In the end, get what you can afford, do some research(cnet.com is good).

And once you get it home, you'll be happy with it(you won't be comparing it side by side with anything).

Just go to a local Best Buy and stare at the screens. You will notice the differences in each TV. Sure the top of the line ones will look the best, but you'd be surprised that the lower tier ones look pretty good.

It will depend on your level of "taste" or how much of a videophile you are.

1080P is still quite a bit away from being fully utilized, so unless you really want to buy the best, you'll save a ton by getting 720p/1080i. Don't buy into the hype just because. 720p/1080i hooked up to a hd source still looks pretty damn good.

FWIW I picked up a 42" Samsung DLP and find it is awesome for movies and it was great even with sports. Its 1080i and looks great. Bought that one for $1300 at the time, I think you may find it for around $1100 now.

I also picked up a 37" Olevia LCD for a KILLER $599 during a special deal. If you check sites like avsforums it is a highly rated LCD for good money. The picture quality is amazing, and would easily rival many mid tier models: Westinghouse, Sharp, Vizio, Entry Samsungs etc...

The key to all TV's is to really spend the time reading up on how to tune them properly. It makes a huge difference in picture quality. Out of the box they are ok, but if you spend the time to tweak everything just right, you can get a very nice picture. I consider myself a mid level audio/video phile but I'm not hardcore. But I watch a lot of movies and really appreciate the level of detail you get with HD. Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

 

Vizio lcds looks better than the Olevias. I have a Vizio 42inch lcd at home and when my friend comes over, he tells me that it is much better than his olevia lcd.

 

Also, if you watch a lot of DVD's it won't be in HD unless you get an HD DVD player (blu-ray, etc.).

I purchased a Phillips 42" plasma and was extremely impressed. The one thing my gf forced me to do (which I thank her for) is she made me draw in pencil how big the thing would be on the wall before making the purchase. They all seem so small in the store, ya know?

Me: 60" seems about right.
Salesman: It'd look great in your apartment!
Her: WTF? Let's draw that thing and come back!

Another thing they don't tell you is that Plasma screens get HOT. The thing is a furnace by the 4th quarter of a football game.

 

Very similar to the tools who dish out $1000 or more for an exhaust, header, intake, or a combination for a 5% increase in power.

 

ok guys.. i went to the store and i came down to a couple of tvs..
they are both samsung

52' LCD 1080p going for 3000
or
50 Plasma 780p going for 1798...

what is the biggest differance between plasma and LCD.. which is better??

 

I'm not so sure about that. I've seen a lot of Vizio's and they are in the same price range as Olevia's. I liked the Olevia picture better. But it could be source and personal taste.

 

LCD is better and it will last longer. Plasma gets way too hot, and a lot of people will tell you it looks better, but any tv looks better when you put a payne of glass over it. A plasma has a sheet of glass over the front, which is bad if you have any windows or lights in the room. You will see the reflection almost as good as through a mirror! LCD FTW!

 

This is not accurate information. Fact of the matter is, if money is no object, plasma shows a better picture. There is no debate on this. However, LCDs look better in certain situations. Plasmas like an ideal environment to look their best. Lots of ambient light washes out the plasma, and the LCD looks better. So, if the TV is going into a room with lots of windows without good shades, the LCD is better. Dollar value, the plasma is superior. Contrast, the plasma is superior. Sharpness, the plasma is superior. Color reproduction, plasma is superior. Power consumption, the LCD is superior. Heat, the LCD is superior. High ambient light viewing, the LCD is superior. Videogames, the LCD is superior.

So, compare apples to apples....for the price of the 1080p LCD, you can have a Pioneer Elite plasma which will still dazzle you more, provided you create an ideal environment.

 

so spend more on the environment to spend less on the tv?

 

The biggest difference between that comparison is one is 1080p and the other is 720p.

To be honest it really depends on the type of room you are placing your t.v. in. and there are pros and cons between the two (plasma & lcd) and I'll tell you pretty much what they are.

LCD

1. You can place it any type of room
2. No burn in ( The imprint of an image when it is left on there for too long)
3. Consumes less electricity and heat
4. lighter (weighs less)
5. 160 degree + viewing angle
6. A little pricier than plasma definitely when you get above 46" +

Plasma

1. It is not advise to place in a well lit room because it attracts glare
2. Burns in ( Even though technology has progressed w/ the plasma television it is still capable of burn in, no matter what a salesperson tells you. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL)
3. Pretty heavy...
4. Consumes more power and heat
5. 180 degree viewing angle
6. The best part about the plasma : CHEAPER (There are a few exceptions like the Pioneer Elite series and some 1080p plasmas)

I'm a Magnolia Pro 3 @ Best Buy and to be honest I like the picture of a plasma better than the lcd but I would not want to deal w/ burn in.

Let me know what type of room you are placing it in and I'll give you my honest opinion. But as far as comparison goes I hope this helps.

`Marvin

P.S. Regardless of what technology you go with

LCDs = Sony or Samsung
Plasma = Panasonic or Pioneer