I'm currently looking for a 37-42" set for my bedroom. I had thought about Vizio at first because of the price point I had seen on the 37" 1080p LCD, but most LCD's I've seen have had a worse picture quality than plasma sets.

Basically it's a vizio 37" 1080p lcd ($749) vs vizio 42" 720p plasma ($699) vs panny viera 42" 720p plasma ($799). I don't trust just going into a store and looking at the picture, because you never know how they're set. Can you guys give any input? I don't want to go over the $799 mark, as it's only a bedroom set.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Edit: The Panny is down to $699 at Frys.

I would get the Panasonic. $699 is a really good price.

same boat as you except instead of the vizio 37" i am considering the samsung pn42a410 along with the 42" vizio & panny. 90% sure i am going with the panny after reading all the reviews

I have the sammy pn42a450. Great set. The only negative is the one reported about about plazmas in general. During the day when my living room is filled with outside light, the picture looks slightly washed out. At night when I do most of my viewing, the picture is fantastic.

It's a no brainer, get the Panasonic. That is a great set, and only a year ago, would be $1200 or more.

It's one of the best bang for the buck deals out there today.

Agreed. 42px80u is the clear winner over the vizio. No contest.
My father has the costco version of this display (or year prior, never remember). He bought it last christmas for a lot more than that. Very nice panel.

The samsung is nice, but better blacks on the panny in addition to a little less IR and virtually zero lag for the gamers.