I got the Sharp Aquos 52" but the model above the one you mention (the 85u I think is has a great picture and very little off axis degrading. Not as good a pic the $2700 52" Samsung and not as good as my nephew's 42" Plasma.
I paid $1699 plus tax which included a FREE Sharp Blu-ray player. ( I chewed them down to that price. they wanted $1899 plus tax with the blu-ray player) I love this TV. Just got a great stand for it from Costco. The Samsung was better but not $1000 better.
I didn't consider plasma because of the daytime glare I had on my last tv. Plasma has a glare problem with reflection off the glass.
