Well, I spend a decent couple of hours in front of television everyday... wife and son even more. Its time to by a new one in Oz but seems a tougher decision than buying the car.....

What size 32"-65"?
Sony/Samsung/Panasonic/LG/others?
LCD/Plasma/LED/3D?
New or used?
Why do prices vary so much for the same size and brand, but different models?

How much I should spend on a TV anyways?

Toshiba LCD new, cheaper to repair and LCD less likely to have problems than Plasma if you use for XBox or PS3 etc. If you buy from Myers you also get 3 yr warranty at reasonable price.

Go to Good guys or jb hi fi.
Look at the 42inch HISENCE.
its made in China like most things these days but has a 3 year replacement
Warranty.
Its hundreds of dollars cheaper than the name brands and all parts are Samsung.
If you go for a bigger screen the parts are Phillips and i dont think as good.
Its the top selling brand in China.
Mine went wrong after two years and they just gave me anew one cant say better than that.
Hope this helps.

I would stay away from Samsung. My mum had a 42 inch Samsung Plasma and the starter motor packed up a couple of months ago. Luckily when she bought it she purchased an extended warranty, which covered it, but having done research on the net, this was a known problem with this model TV.

If you want quality, go for Pioneer. A lot more expensive but you get a 5 year warranty and the quality is second to none.

I have a 50" Pioneer Kuro TV and still struggle to find panels to match it even today. The only problem is Pioneer have stopped building plasma's so if you do find one you will pay through the nose for it.

The Pioneer online shop occasionally has them to buy https://web1.pioneer.com.au/itf/PHX/phoenix.nsf/Index

Pioneer technology has now moved over to Panasonic so their TV's would be my next point of call.

Panasonic 54" plasma. It's beautiful.

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-lcd-led-...-tv-sku-54954/

I have the 42" version (whish I'd bought the 50") and the last of the Kuro's is still the best TV ever made, they're seriously high end though and not everyone wants that. They're also Plasma, but lets not start another Plasma vs. LCD holy war (a good plasma will beat a good LCD every time IMHO)

I'll keep an eye on the shop - I'd like a KRP500 kuro but had given up hope.

42" Panasonic Plasma.

Looks like you may just have done.

The latest LCDs knock the shit out of plasma but ultimately, who gives a toss.

That's what I have too. Over 4 years on, it's still going strong

Us - 32" Sanyo LCD, New, about $600, I think.

My advice, spend as little as you can while getting all the features you REALLY need.

And don't take out an extended warranty, they are all rip-offs. If it's going to fail it will do so in the first year, 'tis the way of modern electronics ...

AND don't pay silly money for a HDMI cable if you need one, $20 max.

LCD vs Plasma? Ours is made from plastic and the picture seems alright ... works for us ...

I don't agree but can't be arsed to argue the finer points.

P.S. Plasma is better

I'm interested in this too. Also in the Plasma vs LCD debate... are there any objective comparisons of the two technologies?

Had it a few years now. But we went for a 72inch LG lcos. We all know size does matter.

I have one of each, can't really tell the difference to be honest

Except for the obvious difference...one is 42 " and the other is 21