Mark, looks like you are getting plenty of input. What a nice thing to be involved with. I'd like to try and help with a TV suggestion.
Take a look at this
Panasonic Commercial Plasma . Newegg gets exceptionally high marks for price and customer service (I ordered my Panny from them). A secondary (and equally as good) source is
Visual Apex . Their prices are even a bit better, though I don't know what their shipping costs might be.
Based on extensive research, I got one for the new house in June and it is terrific. Circuit City and Best Buy carry the Consumer model if you want to see the quality of the picture.
It's an EDTV. That means the SD picture comes in great and it does very well with an HD signal. It is simply the panel with no tuner/no speakers. You'll hook it up to a cable or satellite tuner and receiver/speakers anyhow, so there is no need to pay extra for a TV that has those things.
Easy to wall mount.
Hope this is helpful.
Ray
