Just as Full HD televisions are emerging as a mainstream product, Sharp has knocked out a 'budget version'.

However, to keep costs low, this particular screen dispenses with the current buzzword in LCD TV technology, '100Hz processing'.

That's only available on the manufacturer's step up XL2E-series, so do you dare buy an LCD TV without 100Hz processing even if it's kinder to your bank balance?

I spotted this screen online for a paltry £1,050, so Sharp appears clearly focused on selling HD to the masses.

Not that you can tell by looking at what is perhaps the brand's most slender LCD panel yet, measuring just 75 mm at its thickest point.

And the X20's gloss black coat (what else?) is at least thrown into striking relief by a silver wave along the bottom edge.

In the frame

The screen's 1920 x 1080 resolution can display pictures at 24 frames-per-second, from Blu-ray and HD DVD players.

It's a feature that LCD TVs like to boast about these days, although some plasmas have been capable of it for yonks.

Down in the engine room, its rear section includes a couple of RGB Scarts, a set of component video inputs, the usual phono ins and outs, and an RF aerial input for digital or analogue TV duties.

The only surprise is a digital optical audio output. Becoming more common on flatscreens of late, it lessens the need to upgrade to an amplifier with HDMI switching.

Although, it should be pointed out, as the screen only offers 2-channel audio, any 5.1 mix from a games console, DVD player et al is converted to PCM 2.0 when output to a receiver.

Three HDMI inputs are present. Two live around the back, behind a removable strip, flanked by an RS-232C port, CI slot, D-Sub PC input and an audio minijack.

A side panel includes inputs for S-video, composite video and stereo audio inputs. There's also the third HDMI input, which appears to be positioned specially for a PS3 or Xbox 360 Elite.

Happily, all three HDMI inputs are version 1.3, which allows Sharp to offer Aquos Link: its own name for HDMI CEC.

Subsequently, the X20's remote includes a flap that hides dedicated controls that can be used with Sharp's BPHP20H Blu-ray player.

However, after following the simple instructions, the stubborn TV insisted on choosing for itself which input I had the Blu-ray player plugged into.