[knutinh]

I have very simple requirements:
-I don't care about 3D
-I don't care about smart tvs, browsing, apps
-I don't care about built-in sound
-I don't care about very thin tvs

But I do care about having the best possible video quality.
-A large dynamic range with accurate gamma and good blacks(plasma or LED array?)
-natural movement (plasma or black-frame insertion/flashing backlight? 24p content should be shown with a smooth, even progress. Sceptical about heavily processed motion interpolation and would rather have a panel/backlight that does the right thing in the first place - cinemas have been able to for 50 years or more....)
-1:1 pixel,
-4:4:4 video (don't tell me that you have to subsample a a 2mpix buffer in 2011...)
-precise colors (preferreable reasonably good factory calibration).
-Spatial or temporal dithering should, if present, be invisible at normal viewing distances.
-I also tend to be annoyed by gui/remote that is slow, cluttered and unintuitive.

My main source would be 1080p24 bluray from a PC over HDMI so I want the HDMI input to be 1080p24/50/60 capable (without rate-conversion), 1:1 pixel (no scaling/overscan), 4:4:4 (no chroma subsampling of my menues, please). Moderate latency is required, but I don't need the most extreme.

I think that 45-50" would do, and my room is semi-darkened (one window only, with heavy drapers). I don't think that reflections will be a big problem, and I am not all that concerned with off-angle image quality.

What tv would be right for me? Philips 9706? Sony hx92x? Panasonic VT30?

-k

[edinger]

A matter of taste to a large extent.

While both the HX920 and VT30 have excellent black levels and are perfectly capable of displaying 24p content correctly, the HX920 suffers from the dreaded haloing effect.

The main knock on the VT30, if my memory serves me right, would be fluctuating blacks plus the usual risk of buzz and fan noise.

Nonetheless, the VT30 would be the screen of my choice.

You may opt for the former if you prefer the characteristics of an LCD display.

[knutinh]

While both the HX920 and VT30 have excellent black levels and are perfectly capable of displaying 24p content correctly, the HX920 suffers from the dreaded haloing effect.

I need to see one of them in person.

The main knock on the VT30, if my memory serves me right, would be fluctuating blacks plus the usual risk of buzz and fan noise.

Audible noise is a bummer. I also have the impression that Panasonic have had plasma panel issues in 2011 (green tint?)

-k

[Kratz]

... as well as Sony TVs suffers from back-light bleed.

The perfect TV unfortunately doesn't exist.

I would also put my money at the VT30. It is a stunning TV, and the samples I have seen didn't suffer from noise or buzz.