Bod, Kn is really giving you solid advice. 1080p has its uses but unless you have a specific use for it (computer monitor), it's really a waste to pay extra for. A properly deinterlaced 1080i TV (you have to check model-by-model) will show the exact same image for movies and television.

I spent the last four months researching damned near every television I could find until I found a smoking deal on a 50" Toshiba DLP. It has its issues, but like every other flawed HDTV, it also has its plusses (such as better black levels than a Samsung, probably the most important thing in a TV for me). Every TV and every tech has its flaws. If you have any specific questions or anything (if you haven't picked one up already), just PM me. I'll be more than happy to point you in the direction of what features you might/might not want and where to get the relevent information (such as proper 1080i deinterlacing). It's confusing stuff and I bet half the people here giving you information don't even realize that in movies and television, a 1080i signal is identical to a 1080p signal; it's all about how your TV deals with the information. Why pay hundreds extra for a TV that offers features used by absolutely nothing on the market right now?

@rocketpig:

The 1080p question wasn't really the main issue; he said he just wanted a good-size, good-quality TV at a reasonable price.

I bought the 1300 dollar 50'' Plasma Samsung, and I'm very please with my purchase. I'm glad many people were honest here: it's 720p (not 1080), but it doesn't sound like that will make much of a difference.

Just got done buying it, double checking it, and making all the shipping arrangements.

So with all that done -- thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone in here. You helped so much, I even called my girlfriend over to say: "See, aren't these guys awesome?" It made the whole process much easier and I greatly appreciate all of it.

Thanks to Goose, Kn, Naz, Rocketpig, and everyone else. Seriously, huge help.  

Hooray! I'm glad you're satisfied with your choice. Make sure to let me know how you like it once it arrives. I'm a little jealous; my display is only 42".

Nice choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. When I got my Toshiba, it was down to that or the Samsung. Both are nice TVs.

Great choice! Enjoy your new TV! Glad I could be of some help.

woohoo, awesome bod!

Just got an HDTV not long ago myself so i know the joy of hooking that new tv up. Congrats! I bought a 37" Vizio and love it. Enjoy your new tv.

Thanks to you as well, Chunk and Souixan.