I am planning to buy a new television set in the next year or two. The
number of competing technologies out there right now is mind boggling.
I have visited numerous retail stores and on-line sellers as well as
read up on the subject extensively in respected magazines such as
Consumer Reports. I am more confused than ever, but don't feel so bad
as all the retail clerks seem to be as bewildered as I do. Most have
NO idea what models will be the norm in even two months!
My question: which technology is most likely to become the norm or
standard for years to come? In other words, I would like to know, in
layman's terms, what exact type of TV to buy. i.e., a wide screen LCD
or LCos or Plasma or rear projection, or...????

You should buy whatever best suits your needs at the time of purchase.
There's no point in trying to guess the future because (a) whatever
you buy, there will be a bigger better and cheaper one in six months'
time; and (b) it probably won't last that long anyway. You also pay a
premium if you want the very newest in anything.

Plenty of people are still using 20+ year old tellies, and won't throw
them out immediately something new comes along. It's probably more
important to choose a manufacturer with a good reputation for parts
availability, than a particular technology.

Owain

You may be interested in this answer I did for a customer a while back

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=339728

Nenna-GA

Even 55 year old TVs made for the USA market are compatable with the
signals being transmited on the VHF channels, which means they will
funtion with most cable boxes, VCRs, DVD's, Video games and home
theaters. Perhaps high definition TV will make nearly everything
obsolete, but too few have been sold, so I suspect the deadline will
be extended again. Sorry that is likely not much help.  Neil

This recent survey might be of interest to you.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/survey1072.htm