cmack,
I had the exact same problem you are discussing with a NECMP51. Although plasma is not a perfected picture, this model did not compare to others we had mounted. We actually pulled this one down and replaced it with a Fujitsu model which the customer loves. We actually brought the Fujitsu model over and held it below the NEC for a real comparsion. The NEC could not touch the picture of the Fujitsu. I talked to NEC, let a tech look at it and they claim that it was fine. Anyway point of story, Still have a NEC in stock.