Now that 1080p is the de facto standard for HDTVs, smaller sizes are slowly becoming available. HANNspree claims to have the world’s first 28-inch 1080p, full HD LCD with the HT09 that would be perfect for a videophile’s smaller rooms. Only a discerning eye should be able to pick out the differences between 720p and 1080p at this smaller size. That is if they aren’t distracted by the lackluster 500 cd/m brightness and 3,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio that proves once again to not shop just the resolution but also other specs too. Thankfully, the $499 price kind of makes the HDTV a bargain for gamers and computer users.

Hannspree is showing off a few “designer TVs” today. They’re 32-inch and 37-inch HDTVs that seem fairly pedestrian, with the exception of the natural wood paneling. These TVs look great, and there’s no way my camera can capture the real rich texture and look of the wood on the CES floor. In the world of usually ugly HDTVs, I’m for one happy to see something that looks classic, not “slick”.

And I hope the trend continues, it’s rather a throwback to the TV sets of old. Who knows, maybe we’ll get big square ones so we have sets that we can put our “set-top” boxes on.