Hdtv for computer monitor.

Mostly I would say get a larger screen. I had a 32" LCD for a few years, and then upgraded to a 50" plasma, and the size difference is incredible and worth the extra cost. I also agree that an LED would be your best bet, but I believe they are still fairly expensive (I know you mentioned money is not an issue, but I would say put that money towards a larger plasma instead of a smallish LED). Even at shorter distances it's a much better experience to have the larger screen.
Plasma's can have better black levels than LCD, but they can also experience burn in and image retention - burn in is permanent (but avoidable if you "break in" the set - read: run it for some hours on random colors); image retention is not, but can be annoying.
One thing you might consider when using this TV for a computer monitor is to turn it into a full-fledged Home Theater PC (which might be what you are considering already). My setup includes:
Software: Mediaportal (free open source, Windows media frontend, highly customizable - takes some work but much better than Windows Media Center IMO).
Total Media Theatre for Blu-Ray playback
Slysoft AnyDVD HD to handle random HDCP DRM issues (it happens when you roll your own like this - DRM is not consumer friendly)

Hardware:
First start with a good case. IMO you want something sleek that can fit into the living room and not look like a computer. In the end, this setup should be as close to magic as possible. My case is the nMediaPC 6000B.
At least 4GB of Ram, 3Gz Dual-Core chip (quad-core preferred, and although I use AMD I hear the Intel i7's are very nice). BD-ROM drive (mine is an LG HD-DVD / BD combo drive). Wireless keyboard and mouse is a good idea - I use the Logitech K800 keyboard (which has motion sensitive backlit keys) and the Logitech Performance MX mouse. For gaming you might want something from Razr; I don't game enough on my PC to say one way or the other. For web browsing (and the posting I am doing now :D), and most everything besides probably precision shooters, this combo is great.
An IR receiver is one more optional step that can really bring it all together - I have the Tira IR receiver, along with a Harmony One remote, and by using a piece of software called Event Ghost, I can change IR signals into ANY keyboard press or action on my computer - it's very cool.
Expect this to set you back a lot of money and time, but as a hobby I find HTPC'ing to be one of my favorites.

✔ Highest voted answer

Hardware:
First start with a good case. IMO you want something sleek that can fit into the living room and not look like a computer. In the end, this setup should be as close to magic as possible. My case is the nMediaPC 6000B.
At least 4GB of Ram, 3Gz Dual-Core chip (quad-core preferred, and although I use AMD I hear the Intel i7's are very nice). BD-ROM drive (mine is an LG HD-DVD / BD combo drive). Wireless keyboard and mouse is a good idea - I use the Logitech K800 keyboard (which has motion sensitive backlit keys) and the Logitech Performance MX mouse. For gaming you might want something from Razr; I don't game enough on my PC to say one way or the other. For web browsing (and the posting I am doing now :D), and most everything besides probably precision shooters, this combo is great.
An IR receiver is one more optional step that can really bring it all together - I have the Tira IR receiver, along with a Harmony One remote, and by using a piece of software called Event Ghost, I can change IR signals into ANY keyboard press or action on my computer - it's very cool.
Expect this to set you back a lot of money and time, but as a hobby I find HTPC'ing to be one of my favorites.

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Hdtv for computer monitor.

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