I'm exhausted. I have researched till my head hurts. I came down to two models and I would like the experts opinions. It's between the Panasonic TH-42PX6U (plasma) & the Visio Gallevia GV42L (LCD). .
There is the new visio 47" LCD but I'm not sure if it will fit.

My family is a big movie and TV family. No gaming. I have two little girls who love the disney channel (logo on screen all the time). The room is bright, but I don't believe there will be any direct light on the tv.

I am a Graphic Designer so my eyes are trained on seeing detail and picking up on images that could be better.

We will be going with digital cable w/HD. I'm purchasing a new HDMI receiver (Onkyo) that all will be run through.

If any of you can help push me in one direction or the other, I would appreciate it.

If you are worried about static images/logos due to children not knowing any better, or adults not caring, then LCD is probably your best bet. You will not get the pop of the plasma (or the deeper blacks), but you won't have to worry about Image retention and burnin. If you can vary the content enough to even out wear, then you would definately benefit from a plasmas picture, (would they care if you zoomed the logo off the screen?). This is one reason why I have yet to put cable on my pioneer 5071HD :) I would fear my son, (2-1/2) would leave me with some nice little logo presents eventually due to not understanding the technology.

If you have any issues with light sources (natural or otherwise) get the LCD. Sunshine through windows can make a plasma unwatchable during the daytime.

I would much rather have a plasma if it wasn't for the reflective screen.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose!

What is your viewing distance? And what are your width / cabinet requirements? That will determine whether you would see any benefit from the added resolution on LCD panels.

As noted above, plasma will probably deliver a superior picture unless you sit relatively close and/or do your viewing in a room where a lot of light (or a moderate amount of sunlight) hits the screen. But LCD would give you peace of mind, if your son leaves those logo channels on your display all day long.

Thanks for giving your ideas. The distance is about 9'. The room is bright from windows and a skylight, but I'm building a corner wall to mount the tv and so the light will not directly hit the screen. There is no window on the opposite side from the tv. The wall will be around 52" wide. I cut out cardboard to match the size of the 50" panny and it didn't pass the WAF (wife approval factor). The 42" panny did, as well as the 42" visio. I belive the 47" visio will as well since it seems to be only 44.5" wide. Thanks again for your feedback. Regarding the Plasma... How long does it take to actually cause burn-in?

Thanks for giving your ideas. The distance is about 9'. The room is bright from windows and a skylight, but I'm building a corner wall to mount the tv and so the light will not directly hit the screen. There is no window on the opposite side from the tv. The wall will be around 52" wide. I cut out cardboard to match the size of the 50" panny and it didn't pass the WAF (wife approval factor). The 42" panny did, as well as the 42" visio. I belive the 47" visio will as well since it seems to be only 44.5" wide. Thanks again for your feedback. Regarding the Plasma... How long does it take to actually cause burn-in?

It would take a very long period of extreme stupidity :)...honestly though, I have read reports of a quality control group pausing an XBOX on a halflife screen for 1-2 days, coming back, and verifying extreme image retention/BI. Then they ran a breakin DVD IIRC for a few days and it was gone. Anything can be reveresed on these panels, it just takes time. The key is to be proactive. If you see image retention, vary your programming a little more and try to avoid what was causing the IR until it is gone.

Edit: BTW, my wife was very much against the 50" as well until we got it home, then she agreed it was a great fit, (8-12ft viewing distance). However, I am not sure if that was due to her actually thinking it fit well, or thinking she came out better because I told her I wanted the 50" or 60" ;) .

Edit: BTW, my wife was very much against the 50" as well until we got it home, then she agreed it was a great fit, (8-12ft viewing distance). However, I am not sure if that was due to her actually thinking it fit well, or thinking she came out better because I told her I wanted the 50" or 60"Wise decision. When you ask a woman what they want, you ask her whether she wants the 50" or 60", not whether she wants the 40" or 50". Woman -- unless they are into home theater -- will almost always choose the smaller and cheaper of the two.

Thanks for all the input. I ended up going with the 50" Panny! I convinced my wife by making the wall a bit bigger. Now I just need to figure out if I need a new receiver (one with HDMI). My current one is a 3 year old Onkyo. I'm looking at the Onkyo 604 & 674 (I think). I have a new Panny DVD burner & HD cable DVR is being installed next week. Which forum should I post my system on to get the best way to set it up?

Thanks

Thanks for all the input. I ended up going with the 50" Panny! I convinced my wife by making the wall a bit bigger. Now I just need to figure out if I need a new receiver (one with HDMI). My current one is a 3 year old Onkyo. I'm looking at the Onkyo 604 & 674 (I think). I have a new Panny DVD burner & HD cable DVR is being installed next week. Which forum should I post my system on to get the best way to set it up?For now, I would stick with your current receiver and put that money toward one of the second-generation Blu-ray players coming in April/May/June, like the Samsung BD-P1200 or Panasonic DMP-BD10A. Then add a new receiver for Christmas, once the new HDMI 1.3 models are out and have had some time to come down in price.

Put the upcoming Denons (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=801887) on your Christmas list, specifically the Denon 2808.

AVS has a section dedicated (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=90) to A/V receivers and processors.