I've been tasked with putting an A/V system in a new meeting room we're setting up at my office.
I'm looking at getting a flat panel somewhere around 50" (no larger) and am wondering if I should go with LCD or plasma.
My original thought was plasma, but I question that though because there will be times that we'll need to do computer presentations on the display and I wondered if LCD would be better suited for that purpose.

This display won't get used a whole lot and when it does it would be mostly for SD DVD, which will probably be played on an upconverting player, with the occasional PP presentation etc via laptop/VGA.

I'm trying to keep costs around $1500.

Any suggestions on the technology to go with or specific models that would work well in a situation like this?

50" for around $1500 your probably going to have to go plasma. You can still pick up last years panasonic models, I believe the 50" version can be had for around $1800.

Well, forget the price limit for a moment and tell me what would work best for PC presentations? 50" is my high end limit...I can go some smaller.

I know I can get a 40+" LCD locally for right at $1500...mainly looking at Sams for convenience.
They also have 50" plasmas from Philips, Samsung and Vizio all for around $1500, but how well would that display a PC signal?

Plasma can display a PC signal well, but I would be concerned about image retention or burn-in if someone leaves a static image displayed for hours on end, or over the weekend. In that regard, LCD is preferable as image retention is basically a non-issue.

Many of the 2006 models are on closeout now, and I have seen a couple reputable 46" LCDs in the high teens. That is probably your best bet.

I'm not sure why I blanked out there, but Westinghouse LCD's would be a good choice. A lot of people use them as computer monitors, I tried to dig up some pic's. I also know that at one point SAMS carried the brand as well. I'm not sure if they still do.

I don't think image retention would be a big issue. If there is a PC connected it would be for a short amount of time (probably less than an hour) and it would only be on the VGA in put for as long as the presentation lasts.

I think Sams does still carry Westinghouse and I do like their product. Only issue I have with them is that most of their models are monitors only. Not that I have to have tuner, but if I wanted to connect cable or an antenna for any reason, I'd be screwed.

I believe the reason the Westinghouse models are popular as monitors is that they do 1:1 pixel mapping. Which is something you will want since it's going to primarily a computer monitor of sorts. Not having a tuner only prevents you from tuning in to HD channels over the air. You could still connect Cable or Dish to get TV; justifying the connection to your boss might be your biggest problem.

I would say LCD. LCDs are very bright making it easier to see in a conference room. Its nice to have the lights on, window shades open. Plasmas give a better movie/TV viewing but in a meeting, reflections can make it hard on some to see the image.

We had a 50" philips (plasma) in the conference room and a 46" samsung (LCD) in the lunch room. They have been switched for the reason above.

Oh I should also say that the plasma gives a better image from the side. If you sit to close and at an angle the image on the LCD gets a little washed out. No problem for us but might be for you.

I didn't think about the reflection issue. The room has a wall of windows, so the non reflective finish of an LCD would probably work best, even though the blinds on those windows are usually closed. There'd still be enough light leakage around the blinds to be distracting on a set with glass over the screen. Good call there.

In reference to the 1:1 pixel mapping. Fill me in on that. I'm fairly new to HD sets and don't know all the terms yet.

In reference to the 1:1 pixel mapping. Fill me in on that. I'm fairly new to HD sets and don't know all the terms yet.

No over scan, if there is no 1:1 some of the spread sheets and such could get cut off.

I didn't think about the reflection issue. The room has a wall of windows, so the non reflective finish of an LCD would probably work best, even though the blinds on those windows are usually closed. There'd still be enough light leakage around the blinds to be distracting on a set with glass over the screen. Good call there.

In reference to the 1:1 pixel mapping. Fill me in on that. I'm fairly new to HD sets and don't know all the terms yet.

The Westinghouse 47" 1080p (LVM-47W1) would be an exellent choice. It displays at 1920x1080, and crystal clear as a computer monitor. Almost no glare as well.

Plus Newegg has it priced at $1599 right now.

I got an open-box version at BB for a few hundred less a couple weeks ago.

In reference to the 1:1 pixel mapping. Fill me in on that. I'm fairly new to HD sets and don't know all the terms yet.

See: http://pixelmapping.wikispaces.com/Pixel+mapping+explained

-Bill