Acer has brought out a high definition 32in LCD TV ahead of the summer’s World Cup and Sky’s launch of its HD services.

Costing £899, the AT3205-DTV (Digital TV) has an image resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, so shows broadcasts in 720p.

It has HDMI and DVI ports, with support for High Definition Content Protection (HDCP), which prevents content such as broadcasts from being pirated. Having a DVI port means it can be hooked up to a PC, such as a Media Center.

Two TV tuners – one analogue, the other Freeview digital – means owners can watch one programme and record another. But it only has analogue out, so can only record traditional terrestrial TV not the digital broadcasts. We’re struggling to see the point of this, other than it letting you watch channels BBC1 to Channel Five if you cannot pick up Freeview. 

Otherwise, it’s already possible for most people to watch one channel and record another anyway, even for those that don’t own a set top box such as Sky+.

The TV also supports Dolby Digital sound, has 10w speakers and sports an 'Empowering Key' on the remote control to change the TV’s picture set up.

Originally it was going to launch with Acer’s integrated media gateway, to stream pictures around the house, but the company is still developing the technology. Once ready, this will be initially available in Acer’s next 37in digital TV.