I currently have a Sharp 46d62u but will be returning it due to the banding issue (Im on my second set). The models I listed have caught my eye as possible replacements.

I have read mixed things about 1080p but the general consensus seems to be that it's not important on screens <50". I will be sitting roughly 7 feet away from the TV in a mostly dark room. I play a lot of video games so of course I'm kind of weary of plasma "burn in" as well as the whole break-in time. Of course I would like to buy a high-def disc player soon and am curious if these formats would look noticeably better on a 1080p screen. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from any current owners (or soon to be owners) of these TVs.

I've got the 1140, and I've got to say, that I rarely ever see any "banding", or false contouring on it.

Also, I've never seen ANY image retention at all on it in the month that I've had it. I do keep the contrast and brightness as low as my eyes will let me, though - but I never had anyone who's seen it tell me that they thought it was too low.

I had 3 Panansonic 50PX600U's before it (all of which had problems), and I saw a ton of banding on them - and the 700U's are basically supposed to be the same panel and circuitry. I did have a lot of image retention on them, but it always went away pretty quickly.

Not sure about the Samsung (if it's even a plasma), but past plasma models were known for banding issues. They could've improved with the new models, though.

I've got the 1140, and I've got to say, that I rarely ever see any "banding", or false contouring on it.

Also, I've never seen ANY image retention at all on it in the month that I've had it. I do keep the contrast and brightness as low as my eyes will let me, though - but I never had anyone who's seen it tell me that they thought it was too low.

I had 3 Panansonic 50PX600U's before it (all of which had problems), and I saw a ton of banding on them - and the 700U's are basically supposed to be the same panel and circuitry. I did have a lot of image retention on them, but it always went away pretty quickly.

Not sure about the Samsung (if it's even a plasma), but past plasma models were known for banding issues. They could've improved with the new models, though.

How about the black level difference Ramm? Care to chime in on that? I am just wondering if my own comparison still holds true. Your 1140 vs. the 50PX600us. I saw both and I thought while there may have been a difference, it wasn't much to get excited over.