It's IFA time again. This gargantuan German tech-gathering might not have the glitz and prestige of the Consumer Electronics Show – Berlin (lovely as it is) can never match up to Las Vegas.

But don't forget that it's still Europe's biggest gadget festival and, nine months on from CES, it's a chance for the big consumer electronics manufacturers to show off their latest wares.

So what did this year's IFA have to offer? What will you be throwing your cash at next year?

The big tech companies have been spilling the beans at various press conferences and here's what we think are the defining trends of this year's show:

1. The return of the digital home

Have you heard that 'staying in' is the new 'going out'? Dubbed the 'cocooning effect' by market research firm Gfk, it explains how the recession has curbed our spending and is keeping more of us indoors with our wallets firmly shut.

As 'staycations' replace vacations, and cheap takeaways replace restaurant dinners, we're tending to spend more of our time in the living room.

So it's no surprise that consumer electronics companies are keen to tempt us into buying new home entertainment technology. So stands at IFA are knee-deep in big LED HDTVs, cheaper Blu-ray players, media streaming doo-dahs and all manner of pocketable, touchscreen gadgetry.

2. Wireless HD streaming

IFA 2009 pitted Wireless HD against the competing WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) technology.

Vestel demonstrated WHDI at the show. The standard is supported by the likes of Hitachi, Samsung, Sharp and Sony and is capable of beaming uncompressed 1080p HD video to multiple HDTVs. The WHDI SIG claims a 100ft range for its technology, almost no latency issues (less than 1ms to be exact) and HDCP 2.0 compliance.

The rival WirelessHD specification also hopes to become the standard for wireless data-piping. Backed by Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, it broadcasts on a 60GHz wireless band, compared to the 5GHz band used by WHDI. This makes the two formats incompatible with each other and sets the scene for a ding-dong wireless war in 2010.

3. 3D TV (with or without glasses)

Just as 3D TV made waves at CES in January, you can expect the big TV builders to keep singing the technology's praises throughout 2009. 3D TV is being heralded as more than just a gimmick and the technology gives consumers a reason to upgrade from a traditional HDTV.

Panasonic has a heavy 3D presence on its stand at IFA this year, while Sony has confirmedthat 3D Bravia TVs are on its roadmap for 2010.

Philips, which has long flogged its autostereoscopic 3D TVs (no 3D glasses required), will be pleased-as-punch that people are now taking notice of it. Put it this way: you'll want something to watch James Cameron's Avatar on when it debuts on Blu-ray 3D in 2010.

4. Improved TV screens

Just bought a new 1080p HDTV? The bad news is that there's a more advanced screen technology around the corner, promising better contrast, greater clarity, enhanced eco-friendliness and improved motion-handling.

For example, the traditional LCD panel has been bettered with 100Hz and 200Hz technologies designed to smooth out juddering. Rumours did suggest Samsung would push the boat out further with a new 400Hz-based sets.

Reports of plasma's demise have also been greatly exaggerated. Panasonic's impressive NeoPDP technology is leading the fightback.

And while we wait for OLED to be (a) affordable and (b) available in a decent screen size (LG has a new 15-inch model), the CE giants are falling over themselves to embrace LED backlighting. This year's IFA saw LED-equipped sets from the likes of LG, Toshiba and Sharp.

5. Internet-connected TVs

While we're on the subject of new TV technology, internet connectivity is fast becoming a popular feature on new HD TVs. More sets (including entry-level models like the Samsung LE32B650) are shipping with Ethernet jacks as part of the specification, enabling limited internet access to web widgets, news bulletins and RSS feeds.

Whatever they're called – Samsung has 'Media 2.0', Panasonic has 'Viera Cast' – we're going to see more of it. Especially as the forthcoming HDMI 1.4 specification includes an Ethernet channel as part of the revamped connector.