I have a 58pz850u. I am trying to figure out how to achieve decent black levels on it. I normally watch movies at night with all of the lights out. by doing this, the tv is a halfway decent shade of dark grey.

My tv settings are those of Cnet's recommended calibration settings.

Would it be better to put a 6500k light behind the tv? Have you guys found the black levels have improved after a real service menu calibration? I know my way around the service menu, is there something in there that I could adjust?

I feel like in darker scenes the black levels just give out... like more basic LCD's do.

I am looking to do whatever it takes, other than selling it and getting an elite. thanks everyone please recommend anything.

i went through the same thing with my panasonic 800u. I bought a cheap backlight and it seemed to help with the black levels a bit, but I like watching blu rays in pitch black so that idea fell through pretty quick...

I agree with you though, the black levels on dark scenes were so poor, I felt like I was watching an lcd. I sold it and switched to a pioneer pro 101. I believe that if you are like me, then you will not be satisfied until you have a tv that produces inky blacks.

I realize you said you don't want to sell it for a pioneer, but trust me, there is nothing you can really do to your 850 that will give you the blacks you desire. I truly believe, that until OLED becomes available, nothing will best the kuro.

Again I apologize for playing a pioneer fanboy, but I went through the exact same thing you did. Look at the 500m or the pro 101.

yea, I know a pioneer would be a nice upgrade, just it's not an option. ugh, really dissappointing to have a tv that produces this bad of blacks. It's not even remotely black, it's a lighter shade a grey.

Has anyone noticed professional calibration has helped?

Before I got my Pioneer 111 I had a 700U and the black levels always bothered me. It's now in the bedroom. It looks great but what a difference after watching a movie on the Pio and then heading to bed to watch some TV. The blacks are truly grey.

Panasonic is not known for having good black levels. You have been on this forum awhile so you have heard the comments. You also looked at the TV in the store.

yea, I know a pioneer would be a nice upgrade, just it's not an option. ugh, really dissappointing to have a tv that produces this bad of blacks. It's not even remotely black, it's a lighter shade a grey.

Has anyone noticed professional calibration has helped?

probably not much help but recheck the settings you are using. also might try some of the other owners settings posted in the panny owners thread.

sorry but very doubtful that a calibration would help with the black levels.

the calibrator is limited by what black level the panel can actually produce and even though the panny is a good plasma, it is what it is........ it is just not capable of producing black levels close to the 8G/9g pioneers.

Smcilwaine 287:
Your 850u is capable of producing black levels where they should be as long as certain conditions are met. It's important to have a good video source, AV receiver and good quality cables to tie everything together. Assuming you have this equipment in place the next move is to TV settings.

I'm always amazed when I read posts from this forum at the amount of time and energy members spend trying to achieve strong black levels from their Panasonic 800's and 850's. The engineers who designed these sets have put in place all the tools you need to get maximum black/contrast levels if you know how to apply them.

Try these settings in the 'Vivid' mode. This mode makes use of the highest 'compressed' white to black ( contrast ) levels. It's this compression that makes images 'Pop':

Picture mode: Vivid
Picture: 80
Brightness: 50
Color: 40
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 75
Color Temp: Cool
Color Mgt: On
Digital Color: Auto
Cats: Off
Video NR: All should be off
Black level: light

Now I can hear those ketboards clacking away already questioning whether the color will be perfect or the tone and tint will be as God intended, but Jeez, does it really matter? Shouldn't the image be more in line with our mental expectations than what are technical calibrations? When it comes to color and contrast it's important to go with what pleases you- not with settings that somebody else has contrived. Of course, if these settings don't please you your eyes should be checked! :D

Also, to those who think the Panny's aren't capable of producing black levels eqaul to the Kuro's: Do you honesly believe those Panasonic engineers after seeing the Kuro's on the market with their acclaimed black levels said to themselves," Hey, Pioneer has us beat! What's the use in trying to compete?"
Somehow I just don't think that's the case.

Panasonic is not known for having good black levels. You have been on this forum awhile so you have heard the comments. You also looked at the TV in the store.

Huh? This year at least they are thought to have the best black levels of any plasma (2nd only to the discontinued Pioneers).

Huh? This year at least they are thought to have the best black levels of any plasma (2nd only to the discontinued Pioneers).

sammy fanboy.