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Dear Dick,

What a great article, and to boot entertaining and so very well written! You have a great writing voice, one that effortlessly switches between conversational and technical quite seamlessly. The fact that you enjoy your work shows in your prose style, and that makes for enjoyable reading. Your voice is informative yet accessible; technical but without becoming bogged down in minutiae. Yet what stands out the most is the conversational tone. I feel as though we are sitting around a TV, arms hanging over the back of the sofa, chatting.

Now to the specifics of my research. I think you have convinced me to take a serious look at 720 sets. I have not yet to read "Pull Up a Chair" (what a great title!), but I think that, from what you say here, I will not be viewing from close enough to justify shelling additional $ for 1080. Viewing distance will be at least 6.5 feet (on the couch) to more than 12 (from the kitchen). At these distances, as you point out, 120hz and 1080 are not really adding much to the viewing experience.

The space of wall I'm going to mount it is wide enough for a 50-inch set, so that's what I'm shopping for. Although I must confess to owning a loft, it is not minimalist but rather raw, and there is a conspicuous absence of "carefree young couples lounging." Specifically, the room is very bright, but the windows are not behind the TV but on the same plane, so no risk of reflection from behind.

That said, I think I need a set with high brightness and high contrast. Initially I was ready to go for the VIZIO 505XVT, but now that I can get by with a 720, I have to start over as VIZIO does not have a 720 Plasma, any suggestions?

Dick, thanks so much, you are a writer's writer. Keep up the outstanding work!!

Scott