Flat Screen Recommendations: 50 to 60 inch

Backlit LCD is still trumped by Plasma, its getting closer all the time but we are talking about today and not a year or so from now. But buy what makes you happy cause even if its not quite as good its not like your ever gonna do direct comparisons in your home.

My son-in-law just got a 42" Panasonic Plasma and the picture is knock-you-over fantastic. Beats the heck out of my Pioneer plasma, and my Sony.

I also agree about the Samsung LED backlit LCD TVs. I shop regularly at Costco and Sam's club, and pass large arrays of HDTVs under harsh viewing conditions at least twice a week. The LED backlit LCD displays stand out from the crowd with better saturation, sharper delineation, more natural presentation, subterranean black levels and an image that almost looks 3D. For a long time the Sony Bravias seemed to be the ones to beat, and their LED/LCD ones are outstanding. But for less money, the razor-thin LED/LCD Samsungs equal or surpass them. They're the ones I have my eyes on for my next purchase (hopefully April).

I have a 5 year old Pioneer 43" plasma and a brand new 37" LG LED-lit LCD screen. Even though my Pio is only 780p, it still has a better picture than almost any other 1080p screen I've seen (other than the later Pioneer Kuros). I haven't seen the new Pannys yet. LED/LCD screens are brighter and more eye-popping and tend to look better in the store. They also look great for things like Pixar animation. However, if you watch real-life films and sporting events, a good plasma is much more natural looking and less fatiguing - at least to my eyes. The LCD's always catch your eye in the store, but the plasmas are much more appealing to me. If I weren't constrained by my built-in cabinetry, I'd pick up a 50" used Kuro.

Do the plasma tv's still have reflection issues? I have a lot of ambient light where my Sony Bravia IV LCD is placed (which is why I went with an LCD). If the reflection issue of the plasma's has been solved, I would consider getting one.