Budget - Quality 50'' Plasma Wanted?

[redneck1210]

I've been reading a bunch of posts on here and just wanted to see what the current opinions are on the different models out there. I will sum up my needs and viewing habits and hopefully you guys can give me some recommendations. I have a 65'' Mitsubishi RP, but's it's too big for the living room where I'm moving. So I'm going to place the Mitsu in the basement and buy a mid or low range 50'' or bigger for the living room. I'm thinking LCD may be my best bet, but maybe a DLP?

Here are my viewing habits:

Watch lots of satellite TV, mainly HD locals.
Play DVDs on a pretty regular basis.
Plan on getting a PS3 and using it for games but more for Blu Ray.
Would like to hook up a HTPC.

This doesn't have to be the best or anything. I just want a good set with the best PQ for the money I want to spend. I simply want it to do everything I listed above, and be decent at it. Since I'm only going to use this as my main TV for a year or two I would like to keep the price around $1500. I was shopping around online today and the prices for DLP and other models are really getting cheap. We ought to be able to steal one the day after Thanksgiving. :D

[redneck1210]

Nobody??? Is the question too general?

[dssturbo1]

the panasonic 50 9 uk is a great deal [EDIT] might be a little at top of more of your range but a dang good choice for a plasma. ask about dlp in the other forum

[redneck1210]

Thanks for the recommendation. That's all I'm really looking for. I've been out of the loop for a year or so. I used to follow all of this religiously, but haven't had the time. I'm just trying to narrow down the field and then decide. I'm most likely going to buy the day after Thanksgivin during the sales, so I'm trying to hurry and get all my research done.

Would you still recommend a plasma for someone that games a lot and will use it for a HTPC? I know that's a general question of sorts.

[GlennMaples]

I am a plasma owner. But if I were very interested in gaming etc. I might look pretty hard at the 1080P LCDs

[redneck1210]

I've decided to use my Mitsu WS65311 for gaming. So I guess I should be looking at a set that will primarily be used for HDTV and DVDs. I have been reading about the Samsung HLS4266W and saw that it was on sale at CC for only $1000. I read a lot of the posts in the owners thread and it seems to get good reviews. My viewing distane is going to be a little less than I thought, right around 8' or so. Any thoughts?