Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here.
I agree with wejones that CRT picture quality can't be beat yet.
But, mreaves53, I've seen some new LCD sets that do not lose their brightness from most angles. I believe that Samsung is the most popular in Korea, and that Hitachi is still at the top in Japan. These are totally non-scientific findings on my part based on asking actual people who live in those countries.
As of now, I like the new Sharp Aquos line of LCD tvs. There is a marked difference in picture quality when viewed side-by-side with other sets. They're pretty pricey though, so I can't afford one.
Just one other point. LCD has the lowest electrical consumption, while plasma is an energy hog. This may sway your purchasing decision if energy costs are high in your area.
By the way, I still have my old Sanyo 19" and it still suits my purpose.