[ipy]

Have been reading a bit of this since my Loewe Xelos CRT started to play up.  There seems to be a common theme from AC members on the following;
1) Plasma still have an edge over LCDs on picture quality, at least with current models for both
2) 1080p should be a standard particularly with the advent of Blu-Ray & HD technology
3) Better quality video cables matters up to a certain $ point
4) Good quality/"audiophile" power cords matters as well?
5) ISF Calibration is mandatory to get the best picture quality
6) Pioneer rules over Panny Plasma picture quality wise but can cost alot more ie: not best value?
7) The following 1080p Panny Plasma or equivalent seems a good buy??
http://panasonic.com.au/products/specifications.cfm?objectID=3400
Any other advice or things to look for before taking the plunge appreciated.  Goes without saying I currently have information overload as I surf the net for this 
Thanks

[jqp]

"2) 1080p should be a standard particularly with the advent of Blu-Ray & HD technology"
It is the highest "HDTV" standard. Your question is, what percent of my current and forseeable future source material will be 720p, 1080i, 1080p.
1080p is not that common now, unless you have Blu-Ray or HD-DVD players.
At the other extreme, if you have SD cable then you are getting a 4x3 aspect with about 330 lines. This is what I watch 75% of the time. My TV upconverts it for me to I think 480p.
The rest of the time for me is DVDs (720) and Games (1080i)
The "sweet spot" now for Plasma/LCD TVs seems to be 1080i.

"5) ISF Calibration is mandatory to get the best picture quality"
I think this is true with CRT, Rear projection , PLasma, not sure about LCD panels.

"6) Pioneer rules over Panny Plasma picture quality wise but can cost alot more ie: not best value?"
That is entirely your call!

[bpape]

I've had a couple different guys who are exposed to and sell these units every day.  Both of them told me to look seriously at the new Sharp 1080p LCD's.  I've (and both of them too) always thought plasma was the way to go.  Supposedly, this new unit doesn't have the refresh rate issues of most other LCDs and the blacks are actually pretty good - and it's 1080p.  Price is not significantly higher than the Panny's. 

Just something to consider.

Bryan

[G Georgopoulos]

when I first said LCDs were better than PLASMAs a year ago I was told I was wrong
now more and more people here are reporting LCDs improvement in both picture quality
and definition, can PLASMA rival LCD all things being equal I dont think PLASMA can match
the potential of improvement of the LCD technology

cheers
ps: ex PAL-video expert