Are you able to borrow a ute?

I don't need to tell you transporting them in any position other than vertical is a big no-no.

i'll send a pm

there is no harm to moving them laying down .. the screen is protected by glass and plastic sheets

as long as the stand wont snap off theres nothin wrong with laying em down - we tie them to the wall of the truck wrapped in a blanket and dont stand anything over em

Yeah fair enough. The screens are protected by glass.

My way of thinking though. Vertically, the whole assembly is quite strong, like the glass in a car providing support in a rollover.

 If you were to put the screen horizontally face down or face up you have the mass of the entire sheet of glass un-supported, no strength whatsoever. A bump, vibration or a protrusion and it could break. Even if it only flexes slightly in a horizontal position couldn't the layers delaminate? Also remember the entire television assembly and its components has been engineered to be transported in an upright position. Packaging designed for upright transport, labelling stipulating upright transport only, manufacturers using tamper proof angle indicators on packaging.

 Not saying it's going to break, probably a slim chance it would. But i wouldn't risk it with my tv!!!

the only time you would lay a flat screen down is if it was on a lounge or something so the stand doesnt have the weight of the tv on it - you are correct tho 99% of the time they are  transported in the vertical position - ive never packed one on its face or back just seen it done before - im pretty sure my boss would slap me if i done it in his truck tho.

if it was LCD then its okay, but its plasma, laying them any other way could cause the plasma gas to explode...

I was under the same impression as Jorn,

laying down a Plasma is a big no no, LCD no dramas.

Yer definitely dont lay a plasma down, lcds are fine but laying them down can screw the gases up etc.

Plasma's also use thicker glass on their screens which can break under its own weight when laying down.

open - i will move it for you.

i thought it was fine to lay either down just with a plasma not for an extended period of time due to the gases , but if u do transport it laying down you need to set it up vertical n leave it for a few hours for the gases inside it to balance out again. Vertical would be the go though lol

definitely wouldnt be laying a LCD down as any sort of bump can cause the liquid crystals to move or distort. i would definitely be transporting any sort of tv in the upright position

Thanks for all the input lads. Much appreciated. Have decided to go with a local removalist down here. Essentially their insurance will cover all breakage/malfunction resulting from the move. Trying to save $200 on a $5000 tele just isn't worth it.

as a few guys have said already whatever you do, DO NOT lay down a plasma...... lcd screens you can but not a plasma. BUT, if you can, transport in upright position no matter what tv it is...  i have worked in the removal industry for many years.