Looking for 42in Plasma TV Please help

Umm, this may be off base, but with a 2 foot deep closet why don't you go rear projection TV and save about $3000. Get a top of the line RPTV with built in HDTV, or external, your pick, and if you want the "I hung it on the wall" look, just frame in across the bottom of the TV-- you'll only see the screen. I won't tell anybody it's not plasma if you won't, and you'll get way better blacks without pixelization or as many motion artifacts- no buzzing or fans, either. Just a thought.

I've been looking at plasmas due to space limitations, but I have to admit that the RP HDTVs I saw yesterday knocked me out. And cost at best buy for a 50-60" 16:9 was about $2200-2400.00! So if you have the room, Pmkalby is on the money.

Samsung DLP off axis looks great. Best picture for the money.. I have sold lotsa plasma tvs and lotsa DLP.. I would buy the dlp because you cannot burn it in, great off axis very good in bright light fits my budget.. new lamp ='s new tv..all are hd by nature..Personally you will be ahead of the depreciation curve.. There will be something better than both of these in the next 3 yrs.Tom

Htsteve,

I am just as confused as you are. Perhaps if you can answer these few questions, may be you will have a sense of direction which you want to go.

1) "What do I want?" EDTV or HDTV. You mentioned Panasonic EDTV and Fujitsu HDTV. What would dictate such outcome? Money? Resolution?

2) Once you have decided whether it's EDTV or HDTV, the next question is manufacturer? "Will it be Panasonic, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Pioneer, or Sony?" If it's EDTV, I like Panasonic. If it's HDTV, any is good for me personally.
3) "What features are important for me?" 3:2 pull down, types and number of video inputs, P-I-P, speakers, closed caption, clock, ...

4) "Have I done my research on other websites for professional reviews?" Look for ownership experience, but don't look for personal reviews b/c those reviews have bias due to limited ownership. If I own more than one brand of plasma, I can tell you which one I like best. Unfortunately, I only own one brand. The only way to compare apple for apple is to compare all technical information, such as resolution, features, and others, ect...

5) "Am I still w/in my budget, or do I have to trim something to make this purchase possible?"

One thing for sure is that whatever decision you make after having done your research, I'm sure that you will be very happy w/ it. I notice that most plasma owners are happy with their choices. Nicknapster is happy with his Gateway. I am happy w/ my Panasonic. Sony loyal customers will be happy with their Sony. What can I say? Perhaps you can do more research on other websites to figure out your personal best bang for the buck.

I have kooked long and hard to find the best for the buck and the Panasonic EDTV wins . I looked at EDTV and HDTV side by side and I really can not tell much difference. The HDTV had a little richer colors but not much for the price difference. Please reply thanks