First HDTV - Budget 350 - What is the best buy?

[alexyfoot]

OK - the most important things Budget - 350 maximum.
Usage - mainly movies and sports.
Location - the will be installed in this studio in the place of the desk - I would appreciate if the TV is visiable from the bed so I am leaning towards 42-43 inch Plasma but a smaller LED is an option, too, if there are enough benefits.
Me - I am a newbie - currently usng a 22 LCD LG...never bought an HDTV before so I am not very knowledgeable.
I'd prefer to have a good USB movie playback support (including MKV, FLV if possible). A couple of HDMI ports is the minimum - 3 is preferred. Good quality sound would be appreciated although I've read those thin TVs don't come with good sound. Not fussed about weight, designm thickness, etc - it won't be wall-mounted. I will look to use it with SD with Sky + some Blu Ray movies (I could invest in HD subscription if I get Full HD res and upscaling is not good enough - should be great on stuff like footy and F1).

Here's the ones I've found so far within budget:

Plasma: Samsung PS43D450
PANASONIC TX-P42X50B
LG 42PT353

LED: LG 37LV355U

LCD: LG 42LK450
Sony 40BX420BU

Slight variation in prices doesn't bother me too much, I will be purchasing it in about a month so I'd expect they'd be within 20 pounds off each other for similar technology. Anyone with more experience shed some light please? Unfortunately I can't really decide on what I want as I haven't had any experience with such tellys.

 

[aakashr]

OK - the most important things Budget - 350 maximum.
Usage - mainly movies and sports.
Location - the will be installed in this studio in the place of the desk - I would appreciate if the TV is visiable from the bed so I am leaning towards 42-43 inch Plasma but a smaller LED is an option, too, if there are enough benefits.
Me - I am a newbie - currently usng a 22 LCD LG...never bought an HDTV before so I am not very knowledgeable.
I'd prefer to have a good USB movie playback support (including MKV, FLV if possible). A couple of HDMI ports is the minimum - 3 is preferred. Good quality sound would be appreciated although I've read those thin TVs don't come with good sound. Not fussed about weight, designm thickness, etc - it won't be wall-mounted. I will look to use it with SD with Sky + some Blu Ray movies (I could invest in HD subscription if I get Full HD res and upscaling is not good enough - should be great on stuff like footy and F1).

Here's the ones I've found so far within budget:

Plasma: Samsung PS43D450
PANASONIC TX-P42X50B
LG 42PT353

LED: LG 37LV355U

LCD: LG 42LK450
Sony 40BX420BU

Slight variation in prices doesn't bother me too much, I will be purchasing it in about a month so I'd expect they'd be within 20 pounds off each other for similar technology. Anyone with more experience shed some light please? Unfortunately I can't really decide on what I want as I haven't had any experience with such tellys.

I always recommend Plasma for various reasons over LED/LCD. Some of the good plasma tv's are:

Panasonic TX P42S30 450 pounds (top pick)
LG 42PQ6000 390 pounds
Panasonic TH 42PX80B 325 pounds
Samsung PS42Q7HD 370 pounds

If you need more info on the advantages of Plasma, I could give you the info. If possible demo the tv's and finally decide. Remember plasma always looks good in low ambient light so please turn down the lights in the store. Bright light is an overkill for Plasma.

 

[isisira]

And sir, what about this burn-in and IR.. can i use plasma with computer? what will happen to plasma if i watch regular channels with black band on top and bottom..many channels i get here are like that..

 

[aakashr]

And sir, what about this burn-in and IR.. can i use plasma with computer? what will happen to plasma if i watch regular channels with black band on top and bottom..many channels i get here are like that..

I use a HTPC connected to my 50inch plasma tv.........no problems at all!!! Burn and IR used to be an issue earlier but the new plasma tv's have taken care of it. Why don't you demo some tv's and experience it for yourself.

If picture quality and colour accuracy is your top priority you cant beat a good plasma in the same price category as LED/LCD.