Sony just released those new LCD's, that's what I'm going after. I'd love to get one of those Pioneer Elite's that are marked down now but can't put a plasma in the room b/c of lighting issues.
The trouble with the 50" 1080p Pioneers (Pro-FHD1 or 5000EX) that are being marked down now is that they don't include speakers, tuners, or even a stand. Want to set it on a table? Add $499 for the Pioneer stand. When you figure in that cost it's cheaper to buy the 5010 than either of the 1st gen sets and you get the new 8th gen glass and all of the improvements they've added ... plus a stand, and a tuner, and speakers.
I looked hard at the new Sony XBRs. The first deliveries have happened and the reviews are very good but there's still some clouding and uneven lighting near the screen edges. Call me crazy but for $4k that really shouldn't be the case. If I were buying an LCD I'd hold out for the Samsung '81 series that's due out late next month, they should be killer and the only feature they really lack that the Sonys have is a true 1080/24p mode.
