Well Pioneer Elite went away. However that void has been filled with a company called NuVision. Best looking LCD Tv I have EVER seen.
If you want LCD, look hard at NuVision (They arn't cheap chit like the above)
Also look at the LG - LED back lit sets. They look good, they have a full array of led's behind the screen and turn on / off as needed by the picture - nice. I still stand by my opinion of Samsung. I have them in stock because people gotta have them, their best (their claim too) is their new thin series. They too advertise LED lighting, but they are lit up same as conventional sets = the LED's are arranged around the edge of the picture. The model #'s start with UN (UN55B7000 as example). Again, I think they have some of the worst pictures, but like Obama; marketing has made them popular.
I also still prefer plasma - they have the best picture (exception is a NuVision set) and they are not putting band aids (60hz, 120hz, 240hz) trying to make the picture look ok. Look at an LCD and look at anything in the picture moving, the image gets soft, slightly blurry. That is because LCD technology was for computer screens. You won't have that problem with plasma.
When shopping, don't get get caught up in the numbers - 60hz, 120hz, 240hz, 720i, 1080p. Every manufacturer has a way to cheat so they can advertise a number. For example, on most sets (except NuVision) 120hz is really a 60hz picture with a blank picture inserted inbetween each frame , thus they can ADVERTISE 120hz. The average 120hz set works like this - a picture is displayed (one frame) then the set inserts a blank frame, then the next real frame is displayed, then another blank - and so on. So DON'T fall for it!
Short story = plasma has best picture, try to find a leftover Pioneer Elite, Can't find one - check out NuVision. Want to spend less? Same as above only look at LG plasma or LG LED back lit sets. Want to fall for the hype - buy a Samsung. BTW: I sell all of them except NuVision - but that is about to change. When shopping - go to a specialty store, the bix box stores steer you towards what they need to sell instead of what is best for you.
Ok - I'm done.