I know there are a couple of AV experts on the board so just wanting some advice before I make a new purchase.

Looking for 40 or 42 inch (wife said no to the 50 inch one ) but undecided on plasma or LCD. My last one was LCD and has gone kaput after only 4 years.

Which brands are good and which should be avoided?

Send a PM to rlFC Wembley 08rl, he helped me decide on my Panny 50" plasma

Panasonic Plasmas are really good, picture quality looks far better than the LCD screens especially when viewing black colours and on larger TV's 42 and above.
I've heard the backlit LED ones are pretty good but not seen one out of a shop yet.

Isn't backlit LED simply LCD in a party frock

dont buy LCD if you can afford the other, i got an LCD just after Xmas in the sales, Panasonic and its pants compared to next doors Plazma job, chalk and cheese.
wish i had waited a couple more months to buy a Plazma

I've been looking into plasma/lcd aswell, and have been advised (by the owner of a plasma, and also the blokes at Richer Sounds) that if you'r going to have static images on the screen for a while (my main concern was my kids playing games on it, or the wife pausing sky+ and then forgetting about it for a while) was image burn. Not sure how quickly it forms, but they both said I'd be better going for LCD/LED given the probable use of the set.

LED all the way. Just got a Panasonic 40" LED smart TV awesome, its as thin as a cig paper and the colours are amazing. With the smart TV you get movies, music etc through your internet. £450 online.

Completely disagree. I bought an LG LED 42LW550T 3D tv last month and the picture is brilliant. It is far better than a 42" Panasonic plasma tv I watched last week although I have to admit the Panasonic was a few years old.

Don't worry, I bought a 50" rlPanasonic TX-P50G20Brl, there ain't an LCD that comes remotely close to it for picture quality

You always did post a load of rubbish on this forum. Once again you are talking complete bo11oxs

Correct

They are brighter and more efficient but essentially yes, you are correct.

Not really an issues, it comes completely down to the quality of the plasma panel. For example, Samsung/LG plasmas suffer heavily with this but Panasonic not so much. They actually have 'inbuilt' protection against this where the screen will go dark after a period of 'still' time thus eliminating the risk.

In any case, the issue is hardly noticeable and NEVER permanent!!

In a good quality 'like for like' comparison, plasma will always out last an LCD.

Must be a 42" as Pana don't produce a 40". Yes, they are excellent but the plasmas are just as thin and offer the same features. More importantly though offer better performance..