the new plasmas are a whole different world from the first ones. I have one of each... A 42” Hitachi from the first generation and a 54” Panasonic from the new generation. From my eye, plasma still has the brightest, fastest picture out there. The new ones don’t suck electricity like the old ones, either.
Currently, I’m a big fan of the Panasonic line.
They supposedly have a better view from angles other than straight on. It’s looking likely that our next TV will be a new plasma.