I really want a plasma since it is supposed to be better for sports & has better viewing angles, but I just can't pull the trigger. I am concerned that my room setup is more suited for an LCD. I have tried to make a rough drawing of my room shape & setup. I have doors (with blinds) that lead to the deck at one end of the room, entrance to the kitchen/dining room that have large windows. The windows are not mostly open and can't be covered. I also have a hallway entrance where the tv sits that allows access to the dining room area. Will a plasma work for me? Based on the room layout, is a 50" tv ok?

Bnewt, you are right that plasma is better for both sports and off-axis viewing. I'm not too worried about your windows and doors since none of them seem to face the plasma. I don't think you'll have a problem with reflections. Personally, I prefer plasma to LCD even in the light. But it's in the dark, that you really see what plasma can do. Is the majority of your viewing day or night?

As for size, you are a perfect candidate for a 58 or 60" set if you can afford it. Your seating is 12-16' from the TV. This is similar to me. I am very, very glad I picked a 60" Pioneer for my application.

Good luck.

At 16' you need as big a TV as you can get. In very large sizes, plasmas are much cheaper than LCDs. They are also somewhat better for sports, although LCDs have really closed the gap quite a bit. Viewing angles on plasmas are much better than LCDs, it's not even close. If you're doing a lot of off-axis viewing, I wouldn't even consider an LCD.

If you're going to watch a lot of TV when it's bright outside, make sure you get a plasma with a decent anti-reflection coating -- that means Pioneer or Panasonic. The Samsung 650 plasma coating is also pretty good but the 550's is awful.

Plasma will be fine for you, but I think you need to look bigger....

bnewt, as a fellow UK fan :)--I know you from a few UK boards (I'm Jeff Craddock there)--I'd strongly advise that you consider the plasma. I have a Panny 50PZ800U and love it. As others have noted, there are no motion artifacts and the off-axis viewing is excellent.

I had mine professionally calibrated, which resulted on a brighter picture and better daytime viewing. I'm now watching Kenny Perry win his first match at Valhalla and the picture is just fine....

I sit/recline anywhere from 6-8 feet from my 50. (My wife balked at the size at first, but now she's even joked about getting a bigger one next time.) So at your distance, 58" or larger might make you happier. I've never heard anyone complain about getting a panel that's too big.

My 50" plasma is in a family room that has six 8' windows and eight more smaller windows above them. During the day, only two of the big windows are covered and none of the smaller windows are.

Is there glare on the screen? Yes, definitely. Not nearly as bad as the 46" 1080i RPTV that the Plasma replaced though, and not bad enough to ruin watching TV or playing games.

And of course at night, the plasma looks simply amazing.

Go with the Plasma.

Bnewt, you are right that plasma is better for both sports and off-axis viewing. I'm not too worried about your windows and doors since none of them seem to face the plasma. I don't think you'll have a problem with reflections. Personally, I prefer plasma to LCD even in the light. But it's in the dark, that you really see what plasma can do. Is the majority of your viewing day or night?

As for size, you are a perfect candidate for a 58 or 60" set if you can afford it. Your seating is 12-16' from the TV. This is similar to me. I am very, very glad I picked a 60" Pioneer for my application.

Good luck.

And I actually was concerned that once you got your Sig Elite we'd never see you round here no more LOL

whyw aste so much money on paltry tvs

;14698385']And I actually was concerned that once you got your Sig Elite we'd never see you round here no more LOL

Break-in ends tonight. I may disappear into my 141. But then I'd miss you guys.

Plasma will be fine for you, but I think you need to look bigger....

Is it true, that as you move up in size of the tv, the more the picture degrades?

Only in SD the bigger you go the worse the picture gets, as for everything else the picture "may" feel less sharp but otherwise is not going to reduced PQ due to size. again only SD.

Also as you can see everyone here thinks plasma will do SO DO I

how much you working with? that is a very important factor, price and size

my suggestions is buy a tv that is worth a while and that you wont feel the need to uprgrade because no other brand will beat this brand for the next 5yrs at a justifyable price.

the brand is pioneer elite series, the pro-111 is a 50" 1080p and the 60" is pro-151 1080p

also pioneer only come in 1080p for this year. you can also get a pioneer PDP-6020 or 5020 and the PQ will be excellent! after pioneer i would say panasonic then samsung,

But i know that if you get panasonic or samsung you will eventually replace it prior to 5yrs because PQ will improve on those and for less which is a diffrent case in pioneer (actually pioneer seems to only beat it self. No other brand beats it

Is it true, that as you move up in size of the tv, the more the picture degrades?

Is it true, that as you move up in size of the tv, the more the picture degrades?

Not at that distance.

Break-in ends tonight. I may disappear into my 141. But then I'd miss you guys.

Awwww...*sniff sniff*