Warrenh, I agreed with you that plasma TVs are very appealing. They certainly have that WOW factors. Please go to www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com (plasma tv buying guide dot com). LCD often cannot achieve high brightness intensity when the screen is as big as 42" or larger. On the other hand, plasma has no brightness problem, but it has the darkness problem. Tube is best at this. However, based on the website I recommends, Panasonic seems to be the leader in this industry, 6th generation of EDTV plasma. It makes its own glass and components. I don't know your price range, but the new Panasonic EDTV plasma has brightness ratio of 4000:1, which is exceptionally good if it can achieve its claim. The new model has 1.07 billion colors rather than millions likes its predecessor. It claims to be to be rival to some of the best CRT. It has has DVI with 4 slots for future upgrade. It is supposed to be the coolest in its class even though it consumes about 300 wattage power -- as hot as a halogen lamp. Hence, it does not use a fan to cool down like some of its competitors, thus, no fan noise. One thing I have found out is that regardless whatever brands people purchase, those owners are happy with their toys. Good luck.
