Dimly lit room: Plasma, LCD, or DLP

As stated above all 3 work great in a dim environment. 120hz is only a factor if you watch a lot of live sports..other than that the difference will not be noticeable if you buy a Tier 1 LCD (Sony,Sharp,Mits,Samsung). The video processors are good enough in these 60Hz models..I doubt you'd see a difference for the extra cost of 120Hz.

Blacks will be better on a Plasma as a whole, but there are some trade offs that plasma lovers do not mention.

Though the blacks are a little deeper on my plasma, my LCD has better shadow detail. In other words, on dark scenes I see more detail on objects like buildings and the side of a person's face that is away from direct light.

This is also important and easily visible when you do a side by side comparison on the same material. As time goes on a plasma will grow dimmer(it will start to lose its brilliance).. an LCD doesn't.

A plasma is more susceptible to burn in... LCDs are not.

So you really have to look and decide what is most important to you and where to make a compromise.

Neither is perfect..both plasma and LCD have wider viewing angles than DLP. LCDs look best when viewed directly or from a tighter viewing angle than a plasma, similar to a DLP. Though not quite as critical as a DLP.

Pick your poison.

Plasma burn-in is not a factor? You can get image retention from just leaving it on a channel that has a fixed image, such as a logo.

Yes the software may help to reduce burn in, but it does not cure it. I've already found this out the hard way.

Try to use it for anything other than watching moving objects. You'll find out just how good that software really works.lol
Connect a PC or game console to it..you'll be crying the blues! It is clear to me those who say this isn't an issue..hasn't put one to a REAL test.

Vic it's great if that's what worked out for you..not in my case...no dice. My LCD clearly had an advantage in the area stated and MY plasma has its as well. There is no one shot one kill here.

Plasma brighter than LCD?..huh..keep dreaming.

Lol..apology accepted Vic. You're lucky if you haven't noticed the image retention as yet. You're a brave man to play video games on a plasma! I don't know how long you've used it that way. If I were you I would use the LCD for those tasks. It will eventual show itself if used this way often. Try running an all white screen on the plasma if possible. If there is any image retention,it will show up like a sore thumb.

This is easily done for me as I have a good portion of my screen white when I'm surfing the net or doing other tasks on this PC.

Chad..certain channels still use logos that do plasmas harm..I do not know why? ESPN and TNT can be bad about this. That red logo during a long sporting event like racing..can leave a little image retention. I've had to use my screen wiper in the past to remove or lighten these images.

Again...some of us use our displays as PC monitors. I also use it to scroll through my music albums..it doesn't take long for ghosting to show up if you use a plasma for this. This isn't what someone told me or what I read. This is something I've seen for myself Chad.

Frankly, it is laughable to me for someone to give advice on something he doesn't own or have experienced in any way.Looking at it in the store or at a family members house doesn't count. ;-)

I welcome you to stop by and find ghosting artifacts on my LCD with TV recorded shows, movies or Blu rays...it simply isn't there. All of these TVs show ghosting on live fast moving sports..even a plasma. And no thanks I do not want a 300 pound CRT..I'll happily take the good with the bad using my flat panels.

Why in the world would I want to lead someone to believe a plasma is bad? I own and use them both. I never said I didn't like my plasma. I like using them both! I will not argue anymore about this. I know what using a plasma as a monitor will do..it ain't good. Why don't stadiums, offices, computer manufactures or billboards use plasma technology if burn in or brightness isn't an issue?

Regardless of who made it. My plasma is still considered current..not old by a long shot! If you only plan to use it for basic TV or Movies you'll be fine. If you plan to do other tasks in the future an LCD or LED are the better options.

At the current rate, TV broadcast,voice and the internet are going interactive. This means your TV will become a hub for everything. Internet,voice and television broadcast over IP ..is the future.

The newest DVRs are more like a PC than a basic cable box.
You totally miss the point Chad..time to step into the 21st century!