Flat screens?

Actually the best picture is still a Hi-Def Glass tube unit but the are small, boxy and heavy....then Plasma, then LCD but LCD gets better almost monthly, DLP rear unit projectors are popular for getting big picture on the cheap and can vary in quality fitting in between Plasma and LCD. Then last are Projectors which can be fantastic in a dedicated space where light is not a huge issue to control.....but for all their flaws that huge picture cant be beat for true movie involvment.
As of now I have Glass tube HDTV, small LCD unit and an LCD projector, my dad has 58in Plasma and my brother has a 65in DLP rear Projection unit so I have a pretty good hold on many of each strengths and weakness.

Agreed with 55dok. I own plasma, LCD, and rear projection using LCD, currently in the market for a projector. Among them all, plasma has the most realistic picture quality by a big margin. Just like photography, sharpness is not everything and plasma has that natural look especially in skin tone.

yes, I regret getting that LCD and rear projection. my next purchase will be a big plasma to replace my 3 year old NEC 42" ED plasma that still looks 100 times better than my other displays.

Folks: One last question: what are the typical discounts that dealers offer on good plasmas, for example, assume a 42" plasma that lists for $3,000? Assume further that I would go to a good home theater / two-channel dealer (I would not buy from a large chain like Circuit City). Obviously, discounts vary depending upon the product and the dealer, but is there any rule of thumb like the 10% that brick & mortar stores often do for 2-channel?

Thanks

With the holiday sales you can get a 42" panasonic plasma for less than $1000 if you want last years model in silver or for $1400-1500 in the latest black, non glare finish. Check 6th AVE electronics online as they run weekly holiday specials and are also clearing out last year's models. You can pick up a new pioneer 60" (?last year's model not an elite model) PDP6071 (1365x768) for less than $3000. 1080X1920 HD sets are probably overkill for 42" and 50" sets as well as many 60" sets. I've seen a pioneer elite 60" (1365x768) set look as good or better than some other companies 1080p sets because the final picture quality also depends on the scaler etc. not only the resolution.
Take a look at 6ave.com as I got a 50" panasonic plasma on clearance for $1400 and after adjusting the settings it has an excellent picture. You can always download their prices and see if CC or BB will match their price or get it shipped and save the taxes.