oh expensive day!

going to buy a tv tonight. it ain't what it used to be, tv shopping...
questions have escaped my lips that i still shudder to recall...
"Is 1080P worth the extra?"
"What refresh rate can this one manage?"
"What is the contrast ratio?"
"Is HDMI the best method to cable everything together?"

Ugh. I'm techno-consumer guy. Turn away! Don't look at me!