best plasma for gaming?

[dvdx2]

I`m almost on the verge of buying a plasma screen, but am still undecided.
Anyone have any recommendations for good gaming plasmas?

component video is a must, along with VGA input and possibly two RGB scarts. Also interested in DVI and HDMI. Budget could start at ?1500, but i may be able to stretch to ?2000

It will mainly be used for gaming (PS2/XBOX/Cube), so I know i need component leads. (I already have a x2vga adaptor). Will also be used for dvd`s.

Was looking at the Samsungs, panisonics and a rather nice LG Flatron?

Any ideas?

[wod]

http://www.avforums.com/

is the best place to ask

[gIzzE]

Are you going to want to get Sky Hi-Def when it launches next year??
If so things get complicated, as the only screens that are compatible are also pretty poor for image retention.

The Panasonic is without doubt the best screen you can get if you go for the Panel (rather than the TV) and screen burn just does not happen on them, but, they will not take 720p and 1080i at 50hz over dvi/hdmi which is what sky have said they are going to use.
In fact there are only 3 plasmas that will at the moment.

You can get round this by using a scaler to convert 50hz to 60hz.

I sold my panasonic to buy the new Hi-Def NEC which had all the inputs, but the picture on the pansonic was so much better that I sold it again in less than a week and bought another Panasonic and a scaler.

There are links to deals with www.av-sales.co.uk on the www.avforums.com meaning you can get a Panasonic panel with vga, stand (or wall bracket) and a component board for around ?1750 delivered. You can then add a qunitro scart selector giving you 4 scart sockets and add a JS rgb to component converter for about another ?200 for both.
The JS converter gives a much sharper image than the scart inputs, plus you can then start swapping your kit over for component as well to make use of 480p, 720p and 1080i etc.

The other screens that are compatible are the Pioneer 435 and 505 fde and xde models, these are great being fed a DVI input but they don't look great with analogue, sky looks terrible, and games not much better, plus screen burn is more of an issue than with the panny. And the black level is crap compared with the panasonics too, and that is what gives the image a 32 snap.

Have a read on the avforums, you should have a better idea by around Thursday next week if you start reading today!!!
But do read up on there, and don't do what most people do and join saying "I just bought a Pioneer and I can't seem to get true blacks, what do I need to do?" it is too late by then, so do your homework and try and see a screen in someones house if possible. Most of the problems with plasmas you will not notice until you get it home!

[dvdx2]

thanks for the replies lads. Will start to do my homework!