Hi All,

I'm a noob to the forum, though I have been lurking for a few weeks. I am hoping for a little advice. My parents have asked me to help them pick a new TV/AV system. Originally, they just said TV, but their real issue is sound clarity (voice in particular), so this seemed like a good time to get them an AV system as well - either that or a TV with really good speakers, but I don't really think that is an option. Here are the parameters I am working with:

Large room (approx 20 X 20 - maybe a little bigger) with a vaulted ceiling (12' at the peak). However, the furniture is configured in a small layout around the TV.

Existing equipment is a Motorola HDPVR box and a Toshiba combo DVD/VCR. They have an older Panasonic all-in-one stereo/cd player with 5 small speakers, but I am assuming that it will not be used.

TV size preference is 42 or 46 - this is mostly dictated by the budget though (see below). Room is quite bright (West facing) so I was assuming LCD over Plasma but can be convinced otherwise (please don't let this degenerate into the LCD/Plasma argument that I have found all over these forums - value is the key issue!). 720P is an option as they really won't notice the difference, especially considering screen size.

They mostly watch TV and the occasional movie. No sports. I have convinced them to get the HD box by showing them the clarity of picture on mine (42" Toshiba Rezga - 720P).

They are reasonably tech savvy - for 70 year olds. But they live on an island so any significant troubleshooting needs to be done over the phone or on my occasional visits. For this reason I did give thought to a Samsung TV/HTIB combo, just because of the remote compatiblity issues and the fact that Futureshop had some good deals. However, I am aware of the drawbacks of a HTIB.

They can live with the existing DVD/VCR combo for now - I can get them a new DVD or Blu-Ray player at a later date as a gift.

Budget is a challenge - they have said that it is flexible (up to a point) but I am working with about a $2000 Canadian ceiling (before tax). That's about $1600 US right now.

They don't have any gaming systems (or plans to get one!) - by dad does digital photography and it woudl be cool if he coudl hook his Nikon D90 up to the system -either directly or through a USB link or SD card reader. They have a laptop too, and once they have this thing set up, it might be worth my while to show them how to hook that up to the system too - but not a mandatory. iPod connectivity falls into the same category as the laptop - nice to have, but not a must (mostly for when I take the family to visit!)

Ok - I think that is all of it (I have tried to be thorough). TV's that I have primarily looked at were the Samsung Series 5 LCD's and Series 4 plasma's (there are some really good deals on the 720P plasma's). Again, I am prepared to loook at anything ('cept LG - I have heard that they are crap).

So I throw it over to you guys - no suggestion will be refused. Just keep in mind that I am in Canada, so shipping/customs fees are an issue. Who's up for the challenge?