If the 50" Phillips plasma looks good to you and is in your price range, I say go for it. I definitely recommend plasma above LCD as long as the room you plan to use it in is not usually brightly lit. You almost certainly won't notice a difference between the screen resolutions at that size versus the 1080p 42" LCD. Most 50" plasmas are at the 1366x768 level, but they can also have sub-pixel gradients in their coloration as well.

The thing is, Panasonic plasmas are generally very competitively priced while offering superior quality. It's really the best of both worlds. If the Phillips is a hot deal though, by all means grab it.

a 42" Samsung Plasma runs about 80-100$ more.

Where is the best place to look for competitive prices? Find me a Panasonic for 1500 or less. I can't find any at all :/

Honestly, it usually varies by region. I'm in Canada, so I don't really know the best electronics stores to shop at in the US.

For anyone in Canada who has an XS Cargo near where they live, they sell a 42" Pioneer plasma for $999.99. WTF!

Here's a 42":

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TH-42PX75U-720p-Plasma-HDTV/dp/B000O321IW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197342726&sr=8-1

42'' or bigger. Any website will do.

50" at $1528.98, so close:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TH-50PX75U-720p-Plasma-HDTV/dp/B000O5TFRK/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197342818&sr=1-1