I recommend a lot of low-end TVs. Either big cheap 720p plasmas or entry-level 60hz 1080p LCDs. Some with only a couple of HDMI inputs or four-digit contrast ratios. 

The main reason, other than that I’m cheap, is that these smaller sets belong in rooms that might not be your primary viewing location. Whether a living room, bedroom, or kids room, I like to think most of our readers are doing serious critical viewing on a nice big front-projection screen in a dedicated space ... I can dream right? (We know most of the DIY AVS guys are, at least.)

That said, I know there are those of you with no dedicated theater space, small apartments, tree-houses, or underground hovels dug out with wooden spoons ... and you deserve excellent picture quality too! So check out today’s deal from Adorama on the LG 42LH90 for only $1,050. 

This 240Hz LED-backlit set is about as good as consumer-grade panels come. With a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (thanks to Local Dimming technology) and 2.4ms response time, blacks stay deep and motion stays smooth. Native 24p playback also limits unnecessary video processing on film sources (like 1080p24 Blu-ray discs) and ISFcc calibration modes make it easy for your local ISF tech to really dial in the calibration. Don’t forget the THX certification either.

Sometimes TVs aren’t as much about size, but what you do with the space you’ve got. 

Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins is chief technology editor for EH Publishing. He writes product reviews, features, and focuses heavily on 3D TV, iPhone and iPad apps, and digital content.