If you've got a smaller room screaming for a TV you'll look at even when it's turned off, then Seiki Digital might have the answer: a new line of Retro Design LCD TVs that have Jetsons-like styling and a choice of look-at-me colors.
Targeting smaller rooms of the house, such as a children's bedroom or playroom, or even a college dorm room, the Retro Design sets are priced at $329. The 1080p LCD TVs have a 22-inch screen, an LED backlight, a built-in subwoofer, HDMI, and component/composite and VGA inputs. Specs weren't provided, but based on the photo above, the screen appears to use the older 4:3 aspect ratio rather than the now-normal 16:9 widescreen format. The TV has a few old-school dials, but comes with a modern remote control.
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The TV will initially be available in the Retro Red color at retailers including Amazon.com and Fred Meyer. If that doesn't go with your décor, Seiki plans to offer a few other eye-grabbing colors, including Cadillac Pink, Doo-Wop Purple, Electric Blue, and Mid-Century Yellow.
Consumer Reports recently tested Seiki's first Ultra HD TV, a low-cost model that didn't do especially well as a primary TV. But this model is clearly meant to be a secondary set for most people, so we're curious to see if its design outshadows its performance.
—James K. Willcox
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