OTHER TECH

Some Fall 2008 TV series have been getting lots of water cooler time (True Blood); others have barely raised a bubble (Fringe).

But for proud owners of top-notch flat panels and the most immersive surround systems, there's a greater measure of greatness: the HD Factor. Which shows best showcase your TV's "like looking out a window" aptitude? Or its Technicolor dreamcoat chops? And which series will race your speakers like Ferraris on the salt flats?

This past week, I sat down, fired up my DirecTV receiver, and dug through dozens of network hits and duds to figure out which fall season shows deliver the best HD picture and sound. I was bummed by the absence of a few reliable high-def standouts like Lost and Battlestar: Galactica (both of which return in '09), but I'm happy to report I found plenty of other shows to fill the void - seven in particular really did it for me.

So sit back, ready those DVRs, and enjoy the best HD programming the fall season has to offer, counting down from No. 7.

7. Dexter (Showtime, Sundays 9 PM)

When I learned Showtime was taking HBO's Six Feet Under star Michael C. Hall and dropping him into a series about a serial killer working as a Miami Metro Police Department forensics analyst, the word "gimmick" immediately came to mind. However, since giving the aptly named Dexter a shot, I've been thoroughly hooked. The show not only features one of the most complex and unpredictable characters on television, it delivers increasingly clever stories, family drama, and intense scenarios for its resident sociopath to overcome. So how does it look in HD? Whether dealing with the harsh natural lighting of a sun-soaked Miami morning or the neon-tinted darkness of its nightlife, Dexter is a vibrant, attractive sight to behold. Blood has a particularly wet and visceral look, while detail is quite stunning. As for the surround sound presentation, Hall's continuous narration may seem like something that would hamper the series' sonics, but its regular gunfire, gruesome knife work, spattering blood, and immersive acoustics are involving, to say the least. With a third season currently wooing audiences and critics alike, and fourth and fifth terms already on their way, it isn't too late to introduce yourself to Dexter.

6. The Office (NBC, Thursdays 9 PM)

Anyone who's been imprisoned in a padded three-wall cubicle or chained to a drab metal desk knows the joys of NBC's The Office. Each week, clueless management, annoying co-workers, and inner-office turmoil are exploited to deliver some of the most droll and infectious laughs around. Sure, the mockumentary setup and dry humor limits the show's audience, but regular visitors to Dunder Mifflin Scranton can't get enough. Plus, in spite of the many candy-coated sitcoms and comedic rom-com romps on the air, The Office gives comedy fans a regular and reliable HD treat. A naturalistic palette and realistic skintones highlight everything from the hair on Dwight's legs to the dismay on Jim's face; a high level of detail reveals numerous gags and easter eggs hidden in the background of each scene, while the show's handheld footage delivers the same technical quality as its more static shots. The presentation's only shortcoming is one shared by most comedies: subdued sound design. Thankfully, crystal clear dialogue, perfect prioritization, and believable sound effects effortlessly enhance the HD visuals. In fact, of all the comedies I watched this season, The Office had the most satisfying presentation.

5. True Blood (HBO, Sundays 9 PM)

Dexter may be a more refined killer with three seasons under its belt, but the intriguing cast of characters in HBO's True Blood have proven to be dangerous and formidable opponents. Not only does the red stuff flow by the gallon, the smartly-penned series satirizes the current cultural and political divide in the US, the disconnect between religion and its followers, and the eccentricities of small town America. But whether you love or hate the admittedly uneven results, there's no denying it all looks and sounds fantastic in high definition. Heavy shadows and warm light rarely give the perfectly-contrasted presentation pause, colors are bold and stable, and foreground and background detailing is impeccable. Granted, reds can be problematic in any high-def presentation, but artifacting is kept to a minimum and the image is surprisingly clean. Add to that loads of atmospheric ambience, an aggressive use of the rear soundfield, and plenty of LFE weight and you have nothing short of an excellent and all-inclusive HD presentation.