So, I finally broke down and replaced my old JVC with this TV:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G13

I don't know much about TV's, I hear that Plasma's need to be "broken in" properly and calibrated.

I wondered if some of the TV guys can help me with the do's and do not's of my new TV?

Thanks in advance.
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Not much need to break in anymore, burn-in is much less of a consideration with the new TV's then it used to be with the first and second gen plasmas. Spending $500 to have an $800 TV professionally calibrated seems like a waste to me.

1 - Don't ever put a plasma TV on it's side. They must be upright at all times. Keep this in mind when moving and unboxing.

2 - Once you get it plugged in and set up check the picture settings. Chances are it will be in what we like to call the factory set "torch mode", with the brightness and contrast jacked all the way up to make it stand out from the TV next to it in the store. Bring everything down do a moderate level.

3- Grab an AVIA or DVE disk: http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/aviaorve.html

Enjoy your new TV!
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Just plug it in and fly, D . You're good to go.
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Thanks, Andy!

Is it true that I should not ever play more than an hour of video games at a time?
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Nope. Have fun. Don't leave it paused for like 6 hours or anything. But burn-in is much less of a consideration anymore.
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Next step is a blu-ray player. :-)
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Was always told not to "pause" (DVR, Tivo, etc) a Plasma TV. Burning images can happen faster with a plasma.
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Schweet!

I am going to get one for sure! :-)
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Years ago that was true. I suppose if you leave a static image up for 12 hours or so, there may be a problem. Even then, most never plasmas have a feature to erase the image. Essentially it does a white 'blast' to the screen.

As for gaming, I have done 4+ hours on my Panasonic plasma with zero problems.
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Get DirecTV :-)
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PS3 is your friend.

gaming system and a bluray player all in one.
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A PS3 is tempting, but the only game I want for it is MLB The Show and I have that for PSP.
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:-)
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First thing is HD cable. :-)
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This reminds me of a craigslist ad from a while back:

(warning: adult language)

http://nyc.barstoolsports.com/random...e-day-free-tv/
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Lulz.
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I have a Samsung and have noticed some slight burn in from leaving the guide for the satellite up too long. I can see the grid pattern later. It goes away but worried me.
I since found an option in the menu that is supposed to shift the pixels occasionally to reduce this problem. It was turned off by default so it is now turned on. This was recent but I haven't noticed the grids since.
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Never go to a retail store and buy an HDMI cable unless you like giving money away. Now that I think about it you should never buy any cables from a box store like Best Buy unless in an emergency. They are almost always cheaper online by a lot. Heres some from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...-keywords=hdmi

Oh and I have a PS3 and its the way to go. Might cost you a bit more now but the features and constant upgrading of the firmware is worth it. Dont know if your TV has Wi-Fi or internet capaibilities but with the PS3 you can also watch NetFlix over the PS3's built in Wi-Fi connection. No internet cables needed to connect.
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Hm, the built in wireless ALMOST has be convinced to get a PS3.
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Monoprice.com and bluejeans cable are also two good places to get cables.

Monoprice cables tend to be a little bit stiff, but once installed, most of the time this isn't an issue.
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