Check out http://th50px60ureview.com This is the top-ranked plasma HDTV and I'm really happy with the one I bought for my home. I bought it at a local store and it cost me more but I feel no regrets whatsoever. The pictures are bright and beautiful, and the Blu-ray movies played on my PS3 look absolutely stunning. Next to Pioneer, Panasonic makes the best and longest-lasting plasma displays.
My next criteria was the TVs ability to present a quality standard broadcast video, that seems to be about 90% of the material available today. HD is just beginning to become more adequately available today.
While shopping, I did not notice a huge difference in the quality of HD from one TV to another but there is a huge difference in quality at standard broadcast. You won't see this in the stores because they always use HD to impress their customers.
Panasonic th50px60u has a Great picture, great sound, and the quality of Panasonic. I highly recommend this TV if you are shopping for a plasma.
After I researched HD to death, weighing all the confusing choices of Plasma vs. LCD vs. DLP/Projection, 720 vs.1080 yada yada yada, finally decided this was the best overall value, and after watching it for about a month, am extremely happy with my decision.