Consider home theater in the most exciting sense of the term: a gorgeous, high-definition, widescreen picture that seems as immense as a cinema projection screen. Whether you’re of a mind to be bowled over by big-scale entertainment, or you simply want an HDTV that won’t look out of place in a large rec room, the Mitsubishi WD-82837 ($4,999; www.mitsubishi-tv.com) brings it.

If an 82-inch diagonal screen sounds like it would be an extravagant purchase, you’re in for a surprise. Although the WD-82837’s impressively long list of Mitsubishi optimizations is state of the art, its underlying Texas Instruments technology supplies proven performance at a price LEDs, LCDs, and plasmas can’t touch. (That is, if you can even find a flat-panel TV of this size.)

Speaking of costs, most of us are spending our dollars a lot more wisely these days. You might be aware that certain types of HDTVs, such as plasmas, have a reputation for being power-hungry. Not only do they draw more house current, they emit more heat—and that means your air conditioner has to work that much harder to keep your house cool in the summer months. That’s a one-two punch that can knock your electrical bill for a loop.

With a Mitsubishi Home Theater HDTV, you’ll get full-color movies and shows with a decidedly green twist. The WD-82837’s Energy Star 3.0 rating assures you that it sips power instead of guzzling it. In other words, it continues to save you money even after you bring it home. In fact, for the upfront cost of a family trip to Disney World, you can enjoy the ultimate in “stay-cationing” for years and years, right in your own living room.

If you’re wondering what the trade-off is when you choose the least expensive, most environmentally friendly option among big-screen HDTVs, don’t worry: It isn’t picture quality. With the WD-82837, Mitsubishi has checked every box on your family videophile’s wish list.

The Full HD resolution of Mitsubishi’s fifth-generation Plush1080p video processing reveals every detail Blu-ray Discs and high-def TV have to offer. Meanwhile, the WD-82837’s Smooth 120 technology ensures that moving objects on the screen have sharp edges with clear definition. Add in support for 36-bit Deep Color, Mitsubishi’s Dark Detailer contrast enhancement, and proprietary six-color processing, and your Monday Night Football guests will never believe you didn’t spend thousands more.

Last, but not least, this Home Theater HDTV is ready for the 3D revolution. Kids and dads agree that this is quite possibly the coolest development since the invention of surround sound. With 3D-enabled computer games and special third-party glasses (not included), your crew will be right in the middle of the action.

Along with its 73- and 65-inch siblings, the Mitsubishi WD-82837 makes a compelling case for giving your home theater the big-screen treatment.