i currently live in apartment with a living room that measures about 12'x17' and am thinking of getting an HDTV, somewhere around 51" or 57". two questions....1) there is a possibility that i might move next august, so that being the case should i wait to purchase the set? and 2) is my current living room too small to properly enjoy the HDTV or are the dimensions workable?

Hmm. I'm not exactly sure how much I'd let a "possiblity" that something "might" happen affect decisions made for today. There's always a possiblity that my truck (with 120,000 M on it) "might possibly" not start some day next week. Doesn't mean I'm going to quit and find a job walking distance from home.

1) You could decide here and now that anyplace that you "possibly might" move to will have to fit your new set.

2) No. Your current living room isn't too small. I use a 55" RPTV in a 15'X17' room, but am set up so you sit about 9' from the screen. Works fine.

If you move in August, will that be permanant?

no, i am a few years away from a permanant move, which is why i was wondering if i should be getting and HDTV and then moving it once or twice. i am just kinda curious as to how sturdy they are.

They are fairly sturdy but they are heavy. My 55" HDTV is 230 lbs. You will probably have to do some adjusting to the convergence each time you move it, but that is no big deal. Just make sure you can sit far enough away from your TV, in your future place as well.

I'd wait. These monsterous things don't move well unless there in their original box. Due to size, weight, and the distribution of their weight. Basically they are a pain in the ass when it comes time to move.

Besides, prices will probably be cheaper, and newer models may be available. Another thing, if your still doing the apartment thing, I'd wait for a house. The big set needs big sound, that requires a buffer between neighbors.

As always, JMO.