If you are going to spend any more than $500, get an HDTV-ready set. Basically, and HDTV Set without the tuner. At least in the US, there are too many formats, and no real "standard" so any tuner you get will be overpriced (having to cover too many formats) and of a short life span (because many of those formats will change a little bit).

I have a HDTV-Ready rear projection Sony and love it. Even with NTSC, the line and pixel doubling makes it look amazing. No scan lines even on my 53".

Unless you've got money to burn (and I dont mean that in a bad way!) I'd get a 4:3 set. The 16:9's are nice, but the cost per square inch ratio isn't as good....