55VT30 vs 55UT50? (dont like filters)

How does the UT50 stack up to the VT30 from last year? They didn't have a VT30 on display but the ST30 looked like it didn't have that coating or filter on it. The ST30 looked like it had the same screen as the UT50 but it was hard for me to tell with the bright lighting of the store. Does the VT30 have an anti-reflection filter and if so is it aggressive like the ST50? I DO NOT LIKE THEM.

Bottom line is that I'm trying to get a plasma with a combination of the best blacks and no coating or filter on the screen. Are the blacks that much better on last year's VT30? I'm comparing only to UT50. This is bargain bin/low end model but it sure didn't look like it to me. The only thing putting me off is the lack of Pro Settings. Was D-Nice or anyone able to get a good calibration of the UT50? Basically unable to set Gamma and Black level controls but otherwise every other option is there I think.

Also which set would give the best motion? This is tricky because the VT series is the highest end, but this year Panasonic upgraded processing quite a bit yes? Doesn't this include the UT series? I wonder if motion is better or not.

Thanks for reading.

You mention it's there to preserve blacks during the daytime, but it doesn't effect them at night. Well this is good to hear because I never watch tv with any sun out. All my critical viewing is done in a darkened room. I was thinking that this louver filter would decrease the amount of pop, sharpness, and overall wash out in a dark room versus a panel without a filter. I don't know for certain because I can't tell at BB and I've never had a panel with a filter like this. Your right it's not a matte screen. I know it's glass but if you can only confirm again for me that it will not effect things with the lights out that would be wonderful.

This is the only thing holding me back from ordering it now (free glasses to boot). I'm just anal about things and truth be told I miss my old Samsung 46A950 which was a local dimming LCD. The clarity on that thing was unreal. I know plasmas can match it because for instance the Kuros, and just about any quality panel with glass can look phenomenal with a 1080p source. By that I mean a razor sharp pixel mapped picture. I was sorta turned off by the ST50 because it had a slight muddy appearance. It could have been the excessive lighting, could have been the settings, or anything.

Also I didn't know the UT50 doesn't have this 'infinite black' panel. I don't mind it having grey blacks during the day since I won't be seeing that. I'm only concerned with nighttime viewing.

Do you think the black level will be that much better on the VT50 than ST50? I would spend the money if it's going to give me an obvious difference in a dark room. But not if it's a small leap.

Yes but are you 100% certain of that? I understand the ST50 has Pro Settings, along with a few more bells n' whistles but I think we need a reading on the UT's blacks. I'm thinking since they did such a good job with the ST50 then why would they half ass the UT50? Different panels would have different results but maybe the blacks are closer than we think? Oh well.. it looks like I'll go with at least an ST series to get the more accurate picture. The price is right as well.

Guys I retract my statement of the picture blacking out on the sides. The display was setup beside an LCD (4 total) showing off 3D content with glasses. So it was below my eyes when I checked it. I did look down when I checked. The picture posted above suggests it looks good from normal level even at extreme angles. For that I apologize.

I'm rather glad you posted that pic because it put most (if not all) of my worries aside about the ST50. Will go check it out one more time and probably pull the trigger on it.

You guys are making it hard on me lol. Getting mixed answers here. I agree with Tornado that there will be obvious differences including several extra picture enhancements, anti-glare filter, etc other thing that I'm not interested in but otherwise a step up. However I stand by what I saw and what I saw at BB was the 50UT50 kicking the crap out of every other display.

It was sandwiched in the middle of a wall full of LED LCDs and there no comparison. It also looked to have a better picture than any Samsung or LG plasma on the wall or display. The 55ST50 was setup in the middle of the floor but walking back and forth a couple dozen times between the two I came to the conclusion that the UT50 had the better picture (for me). I've gone twice now and this time I was able to get the remote (same one operated both). I plugged in the recommended settings on the ST50, and pretty much matched the settings on the UT50. I've used D-Nice's settings on my 5020FD for years so I know what I'm looking for.

Your probably wondering why I'm even considering it. Well my Kuro has been good to me but I'm looking at getting a display for another room plus more size. I'm not easily impressed and really nothing comes close to the Kuro. But the UT50 did...sorta. The colors were superb, shadow detail phenomenal (thanks to no filter helped it further), had more pop, and blacks looked downright inky. Granted the lights in the store are no ideal condition to review tvs but that's all I had to work with. I judged by plugging in good settings with others tvs and the blacks didn't seem to match it.

I may be all alone in saying this but I truly believe that UT50 may actually have a deeper black level than anything else currently available (minus Kuros and a few LCDs that shut pixels off which isn't accurate).

I'm in no way saying the ST50 isn't good or worth it. Quite the contrary. I think the ST50 is tremendous bang for the buck and one the best ever if you want to go that route. As a Kuro owner, my eyes were glued to the UT50.

I didn't forget my original question on post 1. I got sidetracked but not forgotten. Thanks for reading though! I'd still like to hear your thoughts. Am I crazy?