Okay, I just talked to my accountant, and I'm getting a better refund than I thought. My accountant has advised me to buy a flat screen TV. Okay advised is a strong word, but when I mentioned it, he said "well, your accountant approves of that purchase". So, what am I looking for? I know what size I want, but there are other numbers involved. I've done some research and I think I want at least 1080p, but there's 120 and 240Hz, and there's some number of X HDMI.

Any thoughts on brands?

Also, I know that someone mentioned (Zenkitty?) that the non HD channels looked like crap on the new HD tv. So, should I get a slightly less snazzy tv so that there's more parity between HD and non HD channels? HELP!

I know that someone mentioned (Zenkitty?) that the non HD channels looked like crap on the new HD tv

That's not the experience of most people here, though. Certainly hasn't been mine. And if there were, I'd certainly take the improved HD resolution over a lot of decreased non-HD. Because HD sure is pretty.

As for the rest, I wave my hands at the details. I went for size over resolution, and didn't regret the choice.

Ooh, good question. I'm thinking of upgrading my tv because mine is annoying me. My place is small, so I don't think I'd go above 24", maybe 30 max.

Vortex, there's really not much that beats standing in front of the TV and seeing how it looks. Some of it is just preference.

So, should I get a slightly less snazzy tv so that there's more parity between HD and non HD channels? HELP!

The opposite, actually - a better quality HDTV will have higher quality upconversion & display of SD material.

I have a Samsung and I love it - the contrast ratio and black levels are very good, and it's got plenty of inputs.

120Hz vs 240Hz isn't hugely important right now, but the 120Hz TVs on the market today won't be able to display the 3D content that everyone and their mother assures us is right around the corner.

I highly recommend Samsung panels for HD. I currently have 3 of them from various model lines and they are all excellent. I do recommend looking at their lines with LED backlighting if you can afford them, you get much better black levels with LED backlighting.

As for the 120/240Hz, etc etc. Chances are you won't see the difference.

Definitely get 1080p, especially if the panels you are looking at are larger than 40".

Oh, you'll also want to get either a Blu-Ray or upconverting DVD player when you buy the TV. Otherwise your DVDs will look like crap on the new display.

With current prices I'd definitely just go with a decent Blu-Ray player.

I'm planning to try a different input for this tv, but I suspect it's just not a very good tv. (It was cheap. You get what you pay for.) I expect I'll be buying a Samsung and a Blu-ray, sometime this summer when I have a little more spare change.

My new tv was cheap (on sale at target!) but I can definitely tell even the regular channels look nicer viewed through my cable box and the hdmi connection as opposed to going through the connectors on my TiVo. Sigh. But it all looks big and pretty. Steph, warning--being in a big store makes TVs look smaller, so you think you need more. Then it looks bigger once you get it home. Compare sizes to friends with similar size apartments or distances to tv viewing.