I know this has been discussed here before and I have searched the forum. But it's such a dynamic topic I think it's worth a new thread.

I'm in the market for a new flat panel TV. Plasma or LCD -- it doesn't matter to me based on what I've read about the differences. This TV will be in a basement rec room so ambient light is not a problem. I am limited to overall width of 42" which means I am looking at 42" diagonal (or 40" if I have to). (Convenient rule of thumb derived from my research: Almost all 42" diagonal measurment flat panel TV's have an overall width of about 42". Exceptions are those that put the speakers verticlaly on the sides.)

I would love to have the latest and greatest 1080p TV, but my budget tops out at about $1200.

Sears is having a Columbus Day sale right now and you can get a 42" Hitachi plasma 1080i flat panel TV for $899. If you buy with a Sears credit card (which you can apply for and use on the spot), they knock another $150 off the price. Model is P42H401. $749 is a pretty good price for a 42" name brand plasma if you ask me.

http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp?page=products/plasma_tvs/details/P42H401.html&level=2&section=products&parent=plasma_tvs&nav=left&path=jsp/hitachi/forhome/ubcg/&nId=iD

I've been reading up on it and I gather 1080i is closer in resolution to 720p than to 1080p. But lots of sources say the difference between 720p and 1080p is negligible on screens smaller than 50".

Just want to make sure I'm not going to be disappointed. Anyone care to share an opinion on this particular Hitachi TV or 1080i v. 1080p and 720p? Or plasma v. LCD?

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