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.

Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1