help picking a flat screen....

I'm sure you could pick up an old school projection TV that size for way less $$$ if HD really isn't important :p

I'd probably pick the vizio, but TBH it kind of depends on your needs. I like having 1080p for HTPC use since the higher resolution is nicer as a computer screen, but you'll probably get better black levels out of the plasma. In the end though, if HD isn't important I'd just go with the cheapest
 
I would probably go with the LCD, but thats based on the resolutions. Before buying either, I would definitely go look at them in the store and fiddle around with the settings.

You should also consider how much light is going to be in the room where the TV is. Plasma usually has more glare than an LCD. If you have lots of windows, or lights, the LCD might be better.
 
panasonic is known for making exceptional plasmas. Vizio is quite good on the budget end of the scale though.

All depends on if you want 720 or 1080 i suppose.
 
do you have a frys in your area, they have some killer deals on tv's but they are in store only . http://shopping.dallasnews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=2519

Look through the multiple pages and you could probably get a better deal. As for the difference between the two, I would go with the higher rez lcd, but you should consider the lighting conditions in your room as plasma looks way better in a dark room.
 
If you plan on using an HTPC with it then you may have trouble with that panasonic's native resolution (1024x768) and it's rectangular pixels.

Square pixels are the norm for PC's so if you buy a 720P TV make sure it has a 1366x768 native resolution. Samsung and LG make very nice and inexpensive 720P plasmas with a more appropriate 1366x768 rez.
 
Not sure if you have to buy it at Wal-Mart. I was just looking over at Amazon and they have a few 42" screens right around the $550 mark.

LG 42LD450 42-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039RRC7U/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Panasonic TC-P42S2 42-Inch 1080p Plasma
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-...f=sr_1_30?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1287712224&sr=1-30

Panasonic TC-L42U22 42-Inch 1080p LCD
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-...ref=sr_1_6?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1287712482&sr=1-6
 
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