I need a new TV

That's a great deal being offered to you by the local dealer. Calibration can run as high as $300 by Magnolia, not to mention they charge $200 more for the same TV. If they can match the price, then it's a toss up. Maybe someone who knows more can contribute here.

The only other consideration you need to explore, if you haven't already, is to make sure it's warranted for a good 4-5 years and the costs it entails. I only mention this as an old Samsung of mine had the power board go south on it 3 years after I got it and thankfully it was under warranty and saved me $300.

Good luck and enjoy,
Nonoise

To clear up my previous post. The dealer is providing a no-cost initial setup and calibration with a DVD. Then a month later they will do an ISF calibration: cost is $300.

So, I called Magnolia and asked if they would meet the dealers deal: Sony $2,100 (vs. Magnolia price of $2,299), $300 ISF calibration, $5 disposal fee, and the initial setup and calibration with a DVD also at no charge. Magnolia salesperson is checking with his manager now.

The reason to check with Magnolia for me is because they are a large national company vs. the dealer, who runs a one store operation (27 years in business). Magnolia may be easier to deal with if I have a problem with the TV than the dealer might be; that is what I'm thinking. But what is cool about the dealer is they have a lot of cool hi-end audio/video merch. So that could lead to a possible long-term relationship. Anyway, just waiting on a response. Then I can make a decision.

Am I missing anything here?

I feel sorry for the dealer that stepped up to the plate both price wise and service wise without being pressured.

In terms of picture quality, plasmas are still better than LCD sets, even the LCD/LED sets (meaning LEDs supply the back lighting instead of flourescent bulbs). Although LCD/LED sets are much better than they use to be when it comes to motion artifacts, blurring and other motion problems, such are still more noticeable with these sets than is the case with plasmas. If you sit relatively close to the set and/or you do a lot of viewing of material with a lot of motion and panning (e.g., sports broadcast), the difference between the two might be significant.

Black levels and detail in the shadows is also still better with plasmas than LCD/LED sets. The LCD/LED sets have quite high conttrast ratings because the sets can get much brighter, but, they actually cannot get quite as black as plasmas. Plasmas also tend to have more uniformity across the whole screen and can be viewed from further off axis without severe dimming. Color, particularly flesh tones, is better with plasmas than with LCD/LED sets. But, if the set will be in a location with high ambient light levels, particularly with light shining directly on the screen, the higher light output of the LCD/LED set may swing picture quality in favor of that kind of set.

Overall, plasmas deliver a better picture. Go to Best Buys and compare the two side by side, particularly with darker scenes. The LCD/LED set will look murky and have a kind of haze compared to the clearer looking plasma. But, the differences are much smaller than they use to be. LCD/LED sets have the advantage of putting out less heat (meaning also using less electricity), probably lasting longer (though either will last longer than most people will want to keep the set anyway), and is not prone to burn-in problems (burn-in problems are much less severe with modern plasmas, though you still don't want to have the same image on the screen for great lenghts of time).

So, I went by and made a deal with my local dealer. Magnolia never got back to me. Unfortunately the dealer had to order it and it won't be here until next Tues/Wed. And probably next Thursday since Wednesday is the 4th. But now its just the wait. Thanks for the help all.