I've been going back and forth on this decision for 6 months, and I still can't choose between LCD, plasma, and rear projection. Just when I think I've got it nailed down, I'll do some more research and change my mind again.

Here's my situation. The room has basically no outside light, and the primary seating will be about 9 feet away. The tv won't be wall-hung, and I'll have a separate sound system. I've decided the best size is in the 46" - 50" range. Cost isn't the primary consideration, but cheaper is certainly better if all other things are equal.

The following represent my top picks in each of the three formats (until as I start researching again!):

LCD - Sony 46XBR4
Pro: Best SD picture of the three(?); excellent reliability; 120Hz
Con: The enormous bezel around the actual picture; a bit smaller picture than the other choices; pricey.

Plasma - Pioneer 5080
Pro - Incredible blacks (best HD of the three?); deals well with motion
Con - 720p might be an issue for closer secondary seating; pricey.

RP - Sony KDS-50A3000
Pro - Narrow bezel at the top and sides; deals well with close-up viewing; great price; 120 Hz.
Con - Possible reliability issues; narrower angle of view for secondary seating

So... any thoughts on these picks, or recommendations for others?

Anyone want to comment? Any thoughts on these selections, or recommendations for others in this size and price range?

I cannot stand the SSE on RPTVs.. and the A3000 is no exception. I always notice it when watching them, and it bothers the hell out of me. I could never own one because of this.. If you don't see it, or don't know what is after watching your RP set for two years, then forget this, and don't go looking for it :D

I don't know if the XBR4 or the 5080 is better with SD content.. I imagine they are both at the top of the list. I know the pio is excellent.

120Hz capable displays are better than their 60hz counterparts, but they still cannot compete with plasmas. Controlled motion tests back this statement up. Personally I still notice motion blur when watching football on 120hz LCDs, and since this is a large portion of the content I view, I prefer plasma.

The 5080 is 720p, but I wouldn't consider that to be a negative issue for secondary seating. Resolution is basically last in the list of factors that contribute to you seeing a high quality picture.. I would recommend you go to a store, stand 6,7 or however many feet from a 5080, and determine if you mind the lower resolution. If you do, I would suggest you look at the Samsung 5084 plasma (I'd suggest it regardless), which is 50" 1080p. Black levels aren't quite as good, but I prefer the colors and clarity of the sammy.. in fact, I bought one for this reason :)

If you determine you prefer the XBR4, I'd suggest you look at the Samsung 4671F as well. The price is a bit lower, and it's a great LCD too.

Just wanted to comment on what you said about being able to sit close to the 50A3000. I owned a Sony 60A3000 for a bit and had to return it because it does a horrible job compared to my PDP of allowing you to sit close. Because of the viewing angle problems, you can't sit within 8' of the 60A3000 without running into the top and bottom of the picture being slightly dimmer than the center. This is a result of the A3000s (and most RPTVs) having the worst vertical viewing angles. I imagine that even with a smaller size like the 55 or 50 I would still have seen this to a small degree. On the otherhand, my Kuro PDP is perfect from any angle you view it from.

Also, SSE is a bitch to those who care about it. It was very distracting to me as well.

That said, in certain circumstances I think that RPTVs are great, and I'm going to be helping my dad pick one out sometime soon due to them being such an excellent value. I think you should just mostly stay away from them if you are the type that likes to arrange your home theater set up so that you can sit as close to the TV as possible; RP just doesn't fit well with this.

I've never noticed the "silk screen effect" (SSE) when looking at the Sony RPs in the store. Is this something that you either see or you don't, like the rainbows in standard DLPs? Or is it something that you notice when you're looking for it, and then you always see it.

I've never noticed the "silk screen effect" (SSE) when looking at the Sony RPs in the store. Is this something that you either see or you don't, like the rainbows in standard DLPs? Or is it something that you notice when you're looking for it, and then you always see it.

It is a given just like SDE on a plasma...get close enough and you will see it.
SSE, unlike SDE, affects the PQ no matter the viewing distance though.

Sorry to butt in...

Is there a technology that has no SDE and no SSE?
SDE is the killer for me, and that's why I was interested in LCoS a few years back. Now I don't know what displays have the lowest SDE and I guess I don't want SSE either, even though I've not noticed it yet in the displays I've looked at...

Sorry to butt in...

Is there a technology that has no SDE and no SSE?
SDE is the killer for me, and that's why I was interested in LCoS a few years back. Now I don't know what displays have the lowest SDE and I guess I don't want SSE either, even though I've not noticed it yet in the displays I've looked at...

How could you look at an SXRD (LCoS) Sony and not see SSE? :confused:

My inexperience kept me from looking for it! :)

My inexperience kept me from looking for it! :)

Yet you notice SDE. :confused:;)

Go figure.

Regular guy,

Have you considered a Panasonic commercial monitor? With light control, the benefits of a low reflection LCD are almost non-existent. You have another sound system (as do I) so you don't need speakers on the set. I bought a 50" Panny last April for about $1700 and I love it. Nice size and when calibrated it looks awesome. It isn't 1080, but I don't think you can even see 1080 on a 50" screen from more than 6-7 feet away. One heck of a nice set for cheap. The latest series is now shipping with HDMI inputs. My set requires an expansion card for HDMI, but I use component and am very pleased. I don't have HD-DVD or Blu-Ray yet, just HD from cable and OTA. Even 480p DVD's look great - when the source is great.