Re: lcd or plasma?
LCD: - Better / Longer Life - Sharper image at higher angles (Plasma fades as you move away from center) - Cheaper (usually)
1) LCD screens DO NOT have longer life. Infact you are more likely to have CCFL failure (down to inverter) than phosphur or Xenon failing in plasma screens.
2) Plasma and LCD both have individually "printed" pixels. How is one sharper than the other when from a geometric perspective both are perfect.
3) Plasma screens do not have worse viewing angles. The reality is LCD screens have worse viewing angles. This is down to the inherit polarisation of light LCD's rely on. Plasma just like CRT illuminates phosphur coating on each pixel.
4) LCD's are only cheaper in smaller sizes. As they get larger Plasma offers better value.
Plasma: - Better preview of "black" color than LCD (v.minor issue with new TVs though)
I'm not to sure what you are trying to say, but plasma screens have MUCH better blacks. Every black we see is inf act a grey. The darker the grey the better all other colours will look, bigger colour gaument. In this category plasma totally wipes the floor with LCD's; an order of magnitude better.
Apparently SHARP is the BEST to get, because they are the only one that assemble their TV all by themselves (and not get parts from different manf and put it together and call it Sony) :) Although SONY LCD lineup has some hiccups, they are generally known for having (at least) decent quality. Sony DOES NOT make Plasma - this should tell you somefin about Plasma technology reliability.
Sharp are not the only manufacturer. The crown of production numbers, and reliance on your own LCD's goes to Samsung and LG. Both produce their own panels including all the electronics.
Plasma is superior to LCD where image quality is concerned and believe it or not reliability. Sony fooked up, they didnt even make their own panels a few years back. If I was to go by your absurd analysis of the market just look at Pioneer. They are the enthusiasts AV equipment maker, and only produce plasma screens.