mickey79

Ave,

I've owned a Rear-Projection 55" HDTV for a while now, but I'm ready to break-in and get in on the Technology. I'm no expert on Plasma vs. LCD, but I've done my research. I know about the Phosphorous & Liquid Crystals, Wider Viewing Angles and Jagged Edges, Black Levels & Brightness.

Bottom line is, personally I'm leaning towards the Plasma because when I stood in front of the HP 42" Plasma at Best Buy, I was blown away!

Still, I want to get more of an expert opinion. Maximum I can shell out is about $1,500. I'm getting both a 42" Plasma in that cost, and a Polaroid 42" LCD. With Plasma I have choices, with LCD's I don't because all other LCD's are costlier.

But I wouldn't want to spend $1,500 on a Plasma if it's the wrong choice. In that case I would wait to make more money to get an LCD.

So here's the deal, my primary usage:
About 3-5 hours a day watching Cable TV.
Extensive Gaming (XBOX/XBOX360) on Weekends - not Weekdays.
DVD Movies every now & then. I love watching DVD's. Weekday or Weekend - Whenever I'm in the mood.

I'm eying the $1,200 Hitachi 42" Plasma at Circuit City. Or the $1,300 HP 42" Plasma.

The main things that concern me about Plasma's is the Burn-in Effect. And the fact that LCD is a newer technology growing in comparison to Plasma. I don't know how much the Plasma Technology has improved to help that Burn-In effect. I also know that if something happens to a Plasma, you're in soup. But in case of LCD, you can spend a couple hundred dollars to replace the Bulb, and your TV is new!

So I'm undecided. Any thoughts/suggestions to make this easy for me?

Thanks.