We all know by know that HDTV has thrown the entertainment, lighting and make-up industries for a loop, since the high-definition resolution of 720p-and-up TVs (along with bigger screens) reveals blemishes and wrinkles on stars' faces in ways that standard-res broadcasts do not. We were hoping to have a big snark-fest to dish about which stars looked great and which stars looked bad under the high-res glare of HDTV, but we were simultaneously pleased and disappointed to see that on last night's Oscar telecast, most stars passed looked just fine in 1080p. It seems as though the production, lighting, and make-up people have wised-up to the cruel lens of the HD camera, at least as far as people up on the Oscar stage are concerned. (Now, we're only referring to the onstage Oscar telecast itself -- the red carpet, on the other hand, is another matter.)

Sure, we could make some comments about how Katherine Heigl's blush looked a bit too heavy or how the sunglasses-induced-tanlines on the noses of Owen Wilson and Patrick Dempsey were distractingly apparent, but it would be too nitpicky. Yes, in HD, Cate Blanchett does have crows' feet when she frowns or smiles on the red carpet or in the audience, but her more or less expressionless face while up on stage betrayed no signs of aging.

With Lost back on and the Super Bowl on this weekend, it's time to buy an HDTV. At least that's the case for my mom, who joins us on the Switched Show (direct link to mp3 file) to learn which HDTV she should get -- and you should, too.

PLUS: Your cell phone number might go public, you can get fined (in one case, $10 million) for selling stuff on E-Bay, and the audio tales of two lunatics: A woman who reported her own drunk driving to 911; and Tom Cruise. (Disclaimer: By lunatics, we literally mean people who like the moon. I mean, come on, who doesn't?)

SUBSCRIBE (FOR FREE)! Get the Switched Show podcast delivered automatically to iTunes (subscription link) or a podcast reader of your choice (XML feed), and you'll never miss a moment of our delicious vocal timbre.

Previous Podcasts:

• On the Web, Everyone Can Hear You Scream (Podcast)
• Is YouTube Beating the Networks in the Ratings?
• Is iTunes Illegal? The Switched Show Podcast Sorts It Out

Alienware's new 42.4" wrap-around gaming monitor turns anything into a completely immersing experience by curving around to fill your complete field of view with nothing but super sharp images thanks to its super fast refresh rate that makes your LCD HDTV look like a big blur.

HTIB's -- "home theaters in a box" -- are all-in-one systems that deliver everything you need to take that big new HDTV you just bought and give yourself the full home theater experience with a surround-sound system. However, these systems generally assume you've already purchased a TV, and most are targeted toward entry-level consumers who just want to be flanked by speakers (and speaker cable) but aren't too picky about sound quality.

Epson's Ensemble HD package is a different beast.

This is similar in purpose, including a 5.1 speaker system with an integrated A/V receiver and DVD player, along with all the wires and cabling you'll need to hook it all together. However, this bundle also includes a motorized screen and your choice of one of Epson's high-end LCD projectors. Couple the two together and, if you opt for the higher-end bundle, you can project a 100-inch 1080p image onto the screen, which will silently retract into its housing when you're done for the night.

So, it's a little more high-end than you're typical HTIB, and is priced accordingly. The top-of-the-line system with the 1080p projector will set you back $6,999 when it's released next month, though you can save yourself two grand and go for the $4,999 720p projector if you like. But, really, what's two grand when you're living the life?

Related Links:

• Onkyo HT-SP908 Home-Theater-in-a-Box (HTIB)
• Sophisti DD-3 Plays Nice With Your PC
• Netflix and LG to Bring Digital Movies to your TV