what is the best 50 inch plasma tv, for around $9000

NEC (PlasmaSync 50MP2 models) and Pioneer (TH-50PHD3U/PT-50PD3 and PDP503CMX 
models) are the leading brands for 50-inch plasma TVs in your price range. 
Panasonic's 50" models are more popular sellers (see "top 10" links below), but 
ultimately you should check out these models in person to ensure that the 
features, ergonomics and image quality meet your liking.

A Plasma TV buying guide is available online at
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/nec-pan-50.html

It reviews and ranks Plasma and Flat Screen TVs and includes links to current 
prices. The site also contains tips on what to look for in Plama displays. 

They state that the difference between the  two 50" Pioneer models plasma 
models are that "the PT-50PD3 comes with a table stand and is sold only in 
consumer retail applications (not commercially)." The Pioneer PDP503CMX is an 
upgrade to the PDP-502MX model. 

The site ranks the NEC and Pioneer models on the same level, noting the 
following differences (you may see as advantages or liabilities):
* Both monitors have 1365X768 (horizontal lines) of Native Pixel Resolution 
* The Panasonic boasts an unrealistic contrast of 3000:1 while the NEC is more 
modestly accurate at 550:1. 
* The NEC monitor has a larger wider bezel and stands a few inches taller than 
the Panasonic. It may be the better trade show model due to its 
versatility/durability. 
* The Zoom function on the NEC gets the cool award. You can pick out a 
particular area of the image to enlarge. 
* Another classic feature of the NEC is a pointer located on the remote 
controller which is excellent for presentation material as well as highlighting 
a clue in the murder mystery. 
* Both models have a built in scan converter. Both do a good job with scaling a 
4;3 image to full size with the edge going to Panasonic. The NEC performs 
better 3:2 pulldown signal enhancement but only slightly. 
* Panasonic is sleeker at only 3.5" depth. NEC is 4". 
* Both models contain built in 7 or 8 watt amplifiers and optional speakers. 

It also notes that "The manual for the NEC is much more detailed and 
technically comprehensive than the Panasonic." This may be especially helpful 
for you in the long run.


* NEC PlasmaSync 50MP2
(1365X768 Native Resolution, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, estimated price $9,095.00)

For details regarding this specific model, see the Web sites:
PlasmaDepot.com
http://www.plasmadepot.com/tvs/nec50mp2.html

Dtvcity
http://www.dtvcity.com/plasma/nec50mp2.html

Comparison Shopping:Plasmatv Shopper
http://www.plasmatvshopper.com/plasmatv/necplasmatv.shtml#d

* Pioneer TH-50PHD3U/PT-50PD3, see 
(1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, 3000:1 Contrast Ratio, estimated 
price $9,195.00)

For details regarding this specific model, see the Web sites:
PlasmaDepot.com
http://plasmadepot.com/tvs/th50pwd3u.html

DTVcity
http://www.dtvcity.com/plasma/th50pwd3u.html

Review:
Dtv.com
http://www.dtvcity.com/plasma/nec-pan50.html

Comparison Shopping:
PlasmaTV Shopper
http://www.plasmatvshopper.com/plasmatv/panasonic-plasmatv.shtml#b


* Pioneer PDP503CMX
(1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, estimated price $8,895.00)
 
For details regarding this specific model, see the Web sites:

Energix discount electronics
http://www.energenix.com/pioneer-pdp503cmx.html

Ebay consumer review
http://ebay.consumerreview.com/reviews/showproduct.asp?
partner=ebay&SiteID=2&CategoryID=1272&ProductID=87907&partnerproductid=

-----
The AV deals Web site contains specifications sheets to help you compare plasma 
TV models
http://www.avdeals.com/PLASMA.htm

You may be able to obtain cheaper prices (due to the exchange rate) through 
their Canadian site
http://www.avdeals.ca/

If price is a priority for you , you may also be interested in older models. A 
comparison sheet for the Pioneer 50" plasma displays can be found at:
http://www.avdeals.ca/pioneerplasma/502vs505.htm

Other reviews are availble on these online sources:

Top 10 Most Popular Plasma TV Displays 
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/top10.html

Epinions.com - Consumer reviews on Pioneer 50" High Definition Plasma Mon
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Video-Televisions-All-Pioneer_PDP-505HD

Plasma TV guide
http://www.plasmatvguide.com/

Plasma TV Buying Guide
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/

Plasma TV Shopper
http://www.plasmatvshopper.com/

Plasma Depot
http://www.plasmadepot.com/

Plasma Connection
http://www.plasmaconnection.com/

Consumer Reports Online
http://www.ConsumerReports.org/

PlasmaTVs.com
http://www.store.yahoo.com/plasmatvs/

Plasma TV Buying Guide
http://www.store.yahoo.com/plasmatvs/plasbuyguid.html


You may also want to try these search terms:
review 
plasma 
tv

Any summary of 50" plasmas is incomplete without a mention of the 
Fujitsu 5001/5002. It's considered by many to have the best picture quality 
of the group, as it uses a very good custom deinterlacer/scaler. However, 
it does have louder-than-average fans.

Also, the Pioneer 503CMX's native resolution is 1280x768, not 1366x768, 
and includes a video card slot for future expansion. While not terribly 
important today, future copy-protected HDTV connection standards are 
still up in the air, and it's expected that this slot will "future-proof" the 
monitor to some degree. In addition, the fans on the Pioneer are 
temperature-controlled, and in my experience, NEVER come on. This is 
nice.

Also, the model numbers given by the answerer (TH-50PHD3U/PT-50PD3)
are not Pioneer, but Panasonic.