1080p every time plus plasma cost a fortune to run.
Not really, I own a plasma. I have a 50" Panasonic Plasma. Replaced a 50" LCD, power difference is less than $20 per year to operate.
Technically speaking, the max power draw of this 3 year old Plasma is about 490w according to the mfg. But this is the MAX, with Contrast turned all of the way up, showing a full white image on the screen. With my Panny hooked up to a Kill-A-Watt meter, I average around 280w of power. Newer plasma models drop to as low as 220w of power. Comparable 50" LCD's run around 170-200watts of power...so we aren't dealing with too much difference anymore. Also, a Plasma consumes the most power when showing a full white image, while an LCD consumes the most power showing a full black image. If you simply change out a couple of 100 watt light bulbs with 14 watt compact florescents, you can easily make up for any difference that your TV will consume.
Either way, I would pay the $20 electricity premium as my Plasma outperforms my LCD's hands down from better black levels, to more natural colors, with no motion blur.
As far as the 720 vs 1080p debate goes, it depends upon whether it's going to be a computer monitor. If so, then 1080p is a must.
If it's strictly going to be a TV for watching TV and movies, then count me as 1 of the many who cannot tell any difference between 720p and 1080p. I'm a member of the AVS forums, I discuss this with lots of AV guys and am very well read on the subject.
Disclaimer: My claim that there is no difference between 720p and 1080p is made when comparing 2 properly calibrated displays, sitting side by side, both showing identical 1080p input signals. It's the input signal that makes all of the difference in the world. If you feed a high quality 1080p signal into a 720p display and it downscales to 720p, it will still look absolutely terrific. Standing a reasonable viewing distance away, the human eye won't pick up on the differences.
Those who feel there is a big difference, are often looking at an older TV with less sophisticated electronics, and are watching HDTV signals from their cable TV providers. Then they purchase brand new displays, with more sophisticated electronics and hook up a BluRay player and then say, "Woah, what a difference". They simply aren't comparing Apples to Apples.
