitors and TVs use the same technology that first appeared in the 1940s: the CRT. How both consumers and manufacturers would love a viable flat panel display. LCDs dont make the grade: its too hard - and expensive - to produce LCDs larger than 20 inches diagonal.