Corey,
If you are looking for the best quality tv (i.e. sharper image, longer life, etc.) i'd stick with the following brands:
Samsung
Panasonic
Sony
These are the top 3. They are a bit higher in price than the rest of them, but i'd say spending an extra $100 would be worth it. And remember you only get the most basic cables when buying a tv, so you will have to get the HD cables etc.
Right now you can get the following for under $1500
Samsung 42" $1100 - only 720p however.
Samsung 32" $1000 - 1020p.
Panasonic 42" $1400 - 1020p
Sony 40" - $1150 - 720p only
Sony 40" - $1400 - 1020p
* I use the Circuit City Website simply because i have worked their and know it the best.*
I would suggest looking around stores such as Best Buys, Circuit City, and the manufacturer's websites as well to see where you can get the best price once you figure out the TV you would like.
I'd also recommend not only getting a set of HD cables, but also getting an extended protection plan. (i know i sound like i still work for them). But in all honesty the number's of tv's that we would have people come in and talk to us about that had broken say a year or 2 after they got it was amazing. (most manufacturer's protections plans only cover 3 - 6 months on TV's)
Good luck and let me know if you need anything else.