Most viewing was done in the Day mode, as I found it's light output very agreeable in any ambient lighting.
The Dark Knight Blu Ray: The VT60's black background is almost totally dark in 96 Hz mode! It looks significantly darker than on my calibrated GT50. Any screen content masks black illumination on the VT60. Even the dark scene in chapter 2, blacks look totally black. From scene to scene, there is pop and contrast in abundance. I was surprised just how much richer contrast was on VT60, even in a bright room! The VT60's superior contrast was visible in anything from a totally dark room to a bright, sun filled living room. The GT50 looks slightly washed out in comparison.
The VT60's color is satisfying and extremely accurate, with very pure color shades. Blue shades appear a bit more rich and purplish on the VT60 than on the GT50.
Shadow detail was as good as I have seen.
Collateral DVD: Extreme shadow detail - subtle shadings just above black - was more visible and natural on the VT60 than the GT50.
The Hobbit 3D Blu Ray: 3D is absolutely gorgeous on the VT60. The picture has excellent depth layering and good popout, with the best contrast and color I have seen on a plasma.
Hockey looks great on both, with the VT60 appearing to be perfectly uniform with no DSE, satisfyingly bright, and having good motion handling. Fast movement was crisp and natural. Whites looked pure as well, with the rink maintaining a good white balance.
Other television programming was excellent as well, and after spending a few hours watching anything from Bates Motel to 19 Kids and Counting the only thing that even came close to a criticism was a slightly ruddy presentation on darkly lit skin tones.
Is the VT60's 2D picture quality $1,000 better than that of Panasonic's ST60? To say the ST60 is a strong performer and good value would be an understatement. The VT60 offers slightly lower black levels and choice of a perfectly calibrated Day mode and Night mode, and I do prefer the VT60's portrayal of bright objects. In addition, the VT60 may be more effective in maintaining good contrast in bright rooms. However, the picture quality differences are small, and I doubt they would be considered worth a large price difference to most enthusiasts.
How does the VT60 stack up against the Samsung F8500? If you like LED/LCD brightness levels, the F8500 is superior. It's peak light output is able to match many LED/LCD sets, and it's ABL circuitry is minimally invasive. Cranked up to full brightness, it could make the VT60 appear a bit muted in comparison. However, the VT60's black levels, especially in 96 Hz mode with Blu Rays, is visibly superior. Color is excellent on both, but with slightly different perspectives: the F8500's lower saturation color shades are a bit too pale, whereas the VT60's fully saturated colors are a bit too pale. While they err in different directions, it is very minimal. The F8500 may have a slightly sharper presentation, though I never felt the VT60 lacked in that regard.
I very much enjoyed my time viewing the VT60, though when I had the meters out I couldn't help but wish for the VT50's more reliable calibration characteristics. Every program material I threw it's way was handled with as much perfection and grace as I've seen on a plasma. I wouldn't hesitate recommending it to the vast majority of people who are passionate about picture quality.