Panasonic CT-30WX52 30" 16:9 HDTV-Ready Pure Flat Screen TV
A very sexy set!
This TV is simply eye-popping.  I wanted an HD set and was convinced early on to go for the widescreen format.  Price was a consideration so I initially bought a Samsung 30 inch widescreen (mistake!). Upon getting it home I was really disapointed in the picture (very distorted at the edges) and came back for a different brand.  You get what you pay for I guess. Side by side comparisons led me to conclude that while the Sony was a bit sharper, the Panasonic had an overall more vivid picture.  I don't have a very large space, so the fact that Panasonic makes a 30 inch (in addition to a 34 inch) but Sony only makes a 34 inch sealed the deal.  This set is plenty big for a mid-sized room.<br />I love the set!  Watching Discovery HD channel is utterly mesmerizing--friends can't believe it and watch slack-jawed (I still do too).  DVDs (don't settle for less than progressive scan capability with this set) are equally awesome (current favorite to show off the set is \\"A Bug's Life\\"--surreal).  You will not be dissappointed in this set, but you will forever notice how poor traditional (nonHD) signals are.<br />The set looks good when turned off too--silver and sleek.  Remote is pretty good and the on-screen menu is very intuitive.