Freekitty, there are a couple of questions that need answering before really evaluating what fits your needs. First, how far away from the screen do you normally sit? Do you have any restrictions on placement, i.e., must it fit within certain size constraints? These questions help determine the correct screen size for you. Will it be placed where children’s sticky fingerprints, etc., might be a concern? Will the screen be hit with direct sunlight or other bright lights in the room, or can you moderate the room brightness? Do you prefer wall mounting, or do you mind that it takes up floor space? Will it be used for other purposes, for example, gaming, viewing family photographs, etc? Will most viewing be done straight on, or will you want to see it from appreciable side angles?
These are just some of the questions that can help narrow down the selection. I hate to say this, but this thread has drawn so many comments that are simply incorrect that I feel sorry for you being deluged with information without being able to know what’s true and what’s false. I would heartily second the posters who recommended that you check out the AVS forum (you can find it by a quick Google search) - BUT that site is so full of information that it would be very easy to get lost unless you have narrowed down some of the parameters. Just a couple of corrections to some of the incorrect info posted - both plasmas and LCDs have very long useful lives, averaging 40,000 to 60,000 to half brightness; that’s years and years of 24 hour a day viewing, or decades of normal viewing. Plasmas and LCDs also use appreciably the same amount of power in normal viewing; the wattage ratings provided are at maximum output, which is not usually encountered in normal viewing. Finally, DLPs haved a downside salesmen never tell customers (but you can find much info on it on the web from unhappy customers) - DLP bulbs are very short-lived compared to the life of plasmas and LCDs, and replacements are VERY expensive to purchase...to the tune of +/- $500, not including installation if you can’t install it yourself. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your help. I do not have a large den; and I am afraid if I wall mount it; when dogs are out of crates pounding on door they will knock it right off the wall or hubby will. That’s 225 lbs of hubby and about 300 lbs of dogs. LOL No kids; so no worry there. There is some morning and afternoon light; but most of the light comes from lamps which can be bright; but they can turned off. I don’t like really dark; but hubby does and he watches it a lot; however buying a sectional so everyone can lay on it at same time. Might be viewing at angles if on sectional; however room is not a really large den; and it’s usually straight on right now. I would say about 6 to 8 feet from where we sit. Could be very wrong there. My electric bill is already outrageous and don’t wish to put more on it. Really want something that will upgrade to HDTV and have really good picture without paying a premium price which I did for my last tv and you can see what happened there. TV will sit on long chest which used to be a buffet. Bottom half. Anything out there with good warranty or they mostly the same.