The HD TV return rates are for a few reasons:
1) People don't understand the technology, they assume widescreen is HD. They get the TV home and it looks worse with "regular" tv than the old tv
2) shipping is done by shippers, its not a product you can take home. this add complications
3) ther are some quality issues, although I don't believe the "real" DOA rates are any worse than "normal" tvs.
all in all its an expensive electronics component that works best with an educated buyer, many of the CC and BBs are not willing to invest, they are only interested in selling you the warrenty. I'm generally against the insurance, but you might want to make an exception for an HDTV.
