Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U

While some budget plasma TVs are less expensive, the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U delivers a great picture for its price. The 720p resolution falls short of the 1080p resolution offered by more expensive plasma TVs, but it is still high resolution. (Experts say that at normal seating distances, the benefits of 1080p can't really be seen on a 42-inch screen anyway.) Some picture flaws are noted, but those are offset by the overall quality and great black levels. If you have a bigger budget, the 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PZ85U (*Est. $1,300) delivers 1080p resolution and even deeper blacks. Budget options include the Vizio VP422 (*Est. $750), a 720p TV that's available exclusively at Wal-Mart. The VP422 has yet to receive much user feedback; however, Vizio has earned a reputation as a solid performer among budget labels. If you want the same picture quality and relative value as the TH-42PX80U but in a larger screen size, experts say that the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U (*Est. $1,430) should perform similarly.

CNET's David Katzmaier gushes over the deep black levels and great value, but also notes some flaws. User reviews are beginning to accumulate at sites like Amazon.com, and overall, most owners are very pleased with the TV.