Like so many that have come before me, I'm trying to make a decision on a new TV. It's been hard enough choosing between Plasma and LCD. Now I have some good candidates, but my wife keeps finding things wrong with them.

On the 2008 Panasonic Plasma models, she doesn't like the "pursed lip" look of the bottom of the frame, nor the "cheap looking" flip cover on said frame. I have to say I actually agree with this, but would be willing to live with it due to the picture quality, especially on the 85u.

She hates the "touch of color" on the Samsungs, either Plasma or LCD. I was looking pretty strongly at the LN52A650, but she really, really doesn't like the red. She likes the PNA550 styling (I do too, actually), but I'm worried about the black levels. Still, for price/performance reasons, 1080p over component (pre-HDMI Xbox 360 here) and the lack of style objections, the PNA550 is my leading candidate at the moment.

Also, every demo unit I've seen of the A650 seems to have AMP cranked wayyyyy up high, and I HATE the way it looks. Are the low/medium settings less speedy/artificial looking? Circuit City had Pirates 3 running with high AMP and it looked horrible. How is AMP with videogames?

I'm finding it hard to justify the cost of a Kuro 5020 until I can maybe see one in person. Also, what's up with it having only one component input? I'm currently stuck with a 10+ year-old Aiwa AVR that doesn't even have component abilities, making it essentially an AR instead. I'm thinking I'd be better off getting the Panny Plasma and upgrading the AVR with the leftover money I'd save by not going Kuro.

So, questions:

Is the red on the LN52A750 less noticeable with the clear bezel? I saw one in the store yesterday, but it was Frys, and it was too dark to tell. I may be able to convince my wife to spring for the extra bucks if the red is subtle enough and I decide to go LCD.

Should I even be concerned with getting 1080p output from my 360? Most say that especially at only 50"-52", I won't be able to tell the difference if I'm putting out 1080i. I do still have the HD-DVD add-on, if that makes any difference.

Im my living room I have three big windows on the wall immediately to the right of the TV, leading all the way back to the couch. Now, we get intense morning sun through these, but by the afternoon, the sun is behind the house and the living room gets pretty dark at night. Should I be concerned enough with the morning-midday light situation to bump my LCD choices above the PNA550? Will the Kuro 5020 be able to deal with my situation? I'm not concerned with screen glare - my current Toshiba 36" CRT is like a mirror, and I've been living with it for years now.

Usage: with 2 kids under 5, my main usage will be 10-15 hours of videogaming per week (for me, not the kids, maybe averaging a couple of hours per night), followed by possibly blu-ray (don't have a player yet), my existing small HDDVD collection, a bit of HD programming via Dish Network once I upgrade or switch to Time Warner, and probably a good deal of standard def programming for my kids/wife and through my old DVD collection.

Also, we sit 12 or so feet back, but I can't convince my wife to go over 50". She just doesn't want a TV to dominate the room so much. Maybe we'll just rearrange the furniture...

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long rambling post, typing this as fast as I can while my daughter naps...

I will leave the TV advice to others and, believe me, you will get plenty of it. As a marriage advisor, I urge you not to fall into the habit of making all decisions by consensus and compromise. Divide your life into areas where each is a supreme ruler. After all, the first attribute of adulthood is being able to make your own decisions without supervision. So, let her pick the stove and you pick the TV, if she is the one who cooks. On day three she will not even notice that ornament on your dream set she hated in the store just as you wouldn't care if the stove has a keyboard or knobs as long as food is on the table when you come home.

I will leave the TV advice to others and, believe me, you will get plenty of it. As a marriage advisor, I urge you not to fall into the habit of making all decisions by consensus and compromise. Divide your life into areas where each is a supreme ruler. After all, the first attribute of adulthood is being able to make your own decisions without supervision. So, let her pick the stove and you pick the TV, if she is the one who cooks. On day three she will not even notice that ornament on your dream set she hated in the store just as you wouldn't care if the stove has a keyboard or knobs as long as food is on the table when you come home.

Best post over!!! You pick the TV, speakers, computer and car. She picks the stove, fridge, furniture and her "dream kitchen".

"As a marriage advisor,"

Really, you are? Cool!

I take back everything bad I ever said about you. ;)

bytor99999

oops, almost forgot about the OP. Not sure about your actual budget, but I think the 5020 is a great cheap price (probably at least the same price of cheaper than a Sammy a750), compared to what the 5010s used to be, although what about getting the 5010, since the 5020s are coming out, I have heard some great sub-3000 prices from Costco on that TV, and for a few days I had that TV at my house, and it was beautiful.

"As a marriage advisor,"

Really, you are? Cool!



Well, not really but I can fake it after many hours of watching Dr. Phil with my wife, who made me more able to connect with the sensitive side of my soul. Wanted to be a lawyer but turned out an engineer.

Your not really a marriage advisor? Darn, because that post made 100% sense to me, but then again I'm not married yet.... I hope that post will fly with most women out there.