Dan,
Funny thing is that the sales representative told me that they are selling more Panny plasma tv's than Sony LED/LCD models. Got my eye on the 65" Panny plasma

Panasonic 65 VT30 from amazon for $2,999.

I've done quite a bit of research lately and that is what I have decided on. Just need to finish increasing my spending power....

The VT30 is reported to have much better blacks than the ST30 and works better in bright rooms according to CNET.

Plus, I looked at the ST30 at best buy and the bezel was just too ugly big and plastic black looking for my taste. The one sheet of glass design on the VT30 is super appealing.

We got a cheaper 46 inch panasonic plasma for the bedroom and we like it a lot.

Looking at the specs again I am surpised at difference in black levels - looked to me like both ST and VT models have the same video 'guts'. But on my 2nd pass I caught the VT has a 'one sheet of glass' design that the ST does not have. That might explain being better in bright rooms if there are less reflective layers.

Rock_Head - I read a report recently that Sony is pretty much tanking in the TV department, that seems to match the Panny sales person comment.

you should not be sorry if you buy the 103 inch. plasma.

cb, I haven't compared the ST and VT panels directly and I don't own either one. Reviews I have read and reports from folks at AVS forum are pretty clear that black levels on the VT30 are improved over the ST30. This may be due to the fact that the ST30 has the Infitie Black 2 Panel and the Infinite Black PRO 2 panel. I think the difference in performance in bright rooms is partly due to the 1 sheet of glass design and also due to the light output from the TV. However, never having compared each one I can't say if this is true or not...

I'm sure the ST30 is a great TV and I was seriously considering getting it before deciding on the VT30. I don't think anyone could go wrong with the ST, GT, or VT model plasmas. We very happy with our lower end TC-P46X3 model panasonic plasma.

Should say that the vt30 has the infinite black pro 2 panel...

Thanks David, I didn't pick that up in the specs. Not that I'm in the market anyway - just virtual shopping. Although every once in a while my wife comments on wishing we had a bigger screen than our 58". I think I need to capitalize on that next time she makes that comment!

No doubt it, sometimes that "window of opportunity" is extremely narrow and one must "strike when the iron is hot"!

(That's your barrel of cliches for the day).

This thread is giving me upgradeitis.

Sounds like you need some St. JohnK's wort.