When I was researching for my tv, Panasonic sounded like the way to go for a plasma. I ended up getting the 37inch ED TH-37PD25U from them, it's in my bedroom and I love it. If money is short for you, I'd suggest sticking with an ED as opposed to an HD. It's not as high quality compared to HD, technically... but it still plays HD and it looks fantastic. About $2000, I was happy.

My mom got a big Sony Wega LCD awhile ago as well, and it's great too.

And 30,000 hours is more than enough. Like a poster said above, that's 11 years for 7 hours a day, you'll most likley be getting a new tv well before that time anyways.

You might want to clarify this, because EDTV certainly does not play HD... although it is a decent alternative for someone on a budget, as even the current HD sets are not capable of displaying the higher range of the HD standard yet, and you'll end up buying a better set in a few years anyway...

Well the picture I get from an HD broadcast on that EDTV set looks incredible and flawless. I've heard folks comparing high-definition on EDTV's and HDTV's say that the difference isn't significant. And myself, in stores, noticed that the EDTV's look just as good as HDTV's. Technically... no... it isn't HD, but it's pretty damn close.

I don't really know about that, but you're probably right. The true, jaw-dropping, drool-inducing, piss-your-pants Hi-Def probably isn't capable yet. Although it all still looks great to me.

He's right. But the other side is....they aren't transmitting it, either. So no matter.

Qualia 004 is capable, though. And a few others. Skip the new car, buy a TV!