Here's a couple contradictions from a guy that owns a custom shop working for local icons.

I still feel that plasma 42" or above looks better than the LCDs. They usually have a higher contrast ratio, (basically, the amount of detail in dark colors) and better refresh rates, as well as better procs that are able to keep up with the huge amount of information coming to the panel in order to display high def. LCDs were originally built to act as static displays for digital signage, they weren't designed to act as a great image display. This is why LCDs have no burn in problems and usually have a longer life span for the panel. But they suffer in moving images like live sports and action movies. LCDs are also backlit, so they require that you block light in order to get black, which is why it is difficult to get a true good contrast. Most newer plasma have pixel clocks or orbital pixels that help with the burn in issue. My favorite Plasma right now is the new Pioneer Kuros, the guys at pioneer have released their best so far, maybe not as much contrast as the Panasonic, but a better image quality overall. I like LCDs under 42", basically, there flaws are a little more livable on a smaller scale, but still present. The sharp Aquos can look real good, but takes a few tricks to adjust them right. Some of the LG panels were getting there when I was last selling them, but I didn't like their price for what they were offering. Some of the sharps have a built in digital high definition RF tuner. You can get all of your local High Def feeds straight off the cable without any comcast box. The cable card sucks, and I don't think that comcast is selling them anymore. If you have a cable card, give it back, they are piosonous. They have a habit of losing their channel maps, requiring a call to customer service, who calls a tech to come out and reprogram the card to get you subscription back on line.

LCDs will eventually surpass Plasma, but its not quite there yet. These panels are also changing about every six months now. Getting better quality for cheaper every time.

I would be cool and offer to sell to everyone here at cost, but the sad part is that you can usually find panels on line for less than I pay at wholesale. I might sell a few dozen panels a year, under manufacturers warranty and all that, but some guys in New Jersey can sell a thousand on their e-tail site, so he gets the better deal and probably gets a huge break on shipping too.

Talk to Jason at Poulsbo Audio Video. He's local, sometimes he comes across some really good deals and can get stuff shipped to anywhere, he's also dealer direct so his stuff is covered under manufacturers warranty. Costco prices still have just about everyone beat, but, Costco also sells so much that some of the manufacturers are selling them strip down version displays to move bulk for cheaper as a special Costco deal.

Hope this helps.