Deanna and I are going to be investing in our first HD flatscreen TV sometime in the next month or two. We're upgrading from a nice Sony Trinitron 36XBR200 36-inch HDTV that we got a great bargain on used but is just too fat and heavy for the space we now have available.
Based on viewing distance, we've decided that we want a 1080p 42" flatscreen. This is right on the edge for size where 720p would be acceptable if we were a foot or two further away, but where it's going to sit puts us a bit closer than average so 1080p sounds right.
We've read a lot about the advantages and disadvantages of the different panels out there and have concluded that plasma is probably right for our circumstances but are still open to LCD.
Right now, we've got our eye on two particular models, one plasma and one LCD that meet our basic size and resolution criteria, come in at under $1,000, and received good to very good online reviews.
The first is the Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ80U 42" 1080p Plasma HDTV. This Panasonic, or its slightly newer PZ85U sibling, gets great reviews, can be had for about $850 to $950, and looks really good in the photos I've seen online. (I know, not a good way to buy, but it's not available in nearby stores.)
The second is Toshiba's REGZA 42RV535U 42" 1080p LCD HDTV. This one just came on our radar because it sits in an almost identical price range and having seen it in person, (though not in our lighting) it impressed me with limited motion blur and pretty decent blacks for an LCD.
We don't often make "entertainment" purchases this large and really don't want to get something we won't be thrilled with. So, I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with either of these models or similar models from these manufacturers and what your experience has been.
Any and all advice is really appreciated.
