HDTV Dilemma... Mr. Frugality Battles Mr. Pic Quality Whore

Aurgghh. Been shopping around for my very first HDTV (though I actually know a lot about 'em already, having worked in the video game industry with HD sets for years), and I've kind of hit a brick wall in terms of choices. Basically, I'm torn pretty much dead-even between two sets. One that appeals to my sensible, frugal, bang-for-the-buck side - a Panasonic 42" 720p plasma (PX80U) which can be had for the ridiculously cheap price of under $700 on Amazon right now, and has quite good picture quality. Bang-for-the-buck is off the charts. And the other set, a 46" Samsung 1080p Series 6 or 7 LCD set (PN46A650/750) that costs about double that ($1500-ish on Amazon), but which does have exactly the kind of picture quality I really like. And objectively, overall, probably does beat the Panny's PQ out by a bit regardless. Now, before you say, "Just get the Sammy, then", it's not so simple. The Panny is very good too - I'd say that the pic quality on it is about 85-90 percent as good as the much more expensive Sammy LCD, to my eyes anyway. The Panny's picture is just more subtle, for lack of a better word - a little darker, a little softer. But better blacks than the Sammy, and better handling of motion. So, the Panny's really good, especially considering the price. Just a steal, honestly. The Sammy, though, is just exactly my *personality/preference* when it comes to pic quality - bright, sharp, colorful, in-your-face instantly impressive. But I do wonder if I'll eventually tire of that, or if I'll appreciate it even more over time. Some ppl say that the more 'realistic/true-to-life' picture of plasma sets wears better over time. Tough to know what's what on that one. It's just a really hard call to make. The overall pic quality difference between the two sets isn't that huge at all (but it is noticeable), and 720p vs 1080p isn't really an obvious determining factor for me either, though I did notice a bit of the 'screen door effect' if I sat closer than 6 feet to the Panny... not really an issue though, since I'll be sitting 9-11 feet away at home, and could not discern any SDE at all at those distances in the showroom. Anyone else seen a lot of these two sets, and have any impressions to offer? Or are familiar with the "85-90 percent of the performance for half the money" dilemma? ---

Wow... most ppl seem to be really focusing on the 720 vs 1080 thing. Thing is, when I've gone to look at sets, I really have not noticed a big diff in picture quality between the 720p sets and the 1080p sets, to my surprise. And yes, I have really good vision, better than 20-20. From all the viewing I've been doing recently, it seems like other things matter more than 1080 vs 720 (unless you're sitting real close), like the maker and price point. Not that, all else being equal, I wouldn't want 1080. But it isn't equal- the 1080 sets cost more. Hurm. Off to Best Buy for more looky-seeing. Hope I don't run into some high-pressure blue-shirted teenager who won't leave me alone and knows no more about sets than the catchphrases they taught him in training. ---

Just got back from Best Buy. It was SO MUCH WORSE than I imagined over there... hardly any customers, so all the blue shirts converged on ME. This recession is doing wonders for their biz, 'parently, even on New Year's Day. So, I got hassled SIX TIMES while trying to check out the TVs. Please, Mr. Blue Polo Shirt Squad, eff off. IF I have any questions, I WILL LET YOU KNOW. Really, geniuses. Anyways, upon much further viewing, have to agree with Indy... 46" does seem like the way to go. It's the first size step where I go, "Hmm, that's big." I could live with a 40" or 42" set, but the 46" class sets just feel right. Also looked at some 52-inchers and up... that's just a lil' too big. For my space, anyway (14' x 12'). Gotta say that, upon further mulling, the dimness of plasmas really started to bother me. I kept thinking, "Nice picture, just wish it was a little brighter. A little brighter." About the only plasma set I didn't say that about was the Pioneer Kuro, which was playing 'Night at the Museum' on Blu-Ray VERY impressively. It really did look just about exactly like it did in the movie theatre. But, it really wasn't significantly better than the (much cheaper) Panasonic plasmas when it came to sports or the TV sources they had in there, and the Kuro is definitely more than I want to spend. If you have the cash and you're going to throw mainly top-notch source material at it, the Kuro is probably worth it... but I don't watch movies all that often, and we don't get FIOS out here, so can't guarantee that I'd be able to feed that beast of a set properly. I was also pleasantly surprised by LG's lcd sets. Once I discarded plasma, I really thought it was going to be all about Sony XBR vs Samsung 6/7/8 Series, but the best LG LCDs were competitive with them. Unfortunately they weren't any cheaper than the Samsungs, so there wasn't much point, but good to know. Also was shocked at how bad the off-brands continue to be. The Insignia LCD sets were a total and obvious disaster- completely washed out picture, really obviously bad pic quality. Displaying them right next to Sony and Samsung's best was probably not a stellar move on BB's part. All that's gonna do is make the ppl who can't afford better sad. When all is said and done, looks like it's gonna be a 46" Samsung Series 6 or 7. Sony XBR is just as good but is several hundred dollars pricier. Memo to Sony: You do not dominate anymore - adjust accordingly. Though to be fair, the non-XBR Bravias were very good too, and priced similar to the Samsungs. Is looking like Amazon for the purchase, too. The big box retailers just cannot seem to compete on price, even on sale. If they were at least close, I'd buy from 'em... I'm a 'put it in my car and go' kinda guy. But they just can't compete. I have to wonder why anyone buys a TV from the big box stores anymore. And if I were them, I'd be screaming bloody murder at the manufacturers... Amazon and the like are going to cut their throats, sooner or later. Ah well, interesting process. Pretty confusing & dumb, but interesting. I'll miss my old Sony WEGA tube TV, tho'.

You're absolutely right, Andre. But there's not much I can do about it, 'cept tweak the settings and hope for the best once I get a set home. The Kuros are great but too pricey. Best deal I've seen on 'em is $2700 or so, on Amazon. At least a grand more than I want to drop.

What did you think of the Sony XBR lcds? Or LG's?