Two definitions: HDTV specs can be confusing. Two different screen resolutions are both considered high def. One is 720p-that means an image made of 720 lines, top to bottom. The other, now gaining in popularity, is 1080p. It delivers pictures of - you guessed it - 1,080 lines. The 720p is great when you're sitting back on your couch, 10 ft. away. But if you like TV or gaming up close, you should check out 1080p.

Which one is for me? Flat panels are sweet but still best in smaller living rooms. For 32- to 40-in. sets, check out LCDs from Sharp and Sony; between 42- and 50-in., try a Panasonic plasma. Going bigger? Try a rear-projection set or a digital projector (both shown here). They're much cheaper in dollars per inch of screen.