I'm looking for a big new LCD or projection type

a friend works at a TV shop in town & suggests DLP or CRT over plasma, LCD etc that is unless you want something thin/narrow etc.

He also prefers Mitsu Diamond series over the more expensive Sony stuff

Most of the high end stores here in town also prefer diamond series over the more expensive sony stuff

The Sony SXRD XBR2 is far superior to the Mitsubishi. It uses three separate chips and no color wheel. It's a big TV, (wide and deep) but the picture is beautiful. It's available in either 60" or 70" sizes. More expensive than the Mits but clearly superior even to the new Mits models that have just arrived in stores. The Mitsubishi's are nice TV's and represent an incredible value in relation to the size TV you get for the money. Also the mid-level model is a much better value than the Diamond line as it incorporates the Dark Detailer shutter that increases black level. Diamond line has the shutter but beyone that you're paying mostly for convenience and cosmetic upgrades.

That said you should definitely look at the just arriving Mitsubishi LCD flat panels. Available in 40", 46" and 52" sizes. I've only seen the 40" entry level model with a Philips BluRay playing the Discovery Channel Planet Earth disc at 1080p. The picture was as detailed and sharp as any I've seen and had that elusive 3D quality. Like with the DLP's the mid-level model represents the best performance/value as it adds 120Hz refresh and a fourth front accessible HDMI input. Might be a couple of weeks before they're all available in stores.

I think Sony is the way to go. The SXRD is close to LCD except way off axis, but better than anyone else's DLP, especially the XBR SXRD mentioned above, in my opinion. If you want an LCD, get a Sony Bravia - there really isn't anything out there that touches it, so far. The new Sonys are adding the 120hz refresh to the Bravias and also to the top SXRD.

Looks like I will be getting the KDS-Z70XBR5 when it comes out in a month or so. I need the screen size and the 72" Sony LCD is apx $30K. From all indications, the new SXRD is supposed to be pretty close in picture quality to the 72" LCD but at a much more reasonable price. I currently have a KDL-46XBR3 Sony LCD in my office and the picture is just incredible.

From what I've seen, I believe plasma still has a more movie like picture quality, now closely followed by LCD and then the sony SXDR and I-dla and then DLP sets. Sixth Ave. Electronics in NJ (rt.4) has been clearing out panasonic plasmas (older models) and even the new panasonic 58inch 1920X1080 plasma can be had for less than $4,000 if you haggle. I'd look at plasma first and then the high 4ms refresh rate LCD's from sony,sharp and samsung. Ultimately, the picture quality will depend on the source.

Every Sony I SXRD I have seen are eye-catching but ultimately unnacceptable out of the box. They come with the color levels cranked way up. Just look at scene taken in a lush green forest. But wear your sunglasses. I have seen a couple of ones that that have been adjusted. Those were much better. Take a look at the new JVC I-DLA. I haven't seen one yet but they are getting great reviews for their picture quality. Supposedly they are one of the rare TVs that have true colors out of the box. And they are only 11" deep. This is an RPTV. Apparently shallow RPTVs are on their way. The one complaint with the JVC is the linear distortion on the edges. The reviewers don't seem too upset by it, but I haven't seen it. That is the result of the shallow depth. Though there is a technology coming on that is suppose to correct for all of this. Add in laser or LED bulbs and I am pretty excited. Next year, maybe. Plasma has burn-in and reliability issues. Though from most reports done right it blows away LCD. I am not sure. Pretty much every Plasma I have seen looks more like an over produced poster than a photo. DLP has the color engine, though LED illumination gets rid of that and LCDs aren't big enough yet. Of course, the real problem with almost all of them is that they are set at the factory way over the top for color. And your big box stores just leave them that way. So how do tell how good they can look. Drives me crazy when I go into the stores. Most of the TVs on display are horrible. At least that is my take on it.