I've been doing some browsing and accumulated info from plasma owners and best buy associates (managers only, no stupid know-nothing bull******** part timers) and asked all the questions I wanted answered and got answers to questions never asked.

For my surroundings and what I'll be using the tv for, plasma seems like the best choice. My main concern was waiting till after the break in period before gaming on the plasma but I've been told and had verified by many on this forum that aslong as I dont leave it on pause for too long, or leave it on any frozen images exceedingly, and do a reasonable amount of gaming (I'll go anywhere between 30 - 1.5 hrs) then I won't have a problem and with the newer models, bestbuys returns due to burn ins have decreased significantly.

So I can't wait to get it!

I've look extensively at the Samsung 5053 and I think it's a great choice...except that it stinks on SD. That kills it for me. If it had a decent "just" aspect ratio like Pioneer or Philips, I would have already bought it. But I'm still looking.

bad sd? uh oh... that may be a problem...

The best sd for the money Pioneer and NEC.

Desprate, the SD on the Samsungs aren't nearly as bad as I've read. In fairness I've never compared SD of the Samsung to others. Speaking from my own experience using component cable component connections, I would rate the quality as fair to very good. It really depended on the program. I think you'll be fine.

It's not that bad on SD. I've done side by side w/ the Pannasonic 42" and prefer the look of the SD on the Samsung. It seemed less noisy overall

I've look extensively at the Samsung 5053 and I think it's a great choice...except that it stinks on SD. That kills it for me. If it had a decent "just" aspect ratio like Pioneer or Philips, I would have already bought it. But I'm still looking.

I was too harsh. Looked at it again today at a CC with a Comcast cable feed. It is stinky in stretch mode because the stretch is linear, resulting in people's heads in the center of the screen looking fat. Pioneer has a big advantage there. But in 4:3 mode, it's as good as any for SD. But are those black bars going to be a problem over time?