Slimmer, smarter, faster, better-looking—it’s like the TV manufacturers and projector/screen companies are building the new Six-Million-Dollar Man, only in the form of displays that will make your jaw drop to the floor.

There were plenty of displays that got our mouths watering this year, in all categories, from flat-panel plasmas and LCDs to innovative DLP to high-def projectors to super super high-resolution projectors to the theater screens the beautiful images are projected on.

Mitsubishi earned double honors for its innovative and color-popping LaserVue TV, as well as its 1080p flat panel that includes a sound projector. Other flat panels that knocked our socks off included Hitachi’s ultra, ultra thin Director’s Series UT model, Pioneer’s super-dark Kuro plasma, Runco’s massive 70-inch LCD, Panasonic’s well-connected Viera plasma, Samsung’s LED-backlit Series 9 LCD, and Sharp’s Special Edition Aquos LCD.

More offbeat but efficient TVs we liked included Philips’ Eco FlatTV and SunBriteTV’s all-weather outdoor model LCD—parties on the patio have never been more fun.

Meridian’s incredible M810 Video System isn’t your typical projection system—and the $185K it’ll set you back says as much—but the high-end videophile would be hard-pressed to find a better home theater image than that of the 10 megapixel image this one produces. No slouches themselves, we selected the quality projection offered by Cineversum, Epson, JVC Professional, Planar Systems and SIM2 as great solutions at various price points.

We pegged screen offerings from Draper, Elite Screens, Screen Excellence and SI Screens among our best, and innovative solutions like Screen Research’s LeWing system that includes JBL speakers behind its acoustically transparent screen as a standout.

However you slice it, you’ll be immersed in high-def imagery every time you turn on your system with these winners.

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See also:
- Products of the Year 2008
- Products of the Year 2007
- Products of the Year 2006