I got a 42" plasma tv and the picture is terrible there are what can be described as contour lines on peoples faces etc.

Questions

Is this normal for a plasma tv?
Is plasma a good way to go?
Obviously the one I have is going back. So I am also considering alternatives. ie LCD rear projection or CRT so any advice would be great looking for good size. Projector and screen is not an option due too lack of space.

Thanks

:)

Plasma is still developing and from what i have seen/read the more expensive ones (3k up) are just about cutting the mustard so to speak, the same could be said about lcd screens projected or not.
i had this choice around 14 mths. ago and decided on a 44" rp crt and bearing in mind the above i would make the same choice today, its been fantastic. (the prices for these have fallen nearly 25% in last year and now imho are bang for buck unbeatable ).
you say lack of space for a projector ? have you thought about a wall/ceiling mount ?

I agree with the comments above. Plasma is VERY expensive and the images just don't seem to last a good quality HDTV will cost quite a bit less and the picture will last longer.

Excuse the ignorance but what is HDTV?

High definition television.
Instead of the normal 4:3 ratio for the screen, its increased to 16:9.
Also, the resolution on the old NTSC standard is 640 x 480, which is changed to either 1922 x 1080/'1080i' or 1280 x 720/'720p'

Also, since its a digital signal, it will carry a lot more information along with the program, like extra channels for the sound.

HDTV doesn't have to mean its wide screen (16:9), it simply means that the regular horizonal line count (480i) is upped to HDTV (1080i), and not all HDTV's can support 720p.

Plasma is on its way out cause it can't support the better hdtv resolutions, so thats why you see their cheaper prices. They also get HOT, so they have fans.

I've got a LG 60" LCD Rear Projection and I've got no complaints. It's actually quite thin as well unlike the older generation RPs.

It's HDTV compliant and also has DVI input which is great as I have my computer hooked up to it :-). Call of Duty on a 60" screen with surround sound is awesome!

What handyguy said, plus the quality downgrades 10% a year i hear. If anything look into Mitsubushi, the best brand out there. I dont know if they make LCD yet but I have 5 friends that have Mits big screens all over 57" ans the picture is awesome. My is a Sony 57" is pretty nice also. All of them are HDTV rear projected.

i got a sony grand wega II 60" and its awesome for xbox. the picture for most games is incredible and hd games like doa volleyball are crisp as hell. the only thing i want to know is if you have to patch all games for hd. like nfl street doesnt look as good as i think it should but rainbow six looks great. so do you have to patch some games?