FYI, the Plasma screens for both Pioneer and Panasonic TVs are the same, the difference being the processing software. They used to share the manufacturing plant, but due to cost and market reasons Pioneer have pulled the plug (causing Panasonic to question whether it too would continue to build TVs).
I'd go with Plasma over LCD, you get a lot less light leakage and the blacks are truer. I've got a Pioneer, and it was definetly the best thing I've ever bought (outside the 2 Thai ladies of horizontal refreshment, "double top stick your bread in"). If you do go with Plasma, the best set-up tip is to get a George Lucas Star Wars film and in the extra's menu use the screen set-up options. Saves you the £200 Panasonic / Pioneer engineer call out fee!
Currently running a Panasonic THPX600 Plasma.
I will also confirm that the Panasonic panels are fantastic. I could have had what ever I wanted at the time of buying (pretty much), but that panel was hitting all the targets.
One consideration in the selection of a panel, is how well does it display Standard Definition? Many panels looked great with HD feeds, but with SD...the processor just couldn't hack it.
Panasonic scalers are very good. Plasma over LCD especially if you like watching anything that moves and more than a walking pace, because an LCD can't "close" quite as quick as a plasma tube can change, so you get "mouse trails".
The Star Wars bit. I only know it as being on Phantom Menace.
Go into the Languages Menu. Look in the corner for the THX logo and hit that.
I will say that that setup, is only so that you can view the film as it was intended to be seen...it isn't close to a full calibration.
) It will no doubt be used mainly for my kids watching iggle bloody piggle and co...
