I'll 2nd the Panasonic recommendation. They have been highly rated for picture and reliability for several years. I have a 50" and a 42" Panny that I'm very happy with.

Surveys show that the only complaint people tend to have about their first flat panel TV is that they wish they had gotten a bigger screen.

I started out with nothing & I've still got most of it left
M60 VP160 QS8 EP350
M22 VP100
Algonquins