Narrowed my choices down to two TVs

Hi all! This is my first post to the forums after lurking for quite a while and doing research. I'm actually going to be moving to HDTV from my current Sony 27" CRT and have managed to narrow my choices to either the Samsung PN42B450 plasma vs. the Toshiba 40RV525U LCD (40-42" is more than big enough for the room it's going in). Prices seem to be similar for both, so that's not an issue.

My main question is: which is better for my usage scenario? I'm planning on converting my PS3 into a MythTV frontend, with the source being OTA HD (with some games like Rock Band and various racing/FPS games thrown into the mix); currently I'm recording and playing back a few shows that are broadcast in HD, so hopefully there won't be too much 4:3 content from the air. I'll probably also need to plug the TV into a PC 5-10% of the time, as well as into a 5.1 stereo receiver without optical audio input (which is why I eliminated the Panasonic plasmas from consideration). I also imagine I'll start wanting to watch Blu-Ray as well, since I'll now have the technology to take advantage of it.

Anyways, thanks in advance!

Couch is about 8-9' away from the current TV. I was actually concerned that 42" wasn't big enough based on some of the charts I've seen online, but I went to a retail place and was able to stand that distance back from a 40" TV (and it seemed fine to me). The TV will be about eye-level.

As for day/night, my viewing will be predominantly at night; there is a window right behind the TV and a sliding door-type deal to the left on the other side of the room, but we adjust the blinds if watching during the day anyway. Hope that helps!

I came back from work around 5:30pm and it was still light out. There was only a significant amount of glare on the CRT if I am sitting to the right of it, due to the sliding door/window on the left side of the room, and only because the blinds were completely open and pulled back. Looks like the PN42B450 will work here, but I'll buy in person and not online so I can return easily if necessary.

On that note, I did get a chance to look at the TC-P42X1 at a store, and the colors did seem different than the B450 next to it. I managed to get them to match pretty closely--or well, as close as possible without the service menu. If I had a 5.1 stereo that took optical audio, I'd definitely look into the Panasonic, if only for the slightly less chance of IR. It's actually tempting to buy a new stereo too--if only my current stereo wasn't less than a year old.

Anyways, thanks guys!

When I looked at both of them in the store I made sure to set the brightness and contrast to the same level (~50 or so). This was at a Fry's with those warehouse-style dome lights instead of fluorescent tubes, so the inside lighting wasn't that bright. I forget what other settings I changed, but both pictures were almost the same brightness and colors were close enough that applying the service menu changes probably would have gotten the X1 to have the same colors as the Samsung.

Of course, blacks aren't so black on LCDs. Except, maybe the Samsung LED TVs--almost tempted to save for a bit and get that instead. (and the thinness is nothing to laugh about!)

It's all about what compromises you want to make.