re: ? about buying a TV

Zach, pick the models you think you like that meet your requirements for connectivity (if you understand what your connectivity requirements are). Then go to an online forum called [link=(AVSForum)]www.avsforum.com[/link].

From there, navigate to the flat panel displays forum and search your models. There will be discussions of the pros and cons and links to reviews of these models. Actually, you can learn a great amount of valuable information on this site.

My personal recommendation (and I've been in the professional video business for 18 years), is that if you are a gamer, which I don't think you are, get a very good LCD, high-end quality, which is expensive. You should be prepared to spend $1300+ (at minimum) just for the LCD, not including mount, cabling, installation and the possible extended warranty. However, if you care about deep blacks, great contrast, color saturation and an overall better viewing experience for video, then go with plasma. Panasonic makes some great plasmas. They use more electricity than LCDs though, but not enough to make a discernible difference for the amount of viewing you indicated you do. And, the great part is that plasmas are considerably less expensive and are not susceptible to the motion blurring that low cost LCDs are.

For example: BB has the Panasonic TC-P42S2 available for under $700. It's a 42" 1080p plasma that properly set up will make you very pleased with your decision for a long time. If you can go up to a 50", though, there are a wide range of sets available in plasma ranging from $700 to $4000. However, the Panasonic TC-P50G20 at $1100 is an excellent buy for all but the most discriminating buyer.

Anyway... good luck with your decision.

This recess: let's talk about this. There are what's called "articulating arm mounts". That means the mount can be installed in your recessed cavity and the display can be moved and manipulated outside of it. If you have room on either side of the cavity for the display to overlap each side without impeding the use of cabinet doors, etc.., then don't get too hung up on staying inside the cavity recess. The articulating mount will allow you to access your connections with ease and you can consider a larger screen, which I think you would enjoy.

*eta: be aware that Best Buy will not set the video images on their lesser expensive products to look their best. Don't be afraid to purchase if what you see on the show floor doesn't "wow" you. I can assist you in adjusting the image to be (and stay) outstanding. The settings on my plasmas and video projector in my home are far off from the factory settings. I have friends and family that plead with me to calibrate their sets. Its easy with a calibration disk, some blue and red gels and an understanding of what to look for. Whenever you decide, post a message an email for contact and I'll reach out to you and give you some assistance.

Man I'm not sure what you just said but can you hook us up With some basic instructions?

Not for Zack but Newegg.com has a great deal

LG 55" 1080p 120Hz Wireless LCD HDTV 55LH85 $1299

My best recommendation is to get a copy of Digital Video Essentials for your Blu-Ray (or, if you have an HD-DVD player, look for this on Ebay for cheap). If you get this disk and go through each individual step and learn what to look for you should be able to calibrate a display close to optimum without going into the service calibration menu. Sometimes, though, with some displays, that's the only way to do it and I would never suggest anyone do that who hasn't received some training because you can seriously damage a set and void the warranty.

The site is here: Digital Video Essentials

The gentleman who started this company, Joe Kane, is a consultant to Samsung Plasma and to Da-Lite video screens for projection. He also consults with all major video production houses and network television studios on global calibration methods. He started Imaging Science Foundation, an organization that trains video technicians in proper calaibration of displays to broadcast standards. I studied with him and gave training at his seminars for an electronics manufacturer that's been listed in this thread.

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Do you do any professional installation yourself?

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I do, but my installations are all directed by me and I have technicians and engineers who do the majority of the grunt work for me and then I verify and tweak the final results. If you've ever watched the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the People's Choice Awards or the Grammy Awards you've seen my work.

Most of my work for home theaters have been for a few sports team owners and pro athletes and a few movie actors. I tend to focus primarily on commercial projects, though.

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Can't I just set it on top of the platform I've already got?

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Sure, but what I think he was getting at was that if your width is limited inside the cabinet then the articulating mount can allow you a bigger set by having the tv to the front of the cabinet

Wait till Cyber Monday. You might be able to find a better deal online.

If you're in the BR area, call Gary Emmery for a professional installation.

(225) 413-7273