Good advice (I wish these people would register so I could use names. )

The other great debate is satellite vs. cable for PQ (picture quality). Pros and cons of both.

What is known at this time for certain.

1) Buying a Hi-Def TV will provide a better picture quality becasue you're getting new electronics vs. your old 27" that you've had for years and years. This is based in my own experience on CRT direct view tube comparisons. I temper this by advising that when you do go to larger screens (40 inch plus) that normal TV risks becoming degraded because the picture is blown up too large for some tastes. Best advice? Go look and compare at two stores at least.

2) DVD content will look better with component video (those 3 cables). How good depends on the type of TV (CRT RPTV, direct view, DLP and so on). Again...take your favorite DVD because you know what it looks like and go to a store and have a looksy.