The Bottom Line: If you want a large, high quality picture, at an affordable price, then have a close look at the Panasonic 47X54. Or the 53X54 if you want a 53"

I purchased this from Circuit City a few weeks ago, it's the newest 2004 model. Far cheaper than the Hitachi F/S series. Be aware that there is a PT-WX54 series, which is merely a rebadged 53 (2003) series. You can tell the difference because the 2004 models have an HDMI input (the 2003 models have DVI input).

Picture quality is fantastic after a little bit of calibration. Much better than the older 2003 models, and what the showroom model looked like. DVD looks great via progressive component. I now have HD via TW cable, hooked up to an SA 8300HD (HD DVR). HD picture quality is astounding. I was hooking up the 8300 via HDMI, but I now use a Pansonic S97 upconverting DVD player, which uses HDMI. No comparison to true HD, but a nice improvement over my previous Philips 642 DVD player. 8300 via component looks fine.

TV has a nice removable shelf on top that will hold a center channel speaker etc up to 25 pounds. Audio I won't review as I run thru a surround sound system. Comes on castors so easy to move to access the connectors on the back. There is an HDMI input, two component inputs and a variety of S-vid and composite connectors. As well as center channel in and audio line outs.

Downsides are bulk of the TV, however I wasn't going to spend several thousand more just to get a "slim" DLP or LCD rear projector. You can't beat the quality for the price. Also CRT rear projectors have true blacks, which DLP/LCD have yet to match.

Be aware that this TV will not accept a 720p signal (which would only matter if you were trying to run an X-Box at 720p). All other HD devices will work fine at 1080i.