I'm in the market for a display pretty much just for Xbox 360/PS3 gaming and HD-DVD/Bluray video watching (and maybe some HD TV broadcasts).

I can't decide on a plasma, LCD or projector. The room is dedicated for this purpose (i.e: blinds can be shut to be dark).

This is what I'm looking at right now.

40" Samsung LA40R81BDX $1700
Pros: Cheap, easy to setup, most versatile
Cons: Smallest, possibly the worst picture quality

50" Panasonic TH-50PX70A $2900
Pros: high contrast ratio, bigger than LCD
Cons: very expensive

Mitsubishi HC1100 Projector $1500 + 80" Screen $500
Pros: biggest picture, possibly highest picture quality
Cons: Needs more effort to setup, dark room, lamp expires

So umm, this is a real 1st world problem, haha
I'm guessing I should just go with the LCD, as for the 360 it will be more than good enough? But something tells me the projector will be awesome. The plasma is just there for kicks unless someone can convince me it's picture quality is $1200 better than the LCD.

the 50 inch panasonic would be the best but if you cant afford it get the samsung. id never buy a projector never .

LCD. The difference between Plasma and LCD for gaming is very noticeable.

Take it from me - I sell LCDs and Plasmas day-in, day-out

IMHO unless you buy a really high end LCD eg sony x series they will be disappointing

Plasmas are great, especially 1920x1080 ones

I just bought a 1080p projector and a 92" screen, so you can probably guess what I'd recommend.

I'm still setting up the room, but here's how the screen frame compares to my current 80cm TV...

Thats interesting - I would have said the same thing (except the other way around ). I find the display lag in most LCD's to be VERY distracting for gaming (especially FPS's).

FYI: I have an Xbox 360 and a 50" (Pioneer) plasma.

What makes you say that?
Is there a particular 720p LCD you can recommend?

I'd love to get the latest Pioneer Kuro plasma, but $5,500 for a 720p panel, is just way too much for me

Projector's are great, especially if you can darken the room.
Easily best bang for buck especially some of the infocus(DLP) and panasonic (LCD) projectors

DLP can be an issue if you see the rainbow effect (both myself and my girlfriend do).

Panasonics would be great if their lamps didn't cost around $750. My Sanyo lamps only cost a shade over $400, making the 720p Panasonic and the 1080p Sanyo cost the same after 3 lamp replacements. Check the hidden cost of a projector before buying something that seems cheap at first.

Mum and Dad just got the 50" 720p Pioneer Kuro for $4500 from JB Hifi. Everything they read said it was pretty much the best flat panel on the market.

Just picked up a Acer 42" 720P LCD for $1250. Quality seems pretty good and no problems with my Xbox 360. Doesn't come with a digital tuner but I mostly got it for Xbox 360 and DivX.

Many plasma's I looked at at weird resolutions like 1024x768 then used rectangle pixels to give the widescreen aspect.

I haven't noticed any lag using LCD's with my Xbox 360.

Projectors are quite nice but not for me due to the expense of bulb replacements and the need for the room to be dark any time you want to watch. Most people I know with projectors only use them for 'special occasions' because of the bulb costs but I'd prefer to have the LCD that I can use any day.

Plasma screens do have visibly better contrast but they seem to also run the risk of burn in when playing games that have static elements on the screen.

If you can.. get the Panasonic or even the Samsung P9 1080P (if you can afford it) although that costs a little over $3200 otherwise the LCD 40" will do.


Im planning on getting a Samsung P9 for my living room and cant wait get get them hooked up to my blu-ray and hd-dvd player!

Did you end up getting anything Decryption?

nope - I still can't decide between the projector and the LCD
Chances are I'll get the LCD though, I'm just going to let it sit for a few days and see what I think then.

I'm gonna be picking up a new Sony Full HD Bravia with the free PS3. Probably not ideal for you cause you have a 360, but I'm only in it for the Blue Ray player. Sony are giving them away with all full HD Bravias till the end of January.