Need recommendations on entertainment center - HDTV and Sound

[Wht_Rbt]

I'm looking to get an HDTV. I will be using it mostly to watch DVDs and play PS3. I will also have standard cable, but I almost never watch TV. It will be almost entirely for DVD's and Playstation.

Some notes and questions:

Size - I will probably get a 42"

I'm pretty sure Plasma is the way to go.

Is it worth it to go for 1080p?

I would like HDMI inputs.

What would you recommend? I'd like to spend less than $1500 if possible. I'd actually like to spend as little as possible, but $1500 would be my max.

This is what I'm currently considering: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TH-42PX6...2168&sr=1-9

I'd also like recommendations on Surround Sound to go with it. I'm getting a new place in a week and would like a nice entertainment center that's reasonably affordable.

[onthebutton]

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I'm pretty sure Plasma is the way to go.

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You obviously need to do more research.

[dms]

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I'm pretty sure Plasma is the way to go.

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You obviously need to do more research.

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Not true. Plasma could be better for OP.

[z28dreams]

If you want 1080p, the samsung LCD's are probably your best bang for the buck.

If you don't mind 720p/1080i, Panasonic Plasmas are probably your best bet.

[Blarg]

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure Plasma is the way to go.

[/ QUOTE ]

You obviously need to do more research.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not true. Plasma could be better for OP.

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For playing games? I've heard the burn-in dangers aren't what they used to be, but still ... hours at a time of the same screen overlay ...

[Wht_Rbt]

Does anyone have an LCD and is happy with it? What exactly are the ups/downs of plasma vs lcd. The room will usually be dark. I will be watching very little TV... almost entirely games and DVD.

Is LCD less expensive?

[bdk3clash]

You might find some useful info in this recent EDGD thread.

[onthebutton]

I have a 40" Samsung LCD and love it. To my eye, plasma pretty much only looked good in the dark. And from what I've read, LCD is better if gaming is your primary focus.

[z28dreams]

This thread has been done around 100x, OP. Do some searches and you'll see.

Why not go look at them in person and decide for yourself?

I would suggest bringing a movie with dark-scenes though, because that's easily where LCD's suffer the most.

The only really valid arguments between the 2 are:
- plasmas have better contrast/black levels ( a bigger deal than you'd think )
- only lcd's can do 1080p for a reasonable cost, better for PC inputs, games, etc
- lcd's are a little 'slower' and you may notice in sports

Get a panasonic plasma and a samsung LCD side-by side. Then, watch a DVD, a HD signal, and stadard-def TV to make your decision.

Note that SD looks like crap on all of these tv's.

[jws43yale]

I did alot of research recently in deciding between 40-42" Plasmas and LCD's. I decided on a plasma because I watch alot of sports, and won't be playing many videogames until Halo 3 which will give me adequate time to break in the screen. I choose the Samsung LNT-4264 over that Panasonic and the Pioneer PDP-4270. It is the cheapest of the three and has the most user control which I like. It also is a new model compared to the older Panasonic and Pioner models. It was a tough call and took alot of research to decide. If you do decide to go LCD, defintely go Samsung. Price of all are pretty comprable, can be found on Amazon between $1200 and $1700.

Plasma's definitely have a better picture still, but LCD's are getting closer. I know my next TV will be an LED backlit, 120hz LCD which will pretty much make Plasma obsolete in the next 2-3 years.

You can't get a 42" 1080p plasma and unless you are sitting closer to the screen then 6', you won't notice the difference between 1080p and 720p. Plasma's get mixed reviews for gaming. Some people have had burn-in problems, some have not. I feel that if you treat the TV right, you should not have a problem and a Plasma will be better for fast moving or dark games. Check out avsforum.com for more on the plasma burn-in issue.

As for sound, let me know more about your budget. Since you won't be listening to much music, but instead DVD's and gaming, you probably want a 5.1 system. Let me know what your are after, style, quality, etc. My reccommendation would be to spend close to $1000 to get a great system with bookshelf speakers. But those speakers are going to be larger than what you are probably thinking of and you may not like that. Give my some infor and I will be happy to help.