First of all if you have the space I would recommend a small (42" or so) RPTV from Toshiba, etc. It'll give a more filmlike picture for a lot less money. If you're set on a direct-view I can only offer this:
I had a Panasonic Superflat TV - broke twice within two years
A Panasonic DVD-A110 purchased in early '98 - still works but sometimes skips for no reason
A Panasonic DVD-RV80 - outright died in 17 months
A Panasonic cordless phone - broke in 5 months
A Sony Wega (analog) purchased in 2000 - no problems whatsoever