In general LG offer a lot of value for money but are very un-reliable compared to other brands.... as are Samsung.
LED tv's are not and I repeat not and LED technology it is simple LED backlighting for an LCD screen which is why the pictures become overbright... to the point where it is almost un-watchable at night with no light on.
On 46" and over LCD's do try and blur the picture these days on standard definition, its not as bad as it used to be where they all pixellated. People seem to think LCD is just naturally a better technology but it really does depend on the use, in general people find Plasma much better if they don't use it as a PC or a static screen. As a testament to Panasonic where I work now we have 4 plasma screens which run 8am to 9:30 every day and have done for 6 years running a slideshow! And the technology has moved forward since then, They say with average viewing a day you should get 15 years.
Don't discount plasma from rumours you have read go and watch them, the neo PDP range are consistently rated higher than any other tv, in fact which report which in general I don't like but offers a good point, 12 of the top ten TV's were Panasonic, the PDP plasmas were rated highest, you have to remember that they took over Pioneers Kuro, and that was the undisputed best TV by miles and still is to this day even though they don't make TV's anymore (they do some re-branded LCD's)
If you go for LCD have a look at the new Quattro range from Sharp I was quite impressed with the new wider gamut of colours. Not cheap mind!!!