I'd go with the Panasonic personally. It's not much above your budget and it's a nice size TV with GREAT picture. At my place of employment, we carry LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Sharp. I'd say Panasonic or Samsung for sure. Not a fan of LG that much. Sharp makes a wicked LCD too. And for those who think plasmas are a dying technology, I dont think so. All the issues that plagued first plasmas have been taken care of, and now many plasmas will last longer than an LCD. The Panasonics plasma panels are rated for 100,000 hours! And all new plasmas have some kind of anti-image retention feature, along with almost any add on component (dvd, blu-ray, PS3, Xbox 360). If I was going to buy a tv, it would be a Panasonic or Samsung plasma. No doubt in my mind. The colors are just as rich and vivid as an LCD but the darks on a plasma blow and LCD out of the water. And the motion on a plasma is unrivaled, although LCDs are much better than they used to be. Side by side, there is no doubt in my mind, that plasma is superior in picture quality period. It's not just Pioneer who made a nice plasma, Panasonic always has and they are making even more high end plasmas along with Samsung. And another thing, I have seen one, ONE Panasonic plasma come back for service since I have been working at this shop. Considering that our best selling TVs are Panasonics, that's is a pretty good statistic. Plasma and Panasonic FTW!