We scoured every super-thin, powerhouse and unconventional new HDTV at CES. Check out the hottest upcoming HDTVs in 2009.
Panasonic Viera Z1 Series Plasma
 Measuring a measly 1-inch in thickness, the Panasonic Viera Z1-Series Plasma television turned many heads at CES. But it wasn't all about the beauty of unmerciful thinness, for the Panasonic Viera Z1 Series had an attractive little list of features that would cater to the stylish and the sophisticated. We're talking wireless HD, much like the Sony Bravia XBR9 Series LCD HDTVs. The Panasonic Viera Z1 Series ships with a separate AV box, which governs all inputs like DVD players and Wiis. But what about Widgets, you say? Sony's going hog-wild with Widgets. Well, the Z1 Series will have Viera Cast for Widgets and Amazon video-on-demand, in addition to 24fps video content for that authentic Hollywood cinematic experience. One of the Z1's highlights was its picture quality for us, dazzling everyone beneath the murky CES lighting. That's due in part to LED back-lit Plasma technology, and we wanted one right off the show floor. Panasonic opted for a gunmetal grey, but it worked for us, offering a classy presentation. The Z1's ridiculously thin structure was what attracted most, but rest assured, there's a lot more HDTV than meets the eye.
Samsung 46-inch Super-Narrow-Bezel LCD LTI460AA04
 Samsung's magazine-thin 46-inch Super-Narrow-Bezel LCD HDTV was the talk of the show floor. We marveled and salivated over how uncannily thin the screen actually was, resembling a thin glass tabletop with swanky black gradient borders. At this point, we're not concerned with the amount of features the Samsung LCD LTI460AA04 has to offer, just with image quality. Samsung assures consumers that the new super-slim screen has better color balance, is 40% brighter than a typical TV and has higher contrast ratios, compared to other DID panels. The new Samsung LCD LTI460AA04 is looking like an advertiser's monitor of choice, as it is conducive to stacking multiple screens together to create a mega screen. We know celebrities will also spring for the latest in super-slim, and we'd like to get our hands on one too. From a marketing perspective, Samsung needs to do something about the name "Samsung 46-inch Super-Narrow-Bezel LCD LTI460AA04." How about "Samsung" and then a clever name like "Suave" or "Sheet"? Samsung Wafer? It needs work…
Sony Bravia XBR9 Series
 Wireless functionality and Widgets join forces to strengthen Sony's top-tier LCD HDTV line. The Sony Bravia XBR9 Series allows users to check sports, weather, financial news and other random tidbits of useful information via a built-in Yahoo! Widget Engine. Furthermore, the Bravia XBR9 Series HDTVs only require a single power cable while all other peripherals like DVD players and Xboxes possess the ability to be linked to a wireless hub that rocks a 30-foot range. Sony's Bravia Internet connection promises one of the largest selections of free movies, TV shows and music, and all XBR9 HDTVs can play content from a USB storage device. Zoinks! Sony's new XBR9 Series is all about performance, rather than style. We're not concerned as much with thickness as we are with streaming content and cable-free home entertainment. Luckily, video quality is no slouch either. The Sony Bravia XBR9 Series flaunts Sony's Motionflow 240Hz refresh rate, which is at the head of its class. This is definitely an HDTV worth investigating at Best Buy this Spring.
LG 55LHX
 We saw a seemingly endless streak of wireless HDTVs at CES, so here's another one! LG is hyping performance to the max with the LG 55LHX LED Backlit LCD HDTV, which incorporates between 1,000 to 1,500 backlights compared to the standard 300 to 400. The picture quality on this sheet of HD goodness was top notch in our opinion. The LG 55LHX has a TrueMotion 240Hz refresh rate, which trumps entry and mid-level HDTVs with 60Hz and 120Hz rates. Like the Panasonic Viera Z1 and Sony Bravia XBR9, the LG 55LHX ships with a separate AV box for hooking up DVD players, Playstations and top boxes and accommodates a range of up to 30 feet. We're really into the LG 55LHX because it reduces power consumption by 73%, thanks to its dimming of the backlight. Aside from some highly impressive specs, the LG 55LHX is the thinnest LED-Backlit HDTV in its class, measuring less than one inch. So far, the LG 55LHX LED-Backlit HDTV looks like the winner of the wireless.
Sharp Aquos BD Series
 Want to know what the modern incarnation of the TV/VCR combo looks like? It's big, stylish and offers beautiful picture quality. Oh, it also has a built-in Blu-ray slot. We're talking about the Sharp Aquos BD Series HDTVs, of course. Aside from sleek, undulating style with blue accents and a swivel stand, the new Aquos BD HDTVs can accommodate standard DVDs and CDs, but Blu-ray is what most consumers will want to capitalize on, due to its high quality. Unfortunately we didn't hear anything about Internet compatibility, which is essential to access BD Live features. Either way, you can check the new Sharp Aquos BD line out in January and February. We're just excited about the possibility of an HDTV as thin as the LG 55LHX someday stocking a Blu-ray slot.
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