Advice Requested - 50" Plasma

Hi there,

After more than a year of on and off research in these forums and elsewhere, I was thisclose to buying the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK today, since I saw that the 4-yr warranty extension on these things is about to expire. But then the obsessive researching animal in me wanted to check one last time if that's the right choice, and now I'm stuck again and would love some help.

I see that the new Samsung plasmas have gotten great reviews (Samsung HP-T5064 and the like), and also am not sure whether I should get a consumer Panny (the TH-50PX77U) instead, for the features (e.g. hookups, anything else?).

I already have my own speakers, but I will probably buy a stand. I'll also have to buy a video board or two, I'm reading, which brings the price about in line with the other options ($1900ish), if I'm not totally off base. I do want to hook up a PC to my TV as well, so that could be a factor.

I have Comcast cable in Boston and will probably continue to watch a significant amount of SD TV (int'l soccer, for instance, the sport I'd most like to see in HD, along with football) in addition to my wonderful new HD channels. I may buy a Blu-ray player, such as the Samsung BD-P1200, but I may hold off, pending title availablility.

I'm willing to pay up to $2400 or so after everything, but I think I can do it for around $1900 with any of the three above options, right, so why pay more for diminishing returns (any challengers to that)?

Does anyone have a preference among these three (or another similar TV?). I'd like to pull the trigger Saturday, so anything you guys can tell me to try to help would be sweet.

Thanks!

Bumpalump

Nice catch - edited.

So I did not pull the trigger, and I'm glad because now the 1080P Panny's (700u and 750u) are out and down in my price range (I sit about 7-8ft away in my teeny living room). The new Samsung 5084 sounds great, but aparently the SD doesn't measure up to the Panny or the Pioneers (good advice Pedro2). I'd be all over the 5010 (seems like the total package) if it was in my range (bet it will be next year), but I want my TV now, and am about to pull the trigger on either the 700 or the 750. I may trade up next year Thanks again!