I've been saving through 2012 to upgrade my family room video system. I currently have a Panny plasma that's several years old. It's going to the bedroom to replace a ball-bustin' heavy-assed 32" Sony CRT that died early 2012. (The Sony is still sitting there waiting on a crane to remove it.)

Anyhow, the highly rated 2012 Panasonic plasmas are on sale - the ST50, GT50 and VT50. The VT50 may be a dream display but it's not within my budget. I had decided on the 55" ST50 then realized the 55" GT50 is currently only $50 more. I pulled the trigger on the GT50 and it's supposed to be delivered Friday. If it performs as reliably as my old Panny and ups the ante on picture quality, I'll be pleased. The wife should love the SMART features.

I'm going to partner it with an Oppo BDP-103.

After being down with the flu for a week, implementing this long-planned upgrade is making me feel a little better. The wife and I were going to try to get it done before New Year's Day, but the influenza virus had other plans for both of us.