I have a Samsung 51 inch 3D plasma. Great picture but I get some pixelation during close up fast motion...mainly live sports.
50 inch KDS50A2000 SXRD Sony. 7yrs old. No problems. Also a 52HX909 Sony XBR full array LED LCD 2yrs old. Excellent picture.
I personally don't care for the calibration that these or the pros do. The picture is always too dim. I like a very bright screen.
It should be bright after a calibration or it wasn't done properly. I like my picture on the brighter side as well. A calibration should keep your TV brighter for longer duration. I have seen a Geek Squad calibration that do a good job of balancing the pixel colors but just set the brightness or eco settings to be too conservative but that can be easily adjusted without a pro.