If you want a flat panel and don't mind it being on the small side, prices are now under $1000. Here are the options from Costco:

Scepter 27" HD-ready LCD TV: $649
Maxent 32" HD-ready LCD TV: $999
Sharp 26" HD-ready LCD TV: $999

Dell also has a 26" HD-ready LCD for $999. With any of these sets, you're *not* getting an HD tuner, but they're under your magic budget number. $1500 gets you a 32" LCD TV with an HD tuner built in from a variety of vendors. What I wasn't expecting is that small LCDs are cheaper than rear projection sets. These LCDs are the cheapest TVs offered by Costco! If I were in your shoes, I'd probably stretch for one of the $1500 sets. (Or, maybe wait until after Christmas and see if you can get an even better deal, maybe on returned items.)