you guys really need to do some research, plasmas last as long as any other tv out there, no more 5 year dead time with plasmas.
The lifespan of a plasma TV, contrary to rumor, is great. Also, the technology is ever advancing to produce better televisions that will last even longer. Most manufacturers will give an approximate lifespan of 60,000 hours for their plasma televisions. That’s 20 to 25 years of normal viewing before the screen begins to noticeably dim. This is a new number that reflects the improvements made to the technology in recent years. In the infancy of the plasma television, the lifespan was only 30,000 to 40,000 hours; a substantial improvement. After the television begins to dim, many models give you the option of replacing the light source, which renews the life of the unit.
Flat-panel LCD screen displays have a lifespan approaching 60,000 hours. The lifespan of an LCD display is generally longer than that of similar-sized plasma displays. Some manufacturers even claim that their LCDs can last upwards of 80,000 hours when used continuously under controlled conditions (e.g., in a room with “standard” lighting conditions and 77° temperatures throughout). Just how realistic such claims are is debatable. After all, whose living room has no windows and remains at a perfectly comfortable 77 degrees year-round?