If you do not sit off axis, Local Dimming LED LCDs will.
This begs the question, how many degrees constitutes off-axis? Still, interesting nonetheless that LCDs have actually come this far, in regards to MLL only.
Sometimes, at a sports bar for instance, the topic of TVs comes up, and a friend will ask what kind of tv we are watching. I'd say, "oh a Pana plasma, you can tell immediately. See, with this angle, an LCD would look faded, washed out, with pizz poor color accuracy." Then I'd have them walk up to it, and check it out at different angles.
If it's me, with this budget and size, I also buy a Panny plasma.
When the MLL rises, I am still led to believe (though I am no expert), that there is zero contrast lost; the whole dynamic contrast ability is just moved higher. Then consider our eyes adapt to the given brightness. This is why some HTs with full blown PJ setups can get away with less than the THX foot lambert recommendation: our eyes adjust to a dimmer setting, and then the pic looks great still. You can't go tooo dim, but the point must still be considered.
My guess is that only a very small percentage of owners watch in a cave with the lights off, where it even truly matters.
However, if it rises so much to look GREY, then that is completely unacceptable. I just have a hard time thinking it could be that bad.
And remember, eventually, after enough usage, the raised voltage will actually be perfect. The schedule is just too premature, obviously, for some owners/units.
