Rick-F

There is little doubt that the black level on the Samsung LCDs is about as good as it gets in the LCD arena. It is my opinion that had you been watching both units with a 1080P source in home-like lighting situation, with both sets properly adjusted-- you would have liked the Samsung plasma better.

It is not a lot better, because both are fine pictures.

When you consider the LCD is 2" Larger, it is lighter, it cost less, and uses less power-- well it seems like a good pick -- you really won't notice it has a picture not quite as good as the plasma-- because you won't have one next to to compare.

Black level on the Samsung plasma is not as dark as Panasonic or Pioneer. However, color accuracy on the Sammy beats both the others-- and video processing is slightly better than Panasonic. Conclusion-- best plasma picture belongs to Pioneer, followed very, very closely by Samsung & Panasonic. Panasonic has been building plasmas for quite a few years and have a fine reputation (except for one generation of "weak power supplies")-- Samsung is somewhat "new" to plasma and does not yet have that established reliability factor shared by Pio & Panny. Yet picture quality and price make them very, very attractive.

Yes, Panasonic had a power supply problem. I have an older 50" Panny plasma (PX50) and have never had one single problem with it (and it has been moved, by truck, five times)-- I think today's units are just as reliable. I hope the new larger Sammy plasma serves me as well.