42" TV recommendations

[CountZero]

Looking to buy a new TV in the next couple weeks. Budget is $1000 or less. Would prefer to pickup local. Have Fry's, Conns, Best Buy and Costco (north Dallas area).

Pretty set on 42" (though if there is good reason to go with a better 40" that might be ok)

Plasma is a no go. Don't want the heat or power of plasma so it will need to be LCD.

The room is dark, we are sitting fairly close to the screen (6 or so feet).

Want something with good gaming performance. Don't watch sports ever. Do watch movies, TV and streaming off Netflix.

Internet widget stuff might be nice but isn't a deal breaker. Think I'd prefer LED, 120Hz and 1080p if that is feasible.

First TV upgrade in 11 years, time to move on from the 27" SDTV as it is I'm playing my PS3 on my 24" monitor that also acts as a HDTV.

Thanks for the help.

 

[DesiPower]

Not sure if available at your local stores, but this looks like a good TV

Sony Bravia 40" Class LCD 1080p 120Hz HDTV, KDL-40EX500

Same price at bestbuy too...

 

[s44]

Unfortunately, 42" is too small to have a proper local dimming set: there's the edge-lit 42LE5500 hybrid (and a similar expensive Vizio), but there aren't many zones and they have leakage issues. I'd say most 120hz LCDs will be pretty similar... And under budget.

 

[SunnyD]

Vizio 42" 240Hz Internet (ethernet+wifi) - $650 shipped from Dell

 

[CVSiN]

You have a Fry's nearby just camp the ad every week..
I got my LG 42 LED 120 hz for $700 on special from Fry's

when you see "Major name brand" in Fry's ads under TVs those are almost always LGs which are badass for flatscreens.

 

[0roo0roo]

If your budget is 1000 dollars or less, i'd suggest atleast 50" for that distance.
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html
The "feel" of corret sizing is still kinda stuck in the past for many because for most of peoples lives anything above a 32" was pretty impractical... a 40" crt weighed 300lb after all. From about 6 feet you should consider atleast a 46", once you sit back, esp with 2.35 material, the 42" will look very small.

Both heat and power of plasma are myths at this point. modern plasmas use a reasonable amount of power, they have been advancing year by year for many generations, but folks still remember advice from a decade ago. A nice 50" g25 panasonic is now at about 900, and that is the higher end plasma.