Advice needed for new TV

[bdgbill]

I'm getting ready to buy a 42" flat screen LCD HDTV and could use some advice (preferably from someone who has one).

Most of what I watch is not yet available in HDTV format in Montreal. I have heard that SDTV signals look worse on an HDTV set than on an SDTV set. True?

I do not like the "zoom" or "stretch" modes use to make SDTV fit widescreens. I will probably watch SDTV signals in native mode with black bars on the sides. Is this harmful to the set longterm?

I have no plans to use over the air HDTV signals. Do I really need an HDTV tuner built in?

Anyone had a good experience with a certain brand/model?
I'm preferential to Toshiba and Sony (even though Sony is evil and I should be boycotting them).

I know there are plenty of websites specializing in flatscreens / hdtv but I prefer the advice I get from the big brains here at GBPVR. - Thanks

[bdgbill]

Thanks for the reply.

How long did you research before choosing the Panasonic?

This is the most expensive electronics purchase I have made since my first laptop in 2000. I think I am getting "research fatigue" from reading too many reviews and trying to figure out too many contradictory statements.

I'm still wavering between plasma vs. LCD. Leaning towards LCD but could use the $500.00 I would save on the plasma to buy a decent sound system.

Also going nuts trying to figure out when to pull the trigger. I know the closer we get to christmas (or prefferably after) the better the deals will get. Not sure I can wait that long - suffering from full-blown TV Lust.

[zed]

What about DLP based HDTVs?

Anyone have any opinions or experience pro or con?