I bought a 50" Samsung Plasma 720P and when comparing 720P vs 1080P - I could not tell a difference at 8+ feet...save the $$$ get the 720P if you are viewing at 8' or more.

I'd just like to commend everyone on very well thought out and on-topic responses. Nice to see.

I'd think unless your looking at blu-ray or hd dvd (dead), a 37" or less @ 1080P is overkill. Now if price is same, by all means, go for it,

ram

at 42", unless you're seriously pixel-peeping, you can't really tell the diff between 1080p and 720p...

Panasonic makes a good set this is a good price for a plasma.I bought a Samsung 46 inch 1080p LCD for my den 2 weeks ago for 1000 and I have a 32 inch panasonic LCD that is in my bedroom it is not 1080p but when both are hooked up to directv hd I can't tell a lot of difference.The smaller set is 720p.Be sure you buy the right size for your room when you get the tv home it is a lot larger than when you are looking at them side by side in the store 46 inch is the max for my den a 50 or 52 would have been too big.Broadcasts are in 1080i one day the will be 1080p but who knows when that will be.I have had the panasonic for 2 years and no problems good quality.

Save the cost of 1080p & get this 720p (or the 50") -- with the $$$ difference you can buy that blu-ray, which still looks WAY better than upscaled DVD. That's what I'm watching & lovin it.

I'll wait for black friday and see if there's a better deal

This looks like a pretty good deal. However, for a few bucks more I think I would opt for a full 1080p. Thats just me tho.

i use 1080p for the blu-ray and I'm not going to lie, the difference between the blue ray and the standard DVD isn't that great. Yes it's better, but honestly, I almost returned the blu-ray because i can't picture paying 300 for something that gives me minimal benefits.

#28, thats what she said.

I know most people don't care, and I have not run the cost numbers, but this exact set in 1080p consumes approximately 80% more electricity.

so you think this is worth it?

This is a great TV. I got it from 6ave.com a couple of weeks ago. It's a little cheaper there with coupon AFL5 (5%off): http://6ave.com/shop/searchresults.aspx?pti=0200&apr=0&zpr=800&cti=0204
They also have the 1080P version, TH-42PZ80U for $899-5% w/ coupon.

I am very impressed with my 3 week old PX80 (the 85 is even better, but I got a sweet deal). No high pitch noise, incredible picture, makes SD sources look very good, doesn't need 1920x1080 resolution so my computer is easily readable from the couch (I run it in 1280x1024 for the desktop and have movies play at 720p using VLC), Bright as hell, no burn in after hours of game play with static HUDs. Plugged in a regulat TV antenna and picked up 3 HD channels (live 50+ miles from any towers), bought a $50 HD antenna from the shack and now pick up 7 channels, with the farthest being over 85 miles away!!. HDMI 1.3 so I run one cable from my HTPC to the monitor, one from the xbox to the monitor and one from the tv to my receiver... thats it! beautifully clean with 22agw hdmi cables from monoprice. Full 7.1 from both sources. I live at 3,100ft for whatever that is worth.

Personally, I think there is a huge difference between plasma and LCD... to the extent that I can't believe everyone else doesn't see the difference too!!

Yes, #9 has the site that should end so many arguments and debates for anyone considering asking the morons at Best Buy
http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html