TV only recommendation

You can find a good range of Panasonic Plasmas in the price range you mention. I think the 55" 3D is 2500.oo
it depends on how big and features. The lower end Panasonic is 55" for 1500.oo IF you want plasma. If you want LED/LCD/DLP you have many to choose from in that price range.

Check avsforum.com. The forum posters know a lot of the issues between models; each brand has their quirks. There are also calculators for screen size versus viewing distance on various sites. Last year I purchase a 58" Samsung 6500 plasma. From 17' that size is good but could have done 63". Generally I think it is better to error on the larger size. Mounting height imo, should have the center of the television at the level of one's eyes or so. People who wall mount always do it too high. I don't know why they want to look up all the time.

It is best to look at the different types of televisions (LCD, LED, plasma, even rear projection) to see which looks best to you, and that will narrow the pack. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but all types have improved to mitigate their respective drawbacks. Internet features are more standard these days, so I don't think that is going to be an issue. Good luck.

Imo you will get the best picture quality from a plasma. In the past few months I have tried a few LCDs. I am in the midst of trying to settle on a plasma TV after trying a Panasonic. Next, I am trying a Samsung plasma since I liked but was not completely sold on Panasonic. Panasonic and Samsung are the leaders in plasma with LG third.. Their higher end tvs all have internet apps too. LCD and LED will provide you a very sharp and accurate hi-def picture, but for me have an unnatural look particularly when watching major motion pictures (movies). LCD/LED tv's will take movies that were shot on very expensive high end cameras and reduce that look of movie quality down to a video camera appearance with a "movie set" appearance. This look is what is known as "the soap opera affect." For me with an LCD tv, movies don't look like the movies I see in the theater, but more like a soap opera or a home video. Some people however like the "soap opera affect." Just not me. My advice: if you want a movie to look like a movie, then get a plasma TV. But who knows, you may like LCD's or LED's better. As was suggested, you can find out information about TV's at avsforum.com. Caveat: Be warned, however that plasma technology still hasn't been perfected, is flawed, and each of the major brands have their flaws. But LCD and LED technology is also flawed.(example: "soap opera affect") Even with their flaws imo the highest picture quality for naturalness and color will still be from a plasma. Also, be warned, the TVs displayed in the big box stores with their bright lighting all run on the same video loops and this is not a good way to judge a TV's true performance, especially on movies. Good luck.