Thanks LVD! I floated through the warehouse clubs here last night, and the selection was a little different than just a few days ago. Costco in Kentwood had some huge-assed screen, is there an 80” on the US market? Prices were okay, but as usual each of those warehouse chains had one low-end low-price model (39” Sanyo at Sam’s, 40” at Costco was probably a Westinghouse), and the holiday shopping prices on these only move downward on the really large screens, which aren’t normally stocked (typically they stock some 55” models all year round).
I’m keeing an eye out for a 1080p 32” — right now the warehouses have 1080p that is smaller than that, and 40” and up, but all the 32” are 720p, and at Sam’s some of them have built-in DVD (which I don’t want).
The warehouses here typically have nothing in plasma except 720p; now, perhaps just for the holidays, they’ve loaded up with 1080p plasmas and they’re hundreds cheaper for the size than the LCDs.
You may not be able to see the difference on a 32in 1080p screen depending on the distance between you and the TV screen.. I suggest the largest screen that will fit in your home, and cost consideration!
THIS MAY HELP:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum_HDTV_viewing_distance
One web site says 1080P is only really going to be worth it in the 40-42 inch and larger screen.
(NOTE: formulas can differ, below is one I selected as a FYI.)
http://carltonbale.com/1080p-does-matter/
Enter screen size: 32 inches diagonal
•For 480p (720×480) resolution, you must sit: 9 feet or closer for full benefit
•For 720p (1280×720) resolution, you must sit: 6 feet or closer for full benefit
•For 1080p (1920×1080) resolution, you must sit: 4 feet or closer for full benefit