[quote user="rdsoftware"][quote user="slippy67"]
The PX80 is 100hz as well. All Panasonic plasmas are, at least as far as I know.
[/quote]
You're quite right, just verified that the PX80 is 100Hz on the panasonic website.
Oh well, guess it has to be LCD for me then. Thats quite annoying, lets hope I can stand (or not notice) the motion blur or I'll have to stick with my crt for a while longer![/quote]
I have the 42PZ85 and am sensitive to the shimmering/flickering that you mention. As soon as I powered on the set and it displayed the initial set up screen, I could detect flickering and was surprised as it was 100Hz refresh.
Like you, I cannot tolerate low refresh crt computer monitors and it can actually trigger migraines for me. The plasma was therefore a little worrying. However, apart from for example the black writing on a white background of the FACT warning at the start of some DVDs, it has become less noticeable for me.
Movement on a plasma gives different problems to the smear or drag seen on good 100Hz LCDs. The pasma has a much faster response time so you may notice movement almost as a collection of separate pictures rather than a smeared one (all reasonably slight). For some reason plasma can look more out of focus on panned shots than LCD.
With freeview I also detect some green edges to objects/people as motion starts and occasional green flashes.
I am on my second set in as many weeks as the first one had more serious flashes and phosphor trails with altogether unacceptable artifacts , but proved to be faulty.
I have always thought the picture on my 32LXD700 LCD to be very good. However, since having the plasma the LCD picture looks more vibrant but more artificial. I now much prefer the plasma picture to the LCD. I sit approx. 7ft away or closer from each and this assessment is despite the fact that th 42 is 10" bigger and therefore 'maginfies' issues that bit more!
Let's face it, no one system is perfect. Each have their pros and cons be it CRT, LCD PLASMA, RPTV or projector. The source material is far from perfect even blu ray!
I was taken in by the hype surrounding plasma's alleged superiority and bitterly disappointed when I got my first PZ85 last week. However this was faulty and the replacement has excellent PQ (though not build quality) and I am possibly a convert to plasma!
I would suggest that perhaps you give plasma another go by comparing side by side with a top LCD set. You may find that the shimmering does actually become less noticeable and some of LCDs traits become more apparent.
As you say, you can always stick with your known product, the CRT. I feel you are missing out on some of the HD benefits though.
Good luck with your investigation.