Not knowing too much about LCD televisions I have a slight question.

When comparing LCD sets one thing that seems to differ massively is the contrast ratio.

I've seen 5000:1, 8000:1 and as high as 15000:1 on some.

What difference does it make?
What is the standard?
Is 8000 good or should I be aiming for the highest figure I can find?

Look at them and see what you think!, but really the higher the better - I've got an old 20 inch Sharp LCD in the bedroom, and that's got a pretty poor contrast ratio, but it's perfectly useable. All it means is that blacks aren't as black as you would like!.

take them with a pinch of salt as they are 'Dynamic' Contrast ratios.

Think a Samsung without Dynamic is more like 1000:1.

For more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrast_ratio

There are also several ways of measuring them.