Recommendations for a nice direct view set

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.........

IMO, the "super flat screen" type direct views do not exhibit proper geometry; they look concave, and I have never been able to shake that feeling. Not sure about the new Aconda, but the older Loewe TVs (consensus choice for best direct view) were NOT flat screen.