For size go for DLP which can generally be had in larger sizes for less money.
I honestly feel like DLP is one of the best kept secrets. People focus on things like slimness so much that they miss out on the value you can get with DLP. My family purchased a 50'' Samsung 720p years ago for just under $1,000. A few months later my brother paid the same(maybe a little more) for a 42'' Sony LCD. If I were to purchase a new one I would get this: 61'' Samsung.
Obviously some places don't have the room, my brother had a small apartment when he bought his, the LCD made more sense.
As far as the Samsung vs. Sony I haven't noticed any significant issues with either TV and they were bought a few years ago. I have used multiple smaller Samsung LCD computer monitors and those have all lasted and had no issues. But I would imagine larger panels found in TVs tend to have more issues simply because of the size.
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