My 50u is >10 months now.

Game Mode
Contrast 50 to 55
Brightness -3 to 2
Color 45
Sharpness 45 (If FHD movies, may lower to 30)
Color Balance - Cool
Vivid Color / Eco Mode / P-NR - All OFF

Do not like Dynamic due to too bright.
True Cinema Mode too yellowish since cannot set Color Balance via remote.

My TV default aspect is 16:9 via dynamic mode and you cannot select aspec when in Game Mode. I do not notice any black bar???
I do not use TV for games, only for Astro (non-Beyond), Bluray Player & Media Player.
I love this setting but it really depends on your own liking.

Why not try Anfieldude's recommended setting on True Cinema Mode (Contrast 70, colour 50-51, brightness 0, CATS off, sharpness all the way down to 0) and let us know your view here. I commented on this setting where Picture is yellowish and color went back to the sixties and the dude iterated that it is up to one's liking. Only owners of this TV and eyes of the beholder can tell more.................

Love your statement and I am a non believer of TV calibration and stick to default options to ensure warranty.

Irrespective of color, a good storyline, directing and acting are core essentials of a good movie and trust a FHD Panasonic Plasma of 2010 generations (and beyond) should do a good job in displaying FHD qualities.
No fuss on those so call best / infinite Black Level as many of us do not watch TV with lights switch off (or in a dark room) to avoid eyes fatigue; do understand young people love this habit (not referring to those on projector).

Wonder where we can get price around RM3,250 for 50U30K as Best Denki is selling the model at RM4,499???
If prefer non-FHD models, should look into Sammys' new plasma which comes with 3D as well; cost a bit more???

Size does matter as the joy of watching bigger screen is beyond description especially if watching full screen concerts.
42" is way too small and for the mentioned price, I'll go for 50". Usually you upgrade from 42" to 50".
I've been watching my 50u20k for a year now and do not find reflectiveness an issue.
Now 50" is a bit small and still think of upgrading to a bigger screen i.e. Pana 65" / Sammy 65" where both come with 3D.

Hope you do not get con by the price of RM3,250 for a 50u30k???

10Ft is just nice as i have been watching my 50U20k for >12months now.
For concert bluray in full screen, it is superb!!! For FHD movies, it is a liitle bit small at this distance.
Make sure you adjust the correct Contrast / Brightness to sooth your eyes.