Greg if you are a tweaker check out the DVE (Digital Video Essentials) disc. It can help calibrate the color on your set using some filters that come with the DVD. What do you have for service -- sat. dish or cable?

I really wish we'd start to see some more HD channels!

Thanks Chris, I just may do that. I have Cox Cable, and they currently have 13 HD channels.

I'm a direct view (tube) fan, have the SONY WEGA XBR 40" which isn't made anymore unfortunately. I must be looking at the wrong models or something when i go to the stores to check out LCD's and projections, because IMHO LCD and projects are horrible compared to plasma and absolutely NOTHING beats a tube. A friend has a farily large LCD in his living room, and if you're sitting beyond about a 20* angle from the set it washes out and is unwatchable. Also, the projection tv's are difficult to watch in a room that gets any kind of sunlight, not to mention that the bulbs cost $300 to replace.

Not trying to start a war here, but those are my impresssions, if i'm offbase and the technology has improved significantly in the last 6 months or so i'll be very happy because i'm looking to get a new HDTV for my living room and move the SONY 40" to my loft. Costco has a 42" Plasma for around $2200 that is getting some rave reviews on AVSFORUM right now, I'm planning on stopping by on the way home from work tonight to take a look.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

If you want to get a good idea of how the new Sony SXRD sets will look, go to a local Tweeter store and check out the current 70" Sony Qualia. The picture is stunning. The drawbacks include: a reflective screen, large, and heavy.

Despite what many people may believe, plasma is not a dying technology. It does offer superior qualities over other technologies. Check out the following:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/p...20-%20FINAL.pdf

Plasma isn't going anywhere, i just read in the WSJ that there are 4 new factories opening in the next 2 quarters in SE Asia that will produce plasma panels.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

The problem with your 40" XBR is that it is not in the 16:9 format for HDTV. Additionally, for a theater experience, or many sporting events, many of us find a 40" set much too small.

Tube televisions do have many advantages, however, if low black level is a concern, you need to check out the newer high end panels from Panasonic, Pioneer Elite and Fuji. They are all stunning.

If you have a light controlled room, or a dedicated home theater like I have, absolutely nothing is as stunning at a HD front projector. You can get into a 100" plus screen for less than $5K. DVD movies and HD sporting events are awesome!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned DLP yet. I have a 61" Samsung DLP and couldn't be happier.

I agree on the front projection but only because you can project to a HUGE size.

Regarding a 40" tube not being set up for letterbox, i have no problem with the black bars on the top/bottom when the set is in 16:9. A majority of programming is still in 4:3 and gets viewed in 4:3, so when I watch HD the set auto switches to 16:9 and I haven't noticed the top/bottom black bars since about a week after I bought the set. When 16:9 becomes the norm, i'll get a 16:9 aspect display. I have no problem watching sports on a 40" in HD either, hockey, football, baseball, soccer, basketball, you name it, it's stunning...

Regarding 40" being too small for some, this is up to personal choice, i purposely have a 40" as that is what "fits" nicely in the room that it's in. I could EASILY put up to a 60" in there, but for reasons i won't bore you with i don't want a tv that big in that room.

The main point of my earlier post wasn't about the size of displays, but about current technology.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

I project on a 110" size Stewart screen and its awesome.