No. :shadedshu
The only way that is even semi remotely in anyway shape or form possible is 1- you got a bad tv and 2- it's been used so much over the time you have had it that the gases have severely broken down.
Plasma's in general have insane contrast ratios when compared to LCD's, it's nothing to do with quality it's simply the design.
Plasma's run anywhere between like 1:1500000 and 1:2500000 static contrast...
You are lucky to get 1:10000 dynamic which is not nearly as good as 1:10000 static.
If you are noticing a difference like that, you seriously want to go into your menus and start getting your settings tweaked because logically speaking it's just simply impossible for that. Plasma's are sold on their contrast ratios, color blending, soft edges and the fact that they don't blur or ghost, check out the color reproduction differences-
plasma- 68 billion to the power of 236 versus lcd- 16.7 million to the power of 224
Oh yeah That TV was incredible when it was New...But 4 years at an average use of 12 hours a day took it's toll...
And it wasn't a top of the line Model either It was a Walmart special when we got it..
For the time it was dirt cheap for a 46" plasma as it only cost $896...Very cheap for 2005
It was a Pre 600hz sub field drive Plasma...We got lucky as it was one of the Models that had the Bad switch problem that effected the pre july 2006 models...everyone we know that bought one had that issue we lucked out since it still works just fine...
I don't regret getting it either It was well worth it's price...
I know the newer models don't have those issues as they have way more gas and like 3x the contrast ratio..and they are likely to last as long as an LCD but they cost a bit more to operate..
I like my LCD a bit more though...It has 100,000:1 contrast ratio with a 2.4ms response time and it's way lighter than Plasma's plus my old Plasma is only 720p where as my LCD is 1080p.
And I'm not comparing my LCD to newer Plasma's just the Plasma I have..
Just so it's known I have ZERO regrets on the Purchase of my Viera I just wish it had more than 2 HDMI ports...I know the newer models have like 4-5 like my LCD does
Here is my LCD
LG 47" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV 47LD520
Details are wrong as it has 3 rear HDMI and the side HDMI
and at OP that is a good TV for the price...But it is odd as 8 months ago TV prices were quite a bit lower...I have a feeling prices will drop again when it gets closer to November