Shoutbox

Put simply the HDMI-HDCP standard is puported to remove the need for large amounts of cable to transmit high quality image information. I don't know whether HDMI will replace what is in currently... but heres what i would look for:

• Component video inputs with separate Y,PR,PB channels (so no multiplexing is needed)
  
• Audio out with 5.1 support (coax or optical)

This way your tv will plug into almost any hardware that is out there at the moment. Now as for the tv you've selected:
1. It has component video inputs
2. It doesn't have optical out (coax out maybe...)
Next model up integrates optical out address as follows:
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...rfModel=PT-53WXD63