I'm leaning towards getting the the Panasonic TC-P50U1 or the Samsung PN50B550 (pretty much my price range. maxed out at $1200).
I currently have a Toshiba LCD 46XV645U. The reason I need help is that every LCD I've looked at seems to have one or more defects that bug me too much. The Toshiba has clouding and flashlighting.
I do game about 2 hours a night maybe 3-4 on the weekends, 2-3 letterboxed movies a week. I love the look of the plasmas and the sales people I've talked to say that "burn-in" isn't the issue it used to be. Do you think I would be making a mistake by getting a plasma or should I stick with LCD considering my preferences?

I know this has been asked a million times before and I apologize for the questions. I just need a little outside help, no one I know knows a thing about TV's.

If anyone can help? I need to make the decision today.

If anyone can help? I need to make the decision today.You'd get a lot more help if you'd put your question in the subject line to attract the people that know the answers.

That said, i would not buy a U1 no matter what. It does not have the better NeoPDP panel like the S1 does, and it does not have any sort of anti-reflective coating so it's very reflective. You can find a 50" S1 for less than your budget (my friend and "stepson" both paid less that that for theirs). I don't know enough about the Samsung to comment on it. You should be able to find a 50S1 for your budget price.

Thanks for your help.

Do you think my gaming and movie viewing would be an issue? I know each set is different and you can't give me a definitive answer but in general? The plasmas look so much better to me than the LCD's.