Philips has demonstrated a research prototype 32in. LCD only 8mm thick at the IFA trade fair in Berlin.

"Our concept is also very light - around 5kg - enabling a TV that is around 10kg lighter than existing comparable TV sets. As a result, hanging such an LCD TV becomes simple and easy," said Fred Boekhorst, senior v-p Philips Research.

The light guide is 1mm thick and illuminated from the top and bottom by high-power LEDs.

"We’ve managed to cut the size of the light guide - which is the thickest part of an LCD - from around 25mm," says Boekhorst. "Hence, the thickest part of the display has now become one of the thinnest parts, even thinner than the LC panel. This has been key in achieving the sleek ultra-thin design."