If you haven’t bought a new TV set for a good 4 or 5 years, then 2010 is the year to do so. The future of  TV sets is about improved quality, slimness and 3D capability. CES 2010 in Las Vegas came to an end on the 10th of January. After taking a close look at the HDTVs on display, we’ve outlined the trends predicted for 2010 and shortlisted this year’s most exciting launches.

After a year of speculation, top TV manufacturers confirmed that 2010 will be the year of 3D television – with manufacturers like LG, Sony, Samsung and Toshiba announcing that 3D TV sets will be on sale in the UK by April. With Sky announcing that 3D broadcasting will be available by October, we strongly recommend that if you are planning on investing in a new HDTV set, go for a 3D one.

OLED is also set to be the next big thing in picture quality. The only problem is that manufacturers like LG can only make OLED TV as big as 15 inches; however we expect to see bigger sets over the next few years as the technology inevitably advances. OLED (which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode) produces super crisp pictures with unbelievable quality and definition.

So, that’s enough small talk. Let’s get down to our list of best HDTV’s set to hit the shops in 2010…

LG Infinia LE9500 3D-Ready LED TV

For those who were lucky enough to be at this year’s CES will testify that LG’s 6.9mm model is the world’s thinnest LED TV. LG’s Infinia LE9500 3D-Ready LED TV comes equipped with an arsenal of innovations that includes 3D–Ready support, Skype capabilities and streaming media from Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Napster and Yahoo! Widgets.. With this model, LG have broken conventions of LED TV design by transforming the screen into the actual speakers – which allows it to be so thin without compromising sound quality.

Toshiba Cell TVs

Besides using the same type of processor used in the PlayStation 3 and offering native 3D capability, Toshiba has packed its next generation of HDTVs with every feature we ever dreamed of. Toshiba also claims that, thanks to a new technology called TriVector Cell, TV series will be able to convert 2D content into 3D content in real time. No demo was available so we’ll have to hold off our judgement for now.

Samsung LED 9000 Series

The 900 series is the next gen of Samsung’s LED LCD TVs and the flagship model the Samsung C9000 is perhaps one of the slickest TV sets we’ve ever set eyes on. Just so you can comprehend the C900’s sleekness: the model is the same width as a number two pencil. The Samsung C900 is of course 3D, and is also capable of converting 2D content into 3D, again no demo was available.

LG 15-inch OLED TV

Despite its size, the LG 15-inch OLED TV is the biggest possible OLED TV to date, but give a few more years and we’ll see 26, 36, 47-inch OLED TV sets. OLED is the future of HDTV, this LG OLED produces super crisp picture with and absolutely stunning picture quality.

Sony Bravia Full HD 3D TV

As expected, Sony also caught the 3D flu that contaminated the world’s top television manufacturers and also introduced a new series of 3D TVs at this year’s CES. Sony will offer three separate lines of Bravia Full HD 3D TVs. The LX900 series, due out this summer, is available in size up to 60 inches and includes an edge-lit LED backlight system. Other features include 240Hz processing, integrated WiFi and two active shutter glasses for watching 3D content. It features what Sony calls a Monolithic industrial design with a smooth glass surface from edge to edge.

The consumer electronics giant also used the 3D wave to introduce its first 3D-capable Blu-ray player with WiFi connectivity and instant streaming of online content.

Following our previous post where we guided first time HDTV buyers towards making the right purchase, we are proud to announce our top 5 recommended HDTVs best buys for this Christmas.

LG 19LH20

The LG 19LH20 is a 19 inch HD Ready LCD TV with built in digital Freeview powered by LG’s Twin XD engine, invisible speakers and a resolution of 720p, Ideal for smaller rooms and bedrooms.

LG 22LH2000

The LG 22HL200 is a 22 inch HD Ready LCD TV with a 720p resolution, built in Digital Freeview and 1 HDMI socket. Same as the 19LH20 this LG LCD TV is ideal for smaller rooms and bedrooms because of its reduced size.

Samsung UE40B6000 LED TV

The Samsung UE40B6000 40″ FULL HD 1080P LED TV innovates in both style and technology, this new series from Samsung is a clear winner that’s guaranteed to please its viewers.

The new LED design is cleaner and greener using 40% less energy than most LCD TV’s giving you potential savings on your energy bills. This TV is made with no mercury or lead and the ultra slim design means the UE40B6000 requires little packaging.

Sony KDL40Z4500

The Sony KDL40Z4500 40 inch Full HD LCD TV has the smoothest and most detailed fast-moving images thanks to its world-first Motionflow 200Hz technology with image blur reduction.

Powered by Sony’s BRAVIA ENGINE 2 you will experience incredibly clear and define pictures as well as watch TV movies and games in high definition – ideal for hardcore gamers that are looking for a top notch screen resolution.

Samsung UE55B7020

With unmatched picture quality, incredible slimness and minimal environmental impact, the Samsung UE55B7020 LED TV is a whole new species of television. Discover a whole new era of television.

Christmas is just around the corner and if you are thinking of upgrading your TV set now is the time to do so. With HDTVs of all sizes being more affordable than ever, now is time to join the high resolution revolution.

With so many brands and models with varying specs now available, your quest will require knowledge and above all patience. To help you in your quest here are a few points to consider before purchasing a High Definition TV:

1. Size Does Matter

Sometimes the bigger does not mean better. Each HDTV size, be it a Plasma or LCD TV, has an optimal viewing distance. Determine the distance between the TV to where you would normally watch it and use the table below to determine what size TV will best suit your needs.

Based on the Lechner Chart

2. Viewing Angles

Normally we sit looking direct at the TV set, but you also need to think of guests and family members. For instance, it’s worth taking into account that Plasma TVs have better views from obtuse angles compared to LCD TVs where viewing quality is reduced from such angles.

3. What HDTV Technology should I Choose?

As you’ve probably gathered, HDTVs have two main technologies: Plasma and LCD. But new technologies have emerged since HDTV’s early days. Technologies like OLED and Rear Projection are now available but should really only be considered in very special cases.

LCD TVs are the more popular of the two HDTV technologies, with the widest range of screen sizes and an improved picture performance. LCD HDTVs are suitable for brighter rooms with large windows as they reflect less light.

Over the years LCD HDTVs dominated the sales in the mid/low size range forcing Plasma TV manufacturers to refocus their efforts on larger TV set. If you are thinking big (we’re talking 50 inches plus), you want to look for a Plasma TV. It is important to remember that Plasma is not the best choice for rooms with too much light in, as the glass on the screen reflects direct light more readily than LCD screens.

4. Resolution

Thanks to the Blu-ray revolution and the next generation of game consoles (particularly PS3 and Xbox 360) resolution is a key feature in HDTVs. For serious gamers a Full HD with 1080p is undoubtedly the best option but, again, viewing distance remains a factor because from 12 feet, a normal person with a perfect eye-sight cannot tell the difference between a 720p and a 1080p TV regardless of size.

5. Contrast Ratio

Very simple tip here: when it comes down to contrast ratio the higher the better.

And with that, we’ve covered all the basics you need to know before purchasing your first HDTV. For those readers who already own an HDTV and would like to share their personal experiences feel free to leave your comments below.

As part of the pre-season event for season ticket holders at the Dallas Cowboys. A Sony PlayStation 3 console tournament was played out on the worlds largest HDTV – the Godzillatron.

PlayStation and EA Sports invited more than 200 fans to the NFL’s newest stadium last Saturday to battle it out on Cowboys’ Stadium’s big screen, playing Madden NFL 10 and a Sony PlayStation 3.

For those of you who don’t own a football club, AJ Electronics has a range of large HDTV’s more suited to the average home.

note: John Madden is a well known American Football coach and American TV presenter.