Yam:
I highly urge you to unconsider buying a plasma display ... they're just not worth the pricetag. Especially, the cheaper ones that you say you're considering. About the only thing they have going for them is the "coolness" ... the "wow factor". To pay around $3K for such a limited payoff is not very cool IMO.

You say that you have space limitations that would eliminate an RPTV from contention. Give me the specifics please.

You also say that you cannot consider front projection because you cannot control the ambient light in the room. Again, give me the specifics for that "problem".

Let me try to help you avoid a costly buying "mistake" ... please. I flatly don't accept Jetson's statement that the mfgs. of plasma displays claim a life expectancy of 50,000 to 60,000 hours of operation before the brightness level drops to 50%. I think maybe he mistakenly saw one too many zeros. I would expect 5,000 to 6,000 hours would likely be more accurate, but they haven't been around long enough for anyone to know for sure.