Answer:
contrast ratios mean almost nothing. Because there is no standard measurement for this, TV makers can claim anything they want. TVs with CR of 2 million to 1 are a complete joke. The reality is that most LCD TVs have contrast ratios that are around 200 or 300 to one. The better plasmas are anywhere from the high hundreds to low thousands to 1.
Here's the only thing you can do with CR numbers, and that's compare within the brand. Example: you are looking at 2 different panasonic TVs and one claims 30k to one, and another is 40k to 1. You know that one is higher than the other, but that's about it.
The older insignia plasmas were total garbage, the blacks were horrible and more like a grey. They were so bad that a cheap LCD looked better. But now I'm seeing something much better. To me it looks like they are now using the panasonic plasma panels from late 2007 or early 2008, but I can't confirm, it's just me eyeballing it.
The panasonic you are looking at if it has a letter U, C or X near the end of the model number avoid it at all costs. They have OK blacks, but struggle to make anything white actually look white. If you buy a current panasonic plasma, don't go with anything below the 'S' line.
If you can see these in the store, take a close look at the insignia. If the blacks look nice, and it can do a decent white, take it. But to be honest, in the entry level category, the 400 series Samsung plasma beats these two. It has nice blacks and brighter whites than these two panels.
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