Does anyone have any input on the LG 50PV450 for $899.00 or the
LG 60PV450 for $1399.00 ? Which would be your choice for 13' viewing?

Do you remeber goldstar ? Its amazing what a name change can do for your image.

Why would you want a plasma TV? They consume lots of power and have a limited lifetime.

An LCD with an LED backlight would be better in most ways. It won't be as bright as a plasma though..

Ron

The new plasmas are supposed to be energy star efficient = 30% less electricity usage.
What would be a better tv in the LCD type?

Plasmas don't use lots of power anymore and the lifetimes are comparable to lcds (and both are so long as to be virtually infinite for any practical purpose). Better is subjective and depends on what you want. Plasmas will be better in a darker room, but unless you are spending $$$$ and nitpicking details from 2 feet away just get whatever you like price wise as ultimately plasma vs lcd will not matter when it's in your living room. Check avsforums for more objective info. Either way I wouldn't pay anything near those prices. The 60pv550 was $1100 last month with free shipping from paul's tv, and frys had the LG 55LW5600 for $1200 a couple days ago. This stuff is always going on sale somewhere.

Here is one example:
http://www.usa.philips.com/c/televisions/7000-led-series-55-inch-class-full-hd-1080p-digital-tv-55pfl7705dv_f7/prd/en/

Spec'd at 200W input. I find that plasma TV's are spec'd very poorly as to power consumption. See here:

http://www.lg.com/us/tv-audio-video/televisions/LG-plasma-tv-50PV450.jsp

Notice that the "on mode" power is TBD.

On mode is when the automatic brightness control is used. All plasma's have auto brightness. Most LED TVs don't have it as they are as bright as the LED backlights allow. Plasma's actually are brighter than LCD/LED and have a lot more contrast ratio thus most people think it is a better picture.

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-lifespan.html

Ron

Had decided to buy plasma a few months ago, but after checking all the details and pictures, went with lcd. Backlit led is a variation of that, I believe. Not totally different, but a little step up maybe.

I found the best deal was thru the gigantic online retailer we all know. Free shipping, price low enough to beat local stores. With the lower price, we got the extended warranty. Most everyone says this is reccomended with flat screens. I don't usually buy a warranty. With this warranty, any tv over 32 inches, they will service in your home, you don't have to send it in. That was the determining factor for me. If it's not worth fixing, they refund your purchase price.

Go in the stores and really look them over, then start comparing prices. Hard to figure out what is the best deal and what has the best picture! Not sure I have a handle on it yet.

I research anything electronics related on the Cnet website.