Consumer Reports said that the best Plasma they have ever seen is the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U. I went to the store and checked out Pioneer, Panasonic, LCD, Plasma, 720p, 1080p, and I wound up getting this TV. The picture is awesome especially when hooked to a high def DVD player. Everyone has an opinion but only you can see with your own eyes. Spend some time at the store and make them hook up the same player to each TV. When you are spending this kind of money, the folks in the store will do it for you. I got mine at HH Gregg who price matched Sears. I got it for about $1000 less than MSRP. http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/