I'm looking at televisions right now for $600 or less, not including shipping though I'm hoping to be able to just buy it at a store though not necessary. I have found multiple name brand televisions in my price range that seem very good, but I'm just not sure. LCD or plasma YOU tell ME, I'm not sure which I need. Brand YOU tell ME, again I'm not well versed with televisions. Here are a couple of the TV's I was looking at

Westinghouse VK-42F240S-R

Vizio VO420E

Honeywell MT-HWJCT42B3AB

The bigger the better!

1. How far away will you be from the display when watching it?

6-7 ft

2. What TV will it be replacing (i.e. 27" tube TV, etc)

22" LCD monitor/ 20" CRT Television

3. What will you be watching on it (i.e. 1/3 movies, 1/3 TV shows, 1/6 Sports, 1/6 gaming console, etc)

1/2 - PS3 gaming and Blu Ray movie viewing 1/2 TV mostly HD sports broadcasts and select television shows

4. Will a computer be connected to use the display as a monitor? If so, what percent of the time?

No

5. Will you be getting a Blu-ray player to watch movies and will you be getting any HD service from cable/sat, or will you just be watching SD programming, and upscaling SD DVD player?

Already have a Blu Ray player, already have HD from Comcast, fair amount of SD broadcasts will be viewed, upscaling DVD player will be used as well

6. Are you looking for the best in class display, the best bargain display, or best bang for the buck in the middle display?

I want the best and the biggest television that I can buy for about $600 or a bit more!

7. What is the room lighting situation? (i.e. can you control the lighting? Can you use light blocking blinds, etc to control it?)

I can make it very dark or very bright, lighting is easily controlled.

Thanks!

Although I think it's a little too much on the dim side... it's hard to pass up the Panasonic 42" X1 plasma. I think it's the best value available today. Look around... Best Buy does not have the best price.

By the way...
I have found multiple name brand televisions in my price range that seem very good,...
I'm not sure I'd use this sentence if referring to Vizio, Westinghouse or Honeywell.

x1

Although I think it's a little too much on the dim side... it's hard to pass up the Panasonic 42" X1 plasma. I think it's the best value available today. Look around... Best Buy does not have the best price.

By the way...

I'm not sure I'd use this sentence if referring to Vizio, Westinghouse or Honeywell.

Fair enough....I found GREAT prices on that television, could you explain to me why the resolution of a 720p plasma is 1024x768 instead of 1336x768? I mean 1024x768 in my knowledge isn't high definition. Should I be worried about this? Also, should I be worried that it's only 720p instead of 1080p? Will I end up needing to buy a new TV next year because everything completely changes and 1080p becomes the ultimate standard? Will everything look ok at 1024x768? Thanks!

your budget is very low. you want a 42" set. you will get a very low end lcd for that price/size.

42" plasmas are 1024x768 with rectangular pixels. You will probably not notice much of a difference between 720p and 1080p and if you do, the trade-up with pq will be worth the loss in resolution.

"Westinghouse VK-42F240S-R

Vizio VO420E

Honeywell MT-HWJCT42B3AB"

Man what a bunch of sucky choices. Go with the Panny X1 you wont be sorry. Plus, it's plenty bright in real life.

"Westinghouse VK-42F240S-R

Vizio VO420E

Honeywell MT-HWJCT42B3AB"

Man what a bunch of sucky choices. Go with the Panny X1 you wont be sorry. Plus, it's plenty bright in real life.

This is why I came here, I wanted to make sure that I saved me from myself! The Panasonic it is, thanks fellas I have made my decision!