Alright, a bit of an update.
I have the TV set up and I am running the slides provided here:
http://www.eaprogramming.com/
Will probably do that for the next few weeks, let it build up to at least 200 hours.
So far, so good. The plasma definitely has a directional buzz. When I sit dead center to the middle of the screen (no matter what distance) there is an electrical buzzing sound like a bee. If I move a foot any which way (up, down, left, right) it seems to disappear. When I turn my head left/right it increases in intensity. However, even when I am in that dead center position facing forwards the buzz isn't terribly distracting unless there is a quiet scene or I have the volume down low. Completely directional. I think I will remedy this by elevating the set to about a foot above eye level. If anyone has a better suggestion or a known fix let me know.
I went into the media play option and it had some fixed menus, and the immediate ghosting/IR was quite noticeable. Probably didn't spend more than 5 minutes in these menus, and after watching some standard content it went away in the same amount of time. I am sure after breaking it in the IR will be much better.
I am just as impressed with this set as I was with the Samsung LCD. Here is hoping that I didn't get a defective panel this time. The features are nice, and the PQ on standard definition is pleasing. I won't know much more about it until I am able to use it, which I am not going to do until the break in period expires. I want to speed that process up by leaving the set on overnight but I don't know if it is the best idea, even with a few hours to cool down each day.
If the buzz is the only thing that I have to worry about with this set, I think I will be quite happy....as long as the IR improves.