I recently went through this process. I researched a lot and then when I went to look at them, found the best picture IMO was the Panasonic Vierra Plasma (50" is what I bought). I bought an LCD at the same time for my bedroom (36"). I had both calibrated. The LCD is very bright and colors almost exaggerated to my taste, but it is a clear picture. I do not watch sports on that TV though for the movement blur. To be fair, the Vierra has a much higher refresh rate, but the colors are also perfect and blacks very black with no blur at all and images are sharp as a tack. I love the TV and am very glad I went with it. I have it mounted in the LR above the FP and it is slightly angled down and I think this helps reduce the glare issue others have mentioned because I don't have a problem with that at all. It could also be because the windows in the LR lead to the covered porch and I just don't get any sunlight on the TV at all, so YMMV. I've had it about a year and a half now, so another brand may be better, but since the question was about plasma being good or not, my 2 cents is that it is good and I would definitely keep it in consideration when looking at all of them.