Hi gang, first time poster here. My wife is encouraging me to get a TV for our bedroom, naturally I'm eager to accommodate her in buying high end consumer electronics.

I'd like to wall/arm mount it above the fireplace. The mantel on the Fireplace is ~55" long.

The area above the fireplace is about 6ft from where we'd be laying on the bed.

So according to one of the viewing charts, I'm thinking something in the 42" - 46" would be agreeable.

There is a window nearby where the TV will go, but we will have curtains there, so glare won't really be an issue. There is also a slight angle from the bed/fireplace, but I'd like a small arm to adjust it slightly when desired, so that's not a big deal either.

She mostly watches DVDs, and Standard Definition shows. I'll probably hook the wii up to it as well from time to time, and occasionally watch Discovery Channel HD. But Standard def picture quality is of utmost importance.

Optimally, I'd like to keep the price around $1500-$1800, but if there's something super amazing for more, I wouldn't mind paying for it. I'm more interested in the model/brand to be looking for than I am the price.

I'm plasma/lcd/brand agnostic.

I realize some of the the SD picture quality is dependant on the signal from my provider, but that not withstanding... What HDTV has the best SD picture quality in the 42"-46" range?

Thanks guys. You all are a wealth of information, and I enjoy reading the discussions that ensue here.

I realize now, that my price range may not be sufficient for 42-46", let's presume $2000 is preferred, but 2500-2800 is what I'll end up spending :)

I had the same concern of picture quality on standard def. I ended up buying a Panny plasma for this reason. I read that the Pioneer is best for SD material, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra $. I saw many LCDs with poor PQ on SD, but not a Sony Or Samsung, so these may have been better LCD choices.

After 2 months with my 50PX75u and Time Warner cable, I find that most SD is acceptable, especially the digital stations. However, some analog SD shows are pretty fuzzy, but then I noticed that on my old 27" also. With 42" you'll have less of a problem than with a 50" since the larger you blow up a SD feed the fuzzier it will look. Of course expanding out a SD to fill the screen just increases the fuziness. Because of the difference in PQ, we find ourselves watching HD materail merely because of the beauty of the picture. We watched the entire home run competition last night because the shots of San Francisco were stunning.