Yes, HDTV is the way to go. I wouldn't invest in a direct-view (tube) TV, least of all a SDTV.
However, bigger is NOT better. You have to understand what viewing distance is and how it relates to your specific monitor/HDTV.

Some things to think about:

Is it LCD, CRT, DLP, or Plasma? If it's LCD, I might think twice.

Is it actually HD, or is it HD ready? Some TVs are "HD ready" which means you actually need an additional component to play HD.

If it's fully HD and not LCD, I would jump on it.

It is CRT and full-on HD.

Do it.

If a tv is listed as "HD Ready" it just means it doesn't have an HD tuner. Which would only matter if you used it with an OTA HD antenna. Most people watch HD through a cable box or satellite, so it isn't really an issue for most people.

Any idea if it is this model: Sony KV-HS420?

If so, that's the tv I have. 30" 16:9 HD.

The 30" Sony HD? Rocks, great for gaming. Better image quality than plasma or LCD, it's just a lot friggin bigger & heavier.

Yup I have the Sony 32" HD model. Great set! Heavier than hell but the picture is amazing. At the price you're getting it at, Pixy - go for it.

I'll chime in and agree... Get it! Nothing... NOTHING beats HD CRT in quality.

CRT's still produce the best black levels. You'll be very happy with that set.
As I mentioned before, I would no longer invest in a tube. My back is beginning to ache just thinking about you lifting that thing from your friends house to your room.

I also have the 32" model and love it. Haven't seen any TV's rival it in PQ. Of course it isn't the biggest TV but the quality is top notch. There are some geometry and overscan issues with it, but I have been able to fix most of it in the service menu. I just need to go in it for a final time and tweak it some.

When I bought mine, BestBuy delivered it for free. I think when I move I'll leave it in the house as part of the deal.

That's exactly the one!

My friend is giving me some Gamecube component cables and I'm going to test drive the TV this weekend.

My apartment is on the third floor.

I love the tv. Displays a great picture, especially with the 360 and the Toshiba HD Player hooked up.

Sorry I've derailed this thread, but at the very least if I get an HDTV, a PS3 might have a use to me.

Guys, thanks for the feedback on the set, I didn't know it was a popular choice.. checked some stuff online and it's overall very glowing with the only downside being its weight (which at the reported 150 pounds is less than my current set at 165 pounds). Last time I took my PS2 there with S-Video it didn't look as clean as my set but I'm guessing that's a calibration issue, if someone can link me to any sites that have service menus and whatnot so I can tweak it this weekend I'd really appreciate it. I love my current Sony, the only thing I'm going to have to do is get used to the size decrease, 32" to 30" doesn't SOUND like much, but then we're going from 32" 4x3 to 30" 16x9. Still, if Metroid Prime looks as good as I'm being told it does in progressive, I'll probably be sold.

Mr. Cinema, what's your opinion on its standard display properties? Playing PS2 or normal DVD?

30" 16x9 works out to be the same size of 32" 4x3 for widescreen games.

Chris

To me the PS3 would be very comparable to the CD-i in terms of extra functionality and price. Hopefully for its sake it'll be more successful.

Wow, the backwards compatibility alone of the Wii is worth $1190 in systems!

And notice that all the consoles $400 or higher in the graph (excluding the 360 which is too early) have all been huge failures.

Not saying the PS3 will, fail, as all those were offshoots, and a console by a dead company (Saturn).

Normal dvd looked very good. PS2 is okay. I think I've only played it once since I've had the tv and most of my gaming is on the 360, so that's kind of an unfair comparison to make. HD cable looks great and it does a decent job displaying SD channels.

I used one of those a/v discs to help calibrate my settings, which helped. The colors this tv produces while inputting HD content look incredible.

They should work that into marketing.

I noticed that as well.

I found that the Gamecube actually looked the best of last gen over component, which is odd, since it was only up to 480p.

As for a DVD player, if you're getting an HDTV, do yourself a favor and by the Oppo OPDV971H (or wait for the upcoming OPDV971, no H), which upscales to 1080i over DVI and is $200. Great player, well worth the price. I just watched the remastered Fistful of Dollars on it last night and it looked amazing.

What is the point of that graph if it doesn't take inflation into consideration? I think that would be more helpful.