@Drubin-- I bought a VT50 55 inch a few months back after comparing the picture quality between the GT, ST and VT series. The differences between the VT and ST are small and mostly concern picture settings in the menu. The largest viewable difference was in Blu-Ray presentation, and that wasn't a "jaw-dropping" difference, but it was a clear one.
The ST is a fabulous bargain. I would have bought one if it hadn't been for a chance in-box return of a VT. (The guy who returned it hadn't bothered to measure his wall opening.) So I took the return, thank you very much, and saved $600 off a new VT. Now, after a few months with the tv, I can tell you the added picture controls makes a helluva difference, IMO.
The ST is a fabulous bargain. I would have bought one if it hadn't been for a chance in-box return of a VT. (The guy who returned it hadn't bothered to measure his wall opening.) So I took the return, thank you very much, and saved $600 off a new VT. Now, after a few months with the tv, I can tell you the added picture controls makes a helluva difference, IMO.