ANSI higher than plasmas ?

Only the Sharp Elite, if you got the cash and can justify the purchase price.

We'll there are plenty of local dimming lcd's out there aside from the sharp elite. I'm sure at least a couple others are worth buying and are reasonably priced. Some of the top end models from samsung and lg implement local dimming very effectively. The sharp is obviously a better display overall though. Just look for lcds with local dimming or precision dimming in the specs and then read some reviews on them

Reviews of local dimming sets (selectively dims leds in dark areas while leaving them fully lit in light areas of the scene.

Sharp elite 70"
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sharp-elite-pro-70x5fd/4505-6482_7-35004014.html?tag=results;prodInfo

Sharp elite 60"
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sharp-elite-pro-60x5fd/4505-6482_7-35004013.html?tag=results;prodInfo

55" sony kdl-55hx850
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sony-kdl-55hx850/4505-6482_7-35118056.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1r

55" sony xbr-hx929
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sony-bravia-xbr-55hx929/4505-6482_7-34468616.html?tag=mncol;lst;1

55" Samsung un55b8500
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-un55b8500/4505-6482_7-33740174.html?tag=results;prodInfo

65" Samsung un65d8000
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-un65d8000/4505-6482_7-34513689.html?tag=results;prodInfo

Lg infinia 55le8500
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-un55b8500/4505-6482_7-33740174.html?tag=results;prodInfo

55" Vizio xvt55vs3
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/vizio-xvt553sv/4505-6482_7-34122871.html?tag=results;prodInfo

These are all highly rated local dimming sets that produce very good ansi contrast ratios.
I found them on cnet by applying the led-lcd filter under tv reviews and selecting editors rating under sort by at the top of the page. Here is the link to the page with all the filters applied: http://reviews.cnet.com/tvs/?filter=500961_19717590_&tag=columnSpan.0#filter=500959_127655&sort=edRating7%20desc

I don't have experience with these sets as they are way out of my price range but the premise is to dim parts of the backlight while leaving others lit. I only listed the top rated models, if you look around you could find a decent new local dimming set for around 1500 and even less used.
There are some duds out there so be careful, lg released an edgelit local dimming set called the lv5500 which technically has local dimming but has washed out light black levels.
There are plasmas out there however that can provide very good ansi contrast at an even lower price,
the panasonic u50 is a good example at around 800-1000$ so unless you are buying lcd for the power draw then the plasmas are likely the better value for what your looking for.
Good luck
Edited by Mik James - 6/12/12 at 12:25pm

I know know of S-PVA that was able to yield 4000:1 natively (corner to corner). But that was CCFL S-PVA. Haven't seen a LED-LCD capable of natively producing 0.03 or below since 2010 as LED seem to have increase the black level due to leakage. ATM, there's no reason to opt for LED-LCD unless power consumption is a major factor. It's pitty that CCFL LCDs didn't have many of the issues found in LED-LCDs. We just ironed out clouding and now its back with a vengeance.