After many months buying the mags, checking the various stores, I decided on a Panasonic. I set my sights on the 32" XLD700 which is everybodys top lcd. Then I foolishly decided I wanted something bigger( kids !!)Slightly spur of the moment decision, it was available locally with 3 year warranty,only £40 more expensive than here and I could it get into my car right there and then.
Dead easy to set up, basically switch on ,a few on screen instructions that didnt require rocket science. Standard Digital tv pic is great, would give just short of 5 stars,as long as you sit the 2 - 3 metres from the set. I am very disappointed in standard DVD pic, can get a bit hazy round margins,I noticed this in the shop and the cheaper Toshiba beside it was better, I spoke to them and they showed me the multisocket scart that was supplying the same pic to about 8 sets and they blamed that - they did say I could return the set (try doing that !!)
My DVD player is an early JVC , so possibly that is the problem. Its too early to decide on HDDVD/BlueRay.
Ironically I was in a Comet a few days ago and they had set up side by side the Panasonic 32" XLD700, This 37" and the 37" plasma all playing the same Hi Def picture. There was not a lot in it , but this set came out bottom. The 32" was impressively sharper - they must have known I was coming !!!!!
I like to watch films when the kids are in bed,so perhaps a new DVD player will soothe my hyper critical eyes. The kids of course love it.