Pioneer vs. Panasonic plasma

The only thing about Plasma - Is burn is NOT a myth.

I watch a lot of 4x3 content (I use black bars on the side, and do not stretch or screw with the aspect ratio) and my 600U has 2 vertical white lines where the 4x3 cuts off when I'm watching widescreen content. It's more image retention than burn in - after a couple of widescreen these dissapate - but plasma burn in is not a myth

goatwuss - what model and how old is it?
many of these issues have been reduced dramatically

in 4th 5th and 6th generation plasmas

So what did you decide on?

I'm taking a look at the 52" Sharp LCD too.
There are some really great deals out there now in plasma TV's that are being replaced - Panasonic, HP.

Read the AVS.forum discussions of vertical banding in Sharp LCDs, particularly the 52" and the 56".