Thanks to Katrina flooding, we were suddenly in the market for new/replacement TVs a couple of years ago, and got into the new-age flat-screen world a lot sooner than expected.

We got a fairly big (42") wide-screen unit for the living room; and for the kitchen, a small flatscreen set that's NOT wide-screen format. The small one cost only about $200, and is simpler to "operate" because there are no alternative screen-format settings: wide-screen transmission are simply "letterboxed."

On the big widescreen TV, you have the choice of different formats; different programs require different settings for display at the maximum size without cropping or distortion. The "wrong" format for a given program will either cut off the image at top and bottom, or at the left and right, or will fill the screen while distorting the image.

There's an "Automatic" setting that makes any transmission fill the screen completely, whether that involves stretching the image or not. Transmissions from HD channels fit perfectly at the "Auto" setting, but other stuff, including many cable/staellite-only channels, require different settings to avoid distortion. But lots of people seem not to mind that kind of distortion as much as I do, and leave their newfangled TVs on "Auto" format all the time.   

Both units we bought are Philips brand; we got 'em at Sam's at prices that were the best available hereabouts at the time.

I'm sure others will chime in on the relative plusses and minuses of LCD vs Plasma technology; I can't offer an informed opinion.

If you have cable or satellite service, getting yourself set up will be simple, just the same as with your old TV. If not, you should be able to pick up over-the-air HD signals with an antenna, with no need for the adapter boxes required for older sets.