I have looked at many of these, and it seems to come down to Sony 50we655 vs Hitachi 50v710. I have looked at them side by each and I cannot really tell much difference. I would love to get the better models eg the 55" SonyXBR or the Hitachi 50vs810, but they both have more glare and my room has lots of windows and light.
I have not seen the Hitachi 50v710 but have seen the Hitachi 50v500 that Cnet reviewed and said out of the box that it smokes the SONY and I think it is better and it gets better blacks also.