Hi all. i know this is probably really redundant with the same questions over and over again about which TVs to get etc. But i've tried to look at different threads with people asking the same thing as me but everyone has different aspects they won't or don't want so every thread is almost unique. So here is mine, if you nice people can help me out

I'm finally ready to jump into the HD bandwagon in the coming month or so and i really want to make a good and informed decision when dealing with such expensive stuff.

So here are my minimum requirements :

1. Has to be 1080p
2. Has to be under 2000$ Canadian (with taxes if possible)
3. Has to be bigger than 32'' but smaller than 50'' (im in an apartment not a house :P)

I will probably buy a PS3 so this TV will mainly be used for Blu Ray movies and SD DVDs (i have over 500!) and obviously High Def gaming.

Now first of all, LCD of Plasma? I really can't decide between the two. And second what are the best brands? I'm sure everyone likes different brands and it will mostly be personal opinions rather than general consensus. But i really want to know what's the best. I hear alot of people telling me to go with Sony and Samsung but what about Sharp or LG? I'm sure every brand has their pros and cons. It's so difficult to narrow it down to one when everyone is telling you something different and everyone is backing a different brand.

So yeah mostly i really want to know in which direction to go in.

It would be awesome if you could show me links of TVs you find. In Canadian dollars please.

links from www.futureshop.ca or www.bestbuy.ca would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance for ANY help!

Doesn't Google work in Canada? Seriously, we discuss this daily. You could at least read a couple threads about it.

Do you have Costco or do they deliver to you? Get whichever size Panny 1080 plasma you like. They go up to $2000 right now, USD. Presumably that is less in CAD due to the crap hole the USD is in.

I heart my Panny, and highly recommend one.

don't understand why you need 1080p if you are staying "above 32" but below 50". That screams 720p Panny plasma to me.

Panny 1080p is over 2k, unfortunately, if you want 46". Look at the Samsung Series 5 and the Sharp D64 series. Anything bigger than 46", you'll go over 2k. Right now, BB has a 47" LG with an okay HTiB for 2K if you want LG.

Sony, in my opinion is little bit pricey for what you get, thought picture quality is really nice. Sharps are also very nice but their black levels could be a bit better (unless you go to the 92 series, which are more expensive, but look amazing). So, go to FS and look at the Panny and Sammy TVs.

Yup...no need for 1080p in that sized set unless you are using as a computer monitor or sitting way to close.

You can probably get the Panasonic 720p and PS3 for less then $2,000 and have a better picture then the vast majority of 1080p sets out there. And any that are close or better are not because they are 1080p.

Having said that, I have a 47" 1080p LCD flat panel by Samsung. Nice set. Easy to pick up for $1,350 US. Tho it is not really close in pic quality to the 720p Panny Plasma I was looking at. I wish I had stuck to my guns and gotten the 720p panny.

As typical with requests like this, you only tell us "you want the best". There is no "best". If there were, that would be the only set. You need to tell us what "best" means to you. If best means picture quality then Pioneer or Panasonic Plasma 720p. Period. If "best" means you want to use in a super bright room with no light control, then maybe an LCD (tho I now hesitate to say that after seeing more newer plasma's in bright situations). If best means being able to tell your buddies you have a 1080p set then get any brand LCD 1080p in 47", you will find many in your price range. If by best you want a theater experience, skip the small sets you are looking at and get a 720p front projector and 100" screen.

Thank you all for the replies! From reading around i realized i might not need 1080p but i wanted it because it's the maximum resolution out there, and im buying a TV now for at LEAST the next 5-6 years so i wanted to get the maximum resolution that is available so that if something changes in the next few years i'll have a 1080p tv and not just a 720p.

I still don't know where to go in either LCD of Plasma. the room i'll be watching it on will be pretty well light and with no dimmer or anything so yeah i guess it'll always be kinda bright.

Wow this is so confusing because there are no WRONG choices here. and for 2000$ you do NOT want to be wrong about something.

Your still not getting it. The belief is (and I do believe it) that at that size set, sitting at a proper distance your eye's cannot see all the resolution in 1080p. So the ONLY thing that could "change" this in 5-6 years is if you got your eye's replaced with an eagle's eye's or maybe forced your eye Dr. to give you stronger glasses or contacts then you need.

Well even if you get a "bright" set like LCD's are generally considered, I'd still recommend light control such as curtains and dimmers. While my LCD still looks good with lot of light in the room, it looks significantly better when I close the curtains or at night. So if you want to get the most out of your investment you will want light control regardless of of the set.

Go look at LCD v. Plasma v. DLP or whatever. The differences are easy to seem.

I still disagree with all my distinguished colleagues. They have "defined" the usefulness of 1080 as 50" and above. I would deem it 40" and above, at bare minimum. It's true you start losing the ability to look at a static image of lines and see the added detail at a certain size/distance ratio. But TV is not still, and it is not a bunch of straight lines. You want as much detail as possible because we can see more than just raw detail with our much-maligned eyes.

1080 gives a more detailed picture (and SOMEbody's always sitting close), it gives a finer pixel pitch, and it matches perfectly with Bluray.

I mentioned Costco above because they have the 50" Panny (prev gen) for $2000. I hear the newer model looks better, but the old one still beats every LCD I've ever seen.

I heart my Panny, too.

Well let me be clear...there is nothing wrong with getting 1080p regardless of size of set. However, due to marketing, hype and guys being guys (bragging rights) I see and read about to many people getting a crappy 2nd or 3rd rate tv just so they can afford 1080p.

Sure if you got the money, go for the Pioneer or Panny 1080p plasma. AWESOME!! But what I am strongly against is getting a off brand (or even Visio, Westinghouse, or whatever) 1080p when for roughly the same money you can get the Panny 720p plasma that will be a better overall picture.

Remember, even if you believe that there is a visible difference in 1080p at 50" set, resolution is what? The fourth most important factor in overall picture quality.

No argument that the Panny plasma's aren't nice, but doesn't anyone like DLP's any more. Not as sexy as a plasma, but great bang for the buck. Am I missing something?

DLP microdisplay sets are getting phased out, as more TV makers have shifted primarily to flat screen technology (LCD, Plasma, and the more advanced stuff).

Plasma seems to have a longer life span and I'm going for that.

I'm also very very soon buying a plasma TV and most likely getting a panny.

My question is, I saw some model at Best Buy for $1699 at 42 inches, and then another 42" one for like $1349. I think it's just because the cheaper one was an older model, but I was just looking for the first time today so I neglected to look at the model numbers. I want the TV plus the $250 service plan, and out at $2000 clean. That's the budget. Is there really any significant differences between the panny plasma models I should be aware about?

By the way, I'm pretty sure the 1349 priced model I saw was the 42PZ80U

I can't remember which I have (maybe that one?) and it is gorgeous. We roommates have a 46"ish LCD, and my Panny blows it away. It's 720 not 1080, but at this size, it doesn't seem to make a difference...IMHO (and from what I've read).

The 80u should be a higher-end model than the 800u. I hope I have that straight. The first digit changes every year, but most of them follow this "x00u/x0u" nomenclature.

Well on the Best Buy website, the pricing is as follows:

TH-42PZ80U - $1349
TH-42PZ85U - $1699
TH-42PZ800U - $2299

The 800U supposedly has a better picture quality becuase it has a picture preset mode called THX that really gives you a great calibrated picture without having to tweak service menus and stuff. But it's a little rich for my blood. I'm looking to replace a Sony Grand Wega 42" Rear Projection LCD... so anything that's plasma is better than what I have now. Black? What's black? I sure as hell wouldn't know with the TV I currently have! And because black levels on that TV blow, SD channels don't look that great because there's not enough contrast.

Apparantly the differences between the 80U and the 85U models, is that the 85U has a higher contrast ratio (30000 vs 20000 which in my opinion won't really be a big deal for me), a PC input in the back, and a different styled look.

And as far as using a THX mode like on the 800U model, not a big deal for me. I actually like the look of the coloring on a standard defintion TV set which looks a little 'cool' anyways. I just don't want reds to bleed like hell, the colors to look good, and I'll be all set. I think with the 80U I can just adjust the normal settings and get a picture I find satisfactory. I had that Sony for two years and was always messing around in the service menu. I don't want to be so anal anymore.

Doing a little more research... Cnet says that the 85U (and I'm assuming it'll go for the 80U as well) understates green a little, and has a bit of a red push. I'm trying to get the best color reproduction possible, and I hear that Samsung does a better job with this even Panasonic does a better black level. But again, I'm coming from a rear projection LCD...

...but I do tend to play games a lot. And when I go in to play a game, I go IN to the game for a WHILE so... maybe plasma isn't the way to go for me? I was perfectly content with my rear projection lcd's quality before... but I hated how it didn't have a long life span.

I know the lifespan has changed though with LCD's a lot.

Grrr. I can't decide. LCD has some cons but so does plasma if you're gaming. But I see a LOT of people talking about using panny plasmas for gaming and loving it!

I have this set, and it's worked beautifully for me.

http://www.radarcity.com/product?prod_id=12554&refer=6

The cheapest HDTV at Best Buy that's Hitachi is way over $2000. It has to be at Best Buy because I'm having a TV replaced via service plan and I'm getting back what I paid for my original set on a gift card. Hence the strict budget.

I have however, decided to go with Samsungs 46" LCD flat panel, as it has a decent contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and also greatly reduces the viewing angle issues LCD's have.