It's been a couple of years since I've visited AVSforums. At one point I was planning on purchasing a flat panel set and I had done all my diligent research on here. At that time I was pretty much decided on either a panny or pioneer plasma depending on how much I wanted to spend.

Long story short, I didn't buy back then, and I'm back in the market. Prices have gone way way down since then and it seems as though the technology is much improved. It looks like it's an excellent time to be in the market for these sets but I need some help.

First of all, I'm in an apartment and my viewing distance is about 12' with a fair amount of light from windows. I want a 50" but wouldn't be against something smaller. I currently have a 26" Sony LCD which will move to the bed room. The new set will go in the living room and eventually, when I buy a home, it will stay in the living room and I'll be buying bigger and better for the basement. That said, this TV doesn't need to be the best. It does need to be reliable and idiot proof. The one down side with plasma a couple years ago was that they were a bit more high maintenance with the burn in issues, having to make sure not to leave images on the screen too long and what not. Are those issues still there? I will be using it for video games, movies, HD viewing, and mostlly just as an everyday SD set. I don't want to have to leave a set of instructions for my girlfriend to be able to watch the today show without ruining my TV.

I see that LCD's have come a long way in two years. Do those do ok with video games and fast action, i.e. sports? I'm still kinda smitten with plasma just because of all my previous research. Will a good panny hold up to every day use without having to lecture all those that are going to be using it?

Last thing, my budget if flexible, up to $3000 if necessary. Being that this is going to be an everyday set, and that's all it will ever be, I'd like to spend about half of that.

Thanks in advance. This forum is still one of the best I've ever come across in terms of people getting along with one another.

Even temporary image retention is virtually nonexistent on Pioneer plasmas now. As far as permanent burn-in, it's gotten pretty rare on any plasma. You'd have to really work hard to actually make it occur.

Both Panny and Pio plasmas still do better with SD than most LCD's. 50" would be perfect for your distance. I certainly wouldn't go smaller. I think if you go plasma, you and you're GF will love it.

Personally, for watching sports, movies, and everyday TV in general, I'd always choose plasma over LCD. That's just my preference, anyway. I still see "motion blur" on all LCD's at some time or another. Plasmas have also gotten a lot better with glare in the last couple of generations.

I'd recommend Pio over Panny, but for the price, you can't go wrong with the Panny, either. Samsung's have also come a long ways in overall quality, too.

Even temporary image retention is virtually nonexistent on Pioneer plasmas now. As far as permanent burn-in, it's gotten pretty rare on any plasma. You'd have to really work hard to actually make it occur.

Both Panny and Pio plasmas still do better with SD than most LCD's. 50" would be perfect for your distance. I certainly wouldn't go smaller. I think if you go plasma, you and you're GF will love it.

Personally, for watching sports, movies, and everyday TV in general, I'd always choose plasma over LCD. That's just my preference, anyway. I still see "motion blur" on all LCD's at some time or another. Plasmas have also gotten a lot better with glare in the last couple of generations.

I'd recommend Pio over Panny, but for the price, you can't go wrong with the Panny, either. Samsung's have also come a long ways in overall quality, too.

What he said :D

Exactly what I was hoping for! Thanks.....pics to follow shortly.