I purchased a Samsung 50" 1080p Plasma from Best Buy last year and it was amazing. I have a low lit basement and the picture quality was stunning. Unfortunately, I had a area that dimmed on the screen and best buy is unable to get the part, so now its time for a "Comparable Replacement".

They gave me the following two options:

1. Panasonic 50" Plasma 1080p (TC-P50S30) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+50%22+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+HDTV/2120201.p?id=1218310004114&skuId=2120201&st=212020 1&cp=1&lp=1

2. LG 55" LCD 1080p (55LK520) - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+55%22+Class+/+1080p+/+120Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/2138291.p?id=1218310762197&skuId=2138291&st=213829 1&cp=1&lp=1

The LG is a lot more expensive and I love the increase in size, but it's LCD. I've heard great things about Panasonics Plasma's but I really hate the look of the border (I know that's a really weird thing to take into account but it looks cheap). My old Sammy had the awesome glass border with uniform edge and looked beautiful on my wall.

We require a wide viewing angle as the seating is pretty close to the tv and extends to all angles. I know LCDs angles are not as good so this may be an issue. I also loved the true blacks and non "blockiness" of my Samsung Plasma during fast movements. Is the LCD technology better now that this is a non issue? It's so hard to compare picture quality in the stores.

If I weren't to go with either, I would get an $800 credit to apply to a different tv since the Panasonic's more comparable to the Samsung. I could get a Samsung 51" Plasma http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+51%26%2334%3B+Class+/+Plasma+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+HDTV/2584325.p?id=1218337329459&skuId=2584325 for that price, but it only has 2 HDMI connections which is a huge drawback since I currently have 4.

Tough decision. Would love the advice.