Getting my dad a 40+ in. HDTV for Christmas. Quick input needed.

[stoney_titan]

So I'm surprising my father with either one of these tv's Christmas morning.

40" 1080p Toshiba 40ft1u
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-40FT1U-40-Inch-1080p-Black/dp/B003XU6D6Y

Reason why: I can get it for 460$ B&M where i live.

or

42" 720p Samsung PN42C450B1D
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...HDTV/9791253.p?id=1218175547625&skuId=9791253

Reason why: I have a gift card to Best buy that would make the tv 450$.

Now. He has a xbox360 that he plays games on once in a while but he'll mainly use it for espn3, netflix and dvds. I've seen them both in person and there's no distinguishable difference besides the plasmas slightly jagged text. Obviously the 1080p has more potential for a better picture but the plasma is 600hz.

Is there any glaring reasons to get either? Any contenders in my price range (450-500)?

 

[SJetski71]

They're both good models in that pricerange, but all 42" 720P plasmas have a handicap versus 50" 720P plasmas... The 42" plasma's resolution is only 1024x768 (stretched rectangular pixels) and not as console or PC friendly because of that. Whereas most 50" 720P plasmas have 1366x768 square pixels. People shopping for 720P plasmas should be aware of that fact.

I'd recommend the 40" Toshiba in this case. It has 1920x1080P square pixels, fairly low input lag in game mode, no annoyances with image retention, and it's a good brand TV at a great price.

 

[stoney_titan]

They're both good models in that pricerange, but all 42" 720P plasmas have a handicap versus 50" 720P plasmas... The 42" plasma's resolution is only 1024x768 (stretched rectangular pixels) and not as console or PC friendly because of that. Whereas most 50" 720P plasmas have 1366x768 square pixels. People shopping for 720P plasmas should be aware of that fact.

I'd recommend the 40" Toshiba in this case. It has 1920x1080P square pixels, fairly low input lag in game mode, no annoyances with image retention, and it's a good brand TV at a great price.

Thanks. Over the course of the day i have leaned towards the lcd. The glare from the plasma worries me because he has some extravagant office lighting.

 

[SJetski71]

Thanks. Over the course of the day i have leaned towards the lcd. The glare from the plasma worries me because he has some extravagant office lighting.

I never even thought of that, i could be wrong but i think the C450 series does have a weak anti-glare filter.