Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Any Flat Screen HDTV Recommendations?

My 37" CRT Toshiba bit the dust & I am looking to replace it w/ a 42" plasma or LCD wall-mountable unit HDTV. Should I wait to buy until the holidays are behind us? Do I need to buy a name brand set or are they all pretty generic? I know Wal-Mart is entering the fray w/ some unheard of overseas brands.

The new Sony 40" LCD is a great tv, but a bit pricier than others. Sony is getting out of the plasma market. The plant that makes the lcd screens is shared with Samsung. Panasonic makes good Plasma tvs. So does Samsung.

I'm an Installer with Best Buy and local favorite in my area is the 40" Sony XBR LCD. Right now it is around $3800. If you want to go Plasma then I would go with Samsung, Panasonic, or Toshiba. they usually go for around $2500-3000 depending on sales. You can get into a plasma for around $1500 or so, we carry some of those at best buy, but you honestly get what you pay for. They usually don't have the latest features like HDMI or other "goodies" but you get a low price. Also the picture is usually a little fuzzer and the color isn't as rich on the lower ones. Since I work for Best Buy I'm obviously going to be biased against Wal-Mart, but check them out, I honestly don't know what they are/going to be carrying. Always remember, saving a buck or grand isn't always a good thing.

Also keep in mind that there really isn't a reliability factor between brands anymore. Prices are generally based on specs and picture quality.

If you are planning on mounting on the wall, plan on spending another 500-1000 in parts and labor depending on where you buy it.

Hope that helps,

Stuntman048