If you need convincing about switching to digital television, wait till you’ve seen this spring’s new sets and the giant leap forward they take in sheer picture quality. Then try to witness the cinematic richness of high-definition broadcasts, from travelogues on the Discovery HD channel to Spider-Man 2 — all with surround sound. These add lustre to the digital jewels.

Digital innovations have finally come of age, and your next television might well prove the most important you’ve ever bought. The latest flat-screen models herald an era that brings new thrills to widescreen viewing. Most sets larger than 26in boast Freeview digital tuners. All but the smallest are also ready to show the eight extra high-definition channels newly launched by Sky, plus the BBC’s sampler channel, or a modest selection on Telewest cable, once you’ve added on an HD tuner.

These are exciting times. The new generation of flatscreen iDTVs (all-in-one integrated digital televisions) lives up to most of the claims being made for picture quality, while falling prices are persuading us to install bigger screens all over the house, including the kitchen and bathroom. The iDTV makes a buying decision simple.

Inevitably, this shopping spree is prompted partly by the promise of World Cup, Test cricket and Wimbledon in HD, yet there is real allure in space-saving flat panels, often with customisable designer looks. John Lewis, the leading retailer, last week reported flat-panel television sales up by 118% on the same three-month period last year.

John Kempner, its central buyer, notes another trend: repeat business. Shoppers who have been seduced by a living-room screen fit to show Revenge of the Sith are heading back to the store to upgrade their other sets as fast as family finances allow. The kids can now be sent to their own rooms to view Wallace and Gromit’s latest epic, while anybody seeking to idle away an hour in the bath can splash out on a fully waterproofed set (visit www.waterprooftv.co.uk).

All but one of the models Doors has selected are iDTVs. Bear in mind there’s a difference between a digital set (contains a Freeview tuner) and one labelled “HD-ready”. This is the European standard that guarantees the higher screen resolution and connections (HDMI or DVI) required to display HD images. Even without HD broadcasts, an HD-ready set will show off the enhanced output from the newest gaming consoles and advanced DVD players. Performance varies widely between models, so always view before you buy.

This year’s bestsellers at John Lewis are 32in sets (up from 26in last year), one reason being that a wide screen, with an aspect ratio of 16:9, must be larger to display the same-sized image as an older 4:3 screen.

Don’t feel bamboozled by the jargon of pixels; instead, consider each model on its overall merit. Don’t agonise over choosing between LCD and plasma, because room size usually affects this decision (divide your viewing distance in inches by four to arrive at a rough screen size, measured on the diagonal) and plasma tends to win above 37in. It’s no surprise that of our two family choices, one is a 32in LCD set, an impressive Toshiba, and the other is a slightly larger plasma from Panasonic. Each offers sensational value for money. However, the plasma’s slicker motion-handling and wider viewing angle will avoid a bigger brood having to jostle for prime position.

Leading brands have introduced distinctive features to transform the television into a conversation piece. Most new sets will display a slideshow of holiday snaps, fed directly from your camera. Philips’s Mira- vision LCD sets look like televisions only when switched on — turned off, they become stylish framed mirrors. For £2,500. Elsewhere, practical measures include novel supports such as motorised plinths, ceiling-hung pole mounts and pivoting brackets for wall hanging.

We review two style icons, the customisable Loewe Individual and the Sony Esprit: you must decide if swanky design is worth the premium.

Contrary to recent scare stories, the current generation of HD-ready sets is not about to be made obsolete. We have tested two of the first “native” 1080p HD screens: enthusiast-grade performers optimised to wring every ounce of detail out of HD broadcasts or high-end DVD video. The Pioneer 50in plasma and the Philips LCD deliver such high resolution that standard broadcasts, or DVDs, may look disappointing. Imagine a poster-size enlargement of a small holiday snap. So be sensible about assessing your needs.

Whatever your choice, your purchase will be as future-proofed as it’s possible to be in the fast-moving digital age.

• Clare Newsome edits What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision

  First decisions: LCD or plasma?

  LCD — Pros Easier to wall-mount, better brightness, pin-sharp resolution, broader range of sizes (15in-65in). Cons Older or inferior-quality LCD sets suffer from poor contrast, blurring and limited viewing angles.

  Plasma — Pros Large sizes (37in plus), excellent contrast and rich colours, blur-free motion, wide viewing angle. Cons Heavier, susceptible to screen burn, life span of approximately 10 years.

• To receive HD broadcasts, you need a subscription either to cable (Telewest) or to satellite (Sky, which cannot fulfil this week’s orders until August).

  Sky HD (www.sky.com/hd) Up to nine new HD channels, depending on package; includes the BBC’s free-to-air HD trial. Cost: £299 for HD box, plus £25- £52.50pm. Without subscription, the Sky HD box costs £399, plus £120 installation. This provides access to the BBC’s HD trial and about 120 SD channels. (Sky is the satellite-television station in which News Corporation, owner of The Sunday Times, has a 35.3% stake.)

  Click here for a buyer's guide to digital televisions

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