Ok my telly blew up in the weekend and its too old to fix...
Any of you guys in the game can help me out with the following.
I want big, so 42" is where I want to head (maybe slightly smaller is ok)
What gives the best picture? LCD or Plasma - not interested in projector.
Any brands or models which are good value and good machines?
Talk to me, and tell me everything I need to know, I have a very good stereo and home cinema set up so just need Picture to boot.
Al

I bought a Panasonic Viera in 42" a few months ago. Cost me about 4.5k but it was well worth it.

Plasma is better value for money compared to LCD IMHO but I think LCD is a slightly sharper picture.

Pioneer & Panasonic make good plasma's. Stay away from the cheap LG's and make sure you get a HD unit, not a SG.

Also, don't skimp on cables! Spend the money and don't let a few hundred dollars in cabling make your setup less than ideal.

I think that should be it?

__________________
you mirin?

or considering the rate that plasma and lcd screens are dropping, buy a cheapish SD plasma for around 2.7k (samsung make one). still nice and large with very good clear picture quality. if u want to go for the better brands at not so rediculous a price, then look at Fujitsu and Pioneer.

lcd are MUCH better quality picture than Plasma. but price reflects this also.

Secret to getting a decent picture on any plasma or LCD is to feed it a good source via the best cabling type possible.

Get a HDTV tuner and connect to screen via DVI or component cables. Same goes for DVD player. Even Foxtel looks average on a plasma/LCD, make sure you get a SCART->component cable to get the best from Foxtel. Forget about even using a VCR with these types of screens, it looks terrible!

I'm currently using a Teac 42" SD Plasma with Teac HD STB via DVI and the picture is more than adequate. This cost me $2900 all up and what I saved I'll put towards a quality LCD when they drop down to decent prices in a year or two.

considered a projector?

I have a 42" LG plasma - and its great. If you are going to get a 'cheap' plasma, I would definately get an LG... When I was looking (and I did a LOT of looking) it was worlds ahead of any of the other cheap brands.

PM me if you would like me to recommend someone to buy from

plenty of info here about plasmas, lcd's and set top boxes.

http://www.dtvforum.info/

worth checking out.

Cheers guys, no do not want a projector. Just want some no bullshit answers about what to buy. Been thinking of a Hitachi SD plasma with HD set top box.... 3400 bucks.

LGs go for 2800 with STB i saw in some brochure. we got an LG and no complaints. comes out of the same factory as samsung.

sony/fujitsu use same screens

go hitachi or pioneer if u can

Went to West coast hi-fi, Pioneer has 5 yr warrantee std which is certainly something to consider. Is there any point get a HD set box with a SD Plasma?
Al