I would like to have an opinion about what someone would think is the best
choice of technologies, considering if one was to make the purchase of an
HDTV.

Okay.

After this year, CRT technology type TV sets will no longer be made
by the main stream of the higher end manufactures.

And where did you get this information from?

Once these sets run out,
they will be offering LCD and Plasma type TV sets. Some will also offer the
DLP type TV sets for the consumer market. I am hearing a lot of discussions
to what would be the most ideal. Each type of display has its pros and cons.

There is also a pending technology in the works which could end up replacing
LCD panel displays: LEP.

Would your preference be a Plasma TV set?


No.

While the technology is impressive, it is likened to a hybrid automobile.

In the long run, it's just not worth it. With a hybrid cars, the battery cells
must be replaced every three years (recommendation from Honda and Toyota for
the Civic hybrid, Insight, and Prius). This can cost over $5000 for new cells
alone. What money that was saved from using less gas will be eaten up by
maintenance costs every three years.

Plasma displays, when they require service, can be very expensive to repair.
If the repair requires replacement of the display panel itself, you may as well
buy a new plasma TV.

While there have been improvements, such as a different combination of gasses
to help reduce burn-in incidents on Pioneer plasma displays, the technology
hasn't matured enough quite yet to be economical in the long run.


Would your preference be an direct view LCD TV set?


No.

A direct view LCD still suffers from refresh lag and contrast problems.


Would your preference be a rear screen type LCD TV set?


More than likely, yes. Rear projection LCD displays are relatively simple and
deliver surprisingly good image quality with a respectable viewing angle. The
drawback would be the projection lamp. Eventually, the lamp will require
replacement, and replacement lamps could be expensive.

Would your preference be a frontal projection type DLP TV set?


If money were no object.


Would your preference be a rear screen type DLP TV set?


If money were no object.

Depending on screen size, I would either go with a rear projection LCD display
or a direct view CRT display.

As for why my preference for a direct-view CRT display. It's a simple,
relatively cheap, and a proven technology. It works and works very well. It
still has advantages that the other technologies do not offer at this time such
as simplicity, overall longevity, and overall image quality. About the only
things a CRT display is bad about is getting consistently accurate geometry
rendition, shape and size of the TV, and weight. - Reinhart