First of all, sorry for making another "what to buy?" thread, but it's easy to get lost in the TV jungle.

It will be used in a well lit room with three big windows, so glare will definitely be an issue.

Usage:
SD: 95% (regular TV watching, rarely DVD's)
HD: 5% (will increase, but not for a while)

Price: >$1500.

When I was with my parents at the store, we all agreed that the plasma screens looked better, natural and smooth with nice depth, side by side the LCD screens, somewhat more "digital" and flat (no pun intended). But, we could also see that LCD screens were brighter and reflected very little light. This could be a deal maker or breaker.

What do you guys suggest, should I buy them a plasma, most likely a Panasonic, or should I consider LCD or maybe LED?

I'm lost in the TV jungle after spending hours upon hours reading about the different models, so I hope someone can give me some good advice. Thanks.

...spending hours upon hours reading about the different models, so I hope someone can give me some good advice. Thanks.

Looks like we have another new guy. I too thought hours and hours was sufficient research. Going into month 3 of ownership and I've not even scratched the surface.

You might pay more at a big box store, but it's easier to facilitate returns and exchanges. Your appreciation for PQ will change over time and what looks good today, may not be good enough in 30 days. The environment in which you will be viewing will also play a huge factor; for me, reflection and glare actually was more important than PQ.

Since it seems that light is a big factor, I would suggest going with an LCD with a matte screen, a Sammy or Sony. The LGs also have a matte screen but I know next to nothing of them, it seems Samsung and Sony are the most popular on this board.

GL

SD should look better on a 46" Panny plasma that it would on any similar-sized LCD.

Thanks for your inputs guys.

Well, I've read so much material on flat screens that I see screens when I close my eyes, and I too feel like I haven't scratched the surface.

Sony and Samsung seem to be the two most popular and critically acclaimed LCD manufacturers, so I guess I'm going for one of them if I decide to buy a LCD screen. I'm not very fond of the Sony design. Samsung screens however are beautiful, IMO. And the design is quite important since it will be used in a living room.

I stilll haven't decided yet, but my father has expressed that he wants a plasma screen. He doesn't think galre will be a problem since he and my mother mostly watches TV in Winter time when it's dark outside. I'm still a little concerned about the room condition, though.