Try cnet.com Great reviews, info.

I also like Consumer Reports for basic info. But I sure wouldn't bother to pay for the pricey online subscription. If you don't have back issues, check your library.

Here is a link that might be useful: cnet

I was very confused when I decided to buy one. I heard so many conflicting stories about HD, digital and other techy stuff, very confusing. I ended up going to a local TV store. The family has been selling TVs for 2 generations. When new technology comes in they take it home and use it so they can answer customer's question. They answered all of my questions and I have bought two from them and been very pleased. I do not use HD service, but could if I chose to. Personally I think we had a better picture without digital. We bought LCDs because glare from windows are better than plasma.

One thing to keep in mind, the widescreen tv now will affect the viewable area compared to the old 4x3 view. For instance, if you want the height of the person to be the same as a 34" "old style" TV, you need a 42" wide screen. And if you compare the square inches of screen, a 32" (16:9) wide screen is only about 89% of the square inches of viewable screen. I decided to not get a new TV yet. Here's a few examples. I would have to go so large to gain a benefit that it wasn't worth the money to me. I don't watch a lot of panorama TV, more with people and vertical subjects so I'll wait until my current set dies and by then the prices should come down more too.

Good luck on your search.

I would suggest going to a local TV store where you will get follow up service. If you buy at Best Buy and need a repair the Geek Squad will charge you an arm and a leg.

HD is awesome. You can count the blades of grass. You'll have to get a larger dish and a new receiver. You'll also be charged $10/month to get HD channels. It's definitely worth every penny.

Yes, you can get Netflix movies on your tv anytime with the internet connection to your tv.

For learning about electronics, I like the Crutchfield site. Check it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crutchfield

If you use your DVR much you might want to upgrade to a HD one. I bought a HD TiVo that holds over 150 hours of HD programing, it's wonderful.

I never have to hurry to watch anything or worry that it will delete. I can record everything in HD and not worry about running out of space. I never watch live TV anymore.

Thanks, all!

The cnet seemed to like this set. There is too much choice and so many variables. Worse than buying a pair of shoes -- and much more expensive!

I've ordered the Sony 40" (KLD40EX500) from Abt, where we've bought all our appliances for many years. They will deliver it Tuesday, connect it to all our gizmo's except the Harmony remote, and cart away the very heavy old set. This came to a tad under $1000 including tax.

We have the HD-DVR box and roof dish from DirecTV so that doesn't need to change.

Could be we'd need to change the old Toshiba DVD player to a Blu-Ray. (We'll see how it goes.)

The Sony has an outlet to connect to computer, but no WiFi capability. My laptop is right next to the set.

Our old Sony 36-inch sat in a cubby in our bookcase that measures 40.5 wide X 30 high. The new Sony is 40 wide by about 27 high (with stand). I think I'll put it on a shelf to raise it nearer to the top of the opening. (We like our TV at or a little below eye level. Our optician recommended that many, many years ago.)

This new set is LCD -- no LED, which I've heard can have some problems. Clarity is fine for us without that anyway.

I didn't take the $100 four year Abt waranty. Smart? Not smart?

Smart!

Stay way from Plasma screens...they are soon not going to be produced, that's why they are so cheap - you'll regret this purchase 2-3 years from now.
They are heavy, pictures not as sharp, colors less true, use more electricity, and have poor side viewing, as compared to LCD.

I'd stay away from Best Buy and go with a small local store - if you can. Best Buy does not honor warranties. I bought a laptop and when it stopped working, they told me to go jump in a lake. I'll never buy from them again. Ever.

Here is a link that might be useful: Best Buy and Class Action lawsuits

Yes, I've almost never taken an extended warranty.

This is LCD, not plasma. I don't even like the look of the picture with plasma.

Abt has been around forever. Never had a problem with them except when my Dishdrawers were defective. They insisted on coming back over and over to 'fix the problem', when I'd already figured out they were defective. (The company replaced them, and Abt wasn't charging for the service calls, but it took almost a year of back and forth.)

Radioshack has an online learning center that has info about the hosw and why of modern tvs

The facts about LCD TVs

http://www.radioshack.com/uc/index.jsp?page=researchLibraryArticle&articleUrl=..%2Fgraphics%2Fuc%2Frsk%2FResearchLibrary%2FBuyersGuides%2Fresearch%2Fflatpanel_tv.html

Discover the HDTV Revolution

http://www.radioshack.com/uc/index.jsp?page=researchLibraryArticle&articleUrl=..%2Fgraphics%2Fuc%2Frsk%2FResearchLibrary%2FBuyersGuides%2Fresearch%2Fhdtv.html

I live in a city with a population 360,000 and there is no other store to buy a PC except BB. A few stores like Walmart that have them, but not the kind I want. Next time I will check into ordering one from HP.