It's one of the best regular (non-flat) tubes I've seen, with really good picture quality. I've had it for the last 3 months and have been very happy so far. It doesn't support an anamorphic (16:9) squeeze mode, but you can do it manually by accessing the service menu. It usually sells for < $500 at places like Best Buy. JVC is another good brand to look at in this price range. Just head over there sometime and take a look around.
I have the 20" version of the Toshiba mentioned by parin (in my kitchen) and would definitely recommend this line.
BTW, in response to your other thread about disposing of a TV: the set this Toshiba replaced died excatly as you've described with your Zenith > final diagnosis was a dead power supply. I put it out at the curb on garbage night knowing full well it would never see the garbage truck....and it didn't.