This is the 200 pound monster you speak of.
Sony KD-36XS955
Incredible picture on both Standard and HDTV. Also comes in a 16:9 version, slightly more expensive. I recommend this one because so much of TV is still in standard 4:3 mode and this will give a good picture for that. The 36" 4:3 is the same picture size as the 34" 16:9 in HD mode.
If the 200 lb problem doesn't bother you, you'll be hard pressed to beat the picture, and it puts most, if not all, flat screens to shame, even the $4000 ones.
I'm waiting for DirecTV to come out with our locals in HD, should be next year. Then it's HD Direct TiVo time, they're down to $579 or so.