Ok looking to upgrade my CRT HDTV

In january im going to use my taxes to get a new tv. Ive had my panasonic 34" Tau for about 5 years now and even tho I have no quams really with it it only supports 1080i and weighs like 300lbs plus I want to go bigger and wall mount to clean up my ent center. I basicly rushed into the panasonic so I want to do research to make sure I get this one right. heres what im looking for.

52" LCD or Plasma
Picture in Picture (mandatory)
min 3 but would prefer 4 HDMI inputs
I play alot of video games (rhythm games like rockband) So ive done some research but still not sure which has less lag for games like this (plasma or lcd)

My budget is anywhere from $1500-$2500

Let me know what you guys think. I think my biggest problem is the picture in picture I really like the 52" bravia set but it doesnt have PIP.

Thanks in advance.

Hardly any HDTVs have PiP because it is not a big seller with everyone going to cable/sat service since you would need two cable/sat boxes to use it on 2 different channels.

I have played games on both and plasma DEFINITELY has less to zero lag like the CRTs, and LCDs DO have it from my personal experience with both.

While there are a lot of nice LCDs out there, plasma would be a better way to go for many reasons! I wish I had bought a Panasonic TCPV10 54" plasma! :banghead: Before we go there hows your room lighting and how far will you sit from the display? Just do one thing before you buy anything, have a look at the Panasonic TCPV10 54" plasma!

room lighting is bad its basicly never too bright in there. there are 2 lights on the ceiling but they are not bright at all. no glare from sun as the shade is usually always down. as far as how far. its a bedroom and id say my head would probably be about 10-12' away from where the set will be. only issue is im kind of constrained to 52" cause the set is going to mount on the wall between 2 beams and the wall is exactly 50" across and i cant have the edges of the set hanging off the wall. and most 52" sets are like 49" across.

I'd recommend a SAMSUNG plasma.

I rec the Panny 54G10 onsale for around $1500.. A ton of TV that fits your gig and on the low end of your budget. A huge bang for your buck IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P54G10-54-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00267PY6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257231143&sr=8-1

I'd say read the reviews especially the ones coming from the experts if you want to have an idea on which is the best LCD TV that fits your budget. That's what most people do if they are unsure which one to choose. Hope this helps.

room lighting is bad its basicly never too bright in there. there are 2 lights on the ceiling but they are not bright at all. no glare from sun as the shade is usually always down. as far as how far. its a bedroom and id say my head would probably be about 10-12' away from where the set will be. only issue is im kind of constrained to 52" cause the set is going to mount on the wall between 2 beams and the wall is exactly 50" across and i cant have the edges of the set hanging off the wall. and most 52" sets are like 49" across.

A dimmly lit room isn't bad at all, sounds like you have the perfect viewing environment! At 10-12ft. your looking for a 52" LCD or a 54" plasma, what kind of space do you have where this display will be hung? I could recommend many LCDs or plasmas, in all honesty plasma has come a long way in the last few years! LCD has also come a long way, but plasma is King for now! :D

Panasonic Plasma displays are just the hot ticket right now, Samsung, Toshiba and even Vizio has some awesome LCDs (forget LED)! The Panasonic S1, G10 & G15 (latter more slim) and V10 represent the best plasma has to offer in my opinion, the V10 being the very best available! Plasmas shine in low lit environments and produce inky black levels LCD can't touch without killing shadow detail.

(excuse the messy old picture)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/yourcrakd/entcenter-1.jpg

what were going to do once that CRT comes out of that spot were going to fill in the spot so its just a wall and hang the flat panel on the wall. which is why i was trying to keep it at 52" cause from post to post its 50" which is PERFECT for a 52" tv 54" is like 51" wide so ill have to do something to make up that extra inch.