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Just take advantage of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and keep your old-school television. We did - and couldn't be happier!

www.dtv2009.gov

Um... Flat panels are no different to hook up than a CRT. Plug it in, plug in your DVD player, cable box, what have you and you're done. They only look complex because most often you see them with ninty gagillion peripherals.

Yeah, like Tiamat_the_Red said, they're quite simple. Mine is actually far easy to understand than my old CRT was-- everything is very clearly labeled on the back, and because it is a flat panel, the plugs are quite easy to see, too, unlike the CRT's plugs hidden beneath the bulk of the unit.

That said, I quite agree holding off on replacing a television until necessary. The only reason I bought a new one was because a housefire destroyed my old one.

I'd second that - flat panels are just as easy to hook up than older, more energy consuming TVs.

Sure there are more options for connecting your video source - HDMI, Component Video, Etc. but if you're you're just trying to hook up your cable box and a DVD player, and don't care about obtaining the maximum resolution, chances are the cords you already have will work fine.

As for getting rid of your old TV, posting to freecycle.com would probably have someone by in less than a week to take it away for free!

Yes, Aunt Honey, I have a Digital TV Converter box, too! The picture is SO much better (though not always perfect), and it saved my "free" TV for a little while longer.

Like everyone else has said a flat screen television doesn't require special installation if you are just going to use it for cable and a DVD player. If you were going to do something fancy like surround sound then it might be worth your money.

If you decide to go with a flat screen TV and your current television still works then sell it on Craigslist or donate it so it doesn't end up in a landfill.

More comfort for you. I plugged in the cable connection and plugged the TV into the outlet. That was it.

I really want a flat screen TV. When I decide to get one, I won't have trouble "recycling" my old TV. My daughter, my nephew, my grandson, my granddaughter, other nieces and nephews, friends' kids/grandkids . . . somebody will always take something off my hands!! To date, I've recycled dining table and chairs, bed, dressers, entertainment cabinet, sofa sleeper, bookcases, books, computer work station, computers, Christmas tree, to various family and friends. But, I'll keep Craigslist in mind in case I run out of places to recycle.

Just a tip - they run hot even when they are off. I plug mine into a power strip and turn off the switch on the strip so it doesn't suck up power when it's off.