Hello, I'm in the market for a new TV which will be used for gaming and seldom movies. I'd say 90% gaming, 9.9% movies, 0.1% TV.
I just bought a Xbox360 and my many-year old 32" Sony Trinitron SDTV isn't cutting it anymore.

I'd like the new HDTV to be around 30"~34" if CRT or 37"~42" if LCD.
I want good geometry, color accuracy, high contrast, basically the best picture quality for gaming.

My decision is either spend $300 or less on a used CRT HDTV to use for now until something really worth buying comes out in the future (such as something higher than 1080p, or wait until 1080p drops in price, or maybe the SED) or spend about $2000 go with a 40" or 42" LCD that has 1080p since there are lots of sales and special 0% APR for 2 years kind of deals going on right now.

I've been reading, learning and researching about different models/brands for over a week now but can not make my mind up on a specific model/brand. I hear too many different opinions, suggestions, and sometimes wrong informations. Then, I found about this forum somehow through googling millions of stuff.

My current situation: I managed to spot a few good deals on craigslist. 2 people are selling Phillips 30PW8420 for $300 and $350. Another person selling a 30PW9817 for $300. Samsung TX-P3075WH for $300.
I was able to go check out the 30PW8420 and the Samsung TX-P3075WH in person and I was more impressed by the Phillips 30PW8420. I took my xbox360 over with me so I was comparing the same games. Person selling the 30PW9817 is over an hour drive from me and I'm not sure if that's really worth it when someone nearby is selling a 30PW8420 for $300. Would I see any kind of picture quality difference in the 30PW9817 over the 8420?

I'm in a rush to decide because another person is interested in buying the 30PW9817 and I need to tell the seller my decision in a few hours.
Can someone rescue me from this? I'm going crazy here...
First thing is to decide if I want to buy that 30PW9817. What do you guys think? If I don't, next step is to decide if I go with any of those other CRTs for sale or take this opportunity to get a LCD. If I go CRT, which should i go with in case I don't get 30PW9817? If LCD (I know I'm not supposed to ask here but please help me in this situation), I have no clue to which LCD to go with. I prefer 40" and I would like the 1080p in case I get a PS3 in the future.

Any and all advices will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Alex

Used TVs like that will just grow in availability as folks upgrade to flat panels. Grab one of those or look for a sale on the 34XBR970 Sony.

You have plenty of time after that to look for proper bigger flat panel.

The Bravia 1080p one is good. KDL-40XBR2. I have the same one but the 46" version.

Thanks for the replies guys!
I didn't go with the 30PW9817... it was sold to another person.
I have the option for Phillips 30PW8420 at $300 and the Samsung TX-P3075WH at $300 as well.
I've tested both with xbox360 running same games and I like the Phillips a little more. It had better border/geometry shape. The Samsung was stretching the image a little beyond the viewable screen (is this called overscan?).
Unless I find something nice at $300 or less, I think I'll just purchase a 40" LCD. I've read in lots of sites that at 40", 1080p isn't much noticeable. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get it or not considering the price difference. One thing to keep in mind is that I do tend to sit a little close to the TV often times (4~6 feet or so).
Anyhow, so if I go CRT, Sony 34XBR970 is the winner? Any other models come close to the sony in picture quality?
For the LCD, Sony takes top spot as well? I've heard some good things about Samsung and Sharp LCDs... 40XBR2 is just a bit too pricey... if it's worth the money, then I may consider it.
Can you guys recommend some other models with top picture quality? I prefer 40"~42".
#1 Priority: Picture Quality for gaming (Sharp/Clear, High Contrast, [near]Perfect Geometry, etc)
#2: Reliability
#3: Price
#4: Design

If you are looking for perfect geometry than get your LCD. Perfect geometry and CRT's go together like peanut butter and tunafish.

Samsung HL-S4266W is cheap.

Yeah, I figured. But the Phillips 30PW8420 actually had almost perfect geometry. Just worried about the space I'll have to make since I still have my old 32" Sony and I'm not sure how good and reliable that Phillips is by looking at it briefly.
Another thing that's stopping me from buying it right away is that 30" is a little too small. I'm thinking it'll be a great HDTV to use temporarily for maybe a year or two until I see something that really shines from the rest maybe sometime in late 07 or early 08. Then again, $300 isn't chump change either, plus I would need to get a stand. Wish he'd sell it for $200~250!
BUT! Some stores are offering 0% interest rates for a year and a half which is making it impossible for me to decide. I'm really really starting to go insane...
Arrgg can't decide!! Somebody knock me the **** out!

BTW, I'm not looking into any DLPs or Plasmas. And I'm not really looking for "cheap" solution if I'm buying a LCD. Just something very nice around $2000 range.
If the Sony 40XBR2 is really worth the extra $700 (in picture quality) more than what I have in my mind, then I'm willing to get it. But I have a feeling something like a Sharp or Samsung with 1080p will be just as good in quality.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Well the 40XBR2 is a great choice if your getting a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/PS3/Xbox 360 and HD cable. I have it and it's great. IMHO, Rear Projections especially the SXRD is the perfect TV except you have to change the lightbulb.