Plasma TV's contrast ratio are about 10,000 to 1, versus this technology which is 50,000 to 1. That basically means your brights will look brighter and your blacks will lool blacker. 10,000 to 1 is still pretty good, so I am not sure most people will care. Only your videophiles will probably care.
You are right that nobody will care about the numbers.
BUT, these contrast numbers translate into a dramatically better defined picture under all sorts of photographic lighting conditions.
No more will night scenes be a washed out muddied black, but you will actually be able to see things on the screen.
I am dead certain that SED TVs will be the must have consumer electronic item in 2008.
Does this mean that you'll have to wear your sunglasses while you watch TV? Seriously, this is like the great running stereo/speaker wars started in the 70's. A new stereo system or speakers pledged better and better sound. No matter that after a point the human ear couldn't really tell much of a difference, but I'm sure a lot of new equipment was sold!