Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 28,500:1

All measurements were performed in the Professional2 picture mode for 2D and the Custom (3D) mode for 3D, through an HDMI input with the set adjusted for a darkened room. The peak white level to achieve the measured contrast ratio was just over 34 foot-lamberts, and the black level 0.0012 ft-L. (The full-on/full-off contrast ratio measured on the Pioneer PRO-141FD Kuro for the comparisons in this test was 22,400:1 with peak white 33.6 ft-L, black level 0.0015 ft-L.)

The pre-calibration RGB Balance shown in the chart was taken in the THX Cinema mode, adjusted for approximately the same peak white level mentioned above with the Color temp. control on Warm1. The pre-calibration gray scale Delta E values in this mode averaged 4.98; post-calibration, the Delta E averaged 0.60, with a high of 1.01 at 100 percent brightness. (Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the Rec. 709 HD color standard. Experts generally agree that levels below 3 are visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking.)

In the Rec. 709 Color Gamut setting, the pre-calibration color point Delta E averaged a respectable 3.11. After calibration, it averaged an exceptional 0.60. Post-calibration, the average measured gamma across the full brightness range was 2.26, achieved from a baseline setting of 2.4 with minor tweaking of the Gamma Detail controls.

A 3D calibration of the VT60 was also performed (charts not shown). Before calibration (THX3D Cinema mode, Color temp. set to Warm1), the 3D grayscale Delta E averaged 5.71, the color Delta E 3.53, and the gamma 1.9 (minimum 0.82 at 90 percent!). Post-calibration, the 3D gray scale Delta E averaged 0.99, the color Delta E averaged 2.38, and the gamma averaged 1.8 (minimum 0.46 at 90 percent!). Manufacturers often use a low 3D gamma to pump up the visible brightness level.

The TC-P65VT60 passed all our standard video processing tests except for the 2:2 cadence tests for HD and SD, common and largely inconsequential failures.—TJN