Its slimness isn't its only design claim to fame, either. For contrasting startlingly with its gloss black fascia is a bright red rear that reinforces the TV's true '360-degree' design.

Truly spectacular, space-saving design, excellent connectivity, good feature count, impressive operating system, good pictures mostly, excellent value

Some processing options can cause artefacts, sound struggles during action scenes, black levels could be improved

When it comes to key specifications meanwhile, the set's full HD resolution is good, as is the provision of JVC's usually enjoyable DynaPix HD video processing engine. But a fairly paltry contrast ratio claim of 7500:1 looks pretty feeble against many ...

Nice looking set in a retro way, HD pictures sometimes look spectacular, sounds good too

Dark scenes look slightly washed out, occasional gentle motion blur, standard def could look better, very limited PC support

To be honest we can't quite decide if this striking design is actually really attractive, or just a bit odd. But there's no such uncertainty over the 55X4500's specs. For as well as the all-important LED backlight technology, this monster Sony's ...

Outrageously good pictures, great connectivity, plenty of features

Large design, it's not exactly cheap

The LE55A956's extravagant looks are joined by an extensive feature count. Connections, for instance, include an impressive four HDMIs, a USB port and an Ethernet jack. What's more, the LE55A956's Ethernet jack goes a considerable step further than ...

Terrific black levels, rich colours, stunning design, decent audio, great connectivity, good price for such a large LED screen

Blooming/halo effect around bright picture elements, limited viewing angle, occasional colour tone/blend issues

However, right from the start the 42PFL9803H seems hell bent on justifying its price. It looks really lovely, for instance, thanks to a seriously slender silver bezel and distinctive transparent outer 'shroud'. Plus it's fearsomely well connected, ...

Outstanding picture quality, gorgeous design, excellent connectivity and massive feature count

Complicated to use if you want to keep pictures are their best, expensive for a 42in TV

Stunning HD picture quality, excellent connectivity, plenty of features

Intelligent Frame Creation can cause problems with sport ; occasional colour tone issues with standard definition, all the quality on offer doesn't come cheap

Great value, really sharp HD pictures, nice design, good connectivity, strong colours

Standard def pictures aren't the best, slight image retention concerns

On the upside, its claimed contrast ratio is higher at 8500:1, and it's got more pixels (1440x900). On the downside, it doesn't have a dedicated D-Sub PC input (which makes its provision of just one HDMI input harder to take). And of course, that ...

Good value, nice looks, generally good picture quality

Some light seepage problems, no D-Sub PC port, slight motion judder, sound not the best

The 19D1E also starts well by being the proud owner of a remarkably sylph-like design that's available in white or black. Plus, at under £220, it costs relative peanuts for an HD Ready 19in TV.

Good pictures, great design, seriously excellent value

No v1.3 HDMI, irritatingly small onscreen menus, picture not very bright

It's also outstandingly well connected for its money, with two HDMIs and a PC input among the highlights.

Very bright pictures, tasty design, great connectivity

Weak black levels, unnatural colour response, aspect ratio problems