first time buyer of hdtv

ok here it goes..i have saved up 1400.00 for a new TV
i currently own a 50 inch toshiba rear projection tv, so this will be a nice upgrade going from a 10 year old RP tv to a plasma or lcd tv

the room only has one window with heavy curtains so it is dim lit at best..

my buddy who repairs flat panel HD tv's for a living is pushing me hard to buy the LG 240 hz led lcd tv and i was all set to buy it on BF if the price was right..

now after reading all the hype about plasma blowing away all the lcd led technology i am being swayed to a panny g10???

we will be using direct tv hd dvr and a blu ray player..

we watch some sports
tons and tons of dvd movies
and a load of CSI shows on tv

please be straight with me..

what TV fits my current demands?

internet,pc is not a need i have..

just movies,sports and HD TV viewing...

i'm stuck buying from BB because that is who i have a card with...

if the panny g10 is on sale do i grab it?
if the samsung plasma goes on sale do i grab it?

the LG led was 47 inches and the g10 is 50

we will be sitting dead nutz 9 feet away from screen
if we had company they would be sitting on a angle to the right of the TV for viewing purposes.

thank you all in advance for any help deciding once and for all

bill

Due to your room enviroment, I would have to say Panny plasma all the way. You were down with a 50'' for many years so I would not go lower. So the 50G10 would be a great fit. The 54g10 can be had for around $1600 if you have a feel to go a bit bigger..;)

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P54G10-54-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00267PY6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256806447&sr=8-1


I am suprised you friend that repairs TV's recomended you to get an LG...

Plasma really does shine in moderate to dimmly lit rooms, the Panny G10 50-54" is your best opinion. Plasma has much better blacks than LED or LCD, it shows in fireworks type HD content where the bright fireworks are surrounded by blackness. LED and LCDs light up the surrounding area of the screen killing the black levels inbetween the fireworks where it should be black. You won't ever have to worry about motion blurr either with Plasmas as that's very important with anyone that watches sports!

You have my vote for the Panny G10! :D

I started off an LCD guy, but because of the price advantage, I'm now a plasma pusher. In my layman's eyes, the two technologies offer very little difference in picture quality, and the only thing separating these TVs is glare and reflection protection.

The G10 is a great recommendation, but you can get the S1 as well, and in a larger size for the $$$ spent on the G10; I would be looking at the S1 very closely. Maybe someone in the know can make a case for the S1 vs. the G10, or vice-versa.

If you generally watch the TV in the dark I would say the G10 at 50-54" is the best choice. The reason the G10 would likely be better if you watch with the lights off or very din is because it is easier to adjust for such lighting by just choosing the THX mode the G10 and higher models have that is missing from the S1 series.