1. Do the digital receivers all function the same way or are there
different features/functions to be aware of? Any receiver brands
that are clearly better than others?

When you say "digital receiver", I can't help but think of an audio
component. You mean a "TV set", I assume.

Most sets can display any format (720p, 1080i, 1080p). However, the
less-expensive sets have a native resolution of only 720p, and convert 1080
inputs to 720p.

To avoid obsolescence, your set should be able handle 1080p natively, and be
able to display 24fps directly, without conversion.

Sony seems to have the best LCD sets, Pioneer and Panasonic the best plasma
sets. Look at Consumer Reports, the on-line reviews, and various magazine
reviews. One of the magazines (I forget which) had a detailed study of
whether particular sets properly supported deinterlacing, upconversion, and
so forth.


2. Is there any "next big thing" on the horizon that will make them
obsolete and useless or is the current digital broadcast standard
going to be in place until the sun burns out?

The Japanese are working on video systems with twice the horizontal and
vertical resolution of the current standards. It will be many years before
they come to market -- if at all. Note the relative "failure" of SACD/DVD-A
and Blu-ray/HD DVD. People are generally happy with what they already have.
It takes time for the public to "digest" technological advances and desire
something better.

The current NTSC standard has been around 60 years and -- used well -- can
still produce excellent image quality. It's likely the current HD standard
will be around at least 20 years, and likely longer.

As for the specific flat-panel technology, there are two display
technologies that might conceivably displace LCD and plasma. Organic
light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have appeared in a few consumer products
(cameras and cell phones), but don't seem to be making progress in TV. The
surface electron-emission display (SED) was predicted to outperform plasma,
but is currently tied up in patent-licensing squabbles, and appears (at the
moment) never to get to market.

If you buy a high-quality LCD or plasma set, it's unlikely its visible
performance will be greatly exceeded in the near future. If you're really
worried about obsolescence, buy one of the less-expensive Vizios. Though not
of the highest quality, they're good, and cheap enough that you can toss
them in a few years.