Looking for a new (plasma?) TV, at least 40", $800 budget...?

[kalrith]

If you'll be rarely using it as a monitor or only using it for PC video (and not desktop/gaming usage), then 720p will be fine. I do some light web surfing on my 50" 720p plasma, and it works fine having one web page maximized. If you want two windows side by side or need more space for desktop usage, then 1080p is the way to go.

At 5-6 feet away, though, 50" 720p won't cut it. I've seen 50" 1080p plasmas dip down into your budget in the past, so if you can find a good deal on one, that would be my choice hands-down.

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I ended up buying the 42" 1080p Panasonic Plasma in my link.

It ended up going on sale at my local MicroCenter for $694. They had one left in stock. It was just too good to pass up.

After setting it up and everything, I'm now glad I didn't go much bigger. I'm sitting 4-5 feet from the screen, and this is simply more than enough screen for me. I also just didn't feel comfortable dropping to 720p at that distance.

So thanks again to everyone!

 

[smitbret]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I ended up buying the 42" 1080p Panasonic Plasma in my link.

It ended up going on sale at my local MicroCenter for $694. They had one left in stock. It was just too good to pass up.

After setting it up and everything, I'm now glad I didn't go much bigger. I'm sitting 4-5 feet from the screen, and this is simply more than enough screen for me. I also just didn't feel comfortable dropping to 720p at that distance.

So thanks again to everyone!

Awesome. At that distance, 1080p was certainly the way to go.

 

[kalrith]

Congrats! That sounds great! I think that's the perfect set for your viewing distance.

I sit about 3' from the 32" 1080p TV that serves as my computer monitor, and I'm considering moving back to about 3.5' because of the large viewing angle.