Rear projection is to the TV world what Kate Moss is to the fashion world -- just about clinging on, but in an intensive rehabilitation programme. French company Sagem has had a great reception from picture quality purists, but because of the depth of its Axium TVs, the flat-screen fraternity raised its noses, put its fingers in its ears and shouted, "La, la, la, can't hear you!"
Crave has been jammy enough to get the brand-new Axium HD-D50 50-inch TV in for its delectation, and we've been enjoying some of the best pictures we've seen all year. If you care more about a gorgeously cinematic image than the thickness of the TV itself, you can't do better. Monsters Inc. was so good it garnered the attention of everyone walking past, and even without sound the 50-inch image is miles ahead of anything we've seen from a flat screen. Contrast and colour reproduction is unbelievable without having to calibrate anything, and only the limited viewing angle spoiled our fun when we wanted to play Pro Evolution Soccer 5.
If you're still unconvinced by the idea of a fat TV taking up space in your living room for the next few years, then thankfully it's high-definition compatible, and has two HDMI sockets plus an integrated reader for displaying photos from flash cards. Only an integrated Freeview tuner is missing from our wishlist of features.
The Sagem HD-D50H looks like a real contender as one of our favourite TVs. Find out if it's a perfect end to a great TV year with our full review next week, or enter our Win a Digital Christmas competition for a chance to win its slightly smaller brother, the HD-D45S. -GC
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