Panasonic CT-20SL14 20" Pure Flat TV (Silver)
One of the best models in this price range
Before purchasing this TV I spent several weeks visiting three major national retail stores, read Consumer Reports, and searched for reviews on the Internet.<br /><br />My criteria were lowest possible price, picture quality, and sound.  While I knew a 20\\" TV was the best choice for where the set would be located in my home, I was open to a bigger model if the other criteria were met.<br /><br />Here's what I found:  In this price range the resolution on many models is sub-par.  This is expecially noticeable when you view them side by side.  I looked at Toshiba, RCA, Samsung, Philips, Magnavox, and others and found this to be generally true across the board when compared to this Panasonic.  For a somewhat higher price RCA's model 20F67OT had a slightly better picture with more features.  However, RCA does not have as high a reliability rating by Consumer Reports as Panasonic.  Other than that no other TV came close in terms of picture quality in this price range.<br /><br />When it comes to audio I have champagne taste and a beer budget.  Still, I wanted a TV that would have the best possible audio with Surround Sound to watch my DVDs.<br /><br />Only two models stood out in comparison to the Panasonic while all the rest were noticeably worse.  Sony's 20FS120 has 10 watts per channel which is pretty good for a TV.  However, it was substantially more expensive and, suprisingly, did not have as good as picture as the Panasonic!  Samsung also has two models, TXP2036 and TXP2034F, with higher powered audio.  However, despite being affordable and having a half decent image, Samsung just doesn't have that good a reliability rating from Consumer Reports.  As for this Panasonic, the audio is very good.  Not the best, of course, but good for a TV.<br /><br />There are actually many TV models in this price range with 27\\" and 32\\" screens.  However, across the board, what you get in size you lose in picture and audio quality.  I only saw one single TV in this price range with apicture close to this model.  True to form, it was a Panasonic!  However, even then the audio was not nearly as good as what I heard from this TV.<br /><br />As of this writing, the US is supposed to switch to HDTV in 2006.  After that time anyone with an analog set will require a converter.  If you've visited a store recently you will quickly see the vast difference between those models and analog sets like this one.  But the prices are just too steep.  My plan was to buy a quality inexpensive set now and then get a better one once the prices dropped on the HDTVs.  This model, the 20SL14, fits the bill.<br /><br />If you're on a budget and want a quality set this is the one to look at.