As far as TV's go. Toshiba and JVC tend to offer very good value, but in a tube Sony is the best. The Hi-scan (kv-32HS450, I think) falls around 1400? It's capable of progressive scan and taking hi-def signals provided you have the outboard decoder. It was Sony's XBR last year, their premier tube TV. We have 2 XBR's and one non XBR Sony. If price isn't a huge object they are definetly the best way to go.
For DVD, I would say Samsung or Toshiba are usually good deals. Sony's a bit better but more $$$ as usual.
HTH,
Pete
