Buying a HDTV LCD around 30-32 inches....

[WCGreen]

What should I be looking for...

I want the LCG because it supposedly uses less energy...

There are so many out there I don't even know where to begin...

[Deja Q]

1. Quality of flat panel and technology within

Sony's Bravia 32S3000 (Appx $1000) is very excellent indeed.

Keep in mind; an upconvering player is overkill - the TV itself upconverts all 480i signals. (those HDMI upconvert DVD players being a joke, whose results often look worse... especially with interlaced video...)

The low-end models (LG, Westinghouse, et al) usually die after 18 months, have poor contrast ratio (washed out appearance), do a bad job at showing the display (jagged lines, et al), and so on...

Regardless, get an extended warranty. The cold cathode tube used to light the set often die after 4~5 years.

Never mind dead or stuck pixels. Ewww.

[GCP]

2. We have Sharp Aquos

Excellent picture

http://www.aquos-sharp.com/us/

Edited to include link

[Chovexani]

3. I second the Aquos

I'm getting the 42". Gorgeous picture and a lot of bang for the buck.

[AlCzervik]

9. 3rd it.

[LibraLiz1973]

4. I have a Sony Wega that has an energy star rating

It is 52 inches and I could not love it more!

Well, unless it cleaned my house for me.

[NewJeffCT]

5. I think the new version will do that for you

and then massage your feet afterwards, too.

[WCGreen]

6. I have hopes...

[CRF450]

7. Although its more expensive, my Samsung has been awsome!

Now I need a good surround sound system. I'm not impressed with most off the shelf systems I'v seen.

[Popol Vuh]

8. The Main Thing

Is the resolution and brightness, plus, component connection ports in the rear.

I wouldn't get anything less than 1080 P resolution and 12000 to 1 contrast. Try to get a TV with at least two if not three HDMI ports and at least one if not two optical audio ports (for your 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound). It should come with additional component video and audio ports as well.

Next is the refresh rate. Try and get as small of number as you can but don't settle for anything more than 8ms.

Also, when you get it home and watch the HD channels. Since it seems most HD broadcasts are either broad casted in either 720 P or 1080 I. I would recommend setting your settings to 720 P instead of 1080 because Interlace is what I think I stands for and will cause certain scenes to pixel and hesitate for a very brief split second, but just enough to notice. While as P (Progressive scan) has much better performance, and until stations broadcast 1080 in progressive scan, you'll not notice much of any difference in setting it to 720 P.




Here's a pic of my 47" LCD...