Announcements made in the past year or so would indicate that if you want one, you better act fast.

It took me close to a year to get used to motion blur on our LCD which is rated as one of the better ones for that.

The plasma took no adjustment at all going from the old CRT tube TV we had.

Even a little background lighting can diminish the plasma's superiority, the LCD by comparison is almost bullet proof to room lighting effects.

A couple of years ago, I tried a 60" Sharp LCD TV from Costco as an interim and found the IQ to be pretty lacking. I returned it.

I bought a Panasonic 60" plasma, second model from the top. It has awesome IQ, and even when the room is somewhat light I prefer its IQ.

I strongly prefer the IQ of plasma.

Lighting aside, Plasma = film & LCD = video. There is a difference but under $1K buy the one you like.

Ian

so is non LED LCD
THE FLORESCENT TUBES are old tec
they use more power and run hotter and burn out

the edge lit LED sets are not as good as direct lit LEDs

plasma is also older tec but still has the best black areas
but is hot , power hungry , and suffers burn in problems
also watch out for cheaper plasma sets that are only 720 in bigger sizes
you really want 1080 today
pansonic vera sets are about the best plasma sets but higher priced

4K sets are out but there is no programing except a few internet down loads

btw I would not mess with 3d or wifi in a tv just get a blueray player with wifi streaming

I still cant figure out why this has become a trend. IMHO that is the worst place to mount a TV. It's not natural to look UP at a TV. I can't look at one like that for more than 30 minutes without getting a neck-ache!

I have a Panasonic Viera 1080 plasma and Panasonic Blueray player, very happy. I watch mostly movies and TV series late in the evening when I get home, so room darkness is not a problem.

Does Costco sell the high end models? I've never shopped at one so just asking. Best Buy sells good stuff if they're still in business.

I have a Panasonic GT Series plasma. It is/was one of the highest rated plasmas on the market. The picture is impeccable. It's also has active 3D, which is shockingly good on Blu-Ray movies.

Definitely the finest TV I've ever owned.

My set-up is for both HT and 2-channel stereo and I have no neck strain with the TV above the fireplace.

Of course it may help that I have a chair set up in the sweet-spot which is nicknamed the "day dreaming chair" because of it's high angle of incline. You sort of naturally view the crack between the wall and an 8 foot ceiling.

When lying on the couch nearby a few pillows easily adjust the viewing angle.

I have a knock-off of this famous chair and ottoman.

Herman Miller: Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman | Sgustok Design
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1395390494.jpg

Panasonic Plasma TC-P60ST50.................takes some adjusting to fine tune, but worth it.

However for that brightly lit room originally posted a LCD/LED will be more viable on weekends/daytime.

I just bought my second Panasonic Plasma.....from Sears of all places !

I've had a Samsung 50" plasma for 3yrs and I still love it.

The sharpness the OP saw at Costco could be due to the TV setup. Retailers will set the TVs they want to move into flame mode (high contrast and brightness), ie makes the picture pop to draw attention.

A good test is to run a low quality signal to the TV and see how you like that picture. Death by TV info can be found at Display Devices

If price were no object I would get the 80' top of the line 240Hz LED... and I would be driving a 991.

Back to reality, as I said we are in an under $1000 budget for a TV.

Don't need/want 3D or smart, just going for most TV for the dollar and that pans out to Plasma (I am old school and believe in the mantra "ain't no substitute for cubic inches").

The flat sceen in the picture I posted (taken by my wife when I wasn't there) is a Samsung 52" plasma @$550, if they still have them at costco Monday that is more than likely what I will pick up.

We are upgrading from a 36" CRT so anything would be a huge upgrade. :D

Checked online (I'm not going to spend all day shopping for a TV) Newegg, Tigerdirect, Bestbuy cannot beat that deal.

Thanks for all the input!

If you wait a while, Vizio will be introducing their 4K TV's later one this year at a price that laughs at other 4K TV's. Starting at $1000.

Vizio 4K TV for $1K - Most anticipated tech of 2014 (pictures) - CNET Reviews

I've got three Vizio TV's here now. I like them quite a bit, haven't had any problems at all. My oldest one was bought in 2008.

Don't ignore Sears, they frequently have really good prices.

To echo Gogar, research what you want on CNet. They have excellent objective reviews that apply quite a bit of science, not just a guy looking at a TV.

Plasma will be fine in a bright room. We just moved a plasma from our living room (3 big windows) to our master bedroom (dark) to make space for a bigger LCD in the living room, I think the plasma was slightly better in both locations. I believe one is a Toshiba and one is a Panasonic.

I have played around with Vizio and Panasonic here at work and would buy one in a heartbeat.

As with most things in life this is an exercise in economy, so Monday morning I'm borrowing my brothers truck, picking up my friend, hauling the 36" boat anchor to the recycling center, Costco is just a few blocks from that same recycling center. Whatever the biggest screen I can get for around $600 of three above manufacture I will pick up, then stop by my buddies business in Cereitos to pick up my coil-overs for the Miata (to be installed Tuesday) then back home to install the new flatscreen.

Do you watch a lot of sports? That was the deal breaker for LED for me, hockey just didn't look good on it.

I got a 50" Panasonic a few years ago (a VT series Viera) and really liked it, so after a few years with only one tv in the house I upgraded to a 65" Panasonic ZT Viera for my living room and moved the 50 upstairs. My living room is bright at some times of the day, but it doesn't bother me. It wasn't cheap but like Gogar said the reviews on CNet cemented the decision for me.

I keep my tv's for years so I didn't mind the expense. I'd say get the plasma.

Bill

For the price, they're quite good really. I've been very impressed with mine.
When the 4K tvs hit, I'l' be picking one up. Probably as a monitor for the PC. That's gunna be a BFM for sure, seeing as how they start at 50 inches. I'm pretty happy with 1080p as a TV, but 1080 for a monitor could use just a little improvement. Besides, I just did some serious upgrading to the PC and should be able to drive a 4k display with ease. :D

Interesting article on the value, or lack thereof, with 4K.

Why Ultra HD 4K TVs are still stupid | TV and Home Theater - CNET Reviews

Of course this is always the catch 22 of any electronics purchase... whatever cell phone, flat screen, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. you but in a few months there will be a bigger better one at a lower price available.

I am notorious for scanning the Internet for the best performance and price on any purchase (big fan of CNET) but to keep my sanity I don't play the "but in a few months" game. I set a budget and time frame and buy within that... I kid you not, the coil-overs I just bought... in a few months a manufacture is supposed to come out hot new product at a great price, but the shocks on my 1995 Miata look to be OEM and need to be changed yesterday... same with the 36" CRT, it blinks on and off randomly... some nights not big deal... some night a huge PITA.

And then there is my wife... she has given the green light to spend the tax return on these items... she is not a huge fan of TV and has even less interest in my automobile hobby. If I don't move on these now the funds may get reallocated. ;)

Heh heh. My BIL and sister (both architects) also have that chair/ottoman for TV viewing. Knock-off, too. (They're architects, right?) :D

Just picked up a 55" Samsung 7100 LED. It's pretty amazing how good the picture is over the 3 year old 1080p Sony Bravia it replaced. $1500 but amazon couldn't get it shipped properly so it was delayed a week. They took $350 off for my trouble, so I am quite happy.