Don,
Understood. I really like my current 64" plasma ($2800 and 8 months old) , and thought about upgrading to a new model this year. Issue being, I'd spend another $4000, maybe make some money off my current tv if I want to sell it, then be subjected to another year of early adopter problems. I also owned a DVDO Duo, which I enjoyed becuase my display did not have 10pt Gamma/Grayscale adjustment, or CMS controls. Duo really added a lot to PQ and accuracy.
When I went 3D and bought this Samsung, I sold the Duo because it only passes 3D (no calibration) and the Samsung has a great 2D calibration feature set. After contemplating the last week, and calibration this Samsung many times myself, I feel I want to keep it long term and the Lumagen helps me here.
As posted above, I gain:
Better color accuracy in 2D
Much better color, grayscale and gamma in 3D
The lack of control in 3D never bothered me, but since Im moving back into watching 3D movies, Id like for just as accurate as possible picture on both 3D and 2D. Many sub $4k displays today have calibration issues, regardless of control, and the lumagen adds reference abilities. It also, in case of a failure, allows me to connect to ChromaPure with my meter and run an autocalibration in 2D and 3D. Since you generally can't get a professional calibrator out quickly, it allows me to get back close to reference fairly easily.
As far as the scaling goes, of say 1080i/60/720p/60 from Directv, I do not expect much. I also full intend to send it native Directv and Blu-ray signals, only to have it convert to 1080p/60 for the display, to limit conversions. This purchase is mostly for calibration ability in 2D and 3D modes. Its a neat and complicated device, which is why Im letting Gregg do it. If I get in a bind down the road, I can buy an auto cal license from ChromaPure and let it auto calibrate for me.
I ended up getting it from Curt Palme for $1499 shipped.