[October] HP might be best known for its expertise with PCs and printers, but its first big-screen rear-projection TV is a home run. An extra-sharp picture with deep blacks and vivid color make the $5,000 set the best-performing DLP HDTV I’ve ever reviewed.

A lot can go wrong when a PC maker tries to elbow its way into the living room, but HP did its homework for its line of rear-projection HDTVs. It started with Texas Instruments’ latest DLP technology, which offers the highest resolution yet: 1080p. But resolution alone does not an impressive picture make, and this TV’s color accuracy, depth of black, and clean processing all contribute to its excellent images. There’s also a very clever illuminated front input bay that will forever eliminate trips to the rear of the TV. And this is the only HDTV in its class that can accept tomorrow’s ultra-high-rez 1080p sources via its all-digital HDMI inputs. With these kinds of chops, HP’s MD6580n is the rare rookie who’s also a contender for MVP. —David Katzmaier
hp.com

View Another Editors' Choice Award Winner
Product of the Year and Best Video Product: Sony KDS-R50XBR1 50-inch SXRD HDTV
Best Portable: Apple iPod nano portable music player
Best Network Product: Sonos Digital Music System whole-house audio network
Best Audio Product: Denon AVR-5805 multiroom receiver
Retail Innovation Award: Best Buy
Visionary Award: Mark Cuban

Creative Zen Vision portable video player
Delphi MyFi XM2go satellite radio
HP Pavilion MD6580n 65-inch DLP HDTV
JVC Everio GZ-MG30 hard-drive camcorder
Klipsch iFi iPod speaker system
Pioneer PDP-4350HD 43-inch plasma HDTV
Pioneer VSX-815 surround receiver
Revel Concerta speaker system
Sling Media Slingbox TV extender
Sony Cineza VPL-HS51 LCD projector
Sony HDR-HC1 high-def camcorder
Yamaha YSP-1 digital sound projector

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