Michelle,

I bought a 50" Panasonc 1080p/600hz model TC-P50S1. Best Buy, HH Gregg and others had it for less than $1,000 a few weeks ago. As far as picture quality is concerned, it is great, IMO. I know two people in the home theater business and they swear by Panasonic as far as plasmas are concerned. If the TV is going into a dark room, a plasma should be perfect. My room has average lighting and it looks perfect.

TC-P50S1 - All VIERA® Flat-Panel HDTVs - Shop and Compare at Panasonic

This is the one I got. Like I said, I lucked out and it was on sale when I bought it a few weeks back. Paid $990 at Best Buy.

:iagree: Vast majority of TV's my friends theater business installs are plasmas. From cheap homes to mansions.

To be honest, plasmas are better than LCD as far as picture and motion are concerned. The only advantages of LCD over Plasma is that LCD's are available in sizes under 40 inches and they are better for rooms where glare is a major issue. Otherwise, plasma all the way.

Plasma vs. LCD: Which is right for you? - TVs

Video: LCD vs. Plasma

46" is a standard size

LGs are probably the best bang for buck
Samsung is my default brand for TVs now
120Mhz refresh rate is the lowest I would go but I think 240 is overkill and the LED is overpriced at this point. If you don't need cutting edge technology, I would recommend a 47/46 LCD with 120Mhz and 1080p output.

I bought a LG42LH50 (42") and I'm very happy. You could get the 47" version and pocket the difference.

Do a little research here to compare the sam's club model.
Find Your HD Plasma, Blu-ray Disc Player, Digital Camera or Full HD Camcorder From Panasonic

My PC output is DVI so I am using a DVI to HDMI adapter there and using HDMI input on the Vizio. the quality is not bad, and it does what I need. I mainly use the iMac and have Windows Vista Ultimate running off boot camp on the iMac so I rarely use the PC now. But the 42" is a pretty good set up for either a monitor or CCTV set up.

:iagree:

From what I remember, Plasmas are generally better and the preferred choice for people watching standard TV or looking for an affordable solution. LCD and LED is a better option when running everything in HD. I have seen regular TV on my LED, and I have to say it SUCKS. The picture quality is very bad. Good thing I have HD TV NOW.

OT...
Jessshh, you would think I called someones mother a b...h, :rofl:.
I should have worded that post, done while tired, a bit more
carefully. I was calling up the memory of some big brand(s)
"getting out of/reducing" their plasma efforts, combined with
watching the plasma prices drop in the ad circulars. :rolleyes:

I am thinking about a plasma for a replacement of our 8 yr old
low def 58 incher here at the Mtn house, so plasma is a serious
contendah.

My point was none of us have direct viewing info on every model
tossed up, we all tend to like what we have, and that 1080 is
worth it over 720, in the larger sizes, imo. Other than that, and
just waiting to get back to my 60" Sony,NoBaloney in FL, I'll get
out of this. :D

Yeah, no DVI on my laptop :rolleyes: I bought an S-Video to HDMI cord off ebay, but then I realized it was two completely different formats, I'd need a converter module, blah blah blah...I guess it is what it is. I thought about trying to use a regular ol' blue VGA cord, but haven't gotten around to buying and trying it. The picture isn't bad, but it leaves a 6" border around the whole screen, and I hate seeing movies in "theatre" view.

I would use VGA over S-Video but thats just me :D

I purchased the same Panasonic except mine has the internet capabilities. I have it in a very dim room and it plays very nice.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...0212009048.jpg

The Samsung Series 8 55" LED

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...0212009045.jpg

And one of the best part of the LED
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...0212009047.jpg