budget lcd or plasma: 720p good enough?

I agree 100% that the size vs resolution is a major factor and at a tight budget I dont think one has much of a choice. lucky for them it doesnt matter. I will go one step further and say 1080P is still a questionable purchase due to individual viewing. A guy who wants to watch mostly sports and cable/sateltite with the occasional Blu Ray ofcourse still doesnt need 1080P. For the guy who watches or intends to watch 1 or so Blu Rays per week then it becomes a more reasonable option and the premium is more justified.....even so a 720P with Blu Ray is still going to look fantastic and you can be careful with your cash, something many of us think about these days.
It does no good to have the best resolution if it never or almost never gets that signal....and only Blu Ray offers TRUE 1080P at this time.

Phasecorrect- I think everyone missed mentioning what I think is the key here; how far you sit from the set. You can not be anymore than six seven feet or so from a 50-inch set to discern 1080p resolution. Much more than that and 720p will give you the same result. In any case, dive in; you'll love 720p.

Russ

thanks folks...going 42" plasma

Pioneer Kuro PDP-4280 HD, best picture I ever saw.

Discontinued, but can be had new for $1599.00

12-11-08: Phasecorrect
thanks folks...going 42" plasma

A 42" in 720p should be plenty good. If two or more people are watching at once, it'd be difficult to sit close enough to see the difference, especially on cable.

I've been watching a 55" 720p for almost 3 years now and still enjoy it immensely.

With 42" 720p will be fine. Enjoy! You'll even notice the improvement over cable or dish when you get a Blu-ray player.