And are they as good as RPTV yet?
Thanks

Contact Audiofn as this is his area of expertise.

BillR also knows a thing or two...

60+ Plasmas are rare.

I would recommend the Zenith 60". Esp after it has been tweaked by and ISF tech. The picture is great. Samsung's is also nice, but I have seen the both of these and I personally thing the Zenith looks better.

Also recommend a power condtioner for ANY plasma. (Actually ANY TV) Something like a Richard Gray or a Monster Cable 3500 (or better) that will improve picture of any plasma by about 25% - esp black level. Add one, I guarantee you will see a VERY noticable difference!!

Be careful in what you buy. Go to http://www.avsforum.com/ and learn about plasma's Most people think a 50 is better than a 42 and a 60 is better than a 50 ect... In practice it's not true. For most the 42,50 and 60 " Plasmas they have a similar pixel count the real reason for getting a bigger one is if you have to sit farther away. These are just estimates but a 42 is for 8'-10' distance a 50 is for 10' to 12' and a 60" is like 12 to 14' These numbers may be off a little but you will be disappointed if you sit 8' away from a 60" It's just like putting your face up to your computer. Base the size on your room and the recommended viewing distance. If you just like a huge screen get a projector or a rear projection TV.

Ray,

At the same viewing distance, say 12 feet, how do you think the quality of a 60" plasma would compare to my 65" Pioneer Elite PRTV?

I'm simply looking to get the "big box" out of the room, but I don't want an inferior picture to do so.

Thanks everybody for you input.
Pete

I've had a 50" Pioneer for almost three years ( one of the first ones in the country ) works great at 12 feet.

I have a 61" rear projection and the manufacturer recommends a viewing distance of 10 to 12 feet. My living room is large enough to accommodate it.
I'd imagine the plasma screens would need the same distance.

Is it true that the plasma TV's have a shorter operational life than CRT/projection types?

a modern plasma will give a better picture, some of the first plasma tv's were prone to jagged or fuzzy edges and deep black colors, but the plasma's of today are past that, they dont have those problems anymore, if money is not a problem go plasma, some of the 60+ plasma's to look at are Runco [my favorite] check out the pl-61cx, are they also have the cw61 both are very nice, also check out the Marantz pd6120 its a 61 inch plasma that is a top of the line model, Fujitsu also makes a 61 the model is pds6101 it is a pretty good set but I dont think it is as good as the other ones i talked about, check with Audio FN , i think he like's the Runco sets
Mark

and the new plasma's are better than rear projection