The CRT sets have better contrast giving them blacker blacks and whiter whites. This difference until now has been large, but the plasmas are closing the gap. The higher end plasmas now have excellent contrast, but still not quite as good as a high end CRT. The plasmas have more light output than a projection CRT so they do better in a room with lots of light. Plasmas can have problems with burn in if the contrast and brightness aren't set corrrectly. A CRT RPTV can have the same problem, but it's unclear if they are quite as vulnerable.
The main problem with plasma is cost. You can get a CRT RPTV with a picture that is very competative with plasma for much less money. I feel plasmas are the future because they are improving, the size advantage is a real plus and the cost will become more competative with CRT. The really good 50" plasmas now cost $10k plus. In three years or less it will be half that. When my Pioneer Elite 510 dies I'm sure I'll replace it with a plasma.
The main problem with plasma is cost. You can get a CRT RPTV with a picture that is very competative with plasma for much less money. I feel plasmas are the future because they are improving, the size advantage is a real plus and the cost will become more competative with CRT. The really good 50" plasmas now cost $10k plus. In three years or less it will be half that. When my Pioneer Elite 510 dies I'm sure I'll replace it with a plasma.