A friend of mine wants a hangable plasma HD unit, and needs to "get in" for under $1500. I did a little research and am considering recommending a few options...with the 50" Vizio ( VP50HDTV ) a M.S.R.P. of $1399., or the 42" Panasonic TH-42PX75U, a M.S.R.P. of $1299., as alternatives. Please respond with (a)preference of one over another first, and with possible great options after that. Much thanks ! ;)

Phew...no advice ? I thought we had a lot of opinions on here ! :D

With you having so many posts under your belt, I'm amazed that your question would be so elementary. ;)

Viewing distance (most critical), source materials, room conditions, SD importance, etc. are needed to get avs members to respond.

I would recommend going with the 50" Panny 50PX75U. We can't list street prices on here, but if you shop around you can probably find a price around that of the Vizio.

With you having so many posts under your belt, I'm amazed that your question would be so elementary. ;)

Viewing distance (most critical), source materials, room conditions, SD importance, etc. are needed to get avs members to respond.

Well, thanks for the wink, and yea, I've been "around the proverbial block a bit" but if I thought the choices were elementary, I would not have asked.

Friend's viewing distance is ~9', SD of moderate importance, they can darken off reflections. 1080p is obviously not important as the 9' and needing to keep price down (under $1500 ) is critical apparently.

I read an unflattering report of the new Panny 7_ _ series in Home Theater (Morrison) on a 42" and 50" and he felt that Panny had taken "a step backward !"

Vizio does not particularly excite ME, but looking for a "hangable" for under $1500 is not an easy task.

THANKS Kalrith ! ;)

Friend's viewing distance is ~9', SD of moderate importance, they can darken off reflections. 1080p is obviously not important as the 9' and needing to keep price down (under $1500 ) is critical apparently.Based on this set of criteria given for your friend, I would vote for the 42" Panny. It also would be a more reliable unit than the Vizio.

Thanks, yea, I was thinking that, but wanted confirmation. I just do not know that much about Vizio.

IMO at 9' I personally wouldn't be nearly as happy with a 42".

The critically acclaimed value set, the Vizio P50HDTV 50" Plasma is on sale at CC, plus apply AAA 10% discount, kills the tax plus some. I think your friend would like the extra real estate and the great price about 2 bens below your price point tax included out the door from a big chain retailer just down the street if there are any problems straight out the box. A Consumer Reports Best Buy, and many other positive reviews of this set from the A/V mags and CNet, without the reported ghosting and IR and increased reflections problems of the newer VP50 model. Great as computer monitor(no issues) and shines in video processing 480 material.

AAA 10% discount? How does that work? I'm a AAA member (assuming car insurance counts).

I think they have a dealio with Circuit City.

Check this thread out. Just print out the coupon and take it into the store, or CC sales dude just asked me for my AAA card today which I didnt have, but the thread will answer most of your questions.

*ttp://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=154376&t=582526

thanks, much appreciated

PS -- I think it works on anything from CC, certainly all TVs.

thanks. I just sent you a PM EscapeVelocity.