Recommendations for a nice direct view set

Panasonic Tau or
Sony 36 something 300

Sony 36 something 800 is awesome but more money!

Do you need HDTV? If so the best value would be the 32" Samsung for $900 at Costco. Even with the compromised setup at Costco, the resolution and true whites surpass the Sony or Pana HDTVs at $1500. Or if you do not mind the scan lines, I think you can find a 36" non HDTV Sony or Pana. If you watch primarily movies you should get a good rear projection widescreen, like a 42" Toshiba Cinema Series for around the same price.

Several weeks ago, I made a post to a similar thread that summarized the ratings of TV's by "The Perfect Vision". If you are interested in the thread, here is the link:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?bhome&1038794285&openusid&zzSdcampbell&4&5#Sdcampbell

The Toshiba 36HFX72 was recently selected as product of the year by The Perfect Vision. It has more features than SONY and costs less. Highly recommended.

"Makofkalaw":

Sony sets are VERY nice, but I also think that they are WAY overpriced. In my humble opinion, I think that Panasonic and Toshiba tend to give you more set for your money (peformance, picture quality, connections, and features). Take that from someone who owns a 27" Panasonic SuperFlat (and it was the TOL model back in 2000...... CT-27SF37). Compared it with a comparable Sony model that same year, with the controls on both sets properly adjusted, and yes..... I have to admit, the Sony did edge the Panasonic out, but that was only slightly. But the VERY thing I had a big problem with was that the Sony was $200.00 more than the Panasonic, but yet, in my humble opinion, I believed at the time that although, the Sony's picture was slightly better than the Panasonic was, that wasn't good enough to justify the additional expenditure as far as I was concerned, and therefore, I ended up picking the Panasonic. And if you REALLY like Sony's TV, then why not go with an XBR model (great sets...... but for more money too..... a LOT more as a matter of fact). Speaking of which, the 27" Sony that I have checked out in 2000 was an "none" XBR model by the way. I don't think that Sony has made a 27" XBR since about 1996 (if that is correct), and in my opinion, it was still overpriced. So with that said then, my recommendations for a 36" Direct-View set are:

(01). Panasonic (the TAU series).
(02). Toshiba (the Cinema series).

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.........