The Questions asked by unknown poster:

So I’ve been researching a new tv purchase. I am replacing a 26″ Sharp tube that I bout for like $300 in 2000. I am still torn between LCD vs. Plasma. So my “short list” has both. All are 1080p. The tv will be used for everything: tv, movies and gaming (Wii and PS3). I only have basic cable but in theory since these tv’s have QAM I should be able to get my local broadcast channels hd feeds via the cable. I sit about 10 ft from my tv currently. So here is the short list along with the prices I can get at the moment.

LCD
46″ Sony 46V3000 – $1900 + tax (Sears)
46″ Samsung 4661 – $1656 + tax (Circuit City $1800 – 8% AAA coupon)

Plasma
42″ Panasonic TH-42PZ77U – $1275 + tax (Panasonic partner discount price – free shipping)
42″ Panasonic TH-42PZ700U – $1397 + tax (Panasonic partner discount price – free shipping)
For reference, the 50″ Panasonic TH-50PZ77U would be $1983 + tax…not sure 8″ is worth $700.

I am leaning towards the 42″ plasmas due to price. If I go LCD I am leaning towards the Samsung 4661 for price. I still have to buy a stand, PS3, and new audio receiver/speakers (my current setup is 18yrs old). Yes, I’m basically upgrading everything.

Which would be your choice and why?

MY REPONSE:

I gotta throw my 2 cents in here, I am in the same boat as you, I have researched hours and hours over the last 2 weeks. And up until that point I was a huge LCD fanboy, well after all that research I have changed my mind, esp. after hearing all the updates from CES last week. Plasma had a huge presence at the show and alot of support. They still produce a better image, and burn in is a non issue anymore, not a minor issue, a non issue 100%, better chance of burning in your CRT tv your replacing. And dont get caught up in the 720p vs 1080p debate, it just doesn’t matter. If I was in your shoes, and buying today, I would buy the Panny 75u for $899.99 at frye’s rite now, it was just posted recently on another thread. It comes to around $960 shipped. Yes, It doesnt have the antiglare coating, but unless your room is superbright, and I mean direct sunlight on the screen, your better off anyway. Though I do think the Samsungs and Sony’s are making the best LCD’s at the moment, the panny plasma still looks better in my opinion, but their getting alot closer. Maybe next generation it will be a crapshoot. My opinion, and others from posts I have read, is over the next few years when flat screens have already saturated the market, plasma’s will be the high end TV’s we lust after in the $2000-$5000 range, and the LCD’s will be what grandma and grandpa buy at walmart in the $400-$1500 range. And then throw OLED and maybe even direct laser technology into the mix by 2013. Who knows about those yet. My opinion, go with the panny, you find mixed reviews on almost everything nowadays, but I found few for this one. GL

Chris