In the market for a plasma.........suggestions?

You always have better picture quality for less money with a rear-projection TV if you have the space behind (and the right RPTV). Of course, the best bag-for-the-buck is CRT rear-projection. If you absolutely must have a flat-panel due to space limitations, then you picked the right one. I hope you're not going to make the most common mistake I see today; that is, "flat panel over the fireplace." I don't know who started this, but whoever it was definitely was NOT a videophile. Believe me, I've been doing this for over eight years now, and I know of only one client that's happy with his, because it's in a room adjacent to his kitchen and they primarily watch while standing and cooking. I try to talk clients out of this configuration; I usually get called-in after they do this to "make it better," which is usually not possible. Save your money with an RPTV and spend it on a nice sound system. Think about it.

Regarding DVD players I don't think you can do better than the units from Oppo Digital. They have gotten rave reviews (The Perfect Vision and others) and are extremely reasonably priced. Their nice universal player is $149, and an upgraded DVD-video player with Faroudja upscaling for $199! (These prices are direct from their website.) I recently put one in a client's system and was so impressed that I'm going to buy one for my demo/family room! They even throw in a DVI cable! Check them out at oppodigital.com.

Okay, Undertow, let's get the technologies straight. You gave kudos to the Sony SXRD, and I strongly agree, however the SXRD is Sony's tweak of LCOS, not LCD! Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) is actually my preferred of the "new" technologies for RPTV, CRT RPTV still being number one for many reasons. Why? Recently The Perfect Vision, after testing one, said that the SXRD had resolution and black level equivalent to the best CRT RPTVs!?! My experience as well. LCOS TVs do offer great resolution and picture quality and prices are coming down. JVC's tweak is called D-ILA, or Direct Image Light Amplifier. In any case I prefer these to DLP or LCD RPTVs, with an honorable mention to Sony's new three-chip LCD RPTV, which is outstanding for the money, but as deep as a CRT RPTV and costs more. LCD flat panels, if they're over 25", IMHO, suck. There has been no significant break-through in this technology nor do most experts predict one. The retailers are pushing them now since plasmas have come down in price, so the LCD flat panels are the new "cash cows," but one can do better for less with a plasma. I also agree with Dawgbyte that Hitachi plasmas are overall the best popular price displays I've seen, but I know that the Panasonics get good reviews as well. (They all have pros and cons.) The absolute, hands-down best plasma I've ever seen is a Runco, pricey, but probably worth it. And to Tvad, the "pros" use those because they likely get them for little or no cost; that's the way this industry works. If you mean the custom installers, they're going for availability and mark-up, not performance (generally).

Right on, Bradz! Since you have Maggies, you're obviously an audiophile, so you "look before leaping," and you're wise. The surge protectors with advanced line filtration, like the Monster, clean-up the picture quality because they eliminate AC line noise and stabilize voltage, either of which can have negative effects on picture quality (and of course sound in a good system). I use the Monster surge protectors with "Clean Power" when I do a system, because they work and I can get a decent price on them. Regarding the Oppo 971, I haven't tried that combo, so I'd go with the recommendation from the folks who have. The 970, as you've read, is a very nice unit for the money. Though Toshiba typically builds good, reliable products I don't think I'd invest in an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player yet. They're still in the "teeth-cutting" stage.

Sorry, Undertow, but the technologies are very different in operation which is why I drew the distinction. The Three-Chip LCD rear-projection and LCOS both indeed do produce great pictures and resolution, but I have yet to see an LCD flat panel over about 25" that I'd buy or recommend. The larger they get, the grainier, and they all seem to have that "cartoonish" look to the colors. Reproduction of blacks continues to be a problem. For flat panels, I'll stick with plasma. And yes, I am critical.
TVAD, I appreciate the fact that you've had direct experience in the "pros;" more insight into the topic always helps. Good info.