remember - you need to consider where the tv is going - that is what determines plasma or lcd: if there are lots of windows, and light, in the room - lcd is the way tom go; otherwise, plasma is the choice. i am in the former group, so i'll chime in for the philips 42 lcd. $1200 from bb or costco; 1499 gets you the ambilight version, which is worth the extra scratch, imo.