Direct-View HDTV

So I went looking at some 34-inch "direct-view" HDTV sets today at Circuit City. You know, sets using those old fashioned "picture tubes" (CRTs). The Sony, I was told, at $1499 was the best technology, although the Panasonic, some $200 less, looked pretty good to me as well. I had also seen the Philips 34-inch model at Best Buy, and on sale it was only $999. I can't help but wonder whether that SONY technology is worth the extra $500. Sure would like some opinions on this.

Direct-view is not the latest or the thinest, but it still looked pretty good for the money!