Ezeikial
were there any panasonics that you might have thought about looking at?
or even phillips?
Yeah I was looking at a Panasonic but the one they had ($499) did not meet my requirements.
It only had 2 HDMI and 1 component/composite.
If there are only 2 HDMI then I need 2 component. If there are 3 HDMI then I can live with 1.
The next Panasonic they had matched this but it was also $100 more ($599).
Drinky McIrish
Is sleep mode really a make or break feature? I've been incredibly happy with my Samsung and I normally recommend those...
Out of the three you have listed, Sony would be the better option, Toshiba has a very hit-and-miss track record, and LG has been taking some questionable steps here lately.
I'd also suggest looking into Sharp.
For me yes. I like to sleep with the TV on and having the option to just tell it to turn off after an hour is really nice. I have quite a few electronics that have this feature. My clock radio/video/picture has it and so does the PSP. I have been VERY adamant about having a sleep feature added to the PS3 for about a year.
When I first started looking at TVs I was all Samsung and wouldn't even look at the other ones. I REALLY WISH the one Samsung I was looking at meet my input requirements but it does not. Like I said I will go in store and take a look at the LN32B460. I just find it REALLY hard to believe that a 20+ year old feature that has been present in every TV I've had since Birth (maybe not the one downstairs back in the old days) is not in a $500+ HDTV in 2009.
EDIT:
IT DOES!
Mr.Samsung confirms it over at Best Buy! So I guess it is in the running! First post updated!