I'm thinking on investing on a plasma TV (my old widescreen finally died

). Yes, I've been living under a rock for the last few years and when I was browsing at my local electronics store, the range that is available is staggering and I haven't the slightest idea what to look out for in a Plasma TV and what sets one out better than the one next to it.
All I know is that HD is pretty much standard now but what else should I look out for? Any brands that I tends to be better than others? Or any manufacturers that I shouldn't go near to with a 10-foot bargepole?
Much help appreciated =)