Is the "ideal" HDTV coming?

I can't speak to SED, but I know that 1080p displays exist. The "Native 1080p Projectors" section of ProjectorCentral's http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-multimedia-projectors.htm lists several. And, yes, I would recommend a projector — you get a larger image at about the same price as a plasma or flat LCD :). Also, I can confirm that several projectors (even the ones that "only" do 720p) have HDMI inputs this year.

Given your timescale for buying a TV, I'd say insisting on 1080p would be foolish, especially for what is only an incremental benefit at best. I get the feeling from your question that you have no idea what 1080p offers over 1080i. That's pretty worrying.

Before you lock into ths 1080p mindset, be aware that most HD product is already in 720p or 1080i. They are much more likely to simply upconvert to 1080p rather than go back to the film source and re-telecine at 1080p. You will pay an extreme premium for 1080p now and I fear you will be disappointed with the first content that appears. Another thing to consider is that the first generation of display technology generally is trouble filled. The first generation plasma displays had numerous problems. Buying a first gen 1080p is a risk of buying a lemon is significant. IMHO, you are better off buying a great DLP and enjoying the next 3-5 years while you wait for the ideal HDTV to arrive.

You can get a great Syntax 37" LCD that does everything but 1080x native for $1200 these days, and that will last you many years until things truly "shake out" (Syntax Olevia LT37HVS). I would not hesitate, since things look so much better at that point even. There's not a TON of 720p content even yet, so you're just fine not having 1080x support. Don't get hung up on specs for lack of enjoying the display.

Perhaps I could re-state my question without all the exposition: Would it be reasonable to assume that a major manufacturer will release an HDTV within the next year that will offer both true 1920x1080 resolution, and the ability to accept 1080p signals? And could such a set be announced as early as January's CES? The HP set can accept the 1080p signal but can't truly show all of it. The Sony can show all of the 1080p signal (@ 1920x1080) but can't accept it. No set today can do both. Boo. ----- Unfortunately a front projector is out of the question, at least until I own a home. I can't control the ambient light levels enough in my apartment to guarantee a good picture during the day. I do have a layman's understanding of the difference between 1080i and 1080p (interlaced fills in every other horizontal line in alternating passes, while progressive fills in all the lines with a single pass.) While the overall quality might be negligible to the naked eye, I think I know enough to say that, assuming a quality source, progressive is better (or preferred) over interlaced (especially from fast-moving imagery that a video game console might output.) Many larger HDTV sets on the market now have HDMI inputs -- but that's just the cable/connection. The problem is that the current generation of sources (standard-def DVD players, cable boxes, game consoles) don't output a 1080p signal to be carried by HDMI, while almost no HDTV could could accept that input even if they could, and not all of them can *display* the signal if they CAN accept it! But that's today. My question is certainly geared towards forward-looking technology compatibility, and whether I should jump in RIGHT NOW because what I want won't be available for over a year, or whether I might get a nice bump in technology if I wait another 4-6 months. I'll concede that SED HDTVs may be too long to wait for, but a 1080p input/true 1080p display doesn't seem entirely out of the question to appear over the next horizon.

or whether I might get a nice bump in technology if I wait another 4-6 months I think what Argyle is saying is that it doesn't matter if what you want is available in half a year- in a sense, it'll be a prototype. You'll be paying a premium to test out some company's equipment. That does not sound like a good investment to me. Besides, even if you get the set today, you will still be far ahead of the curve.

Talking out of my butt here, and somebody jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 1080p the "cap" of the HD standards established several years ago? I mean, it's not likely that the FCC will publish a new, higher standard anytime soon (reference the decade or so we've been waiting for the current set of standards to settle down, as well as the longetivity of NTSC as mention by the OP) and it makes sense to me to wait until there is a display that can accept and display the peak resolution, whether there's a lot of source material or not. I also think the gaming console point is a valid one. So, Robbie01, I don't have a meaningful answer to your question about upcoming product announcements (and anything anyone says here is going to be speculation anyway) but I say keep the faith and hold out for the second-gen 1080p-capable displays. Just my $.02.

It's worth mentioning that, at least in relation to forthcoming consoles, Sony have http://www.shacknews.com/extras/kutaragi/070705_kutaragi_01.x about technical details. If the PS3 can output at 1080p everything it can at 720p, with the same level of graphical detail and the same framerate, I'll be utterly astounded. If the PS3 is the primary reason you want a 1080p-capable display, it might not be worth the expense and trouble.

Also, you should worry that by the time there are devices that output 1080p, the DRM cabals will have won again, and the devices won't display 1080x to a display that isn't locked down with junk. Also, If your aim is to use it with the PS3, couldn't you hook it up to a flat-panel monitor with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 over DVI? Wouldn't such a display cost ~$1000, be amazingly sharp (at 24" or so, the pixel density will be far greater), and work with all kinds of stuff?