2008 will be the year of the ultra-slim LCD TV. Most big-name manufacturers either have a slimline flat-panel in the pipeline or, like Hitachi, are ready to release it imminently.

With conspicuous branding all over CES, Hitachi's 1.5 'range' - referring to the thickness of the entire panel in inches - encompasses three models.

The UT32X802 will begin shipping this quarter, we were told, and features a 1,366x768 resolution (so non-full-HD, for once); an IPS-Pro panel; and the usual gamut of video-processing technology for a smooth picture.

The UT37X902 and UT42X902 feature the same basic specification but boast full-HD support - so 1,920x1,080. They're also endowed with the superior Reel120 smoothing tech. (120Hz scanning). Surprisingly for these two models, both only feature a single HDMI input. Both of the larger panels are due to ship in Q2 2008.

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