If you don't have a bright room go with plasma and stay away from Samstung.
Pioneer Kuro is first choice in plasma. Panny is good too. But plasma(power hogs) tech is slowly fading away. Some new TVs/techs to be introduced at CES 2009 next month. That will bring price down for some older models. Seen the new Sharp 1" thick LCD TV with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.