So, I want to buy my Dad an HDTV... the living room is fairly small, most viewing would be from ~10-15ft away, dimly lit, but can be brighter if there is a lot of company.

He watches a lot of SD tv channels (some HD), and regular DVDs, so the likes of Samsung 750, Pioneer Kuros, etc. are not the on the top priority list, but will strongly consider it if someone can push me towards it. Was looking at some Panasonics, but there are so many models! I'd spend ~$1,500 for the TV.

Thanks for helping a newbie! ;)

I'm still a newbie as well, but I've reading here and other places for almost 2 months now. I would say look at the Panasonic 42PZ80U, 46PZ80U, or the 50PX80U. The 50'' is 720p and only recommended that because at more than 10 feet away, it gets really hard to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. Of course people can, but considering your dad will be watching more SD material than HD, 720p should be fine. I would say head over to Best Buy and just check it out standing 10-12 feet away and see which size works best.

I should note that you can find all of these online for less than $1500 as Best Buy and Circuit City mark their prices up a couple hundred dollars. I believe Sears still has the sale going on where they have the 50PX80 for $1300.

I'm still a newbie as well, but I've reading here and other places for almost 2 months now. I would say look at the Panasonic 42PZ80U, 46PZ80U, or the 50PX80U. The 50'' is 720p and only recommended that because at more than 10 feet away, it gets really hard to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. Of course people can, but considering your dad will be watching more SD material than HD, 720p should be fine. I would say head over to Best Buy and just check it out standing 10-12 feet away and see which size works best.

I should note that you can find all of these online for less than $1500 as Best Buy and Circuit City mark their prices up a couple hundred dollars. I believe Sears still has the sale going on where they have the 50PX80 for $1300.

thanks a lot for the recs, i appreciate it! i'll definitely check those out

i ended up getting the Panny TH-42PZ85U... I hope everything comes well and in order!