LCDs are only there when you consider the dynamic contrast ratios which aren't the same thing at all since the screens can't actually display all of that dynamic range at one time. E.g., Samsung's new '81 series claims a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio but the blackest black and the whitest white can't be displayed simultaneously; they're not telling us what the actual static (read "displayable") contrast ratio is but I'd bet a whole bunch that it's less than 5,000:1 and wouldn't be at all surprised if it were half that or less. Not that you won't see a great picture on an LCD, but it won't be anywhere near what a CRT can do or what the human eye can discern in terms of displaying contrast. Yet.
Plasmas are different in that they don't lend themselves to the dynamic contrast spec sheet game. Pioneer's new kuros allegedly feature a 20,000:1 static contrast ratio which, if true, is better than even a pretty good CRT.
After doing a ton of research I bought a Pioneer 5010 but I'm agnostic in the plasma vs LCD debate, I just wanted a killer picture and a set that wouldn't be obsolete next year. The newest generation of plasmas are the first flat panels to approach CRT quality but the technology coming in LCDs over the next few years is going to be pretty amazing. I think that's all moot since Joe Sixpack can buy a much bigger DLP / projection set for the same money he's spend on a far smaller plasma or LCD. Cheap will win out over quality in the end IMHO.
