First of all, you have lots of good choices. Plasma, LCD, LED, and 3D are all possibilities. I suggest LCD or LED for the first choice. It is too early for 3D and as someone stated, there is no content. The jury is still out on 3D. They are pushing hard for it to work, but the consumer demand has not surfaced yet. So, it may not be the success that many say it already is.
Second, look at the power consumption, you will be surprised at the impact, LCD is a clear winner here and Plasma is the loser. If you pay for your own electricity, some models draw 4x what other models need. The cost for electricity can be astounding for plasma in some countries.
Third, turn off the TVs and look at the glare and reflection from the screen / glass, you will see that LCD does not reflect. You will need to look at, and through these reflections on other models. To me, this is the deciding issue as the glare is objectionable and significant.
Fourth, check the number and types of inputs, on my first flat panel TV I had to purchase an external input selector to accommodate my many source devices - two satellite receivers, VHS, CD, and Blue Ray player. It is far better if the TV can accommodate these myriad of sources natively. The remote remains functional too.
Fifth, as others stated, select the right size for the room. Bigger is not always better. The display needs to be the ideal size for the room in which it will operate. What is the distance from the viewer to the screen? How wide is the room? Where are the windows? What about the acoustics in the room?
Sixth, buy what you can afford, and buy a recognized brand name with a solid warranty. Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and others are all respectable brands, but avoid the unknown as the risks are greater and warranty requirements are important.
Seventh, how will you produce the audio? Will it be the speakers in the TV or will you have a separate surround sound solution? They can cost a lot of money but they add greatly to the viewer's experience. If you are in an apartment, how loud can it go without disturbing the neighbours? The sub woofers vibrate the floor and this is especially annoying if you live next door. So, maybe surround sound is not a good idea?
Eighth, have fun and enjoy your new screen.
I hope that they tips help.
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