My TV has had a long and happy life and has gone to live on a farm where it can run around and play with all the other TV's. So now I need a new TV. And I'm a girl. Actually, I'm a girl with very little techno/audio knowledge, and I'm rather happy that way. So, I have the money to get a nice HD TV, but I'm at a loss. What do I need to know before I spend all my hard earned money? Plasma or LCD? WTF is the difference, anyway? If I don't want all that picture in picture nonsense (such a boy feature!) is there a huge difference in quality really, or is that just something salespeople try to tell you? Thoughts? Help? Suggestions?

as in everything else, size matters.

Well, I plan to get the biggest one that fits in the hole. OK, not sure really how to rephrase that so it doesn't sound dirty. There's a space in my entertainment center, yadda yadda, it's been a long day....

Plasma has a shorter shelf life than LCD, I believe. 16:9 aspect ratio rules! Try to get a flat panel model because the other flat screen CRT kind weighs two tons. Thus ends my ability to advise you.

Don't you dare buy a TV that isn't 16:9.

I've got a big 'ol CRT 30" WEGA, but that's because I live off of student loans. An LCD is probably a solid investment if you've got the money for it.

This is my living....plasma and LCD have about same life expectancy. It was true a few years back that LCD's held that edge. If you go bigger than 42" LCD prices will be a bit higher than plasma because they haven't produced in that size with great quantity yet.
As far as picture goes plasma has better black levels and is overall a better looking picture. As for brands, about the best looking plasma is Pioneer Elite.
If you can fit, say a 50" rear projection in the space you can save some money. Get a Sony SXRD rear projection TV. It does true 1080P (best resolution possible at an unbeatable price). These SXRD's by Sony are what all the insiders are buying because the picture is stunning.
But if you are fixated on a flat panel, go plasma and as I say try Pioneer Elite or perhaps a Panasonic.
And by all means 16:9 screen which is really all they come in above 42".
Then get a HD cable box because the viewing is gorgeous.

I thought it was width, specifically.

What about depth? I mean, if you have a great depth then you can actually feel every bit.

Enter contests until you win a new TV. This is the only advice I can offer to you.

smart ass

Here are your considerations:

Size:

42 inches or bigger, go plasma. Anything smaller, go lcd.

Durability:

Doesn't really matter anymore. Plasmas still have a shorter lifespan (around 27,000 hours), but that translates into 15+ years of tv watching...at which point plasmas will probably be given away free with 8 gallons of gas (or whatever the fuck we're running our cars on).

Resolution:

1080p (progressive) is the current best, but many articles have reported that unless you're going 50 inches or bigger, 1080p differences are not visible to the naked eye. If going smaller than 50 inches, go 1080i (interlaced) and save the money. You'll also see 780p out there...which still satisfies the HD standard, and is also very good, but not as good as 1080.

DO NOT get roped into buying an ED tv (enhanced definition). This is basically a plasma with 480 resolution (equivalent to current dvd standards).

Picture Quality:

THIS IS A BIGGIE. Plasmas and LCDs are notoriously bad with dark colors. Unfortunately, the display models are all showing nature shots which feature lots of blues, greens, and whites; which are very easy to reproduce on any tv. Best test for a tv is something like an episode of X-Files, where you have lots of shadows and darkly lit scenes. A shitty tv will postarize and pixalize these scenes.

Inputs:

Also very important. Try and get a tv with at least two HDMI inputs. HD signal can be transmitted through HDMI, component (3 red, blue, green cables), and one other cable I can't remember, but is pretty much obsolete. HDMI is the best input, and you'll want two if you can get it (one for dvd, one for hd cable box).

Sound:

Will you be using the tv speakers or speakers from a home theatre? If using the tv speakers...obviously buy a tv with built in speakers (duh). If using home theatre, you can find plasmas out there with no speakers, and save a few bucks.

Hope this isn't too much detail.

See, this is exactly the stuff I need to know! Thanks guys.