Thanks Elemental1. Lemme know how it looks and if you had to adjust the colors to tone down the red.

I hope to have a long enough cable today :D

PLEASE ADVISE:

I have the 42px60u and love the picture but for some reason on dark shows or movies (expecially HBO-HD), I see rainbow colors on occasion. What is causing this. Should I adjust something in the settings, i.e. picture?, brightness?, color?, tint?

Need help.

Sounds like you have your speakers too close to the screen. Are they shield? I know that use to be a problem with the older sets but still something to check into. Just a thought. Good luck.

Sounds like you have your speakers too close to the screen. Are they shield? I know that use to be a problem with the older sets but still something to check into. Just a thought. Good luck.

???

Plasma displays use thousands of glass sealed chambers containing a mixture of neon and xenon. The chambers are in front of coloured phosphors. Each chamber has three phosphers, one red, one blue and one green. When these chambers are in use they emit invisible UV light that excites the phosphors on the rear display glass enabling them to produce light that can be seen by us. Since there is no electron beam they are not affected by magnetic fields caused by speakers.

Learn something every day. I'll stick to air conditioning. Thanks for the info. :)

I had experienced a similar situation 2 yrs ago with a 35" RCA Proscan (non plasma) where due to space restrictions I had to have my BW tower speakers directly adjacent to the tv. and there were colors & distortion appearing on the screen

By changing the speaker direction ever so slightly by shifting the speakers just interms of orientation, the problem was resolved.

While the speakers may not have been the cause, something/somehow did impact on the reception. And the slight adjustment did the trick. Not sure in terms of the electronics, maybe just the tv and audio gods were in a huff :D

..Mark

I had experienced a similar situation 2 yrs ago with a 35" RCA Proscan (non plasma) where due to space restrictions I had to have my BW tower speakers directly adjacent to the tv. and there were colors & distortion appearing on the screen

By changing the speaker direction ever so slightly by shifting the speakers just interms of orientation, the problem was resolved.

While the speakers may not have been the cause, something/somehow did impact on the reception. And the slight adjustment did the trick. Not sure in terms of the electronics, maybe just the tv and audio gods were in a huff :D

..Mark

Yep. Speakers too close to a CRT will really mess it up.

Thanks Elemental1. Lemme know how it looks and if you had to adjust the colors to tone down the red.

I connected a VGA cable to my Dell XPS Gen2 and the 500u and it looks sweet. No weird color...no crooked picture....no overscan. I just sent 1024x768 to it which worked. Then I tried 1280x1024 which, to my surprise, also worked fine. No overscan, nothing wrong. I then tried to go higher and no luck :D
Well, seems like my 500u is not so picky about the signal. Since my laptop is an XWXGA+ system, I wonder why it doesn't have many choices for resolutions. I will have to tweak later but I refuse to use that peice of junk called powerstrip.

I connected a VGA cable to my Dell XPS Gen2 and the 500u and it looks sweet. No weird color...no crooked picture....no overscan. I just sent 1024x768 to it which worked. Then I tried 1280x1024 which, to my surprise, also worked fine. No overscan, nothing wrong. I then tried to go higher and no luck :D
Well, seems like my 500u is not so picky about the signal. Since my laptop is an XWXGA+ system, I wonder why it doesn't have many choices for resolutions. I will have to tweak later but I refuse to use that peice of junk called powerstrip.

Hey thanks Elemental1. Yeah, I got no overscan issues, text are easily readable and everything looks almost as it does on a normal monitor. Only problem I have is that some colors are too bright (especially red). I also connected through a VGA cable. Can you please post your plasma settings when using the VGA port. I know you could only change Picture and brightness but it will certainly help me since I find some colors just WAAAAAY too bright for me. Thanks again :)

Hey thanks Elemental1. Yeah, I got no overscan issues, text are easily readable and everything looks almost as it does on a normal monitor. Only problem I have is that some colors are too bright (especially red). I also connected through a VGA cable. Can you please post your plasma settings when using the VGA port. I know you could only change Picture and brightness but it will certainly help me since I find some colors just WAAAAAY too bright for me. Thanks again :)

I see. I will check it again.
I am sure you can adjust color on the PC output for the plasma screen only. I didn't notice any overbright colors just looking at the desktop and IE. I will take a screenshot for you showing a range of colors. I have not adjusted any color with this yet. :)

Just got my 50PHD8UK from newegg. Shipped on Monday, got here (AZ) on Friday. Good times. Arrived in perfect condition. Working flawlessly.

Picture is not as good as my old XBR sony HD tube but I'm new to plasma so I guess this is all we can expect.

Breaking-in now....maybe after i run the AVIA

Q4 and Need4Speed MW are just jaw dropping cool....

Well...I did a little more VGA testing and posted the photos in the gallery. Here is one.....

The wife just gave me the OK to pull the trigger, so now what?

I wonder when the next generation industrial pannys will be out

Now what? Go out and buy a plasma before she changes her mind! :D

...I wonder when the next generation industrial pannys will be out

You're not the only one. Anyone have any input. That's why I'm waiting, how long should I wait?

As discussed previously Panasonic generally releases their industrial line in Late Summer/Early Fall. Expect the August to September timeline.

Well, after weeks of research and a lot of soul searching, I pulled the trigger on a 42PWD8UK. It replaced my 1996 era Sony 25" CRT. While it is the ED model, it looks amazing. I currently don't have HD Dish, so for a lot cheaper, I got a really nice display. Just got it all dialed in tonight and it looks great. Bought the Sony 75H DVD as well. Got the screen and wall mount from TV Authority and it went pretty smooth. I would recommend them to anyone shopping for a plasma.

Now comes the enjoyment of the new toy. Thanks to all the folks on here for posting the good and bad about the various models. I feel really good about my choice.

JMAC

Well...I am having PQ problems on my 500u since hooking up my laptop. I will let you know what I find went wrong but I have halos and dithering PQ problems. It seems to affect SD most, then DvD...then HD but with HD, it is almost not noticable most of the time. :eek:

Well...I am having PQ problems on my 500u since hooking up my laptop. I will let you know what I find went wrong but I have halos and dithering PQ problems. It seems to affect SD most, then DvD...then HD but with HD, it is almost not noticable most of the time. :eek:
-----------

Elemental1, what you are describing is instability of the picture since it effects all your input sources. I would do the usual:

1. Unplug the set for 30 seconds at least

2. Reset/normalize all picture settings

If you still see Halos/dithering I would get on the phone with Panny tech support.

Let us know if you are able to fix with without tech support. best of luck... :)

Well...I am having PQ problems on my 500u since hooking up my laptop. I will let you know what I find went wrong but I have halos and dithering PQ problems. It seems to affect SD most, then DvD...then HD but with HD, it is almost not noticable most of the time. :eek:

-------------

I just thought about it. Did you try connecting your laptop again and changing the resolution down and see if you still get this effect. In our office we have plasmas in several conference rooms and sometimes connecting certain laptops impacts the picture, where it starts flickering. It depends upon the resolution of the laptop, the graphics card and the settings on the laptop. The problem is fixed by reducing the resolution, or resetting it to factory settings. I am not sure how to do that with the 500U.

-------------

I just thought about it. Did you try connecting your laptop again and changing the resolution down and see if you still get this effect. In our office we have plasmas in several conference rooms and sometimes connecting certain laptops impacts the picture, where it starts flickering. It depends upon the resolution of the laptop, the graphics card and the settings on the laptop. The problem is fixed by reducing the resolution, or resetting it to factory settings. I am not sure how to do that with the 500U.

You could be right and I will be trying that later today. The first time I hooked up the laptop, I did not have this problem but this time I did some tweaking :D and I guess it is somehow altering the set's abilities even when not hooked up.
I don't like the fact that the PC input can have this effect on everything. It should be totally separate.
On some SD channels, it really has a problem displaying all the colors and the halos are very noticable. It's almost like VGA 16 color mode on a PC but not that extreme. ;) Makes me think of bad covergence on a tube TV.

Edit: Ghosting is also a good description.

You could be right and I will be trying that later today. The first time I hooked up the laptop, I did not have this problem but this time I did some tweaking :D and I guess it is somehow altering the set's abilities even when not hooked up.
I don't like the fact that the PC input can have this effect on everything. It should be totally separate.
On some SD channels, it really has a problem displaying all the colors and the halos are very noticable. It's almost like VGA 16 color mode on a PC but not that extreme. ;) Makes me think of bad covergence on a tube TV.
-------------

That's the problem with fixed pixel displays in general. You can mess up the timing and the settings.

The problem is that although plasmas have good resolution, they tend to be much lower than your average PC/laptop, so you have to be careful what you input. You have to match the resolution and the frequency, otherwise the display can't handle the refresh rate and it can actually do damage to the display processor.


But my gut feeling is that if you reconnect the PC and able to reset it back to normal you should be fine. To check that it is ok, I would play a DVD from the laptop to see if you see the halos, dithering after the adjustments. If you don't see halos from the PC and the colors etc are fine, your TV is fixed! You can even try and slip in a Star Wars DVD and go through the THX Optimizer to see if there are inherent image problems - in the brightness, colors, contrast etc....

best of luck...

-------------

That's the problem with fixed pixel displays in general. You can mess up the timing and the settings.


I am very used to LCD's and I would say this is one area where LCD's have an edge over Plamsa. The consumer market will not tolerate having a VGA input that isn't protected from signals that can harm the display. I don't know if that's the case here but I am concerned sending too high a resolution even for a second could have caused this. I tried 1024x768 then 1280x1024 then 1600x1200 which, this time displayed. I tried one step higher but got no sync so I stepped back down to 1024x768 since my WUXGA laptop does not have a lot of options without a utility. I refuse to use powerstrip, the piece of crap that it is..or was. :D
There is no warning in the PC input section of the manual because I actually did read it before trying this. You would think if there is a known issue, they would caution you on the resolutions and timings.

I am very used to LCD's and I would say this is one area where LCD's have an edge over Plamsa. The consumer market will not tolerate having a VGA input that isn't protected from signals that can harm the display. I don't know if that's the case here but I am concerned sending too high a resolution even for a second could have caused this. I tried 1024x768 then 1280x1024 then 1600x1200 which, this time displayed. I tried one step higher but got no sync so I stepped back down to 1024x768 since my WUXGA laptop does not have a lot of options without a utility. I refuse to use powerstrip, the piece of crap that it is..or was. :D
There is no warning in the PC input section of the manual because I actually did read it before trying this. You would think if there is a known issue, they would caution you on the resolutions and timings.
------------

I agree. Sometimes what happens is that the signal gets locked on the display. It can happen on an LCD as well. You can actually set a resolution that would totally kill the display and there was no way to fix it, unless you rebooted in safe mode (VGA). This happens when the display has much lower resolution than what the PC can support. However, 99% of the time nothing happens it's the 1%....I have always used commercial pannys and the settings are completely different for each input, so not sure if the consumer models are different. It may also be a case where the input from the PC messed with a circuit board or something. See if you can fix it by reconnecting you PC, if not call Panny support. You have home call, right?

Anyway, you can always call Panny, if this problem persists and they should be able to fix it without any problem. I'm sure they've got calls about this in the past!

Trying to decide what wall mount I should buy for my Panasonic TH-50PX60U. Would like one that tilts. There are so many to choose from online that I have no idea which one to buy.

Haven't really been able to find any reviews of them. Tried google but all the hits are just basically advertisements.

Any good advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Francis K.

------------

I agree. Sometimes what happens is that the signal gets locked on the display. It can happen on an LCD as well. You can actually set a resolution that would totally kill the display and there was no way to fix it, unless you rebooted in safe mode (VGA).

Being in IT for so long, I know what you are talking about. XP is nice enough to check before it locks it. The plasma VGA PQ seems ok and I wasn't really concerned with how DvD's or videos played at the moment. I just wanted my background to not overscan which is what it is doing at every resolution I have tried. If there is another 500u owner out there with a PC hooked up to the VGA, please let me know the default settings. :D I did already do a reset and no dice.
If I can't get it going properly tonight, I will call either Panasonic or my retailer (a B & M :D ). They already told me if they can't get it fixed in 3 visits, I get a new one...plus I did get the 5 yr warranty (it's insurance , IMO).
Thanks for the input dude! :)

Being in IT for so long, I know what you are talking about. XP is nice enough to check before it locks it. The plasma VGA PQ seems ok and I wasn't really concerned with how DvD's or videos played at the moment. I just wanted my background to not overscan which is what it is doing at every resolution I have tried. If there is another 500u owner out there with a PC hooked up to the VGA, please let me know the default settings. :D I did already do a reset and no dice.
If I can't get it going properly tonight, I will call either Panasonic or my retailer (a B & M :D ). They already told me if they can't get it fixed in 3 visits, I get a new one...plus I did get the 5 yr warranty (it's insurance , IMO).
Thanks for the input dude! :)
--------------

based on your set up, I'd take the 60U if offered. Recently, I have spent a lot of time with a 60U. I know people will get upset, but there is no consumer model that I have seen 'today' that is better than a properly calibrated 60U. None! not the NEC, not the Pioneer, not the samsung (which is better than last years) and not the LG (which is also decent).....Initially when I saw it I thought, what is that thing? it's ugly! the picture is grainy!, but put it on a wall and calibrate it and it's smooooooooooth. Anyway....I think this needs a technician. Usually Panny support is awesome when it comes to fixing and replacing (AFAIK)...

Ok I just recently got the 42PWDHUK and I was wondering if there was a way to hook up my xbox. Is there some sort of adapter to plug a composite video connection like the one on the xbox to a component connection like on the plasma?

--------------

based on your set up, I'd take the 60U if offered. Recently, I have spent a lot of time with a 60U. I know people will get upset, but there is no consumer model that I have seen 'today' that is better than a properly calibrated 60U. None! not the NEC, not the Pioneer, not the samsung (which is better than last years) and not the LG (which is also decent).....Initially when I saw it I thought, what is that thing? it's ugly! the picture is grainy!, but put it on a wall and calibrate it and it's smooooooooooth. Anyway....I think this needs a technician. Usually Panny support is awesome when it comes to fixing and replacing (AFAIK)...

Well...powering it off for a few hrs did nothing. Hooking up the VGA again.... :eek:

Edit: No luck. VGA PQ still is pretty good and I can adjust the colors easily through my GeForce settings. SD looks terrible. Oh well, tech time. :)

Well...powering it off for a few hrs did nothing. Hooking up the VGA again.... :eek:

Edit: No luck. VGA PQ still is pretty good and I can adjust the colors easily through my GeForce settings. SD looks terrible. Oh well, tech time. :)

Damn, that really sucks :confused: . I haven't noticed any dithering problems while watching SD, HD, DVDs, or video games after hooking up my PC to my 500u (I played a lot of emulators the other day and they all looked great on the big screen). But now, I'm concerned about hooking up my PC to the plasma. Please keep us updated if you find out the root of the problem after talking to panny techs and what the solution was. I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to be aware of any PC connectivity issues.

Damn, that really sucks :confused: . I haven't noticed any dithering problems while watching SD, HD, DVDs, or video games after hooking up my PC to my 500u (I played a lot of emulators the other day and they all looked great on the big screen). But now, I'm concerned about hooking up my PC to the plasma. Please keep us updated if you find out the root of the problem after talking to panny techs and what the solution was. I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to be aware of any PC connectivity issues.

I think when I had the laptop initially set to extend the desktop, it caused the problem. When I set up clone mode, the plasma handled it better...not much overscan...background looked better. I have a tech coming out soon and I will update this post after. I would be curious to know if your 500u overscans the same in clone vs extended desktop mode. But of course, I understand if you don't want to chance it. :D
SD is the mode really affected. Major ghosting (but I am picky).

EDIT: Well...I must be going out of my mind. First I get all the Pioneer specs wrong..then I am seeing things. Here is an SD shot...see the slight line shadows.
The 500u seems fine today. I am not sure if I was being overly picky or that it has gotten much better. I also noticed on my early pics of SD, that there is a touch of the ghosting I was seeing. I don't remember it being there before.
I think my plasma is fine and I must have been smoking the crack pipe again. :eek:
[Scratching head]

I'm learning a ton from all of these posts. Thank you.

Question: Has anyone seen the TH-50PX60U next to the TH-50PHD8UK and been able to compare picture quality? I prefer the look of the all black TH-50PHD8UK, and don't need the built in speakers, HD, etc that the consumer model offers. I know many people rave about the commercial model. Hard to find a place to see it in person, tho.

Thank you!

Does anyone have a HDMI blade for an 8UK, that they would like to trade for a brand new Logitech Harmony 880 remote?

Trying to decide what wall mount I should buy for my Panasonic TH-50PX60U. Would like one that tilts. There are so many to choose from online that I have no idea which one to buy.

Haven't really been able to find any reviews of them. Tried google but all the hits are just basically advertisements.

Any good advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Francis K.

The Omnimount ($220?) I got from Circuit City for my new 42PD50U was easy for DIY and tilts down quite a bit.

Trying to decide what wall mount I should buy for my Panasonic TH-50PX60U. Would like one that tilts. There are so many to choose from online that I have no idea which one to buy.

Haven't really been able to find any reviews of them. Tried google but all the hits are just basically advertisements.

Any good advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Francis K.

SANUS VMPL50

got mine on ebay for $80

I'm in the same boat... interested in seeing the 50" pro series in person here in the NY/NJ/CT metro area or Westchester... they seel it at costco (online) but haven't seen it in person.

I'm thinking about going with a Panasonic Plasma, and selling off my Pioneer HD-RPTV display. This is mainly because I am getting frustrated by not having HDMI inputs on my component input only Pioneer.

Will I be happy with the picture quality of the Panasonic plasma compared to a Pioneer HD-RPTV? How will the picture differ, if any?

I'm thinking about going with a Panasonic Plasma, and selling off my Pioneer HD-RPTV display. This is mainly because I am getting frustrated by not having HDMI inputs on my component input only Pioneer.

Will I be happy with the picture quality of the Panasonic plasma compared to a Pioneer HD-RPTV? How will the picture differ, if any?

Panasonic and Pioneer have the best PQ when it comes to plasma so you will be very happy with the PQ on the Panasonic. I replaced a CRT RPTV (not a Pioneer model) with my 50PX60U and the picture is so much better than with my RPTV. Plasma is much brighter than projection and there is no picture fade when watching from an angle. The new Panasonics also have 2 HDMI inputs as well as two component inputs.

Try these settings that were done by pros. It worked great for my old 50U.

http://www.*******************.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42px50u-review.html

Try these settings that were done by pros. It worked great for my old 50U.

http://www.*******************.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42px50u-review.html

thanks for the tip

As discussed previously Panasonic generally releases their industrial line in Late Summer/Early Fall. Expect the August to September timeline.

Is there anything worth waiting for on these new industrial sets, or should I grab a TH50PHD8UK now?

Hi Bruzzi; Just got my new TH-50PX60U ( still in the box) and would like to know what you recommend for the first 100 hours for settings. I know this is in jhere somewhere but I don't have the patience to wade through all the pages. I want to make sure i get this right the first time. Thanks.

Do a search for "break in DVD" and you'll find what you're after, thanks to Evangelo2

Alright, I finally got my Panny 50" 8UK. I am kind of underwhelmed at the image I am seeing from my DVD player (Toshiba SD-3750). Connection is direct to TV via component cable (from blue jeans cable). Sometimes there is grainyness, there is some blockiness/pixelation around white letters on a dark background.

I played the Sound of Music DVD and it was awful, I don't know if it's the source, or just that the TV exposes the flaws, or it's the DVD player. TV is completely uncalibrated, I'm waiting some time to break it in before I do that.

Any suggestions on improving image quality? I was just expecting it to be crystal clear, and it really isn't. I haven't tried HD yet (will get it on Friday) through my DVI blade. I would prefer to stick to component for the DVD. Also, have not tried using my receiver (Marantz SR5600) to do the switching. I need to try and see if that will improve image quality, altough I figured direct connection to TV would be better.

Dennis

Well, with the help of Joe DAmico at Panasonic USA (I love email....) I was able to FINALLY see the entire Panasonic Pro line of Plasmas... all together... all in the same room.... at Abel Cene Tech in Manhattan.

http://www.abelcine.com

These guys are THE BEST.. honestly... they sell mainly to Film Directors, engineers, editors, etc but a consumer is more than welcom to come in and look around. They had all of the Panasonics (along with the Sony Plasma Pro line) in a nice 16x16 room.... looked like it could have been anyone's livingroom. The picture on the 50" model was out of this world. AND that was looking at a DVD... not even HDTV. I should have asked how it was connected and what kind of equipment he was using but honestly, I'm sure it's top-of-the-line. I was ready to rock at that point but the salesperson said it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to find the 8-gen HDMI module and he had no idea as to when it would become available. We spoke about this and it seems the problem here is that Panasonic had no CLUE so many CONSUMERS would end up purchasing this display and simply didn't produce enough of the HDMI modules. Plain and simple. I can tell you, he had his units connected via the standard component cables and the picture was outstanding... very close... even better I think... than the 50" Pioneer Elite I was all set to buy.

On a somewhat-related note...... the rep there also said the optional Panasonic speakers for the pro line are outstanding... far superior to the Pioneer speakers. I live in a Condo, so I'm really not able to BLAST the sound and the Panasonic speakers look OUTSTANDING on the 50".

One thing I did notice was that all of the units very noticable handles up top. Can they be removed?

Oh, if anyone has luck finding the 8th gen HDMI card, I'd like 2 please...... I'd hate to pay that guy on ebay $280 each for something with a MSRP of $145.

I'm new to his forum, so please be gentle. My TH-42PX60U was delivered yesterday, and everything is hooked up. The delivery guy set it up when my wife was at home. He set up the TV and then took the TV cable from the wall and plugged it in to the TV to see that it worked. My wife called me from home and told me that the picture looked good. When I arrived home, I ran the TV cable back into the cable box and connected the cable box to the TV with a Monster cable. My wife then told me that the color quality looked "dull" and "hazy". However, DVDs seem to look better than the HDTV from cable. Also, I set my color, tint, etc., but it doesn't seem to hold when you change channels. I can't believe that it should be necessary to reset the color settings every time I change channels. Any advice would be appreciated. Obviously, I want her to love the new TV! Thanks.

op-hdtv;

change your settings to standard NOT vivid

try these also:
picture +10
brightness +5
color, tint 0
sharpness -5
color temp normal
color mpg off

but you will have to calibrate every input, as when you move to the DVD player and back to the cable or sat. The picture will look off sometimes if the feed is bad. When my kids are watching the Disney channel and the program Raven comes on, it looks like crap. Then on the same channel a cartoon looks crisp. If your not using a test DVD for calibration then turn to a HD channel and give it the old eyeball calibration and wright down your settings. Also, make sure your HD box is set up to automaticaly change resolution when changing from a SD channel to a HD one. I think many people are not getting the most out of their box or STB as we call it. This is a link to a calibration thread in this forum for your Panasonic plasma.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7676938#post7676938

I'm new to his forum, so please be gentle. My TH-42PX60U was delivered yesterday, and everything is hooked up. The delivery guy set it up when my wife was at home. He set up the TV and then took the TV cable from the wall and plugged it in to the TV to see that it worked. My wife called me from home and told me that the picture looked good. When I arrived home, I ran the TV cable back into the cable box and connected the cable box to the TV with a Monster cable. My wife then told me that the color quality looked "dull" and "hazy". However, DVDs seem to look better than the HDTV from cable. Also, I set my color, tint, etc., but it doesn't seem to hold when you change channels. I can't believe that it should be necessary to reset the color settings every time I change channels. Any advice would be appreciated. Obviously, I want her to love the new TV! Thanks.

Are Plasmas more or less likely to burn in than the older (6ish years ago) projection TVs?

Many thanks, High Gear and Scherer. I have taken your advice. I should also note (for any other knuckleheads like me who might be reading this forum) that I realized last night that I had to actually activate (if that's the right word) the HDMI on my cablebox! Obviously, having done that and having followed the advice given to me here, my HDTV looks fantastic. I've had the HDTV cablebox for many months for the DVR. Obviously if the Comcast guys had come out to put it in just for the HDTV, they would have known what to do. Again, thanks for taking the time to help.

anytime OP

Planning on mounting my new 42px60u on the wall this weekend.
I see four spots that look like "caps" on the back of the tv. They are in the general location that I would suspect the mounting brackets to go.

Do you simply 'pop' these off to reveal the mounting holes?
Just want to make sure before I go messing around...I didn't see any mention of the locations in the manual.

Just pop the grey caps off. They have little notches in which you could put in a flat-screwdriver and leverage them out.

Thanks!

Does anyone know if the audio output on the 42px60U outputs whatever is coming into the tv from all other inputs, ie HDMI or composite etc? Could this output be run into a receiver for surround sound from whatever source is playing thru the TV? I'm trying to figure out how to get surround sound from three possible sources ie the cable STB, DVD player, and VCR to my receiver without daisy chaining the outputs of each box and running one cable to my receiver.
Thanks

Question for you 50 8UK owners. Do any of you have 2 DVI cards in yours? I'm thinking about ditching the factory installed card in slot 2 and replacing it with either an HDMI card or a DVI card (I already one DVI in slot 1). I'm also wondering if it matters which card I get...I know HDMI is 12 bit and DVI 8 bit, but really, does it make a difference?

cpcat,

As far as what I am seeing with 720p:

A little less PQ than 1080i but in no way a bad PQ. The HT article implies an SD like image using 720p. (I was just watching a 720p broadcast and it might be on par with 1080i :eek: )
Could you elaborate again about what you are seeing on your px50 and how you have it hooked up?

Edit: I have a 720p shot of FOXHD in my gallery. Is that what you see also?
(I know the settings are off....I was still tweaking).

Will be hooking things up tonight (hopefully before 24). I've read that HDMI isn't much different than component, but at the cost of HDMI cables from Monoprice.com, should I just order 2? My main question:

To hook up an SA8300 box and DVD, is it best to go straight into the TV, component 1 and 2, or best to go into a receiver, then one to the TV? If I go to the receiver, will TV sound come out of the TV if the receiver is not turned on? (this is a "for the wife" question, she hates doing anything more than pushing the power button). Will not add receiver and 5.1 for a few weeks (or days), but just need to know what the best approach is.

I also have read a bunch about burn-in and calibration. I've seen "normal" brightness settings posted anywhere from -6 to +10. I calibrate, then reduce that by how much for burn-in? I'll be watching mostly HD locals, do I worry about gray bars during commerials, or is there a setting like zoom that removes them (but doesn't effect the HD picture)?

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, just too many threads to read...

Hi
I cant seem to turn the color of the side bars to a lighter color. I made a change to the "side bar adjust" menu, and it now reads "mid", but it still is black. Also, I cant change the aspect on the set. When I hit the aspect button, "full" appears on the screen, but I cant change it. Any help would be appreciated.

I have my HR10-250 and Denon dvd running hdmi into my denon avr 3806 amp and hdmi out to the th42phd8uk.

I cant seem to turn the color of the side bars to a lighter color...

I have my HR10-250 and Denon dvd running hdmi into my denon avr 3806 amp and hdmi out to the th42phd8uk.
Panasonic's design does not permit changing aspect ratios on HD input. (I'm assuming the commercial models are the same in this regard as the consumer versions. It's been awhile since I looked at them, so I may have forgotten something, but someone will quickly correct me if I did. :D )

No doubt you are running the HD10-250 at 1080i or 720p, which the TV sees as HD and won't let you change. You are probably upconverting your DVD signal, too, which gives the same result.

You could make the changes on SD material by sending it to the TV as 480 from either source, if it bothers you enough to make the change whenever you go from SD to HD programing and back.

With SD stations, you could also stretch the HR10-250 output to fill the screen by using the "ratio" button on its remote. It will still give you the black bars on 4:3 "HD" signals, though, as these are broadcast by the stations and the receiver "sees" them as part of a 16:9 signal. More and more stations are using a color pattern rather than black bars in this situation, but most still use black.

Trying to decide what wall mount I should buy for my Panasonic TH-50PX60U. Would like one that tilts. There are so many to choose from online that I have no idea which one to buy.

Haven't really been able to find any reviews of them. Tried google but all the hits are just basically advertisements.

Any good advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Francis K.

Costco sells repackaged Sanus Tilt mounts under a different brand names called Simplicity (customer service number goes straight to Sanus) in store and a few others online. Prices are very similar to the e-bay prices and far cheaper than the big boxes. Easy to install if you keep in mind that the included instructions are awful and might give you wrong info on drill bit sizes (and the customer service guy, yes guy, is not very knowledgeable). Mine was also missing a couple of washers. Worth the $ saved though.

Got my 42PX60U set-up last night, awesome with SA8300 HD stations! Quick question about "Just" mode. Can that be set as default mode? It's great for watching SD content, but if you turn set off and back on, the SD channels show up as 4:3 (or Full mode). Just mode is almost good enough for all SD and HD content, it actually gets rid of station logo in most cases. Wife hates using 2 remotes, and I want to make sure she watches SD in Just mode during burn-in.

Speaking of remotes... I have the SA-8300 remote programmed for TV and DVD control, and seems to work well with common tasks. Only thing it lacks is the aspect ratio button, is there any way to program a key for that? I tried programming the TV remote to control the STB, but can't even get the program guide to come up, so using the STB remote seems to work best.

Got my 42PX60U set-up last night, awesome with SA8300 HD stations! Quick question about "Just" mode. Can that be set as default mode? It's great for watching SD content, but if you turn set off and back on, the SD channels show up as 4:3 (or Full mode). Just mode is almost good enough for all SD and HD content, it actually gets rid of station logo in most cases. Wife hates using 2 remotes, and I want to make sure she watches SD in Just mode during burn-in.

My TH-42PX60U does not remember the aspect ratio that I set it to on the TV (coax in) input. It always defaults to FULL. Even when I change channels, it immediately switches to FULL on any digital channel.

For all other inputs I have (S-Video from DishPVR, Component from DVD), it remembers the last used aspect ratio.

I am assuming that you want to use JUST on HD channels only as a safety precaution during the breakin period, right? Because you are losing a lot of the image viewing HD content in JUST mode (as you noticed, with the station logo disappearing). It is similar to going Pan&Scan on a 16:9 DVD.

Break in: I used a Plasma Window aquarium scene DVD to break in the first 100 hours of the set (with all picture settings at 0).

HD Quality: Good. I can't calibrate it because I don't have a DVD going through a digital connection. I know it's not quite right (Standard picture with Normal color temp, all settings at 0) though. This is through a SA8300HD.

SD Quality: Decent to crap. All depends on the station, and there is a lot of variation. Right now I have 4:3 stretched and upconverted to 1080i by the SA8300HD. You cannot change aspect ratio via the TV on a digital signal, which I believe you can with the NEC.

DVD Playback: Finally did the AVIA calibration on my component input last night. DVD source is a Toshiba SD3650 (I think that's the model #). The settings I had before were WAY off. I tuned the color setting down from what I calibrated due to it looking a little too saturated. Going to use the "steamed rat" method and the Spider Man DVD to do some visual calibration. With these settings I made a previously crappy DVD (Sound of Music) look decent (and this DVD has a horrendous transfer let me tell you). I think my final settings were/are: Picture 6 or 7, Brightness -17, Color 0, Tint 0, Sharpness -15. The calibrated color was 2.

I think I'm losing some black detail with these settings, however. Everything was calibrated using reduced lighting conditions, just 1 incandescent lamp about 10 ft away from the screen.

It remains for me to try a player with HDMI out and a Faroudja DCDi chip to see if I can get better decoding/signal processing than what I have now. Considering testing out a Dennon 1920.

That's about it for now.

It remains for me to try a player with HDMI out and a Faroudja DCDi chip to see if I can get better decoding/signal processing than what I have now. Considering testing out a Dennon 1920.Also consider the OPPO OPDV971H (http://www.oppodigital.com) with DCDi by Faroudja. For $199 its a great little up converting DVD player that will more than suffice until HD-DVD/Blu-Ray becomes the common standard. ;)

I may be missing something, you say you don't have a DVD going through a digital connection, but you say you have your DVD player going through component.. isn't that digital? "You cannot change aspect ratio via the TV on a digital signal", what do you mean? On my 42PX60U there's an aspect ratio button, can change it in the 8300 or on the TV.

Most of my SD is good at 4:3, and most isn't bad in "Just" mode. Anything under channel 6 is terrible. I have most of the settings at zero, except picture at +5, and black level "light". I had it on dark, but couldn't tell what was going on on 24 last night.

I have an old 2 disk Toshiba player I tried this morning through component (wouldn't even accept my DVD+ burn-in disk). Doesn't look too good, but I think I need to manually mess with it's output settings. I don't believe the Toshiba smart enough to output the correct resolution on its own. I think I'm going to try my Panny E80U recorder with it instead, or just go buy the OPPO upconverting unit.

I just printed out the first message of "SA 8300 Tips and Tricks" http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4682052&&#post4682052, and the SA 8300 Set-up Wizard Users Guide from the SA web site (not sure why I didn't get any documention with the box), so I'll be trying a few more things tonight.

Sorry if I wasn't clear guys. The cable box is going to a DVI card in slot 1 and the DVD is going in via component. I was under the impression that component input is analog, not digital, but I could well be wrong about that.

I have an Aspect button as well, but I'm pretty sure you can't fill the screen with a 4:3 image from the TV itself. So, if I set my SA8300HD to do 16:9 wide screen and to sidebar the 4:3, I don't think I can hit Aspect and do Just or Zoom to fill the screen with the 4:3 picture. I will double check this tonight. You can do this with a component connection however.

I know about the Oppo player, but what I want to do is to get a player, try it, and if it's not much better to return it. I guess I could do that, but with mail order it's a bit more of a hassle. Also the Oppo is silver, which I can't stand (cable box ruins my nice black aesthetic :D). They really need to make a black case for it.

600U's are available! Mine is shipping the next couple days - try calling the factory :)

Thanks for the great info

I have a 500U, but the following instructions do not work for me? I am trying to locate the hours of use, but holding down the volume - button on the plasma just lowers the sound and then nothing happens. please advise.

PD50U / PX50U / PX500U.. :


..Hold Down the " Volume (-) " button ON THE PLASMA
..Press the "RECALL" button on the Remote Control 3 times
..Press "1" button twice on the remote to select "OPTION".
..Press and hold the MUTE key on the remote for 3 seconds.

..TIME ...= Hours of Operation (Hex Numbers)
..COUNT = How many times the Plasma was powered on


..Switch off the power to exit the service menu.


Quick tip by jasonbanks to covert the hours in hex to numbers:
In Windows, open CALC (calculator). Click View, and set it to Scientific mode.
Select Hex, enter the number then click Dec.
It will convert it to a number for you.

Got my 42PX60U set-up last night, awesome with SA8300 HD stations! Quick question about "Just" mode. Can that be set as default mode? It's great for watching SD content, but if you turn set off and back on, the SD channels show up as 4:3 (or Full mode). Just mode is almost good enough for all SD and HD content, it actually gets rid of station logo in most cases. Wife hates using 2 remotes, and I want to make sure she watches SD in Just mode during burn-in.

Speaking of remotes... I have the SA-8300 remote programmed for TV and DVD control, and seems to work well with common tasks. Only thing it lacks is the aspect ratio button, is there any way to program a key for that? I tried programming the TV remote to control the STB, but can't even get the program guide to come up, so using the STB remote seems to work best.


I set my SA8300 to passthru--I like letting the panny do the conversions. Have you tried passthru?

42pwd8uk

I set my SA8300 to passthru--I like letting the panny do the conversions. Have you tried passthru?


How do you set the 8300 remote//tv to passthru?

I just got a TH-50PX60U... are there some standards calibration settings out there that I can start with... I searched but was overwhelmed with results that weren't what I was looking for...

I appreciate any feedback or pointers in the right direction

How do you set the 8300 remote//tv to passthru?

You press "settings" twice and scroll down until you see Picture Format, can set Pass-through there.

Hi, all. Need some advice. I have a th-phd8uk. I did something really stupid: hooked up an a/v receiver to the same speakers I have hooked up to the internal built-in amplifier of the plasma. Input was only coming from the a/v receiver, but I heard a pop. I suspect I blew the internal amps in the plasma. Does anyone know if there is an internal fuse that can be replaced or where I can obtain replacement internal amps? Thanks.

Sam

Help for newbie.

Hi All, I have abeen a long tiem reader but have only recently managed to get to a stage when I can take the plunge into a new plasma.
I have the option of either a TH-50PV600M or a TH-50PHD8UK. Commercially they will cost me the same so no headaches there.
Woudl liek to know from al the guru's out ther as to which would be a better buy in terms of PQ. We do not have HD braodcasts here and by the time I get back to Canada, I am sure technology would have moved on quite a bit.
I plan to use the Plasma as my main viewing device but also have a Panasonic PT-AE900 projector mounted in the ceiling for movie nights.
Plasma speakers are not important as I am using a Denon AVR3802 with an Oppo DV971H upconverting DVD player right now with soema great Mirage and Polk Audio speaker sina 7.1 set up.
I am also looking to upgrade to the Denon AVR4306 and the new Oppo D970 player.

Any pointers and help would be greatly appreciated.

Roop

I am thinking of getting 60U or 600U (50"). Does anyone know if Ez sync feature works with non-panasonic A/V system. I have an old Sony HTiB and I would like to postpone purchase of any HTiB.

Or is it really hyped and should not be relied on??

cpcat,

As far as what I am seeing with 720p:

A little less PQ than 1080i but in no way a bad PQ. The HT article implies an SD like image using 720p. (I was just watching a 720p broadcast and it might be on par with 1080i :eek: )
Could you elaborate again about what you are seeing on your px50 and how you have it hooked up?

Edit: I have a 720p shot of FOXHD in my gallery. Is that what you see also?
(I know the settings are off....I was still tweaking).

Your the first person I've come across that prefers 1080i over 720p. You do realize the difference between a progressive scan picture and an interlaced?

with the 60u, should you have the STB set to 1080 or 720?

I have a 8300. Tried setting it to all outputs (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i), then just to 1080i. I saw no difference. I may set it to 720p and 1080i, does no harm leaving it on both.

I have the 8300 HD DVR also with my 42px60u (native 768). When I set the STB to 720, I think there is an overscan issue becuase I see a thin horizontal black and white line sometimes on top of the screen (most noticable on FoxHD). But when I set it to 1080, everything is fine.

Any input?!?

Your the first person I've come across that prefers 1080i over 720p. You do realize the difference between a progressive scan picture and an interlaced?
Actually, I've seen a lot of people who prefer 1080i in various forums. It's one of those things people love to debate. ;)

Me, I'm neutral. Many people can't see much difference. I guess I'm one of them. :o I see a lot more PQ differences from show to show than I do from station to station.

A plasma converts everything to progressive anyway, and previous generations of Panasonics seemed to be optimized for 1080i input. Until the last one, they didn't even accept 720p signals, except through their internal tuner.

I see everything that is SD in the JUST mode and HD fills the screen except some bars on the top and bottom with some movies. ESPN HD will always have the funky side bars. I have the Directv HD STB. I have it set to Native. Call your cable co. to see if there is something to set on the STB.

Got my 42PX60U set-up last night, awesome with SA8300 HD stations! Quick question about "Just" mode. Can that be set as default mode? It's great for watching SD content, but if you turn set off and back on, the SD channels show up as 4:3 (or Full mode). Just mode is almost good enough for all SD and HD content, it actually gets rid of station logo in most cases. Wife hates using 2 remotes, and I want to make sure she watches SD in Just mode during burn-in.

Speaking of remotes... I have the SA-8300 remote programmed for TV and DVD control, and seems to work well with common tasks. Only thing it lacks is the aspect ratio button, is there any way to program a key for that? I tried programming the TV remote to control the STB, but can't even get the program guide to come up, so using the STB remote seems to work best.

Got my 42PX60U set-up last night, awesome with SA8300 HD stations! Quick question about "Just" mode. Can that be set as default mode? It's great for watching SD content, but if you turn set off and back on, the SD channels show up as 4:3 (or Full mode).

My 42PX60U always powers up with the last aspect setting used for SD. If I leave it in JUST mode it stays there. HD always defaults to FULL mode. My understanding is that this is the correct operation of the panel.

Actually, I've seen a lot of people who prefer 1080i in various forums. It's one of those things people love to debate. ;)

Me, I'm neutral. Many people can't see much difference. I guess I'm one of them. :o I see a lot more PQ differences from show to show than I do from station to station.

A plasma converts everything to progressive anyway, and previous generations of Panasonics seemed to be optimized for 1080i input. Until the last one, they didn't even accept 720p signals, except through their internal tuner.


This is what always confuses the heck out of me. I bought the Panny 42 PX50U last year and it was my understanding that it would display a 720p or 1080i source but that it's native resolution was 720p. This would mean the panel would scale from 720p to 1080i when 1080i is selected, or at least as I understood it. I'm not sure it's accurate to say that all plasmas convert everything to progressive scan, if that were the case then why have an 1080i option at all on these sets?

This is what always confuses the heck out of me. I bought the Panny 42 PX50U last year and it was my understanding that it would display a 720p or 1080i source but that it's native resolution was 720p. This would mean the panel would scale from 720p to 1080i when 1080i is selected, or at least as I understood it. I'm not sure it's accurate to say that all plasmas convert everything to progressive scan, if that were the case then why have an 1080i option at all on these sets?
Actually, your Panasonic (and most other plasmas) has a 768p native resolution vertically, and must scale either 1080i or 720p to fit. They don't match. A 720p signal is 720 X 1280 pixels, your 42" set is 768 X 1024. (50" sets are typically 768 X 1366).

Bottom line, Plasmas have to scale signals received in either HD standard. The good news it that they do this very well.

The 1080i option refers to input signals, not display format. Plasmas are natively progressive, so they must convert interlaced signals to progressive before they can be displayed. They convert 480i SD signals to progressive as well.

so MACFAN424, I have the 42px60u. With your assistance what should I set the STB to, 720p or 1080i.

Does no harm setting both (and 480i also). Tv will make it's own mind up and take what it's given.

I tried setting it to both but for some reason on 720p and FoxHD, it doesnt fill the screen in HD. There is a tiny horizontal black and white line on top. Now this only happens on occasion, but only on 720p.

Hi all,
newbie to this forum & plasma. I just set everything up. lower sd channels look really blurry. upper digital channels look ok. I tweaked with all the color settings with no success. Does anyone no of any good setting for right out of the box ? Thanks in advance

so MACFAN424, I have the 42px60u. With your assistance what should I set the STB to, 720p or 1080i...

...I tried setting it to both but for some reason on 720p and FoxHD, it doesnt fill the screen in HD. There is a tiny horizontal black and white line on top. Now this only happens on occasion, but only on 720p.
Sounds like you answered your own question.

I don't know about the 60/600 series, but in the past those Panasonic owners who saw a difference between the 1080i and 720p inputs seemed to favor 1080i. YMMV.

I can't use a "both" option from my STB (D* HD Tivo), but I've used 1080i with excellent results for both formats. I can't see any difference between 1080i via the D* box or the same OTA stations in 720p via the TVs internal tuner.

My guess is that using 1080i would clear up your Fox HD problem, but it could be something in your STB. Does ABC (also 720p) come in without a problem?

The best thing to do is try it both ways. Pick the one that looks best to you. If you don't see any difference, then don't worry about any theoretical advantages one way or the other.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=672072

Hi all,
newbie to this forum & plasma. I just set everything up. lower sd channels look really blurry. upper digital channels look ok. I tweaked with all the color settings with no success. Does anyone no of any good setting for right out of the box ? Thanks in advance

Hi all,
newbie to this forum & plasma. I just set everything up. lower sd channels look really blurry. upper digital channels look ok. I tweaked with all the color settings with no success. Does anyone no of any good setting for right out of the box ? Thanks in advance
Some STBs do a really lousy job of converting SD channels. That might be your problem. I'm assuming your STB is converting SD before it sends it to the set (like my Motorola DCT6412).

Try a test, check your SD channels when connected via S-video. I'll bet they look better.

Actually, your Panasonic (and most other plasmas) has a 768p native resolution vertically, and must scale either 1080i or 720p to fit. They don't match. A 720p signal is 720 X 1280 pixels, your 42" set is 768 X 1024. (50" sets are typically 768 X 1366).

Bottom line, Plasmas have to scale signals received in either HD standard. The good news it that they do this very well.

The 1080i option refers to input signals, not display format. Plasmas are natively progressive, so they must convert interlaced signals to progressive before they can be displayed. They convert 480i SD signals to progressive as well.


Thanks for clearing that up for me. For as much research as I did before I bought the plasma, there are still some things I missed. Case in point, I went through the owners manuel yet again this weekend and found in small print the statement that says the plasma converts all sources to progressive scan, then in the very next line it states 720p sources are scaled to 1080i??????? So obviously the manuel was designed to confuse & contradict. :rolleyes:

...found in small print the statement that says the plasma converts all sources to progressive scan, then in the very next line it states 720p sources are scaled to 1080i??????? So obviously the manuel was designed to confuse & contradict. :rolleyes:
Probably not designed that way, but they succeed at it anyway! :p

I quoted that statement once and ignited a mini flame war, wherein my single digit IQ was commemorated. :D

It's pure speculation, but it does not seem totally illogical that the circuitry might convert all signals to a single format to simplify all the processing that takes place before the final scaling to 768p.

Until last year, Panasonic plasmas did not accept 720p external signals. When they introduced that capability, they may have used some kind of patch, making an internal conversion of 720p to 1080i so the rest of the circuits did not have to be redesigned. That would also explain why many owners have observed that Panasonics still handle 1080i external input a little better than 720p.

I have the 8300 HD DVR also with my 42px60u (native 768). When I set the STB to 720, I think there is an overscan issue becuase I see a thin horizontal black and white line sometimes on top of the screen (most noticable on FoxHD). But when I set it to 1080, everything is fine.

Any input?!?

Hey, I have the same problem using the 8300 HD box! I have a 50px500u and I have a very thin horizontal black line and sometime its breaks in a white dot here and there on top of the screen. It only does this on 720p. On 1080i it works fine. I was thinking if the 60u had the same problem or was it just 500u and lower sets.

Since you claim to have the same problem I'm wondering if the 8300 is having trouble converting it to 720p or is it the plasma? Anyone know if this is the case? Also, anyone have an xbox360 hooked up to their set? If you play it on 720p do you still have the thin horizontal line on top?

Is there a way to see how many hours have been logged on the Panny? I've tried like hell to figure this out - thanks.

I have the xbox360 also, and when I set it to 720p there is no problem. Looks fantastic on both 720 and 1080i.

Head to the panasonic FAQ sticky on this forum, there is a great FAQ site there which has ALL this information for every display.

http://www.bruzzi.ws/plasma-faq/showthread.php?t=81

I have the xbox360 also, and when I set it to 720p there is no problem. Looks fantastic on both 720 and 1080i.

Which model do you have? 42" 50" ? 50u, 500u, 60u? What cables are you using as well (vga or component?) I don't got an xbox360 and planning to purchase one real soon. Want to know what's the best way to hook it up.

I have a somewhat simple question concerning the Panasonic plasmas - commercial vs. consumer. Can the commercial plasmas display closed captioning? I would be connecting to it through a directv receiver.

Many thanks.

42px60u

I have a somewhat simple question concerning the Panasonic plasmas - commercial vs. consumer. Can the commercial plasmas display closed captioning? I would be connecting to it through a directv receiver.

Many thanks.


With D* set-top boxes, you control CC with the box, not on your TV. At least, that's they way it works with my HR-10250. Closed Captions is under Video options on that model as well as the SD Tivo box. Not sure about other boxes.

With D* set-top boxes, you control CC with the box, not on your TV. At least, that's they way it works with my HR-10250. Closed Captions is under Video options on that model as well as the SD Tivo box. Not sure about other boxes.Ah, thanks. That helps. FYI - my current Directivo (SAT-T60) does not have that option on the box - I need to turn CC on with my TV.

Ah, thanks. That helps. FYI - my current Directivo (SAT-T60) does not have that option on the box - I need to turn CC on with my TV.


My 42pwd8uk ( commercial) does not have a tuner--so the STB needs to set CC--. I may be mistaken, but I believe all the commercial units do not come with tuners or speakers.

I have looked around on this forum for what I am about to ask but I couldn't find an answer. I have a Panasonic TH-42PX50U that has an excellent picture when I watch Dish or OTA HD, but when I watch in SD, from the Dish Network, the picture quality is not as good. It kind of looks like it goes in and out of focus, kind of a cloudy diffusion. Is this normal, or is there something I can do to make this better?

Congratulations. You just figured out that SD, with 480 lines of resolution, looks terrible by comparison on a display that has 1024x768 lines of resolution. The display has to make up and stretch some of the image to fill the screen. This is called scaling. Either you can ask your Dish receiver to do the scaling or you can make the display do the scaling. There are certain things you can do with each to make it suit your tastes but everything is a compromise when dealing with an SD program on an HD display.

Thanks billt1111. If I get an ISF calibration would that help. I have tried all of the adjustments that I have on the TV and Dish receiver.

Thanks billt1111. If I get an ISF calibration would that help. I have tried all of the adjustments that I have on the TV and Dish receiver.

Sure it would help, but whether it is worth it depends on whether $300 is a lot of money to you or not.

Things like zoom, stretch, locking the receiver on 1080i, using HDMI or DVI output, and backlighting the display might be cheaper options. They are all work-arounds and compromises for the fact that you are stretching a small image into a fixed pixel display. My personal opinion is that you will eventually give up and stop watching SD programming unless 1) you REALLY want to watch a particular program, 2) you are bored out of your mind, or 3) you wife and kids force you to watch it. :D

I am a D* subscriber. I have had 3 HD receivers in the last 3 years. I got the last one, the H20 with MPEG4, 6 months ago. It was WAY better than the previous two for an SD image. It is almost acceptible by comparison to HD programming or digital OTA (but not quite). I would make sure you have the latest and greatest receiver from Dish at a minimum.

...My personal opinion is that you will eventually give up and stop watching SD programming unless 1) you REALLY want to watch a particular program, 2) you are bored out of your mind, or 3) you wife and kids force you to watch it...
:cool: That seems to be where most people end up, although I can't claim an extensive survey to back up that belief. In my case, it's (1). Fourteen HD channels (Seven OTA, seven satellite) usually can take care of (2) for me and (3) doesn't apply.

You will get a better (sometimes even good) SD picture if you keep it in the original 4:3 rather than stretching it to fill the screen.

Obviously, some SD channels look much better than others, too, especially on DirecTV which seems to apply different rates of compression to different channels. OTA digital SD is generally better, although even there the quality seems to vary from day to day.

I am looking at either the TH-50PHD8UK or it's 42 inch companion.......they are HD720 as opposed to 1080. Would that make any diff as far as piss poor SD vewing goes or is that something else entirely that' y'all are talking about? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff......... :(

:cool: That seems to be where most people end up, although I can't claim an extensive survey to back up that belief. In my case, it's (1). Fourteen HD channels (Seven OTA, seven satellite) usually can take care of (2) for me and (3) doesn't apply.

You will get a better (sometimes even good) SD picture if you keep it in the original 4:3 rather than stretching it to fill the screen.

Obviously, some SD channels look much better than others, too, especially on DirecTV which seems to apply different rates of compression to different channels. OTA digital SD is generally better, although even there the quality seems to vary from day to day.


For me, bad (compressed) HD is WAY better than any SD program. But then that is my opinion.

I am looking at either the TH-50PHD8UK or it's 42 inch companion.......they are HD720 as opposed to 1080. Would that make any diff as far as piss poor SD vewing goes or is that something else entirely that' y'all are talking about? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff......... :(

The 50 PHD has a resolution of 1366 x 768. The 42 PHD is 1024 x 768. SD programming meant for a CRT with 480 lines of resolution will look worse the larger the screen size gets and the closer you sit. If you get the larger 50" you might want to sit 10 or more feet away. Even then the color will be washed out and the picture will not be very sharp.

Let's face it, it is just not high definition. It is not supposed to look good. You can put earrings on a pig to make it look better but it's still a pig. :(

The 50 PHD has a resolution of 1366 x 768. The 42 PHD is 1024 x 768. SD programming meant for a CRT with 480 lines of resolution will look worse the larger the screen size gets and the closer you sit. If you get the larger 50" you might want to sit 10 or more feet away. Even then the color will be washed out and the picture will not be very sharp.

Let's face it, it is just not high definition. It is not supposed to look good. You can put earrings on a pig to make it look better but it's still a pig. :(
Well that bites!!!!

I currently have a 1998 Mitsu 60" projection TV and (obviously) no HD equip....but D* is/was running a bitchin special on install, free equip (incl HD Tivo DVR) for existing NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers, which I am......makes me wanna buy an HD TV just to get that free stuff. ;) Plus I am sure at some point this TV has to stop working...........almost 8 yrs old and I am using it ALLLLL the time. Still going strong though, surprisingly..........<knocks on wood>

The distance from the screen isn't an issue, I sit a good 12 feet away from my 60" as it is............just only have so many channels in HD available right now (if I get the HD upgrade)......so a decent chunk of my viewing will have to be SD for the time being. :(

I keep looking at the 42" TVs and thinking.....My GOD these are tiny. All these years with a giant projection TV have ruined me. :(

I currently have a 1998 Mitsu 60" projection TV and (obviously) no HD equip....but D* is/was running a bitchin special on install, free equip (incl HD Tivo DVR) for existing NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers, which I am......makes me wanna buy an HD TV just to get that free stuff. ;) Plus I am sure at some point this TV has to stop working...........almost 8 yrs old and I am using it ALLLLL the time. Still going strong though, surprisingly..........<knocks on wood>

The distance from the screen isn't an issue, I sit a good 12 feet away from my 60" as it is............just only have so many channels in HD available right now (if I get the HD upgrade)......so a decent chunk of my viewing will have to be SD for the time being. :(

I keep looking at the 42" TVs and thinking.....My GOD these are tiny. All these years with a giant projection TV have ruined me. :(

I think you are misunderstanding the issue. Your 1998 Mits 60" also looks terrible. You just don't know it because that is all you look at. The 50" HD Panny plasma is an AWESOME display. I have an older 6UY 42" model. HD programming and HD NFLST will looks spectacular on it. The problem is that by COMPARISON to HD on this set your SD programming will look like crap. The only reason you will notice the disaster that is SD is because you now can see just how perfect an image can look.

Pull the trigger and go for it. Keeping yourself in the dark for fear of the light is not justification for never opening the door and stepping outside. The contrast between HD and SD PQ only serves to remind us every day how much better we all are with HD.

I am looking at either the TH-50PHD8UK or it's 42 inch companion.......they are HD720 as opposed to 1080. Would that make any diff as far as piss poor SD vewing goes or is that something else entirely that' y'all are talking about? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff......... :(
Virtually all affordable HD plasmas are 720 (768, actually), so no, it wouldn't make any difference as far as this discussion goes. A 42" tends to look a little better on SD than a 50", but only because it is smaller, so the flaws are a little less obvious.

Different sets handle SD more or less well, but which does it best is debatable. You can check various reviews to get some clue, but it seems everyone has a different opinion. Some people are well satisfied with SD picture quality, others can barely tolerate it. In the end, you'll have to look at some sets yourself and make your own judgement.

For me, bad (compressed) HD is WAY better than any SD program. But then that is my opinion.
Mine, too. That's why I watch HD at least 80% of the time.

However, sometimes I get digital SD OTA that looks pretty good if I leave the aspect ratio alone. No doubt it helps that I view it upconverted by my D* HR10-250 receiver to 1080i, which fools the TV into giving the picture the richer HD color palate.

Mine, too. That's why I watch HD at least 80% of the time.

However, sometimes I get digital SD OTA that looks pretty good if I leave the aspect ratio alone. No doubt it helps that I view it upconverted by my D* HR10-250 receiver to 1080i, which fools the TV into giving the picture the richer HD color palate.

I "lock" my D* H20 HD receiver on 1080i as well. My SD programming is sent to my 42" HD Panny as 1080i. The scaling is done in the H20 receiver, not the Panny. It is another one of those "tricks" a viewer can do to minimize the SD effect. For me, the H20 makes all the difference. When I tried the same thing in my Samsung 360 HD receiver the result was terrible and I went back to "native" mode.

Wow, I was ready to pull the trigger on the Panasonic 42PD60U but all of this talk about SD viewing being so bad has me thinking twice. I won't have HD signals available to me for several years due to my apartment situation but I want to upgrade from my 32" Sony CRT. My viewing distance is from 6-9 feet.

Price point is $1500 for a display. I love letterboxed DVD movies but my display will primarily be for SD on Dish Network. Does anybody actually like SD on a Panasonic EDTV display?

Any help on how SD looks would be appreciated as the stores only show you HD sources.

Thanks,
Dave

I think you are misunderstanding the issue. Your 1998 Mits 60" also looks terrible. You just don't know it because that is all you look at. The 50" HD Panny plasma is an AWESOME display. I have an older 6UY 42" model. HD programming and HD NFLST will looks spectacular on it. The problem is that by COMPARISON to HD on this set your SD programming will look like crap. The only reason you will notice the disaster that is SD is because you now can see just how perfect an image can look.

Pull the trigger and go for it. Keeping yourself in the dark for fear of the light is not justification for never opening the door and stepping outside. The contrast between HD and SD PQ only serves to remind us every day how much better we all are with HD.
And I think you are misunderstanding me ENIRELY!!! While I appreciate some of what you said, some of it was uncalled for. My TV does NOT look terrible. Is it as good as a $3k HD tv? Of course not, it is over 7 yrs old and not HD. However the picture is amazing for what it is and considering I don't currently have an HD receiver or dish, and let's not forget that in my area, HD signal is only available via an EXTRA antenna according to D*

I am not "keeping myself in the dark for fear of blah blah blah" I am trying to make an educated decision based on a special D* is offering........and my main question was that if the SD channels are so bad on an HD tv, why would I want to spend 3 grand to upgrade to an HDTV currently when I can continue to use my perfectly good projection tv until better channels/signls/etc are made available in my area?

And I have seen many diff brands/models/styles of HDTVs on displays at various stores.......some of them are not as good as my current TV's.......The Panny I have heard tremendous things about, just don't know if it is worth it considering ALL the circumstances here.

Wow, I was ready to pull the trigger on the Panasonic 42PD60U but all of this talk about SD viewing being so bad has me thinking twice. I won't have HD signals available to me for several years due to my apartment situation but I want to upgrade from my 32" Sony CRT. My viewing distance is from 6-9 feet.

Price point is $1500 for a display. I love letterboxed DVD movies but my display will primarily be for SD on Dish Network. Does anybody actually like SD on a Panasonic EDTV display?

Any help on how SD looks would be appreciated as the stores only show you HD sources.

Thanks,
Dave
I went from a 32" Sony CRT to a 42" Panasonic plasma, and I view from about 9 feet.

I can tell you that you'll love DVD's on the Panasonic. No comparison with the 32" CRT there, if for no other reason than the much larger image.

On the other hand, SD broadcasts are a mixed bag. As I mentioned previously, some of them look quite good. Others are pretty bad, even OTA. I have had no experience with Dish, but DirecTV signals are even more variable. The premium channels and a few others look pretty good. Many others (e.g. Sci-Fi, Comedy Central, etc.) are, uh... disappointing :rolleyes:, although they seem to have gotten better in the past year (or maybe I've just become used to them).

Overall, I'd say my old 32" Sony has the edge on SD broadcasts, in part because the image is a little smaller. (42" 16:9 plasma is equal vertically to 34" 4:3.) In addition, Digital TV's don't seem to be as tolerant of flaws in source material as the older analog sets were.

The problem with my observation is that I have access to and watch a lot of HD, so SD suffers greatly by comparison. I'm not sure that it looks so bad when not compared to HD. A lot of people report being pleasantly surprised by SD PQ on their plasmas.

For what it's worth, conventional wisdom is that EDTVs handle SD better than HDTVs. I'm not convinced that is as true now as it was a few years ago, but they certainly will be at least as good.

Just one person's experience, of course, and, as usual, YMMV.

Thanks to everyone. especially Macfan424 for comments in this thread. I have ordered a Panasonic 42PD60U at a price that I can afford at this time. Maybe several years down the road it will be in the bedroom when I step up to full HD at maybe the same price. ;)
Dave

Ok, I am new here and need 5 posts before I can post a link :(

Received my Panasonic 42PD60U today. Great service, no tax or delivery charge from a company with a 6 letter name that breaks down into 2 words. Guess I can't say the name of the company. Their delivery was exactly during time frame they stated. Brought it to my door and I lugged it inside, put the stand on it, dialed settings down and ran the burn in DVD mentioned on this site.

Thanks to all the informative posts here.

Dave

Received my Panasonic 42PD60U today. Great service, no tax or delivery charge from a company with a 6 letter name that breaks down into 2 words. Guess I can't say the name of the company. Their delivery was exactly during time frame they stated. Brought it to my door and I lugged it inside, put the stand on it, dialed settings down and ran the burn in DVD mentioned on this site.

Thanks to all the informative posts here.

Dave
Burn in DVD? Which one is that/why/what the heck? I am new to this if you could help me out. :)

Hi, I've got a general question on plasmas and 1080p. Thanks in advance for any help. :)


Is there or if not will there ever be 42" 1080p plasma sets...?


All the ones I've seen are 50"+ and so. Anything bigger than 42 is too big for me but I want a plasma and it seems there's some weird problem with pixel size or whatever, barely any plasmas are under 40" and the higher the res usually the bigger the size.. :confused:

Hi, I've got a general question on plasmas and 1080p. Thanks in advance for any help. :)


Is there or if not will there ever be 42" 1080p plasma sets...?


All the ones I've seen are 50"+ and so. Anything bigger than 42 is too big for me but I want a plasma and it seems there's some weird problem with pixel size or whatever, barely any plasmas are under 40" and the higher the res usually the bigger the size.. :confused:



Fujitsu/Hitachi will ...

http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/news/pr/fme_20060105.html

.

Burn in DVD? Which one is that/why/what the heck? I am new to this if you could help me out. :)
The file I downloaded can be found here (http://www.eaprogramming.com/) Select "Downloads" and then select your Plasma Break-in DVD download link. I selected the NRG Download and after the download completed it started Nero (if you have it) and that burned my DVD which runs for about 30 minutes and then auto starts again.

Another one I have found in the Plasma & Panasonic FAQ Sticky thread in this forum is here (http://www.dvdshrink.info/goodies.php#run-in)

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks Double D (salutes) I appreciate the assist. :D

Right now with my 1998 RCA 52" Projection TV, my HD STB Digital Audio Out is connected to my AVR. But I just bought the TH-50PX60U and I see it has a Digital Audio Out.

Which one do I use? I'd prefer to use the HD-STB Digital Audio Out mainly cause I don't know if the Coax will reach the Plasma on the wall.

Also, Now that I have a TV with HDMI, I thought it would be right to use the HDMI out of the STB, but if I'm going to use the STB Digital Audio Out, why not just stick with my STB Component out. Except for HDMI being less clutter, why should I use HDMI actually?

TIA

HDMI is digital. Component is analog.

Right now with my 1998 RCA 52" Projection TV, my HD STB Digital Audio Out is connected to my AVR. But I just bought the TH-50PX60U and I see it has a Digital Audio Out.

Which one do I use? I'd prefer to use the HD-STB Digital Audio Out mainly cause I don't know if the Coax will reach the Plasma on the wall.

Also, Now that I have a TV with HDMI, I thought it would be right to use the HDMI out of the STB, but if I'm going to use the STB Digital Audio Out, why not just stick with my STB Component out. Except for HDMI being less clutter, why should I use HDMI actually?

TIA

1. continue to use the digital audio out from the set top box to your AVR (I don't believe the digital audio out will work from the TV, unless the TV tuner is directly receiving the signal (via a cable card, or over the air, or directly attached cable). Make sure to turn off the TVs speakers, as you are using the speakers attached to your AVR.

Regardless, there is no reason to go out from the TV for sound when using a cable box with an AVR.

2. There isn't a huge benefit to HDMI from the cable box to the TV over component -- but in theory in should be a better picture (pure digital). In practice, few can tell the difference. I would use it, unless you don't want to buy an HDMI cable.

You could stick with your component out though, if you wanted to. You wouldn't really lose much.

Thanks caesar1. Saved me a call to Panasonic.

I'll go with the HDMI over component ( 1 cable vs. three).

Just Got a samsung hps5053 two weeks ago. The PQ is very good. No dead pixels. But out of the box I noticed a buzzing on the upper right corner in the back. I called samsung and they had a tech visit my home last Fri. He replaced the x board and the buzzing was reduced. Now there is a slight buzzing in the middle back . Its not as loud as before. If I turn on the set and put it on mute and sit about 8-10ft I can hear it slightly. If I go in back of the set it is more noticeable. At volume 40 I don't hear the buzzing anymore when program volume is minimal(2 people talking). Can you guys tell me if this is normal? When I go to BB/CC/frys I can't tell because all the sets are on. But I can't here the buzzing/humming. Can anyone here with a 5053 tell me if this is normal with this set. I setup another appointment for the service tech for next week and if he can't fix it . I've have to get it replaced with a new set(less than 30days). The PQ on this set is very good and I really don't want to get a new one if this is a normal thing with this set. Any help would be appreciated. Is this normal for all plasmas? or just this set? I live in LA so I'm not above 6.5k ft. I don't know why its buzzing/humming? Thanks for the help.

Settings and Changes
Hey Maybe it is me and the effect that the 50px600u is having on me, but I have noticed something, and need to know if it has happened to anyone else.

Got the unit a few days ago and have been leaving it on about 15 hours a day on with stations that do not have a logo visible on the screen. I check it regularly to avoid any potential burnin. Believe it or not there is a channel NBC NY 4-4 that usually does not have the logo. :cool:

When it does, I search for a new one. The station repeats several shows throughout the day so that I recognize ones that must be changed immediately or not to worry. :D

Yes in the evening, that can be come a bit difficult, but since those stations are not watched too long and I change channels at commercials, IR possibilities are greatly reduced.
Occasionally I will watch a show in HD (1080) if it comes in on its own HD subchannel and it is a full screen version without the gray side bars so that the image covers the entire screen. I am not changing the upscaling to 1080, but the "Info" button gives me that info.


My settings are:
Picture - Standard (not vivid or cimema)
all at zero except for sharpness, which is 4;
Picture set to normal
Aspect set to Just
Input set at 480

Here is the question of the moment:
Over the past two days, I have noticed a definite increase in the unit's clarity/image/sharpness/color contrast and the like. I have NOT changed the settings, nor have I intentionally sought to up the reception. Has any one else noticed their set increase in reception during the break in period from the washed out first day to a 'wow' (at least for me) while still keeping everything so low --as in zeros--?

Am I missing something?
Am I doing something wrong without realizing it?
Is this one the benefits that a proper break in will do?
Or,
Am I just falling more and more in love with this unit so that it just gets better and better in my mind?

Thoughts and related experiences would be appreciated.
..Mark

Hello, I have the Panasonic TH-42PX500U and I have had it since last december. I really love the set - but I am starting to notice something that has just happened recently. It seems that for some reason, still images (station logos, video game HUDS, etc) are "staying" on the screen, even after I change the channel or turn off the source material. The set never used to have this problem and I wanted to know if anyone else has seen similar behavior after about 9 months of use, or if I should call panasonic about this?

Any tips would be great.

Thanks!
Andrew

Bruzzi,
was a long time not in your thread.
Anyway i'm back with the factory menue access for German/ European TH-42PX62E (my new baby):
1. adjust at the audio-menü bass to maximum and treble to minimum

2. Press simultanious the button -/v at the front of the unit and index on the remote.

3. Service-Menü appears on screen

-the options will be choosed by the red and green buttons on the remote
-the values are changed with the yellow and blue buttons on the remote

Att a first glance i can do the color balancing have to go deaper in the thread what all the termina in the menues are meaning, i also have to find out how to store there.

Best
Armin

Does anyone know if decrete buttons (e.g. AspectZoom, AspectFull etc on Harmony, or descrete codes mentioned in FAQ site) for Aspect work on consumer model like 42PD50U? My Harmony has them but it does not have any effect.. not sure if Harmony is not programed correctly or TV does not notice them.

thanks.

Hey there,

I just got my Panasonic TH42PX60 and everything is going well, kind of. I have all the brightness, contrast, picture settings lowered and have used it for about 20 hours so far and plan to keep it that way for the first 100 hours.

My concern is that when I'm viewing standard definition, I see three vertical lines on the right of my panel that seem to distort/blur the picture. The line at the very right will blur the picture the most, then the 2 to the left slowly fading away. I have played video games slightly during the 20 hours I've been using it, but nothing with a stationary health bar or anything like that (mostly the nhl 07 demo for 360 actually, highly recommend it).

At first I thought it was something wrong with the panel, but it ONLY happens when I'm viewing the cable picture, NOT a video game. I haven't had time to go get my HD Cable box/receiver yet, so I currently have the cable from the Standard Def cable box going straight into the cable input for the tv (round thing you screw onyo, hole in it).

I plan on getting my HD box soon and will use component/hdmi hookups, will this get rid of the problem? Is it only behaving like this because of the crappy way I'm using a higher end tv?

Any info will help, thank you very much!

Dave

Hey there,

it ONLY happens when I'm viewing the cable picture, NOT a video game. I haven't had time to go get my HD Cable box/receiver yet, so I currently have the cable from the Standard Def cable box going straight into the cable input for the tv (round thing you screw onyo, hole in it).

I plan on getting my HD box soon and will use component/hdmi hookups, will this get rid of the problem? Is it only behaving like this because of the crappy way I'm using a higher end tv?

Any info will help, thank you very much!

Dave

Are you in an area where you can pick up Over-the-air (OTA) digital signals, vs. using the cable box? You would need to connect a UHF antenna to pick up most of these signals and then run the Channel Programming function (via the setup menu). That way, you can compare the picture quality with what you get on those channels.

Additionally, you can try the Component outputs of the cable box (if there are any).

Are you in an area where you can pick up Over-the-air (OTA) digital signals, vs. using the cable box? You would need to connect a UHF antenna to pick up most of these signals and then run the Channel Programming function (via the setup menu). That way, you can compare the picture quality with what you get on those channels.

Additionally, you can try the Component outputs of the cable box (if there are any).

Thanks! As per your suggestion, I knew I didn't have component cables, but decided to look behind the cable box anyway, and it supported typical video output (red white yellow, whatever it's called...). I detached my girlfriend's dvd player from our other tv for her trusty cables, and hooked the cable box up this way.

Success! Those 3 white blur lines are gone, I guess I can just assume that I have a faulty cable or something going from the cable box to tv?

One problem: Buzzing sound if I hook it up this way if I have the tv volume turned up and the cable box volume at about medium. I currently have the cable box volume cranked and the tv volume very low to get around this. Not too worried about this problem as I'm fairly sure the HD box is going to solve all the problems since my xbox sound works fine, but any suggestion for this until I get that HD box?

Very glad joined this forum, thanks a lot for your suggestion Slikkster (I realize I'm a noob).

Dave :)

Everyone's a noob at some point. All of life is learning. No one's born with the knowledge (although some think they are, lol).

Sounds like you were getting some radio frequency (RF) interference on the cable coax connector on your set. Could have been caused by any number of things...a bad (or cheapo) length of coax cable, poor connections, something spewing RF emissions right near your set, etc.

As for your the buzz...I always keep my cable box volume at maximum, and adjust volume through the set. Otherwise, you might get noise from the TV's own sound amplifiers if the incoming signal isn't high enough. That's been my experience. I personally think the cable box volume "maximum" is a standard output level, and anything other than that is an "attenuated" level. Could be wrong about that, but it's been my experience with my Scientific Atlanta cable boxes.

Anyone know if the new TH-65PX600U will have HDMI 1.3 when introduced?

Also, anyone know when it will be available in the US (for real, not just e-tailers that don't really have it)?

[QUOTE=av newbee]Anyone know if the new TH-65PX600U will have HDMI 1.3 when introduced?

Yes, NO.

I can not upgrade my 60U plasma to 1.04. The file is not recognized. I have a sandisk 256 mb sd card properly formatted. I do not have a digital camera that uses tis card so I can not check out the card with jpeg files. I have never updated this set before. It was bought in May.

Also the +vol remote and on the set does not give me any bios info. The service aceess does work however. Is the bios info accessible from the service menu?

Do I need to go to 1.02 first? Is sandisk the wrong manufacture for the card?
Please help.

Thanks!

Joel

what is hdmi 1.3?

As opposed to all the info I've read up until now, apparently it IS possible to adjust the color temperature on the 42PD50U! I read over at Keohi that Gregg Loewen (Lion AV Consultants) discovered that you must use a special service remote control.

I can not upgrade my 60U plasma to 1.04. The file is not recognized. I have a sandisk 256 mb sd card properly formatted. I do not have a digital camera that uses tis card so I can not check out the card with jpeg files. I have never updated this set before. It was bought in May.

Also the +vol remote and on the set does not give me any bios info. The service aceess does work however. Is the bios info accessible from the service menu?

Do I need to go to 1.02 first? Is sandisk the wrong manufacture for the card?
Please help.

Thanks! Joel
Joel, if you're still wanting to know, BruZZi (http://www.bruzzi.ws/plasma-faq/index.php)has a great Panasonic plasma faq and firmware download instructions. Ensure that you reformat the SD with the latest Pan format file, also on the linked Pan site.

The v1.04 update should have all the updates so far, without first loading v1.02.

Your SD card ought to work, if not then this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134079) general purpose reader & card works in my 60U.

Don't know about a Pan plasma BIOS, I only deal with my computers bios'es.

what is hdmi 1.3?
Hiya' yungintl, Google (http://toolbar.google.com/T4/index_xp.html) is your friend :)

HDMI v1.3 overview (http://www.hdmi.org/press/pr/pr_20060622.asp)

I got a sd card with the update from Panasonic. The card still would not read. I have one of the 1st 60U's (version 1.00 for every thing). Is there a way to do an upgrade wtihout having access to the SD input? I so not use the SD reader. That is why I only found out it did not work until now (until I needed an upgrade.

Can Panny service do an inhouse fix of the card reader? I really do not want to have to send the TV out for a few weeks.

Joel

Does the 42PD50U have any firmware updates?

Does the 42PD50U have any firmware updates?
Yes, v1.27 tuner update
http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.com/SpecialApplications/ProductFirmwareDownloads/downloads1.asp

I'm looking to buy a 50inch plasma and I'm currently considering two models. A Hitachi 50HDA39, and a Toshiba 50HP86. My store of choice is BestBuy Canada (I'm in Canada). The 50 inch models that they carry and that fit my budget include:
HP model PL5060N
Prima model PH50T18
Hitachi model 50HDA39
Toshiba model 50HP86
LG model 50PC3D

I've read as many reviews online as I can, and seen them all in the stores. From a name brand perspective, I understand that Hitachi should be the leader followed possibly by Toshiba and HP. But there are almost no online reviews of these specific models. What I'm looking for is any information that might not be widely known, such as, "that model hitachi uses a lower quality screen with a lower contrast ratio", or "that model toshiba has countless reliability issues", etc..

Thank you for any comments or insights on these models.

Will the new Panasonic firmware 1.25 include all of the 1.04 updates?

I've tried searching for this, but can't find the answer.... so I apologize if this has been covered:

I'm trying to help my girlfriend's granddad set up his new Panasonic Plasma tv (I think it's a 40" or 42" model, but not sure of the model number). He has it hooked up to a Scientific Atlanta 3250HD box through component and set to '1080i'. The issue I'm having trouble with is that all channels are being displayed with gray bars on the top and bottom as if the picture was 2.35:1 source video. It's in 'Full' mode and even the HD channels are stretched horizontally.

I've looked at the insctruction manual and it looks as if you should be able to go to 'Zoom Adjust' in the picture settings and stretch it back to fill the screen. However, 'Zoom Adjust' is grayed out and not selectable. Plus, I'm not sure if this would even affect the 'Full' mode anyways.

Anyone had this issue before?

More newby than I ever knew here. lol
My In Laws bought a Panny Plasma 42" 60U last Sat. When delivered they found out it had only one antenna input even though told at BB that it had two. There were many other mis-speaks?? also. Having said that, they would probably be ok if there was a way to input OTA coax and Cable coax so they could have an on screen guide other than the standard cable guide. Their cable co does not have STBs, Cable cards, HD, or any other typical cable company service. They will get their locals OTA if they can figure out how. It has to be simple for them.
TIA

I've tried searching for this, but can't find the answer.... so I apologize if this has been covered:

I'm trying to help my girlfriend's granddad set up his new Panasonic Plasma tv (I think it's a 40" or 42" model, but not sure of the model number). He has it hooked up to a Scientific Atlanta 3250HD box through component and set to '1080i'. The issue I'm having trouble with is that all channels are being displayed with gray bars on the top and bottom as if the picture was 2.35:1 source video. It's in 'Full' mode and even the HD channels are stretched horizontally.

I've looked at the insctruction manual and it looks as if you should be able to go to 'Zoom Adjust' in the picture settings and stretch it back to fill the screen. However, 'Zoom Adjust' is grayed out and not selectable. Plus, I'm not sure if this would even affect the 'Full' mode anyways.

Anyone had this issue before?

By sending the TV only a high def signal, (1080i) from your cable box, the TV will lock into Full Mode, and you won't be able to change the aspect ratio. You need to send the TV a max 480p signal for SD channels if you want aspect control. This set-up is in the Sci-Atl box set-up menu. Your cable box allows for multiple signal types, based on the source feed signal type. Your problem lies in your cablebox set-up, not the TV.

do a search for Your Sci-Atl 3250HD, and you will find a link to the set-up instructions for your cablebox.

Looking for comments on your experiences with component and hdmi cables............
Have a 42PX600U and SA8300 STB. Originally set up with component, then thought I would try HDMI. Results are edges are slightly sharper, images are slightly smoother, and colors are slightly flatter (a little washed). What are your experiences? I am considering going back to component to get the more vibrant color. Comments?

I know I'm close to 100 hours on my TH-58PX600U, but I forget how to check it. Search finds a lot of references to Bruzzi's site, but it seems to be down. I remember you hold the volume down on your TV then press a button on the remote three times. Would someone post complete directions? I also remember the TV displays hours in hex.

I know I'm close to 100 hours on my TH-58PX600U, but I forget how to check it. Search finds a lot of references to Bruzzi's site, but it seems to be down. I remember you hold the volume down on your TV then press a button on the remote three times. Would someone post complete directions? I also remember the TV displays hours in hex.

The first post of this thread contains thousands of tip, tricks, and facts. This is one of them.

http://bruzzi.ws/vbforum/showthread.php?t=18

Here is another about the service menu.

http://bruzzi.ws/vbforum/showthread.php?t=19

Here is the parent URL.

http://bruzzi.ws/vbforum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

I know I'm close to 100 hours on my TH-58PX600U, but I forget how to check it. Search finds a lot of references to Bruzzi's site, but it seems to be down.


Sorry, I actually had to delete all info :( and reinstall the software on a different directory ( "vbforum" ) because of issues I was having with my Webhost.

I just changed the redirect so the "bruzzi.ws" will take you straight to the new url of the FAQ -> "bruzzi.ws/vbforum" .

:)

Thanks guys. I had just let my whiney operating system download IE7 and thought I had a setting wrong with accessing bruzzi.ws.

Has anyone gotten this to work on the 50px60u unit? I have tried several times and can't get it to work. Anyone figure it out?

PD60U / PX60U / PX600U.. :

* ..Hold Down the " Volume (-) " button ON THE PLASMA
* ..Press the "RECALL" button on the Remote Control 3 times
* ..Use the "1" or "2" buttons on the remote to go up/down and select "OPTION".
* ..Press and hold the MUTE key on the remote for 3 seconds.
..TIME ...= Hours of Operation (Hex Numbers)
..COUNT = How many times the Plasma was powered on
* ..Switch off the power to exit the service menu.

Has anyone gotten this to work on the 50px60u unit? I have tried several times and can't get it to work. Anyone figure it out?


Make sure to press the {Volume -} button ON THE PLASMA DISPLAY (not the remote).


.

I have but still no luck.

I noticed a TH-42PX600U in the store a few days ago that had a strange defect. It's the same model I have at home, and it was right next to the new Pioneer 42-inch panel, so I wanted to compare them - but the color on the Panasonic was too green. When I tried to adjust it, I found that it was having trouble displaying the menu. It would take 2 or 3 pushes of the Menu button (on the remote or the front panel), and sometimes it would take 10 or 15 seconds to respond. About half the time the menu appeared as a blank box. The video picture continued normally throughout. Anyone seen this symptom before?

I have but still no luck.

It should work.

Make sure to point the remote control straight to the Plasma TV.

.

Hello everyone,

I notice that my TH-42PV500H flickers once in a while, approx. 1 flicker per 10 minutes in average. Sometimes I do see red colour flicker too... :eek:

The manual said 'If a static electricity discharge occurs inside the front cover, the screen may momentarity flicker. This is not a malfunction.' Is this what had happened? It is quite annoying because it does happens regularly. :mad:

Any comments are welcome. Thanks. :)

See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=747984

We have a Panasonic 37PWD which is about 6 months old and is in a playroom that we use intermittently. We are having the floors in our family room redone, so we have been watching this 37PWD lately.
What I've noticed is that after 15-20 minutes of watching it, there will be a high pitched buzz so loud that you can hear it above the TV show.
If I turn off the video feed (through the vcr) and then turn the feed back on, the buzz pretty much goes away.
So far, it has happened twice. Has anyone else had this issue? Is it worth sending it to a repair facility?
I noticed last night when TV started to buzz....It normally is inaudible from about 6-8 feet away, but every once in a while, it gets loud enough to drown out moderate volume on TV. it tends to do it when screen is brighter/whiter, but not always.. I walked over to TV, and it was coming from behind the set (not speakers). I gave it a light tap on the top of the set, and the buzzing stopped immediately. Any ideas?

Transformer buzz. Common in devices that use high-voltage transformers, including plasma TVs. The 60Hz alternating magnetic field is strong enough to vibrate the transformer slightly, including the surface that it's mounted on. It will vary with temperature and slight movements of the TV which change the mechanical pressure on the transformer mounting, and with the amount of current going through the transformer (e.g., when the screen changes from dark to bright). You may be able to minimize it by shifting the position or mounting of the TV, but you'd probably have to get inside to do something with the transformer mounting.

so it's really not a defect then?

so it's really not a defect then?

Defect is in the ear of the beholder (to mangle a saying). If you find it excessive, don't hestitate to ask for service. Panasonic may say that it's not a defect and it doesn't warrant repair or replacement.

Hello all.

First and formost, I want to thank all of you for your assistance in helping me choose between proj vs flat panel, lcd vs plasma, 40" vs 50" vs 65", hdmi vs composite, sams club vs. costco, BB, CC, HH Gregg, panisonic vs samsung vs Visio, deep blacks vs grays, pixel shifting, image retention, HD DVD vs. Blu Ray, SD cards, Cable Cards, lol, etc., the list goes on and on.

Yesterday, I purchased my first flat panel PLASMA TV! I bought a Panisonic TH-50PX6U from Sams Club. After putting it on the pedistal, I hooked up the cable, scanned the stations, OTA also, and saw what I saw in the stores in my house...only better!

First, that was all to setting it up! Yes, I did tweek the contrast, brightness, and picture so as to not deal with burn in the first 100 hours+. Second, an optical cable to the receiver gave me digital output and sound in 5.1 (yes the receiver has 5.1, dts, etc). Third, Sams said that if the price changes at all in the next 30-45 days, I can get a rebate! They said that if I am ever dissatisfied wwith the set, to just bring it back (with the receipt and remote) and they would make sure I am satisfied. Fourth, I had 4 friends stop by to "check it out" yesterday and all were amazed, and I am "hosting" the football game (IN HD!!!!!!) today. GO COLTS!!!!!

As you can tell, I am new to this, but as it appears, I love the new PLASMA. It is truely the way to go (IMHO).

Again, I cannot express my appreciation to all on this forum for your thoughts, ideas, experiences, opinions, etc. If I can be of assistance to any other "newbies" or anyone else, please let me know. I will be a regular member here on the forum.

Thanks Again,
Pez

Congratulations Pez!

I have the 50U series Panasonic, and it's fantastic for PQ.

You might want to consider getting the set ISF calibrated, as you'll have an even better picture afterwards. It is about $400, but for me it was money well spent. Everyone that sees my Panny marvels at the PQ, even people that have HDTV's!

Here's a site about ISF calibrating, in case you're interested:

http://www.isftv.com

No matter what, though, you've made a great choice with that Panasonic. Good luck with it!

Thanks Slikkster,

I appreciate the website. I think I still have wait till it hits 100 hours! After that, I will get it calibrated.

Pez

HD quality is great, but on long distance shots the reds come out flickering...anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

Great post. Lots of useful information. thanks. :)

Is Bruzzi's site down for good? Can't get to it

Guys,

I'm wondering what you have your HD input set at for your Panny Plasmas. I have the 50-8uk and 42-60u. I have D*tv HD Tivo for both plasmas and I know the native res for both sets is 720 and the HD tivo is set to output at 720. However, I was tinkering around last night and set the HD tivo to 1080i and the picture was better. Now I start to wonder if I should run everything at 1080i (xbox 360, upconvert DVD) and let the plasmas downscale them?

Just curious.

Thanks

Guys,

I'm wondering what you have your HD input set at for your Panny Plasmas. I have the 50-8uk and 42-60u. I have D*tv HD Tivo for both plasmas and I know the native res for both sets is 720. However, I was tinkering around last night and set the HD tivo to 1080i and the picture was better. Know I start to wonder if I should run everything at 1080i (xbox 360, upconvert DVD) and let the plasmas downscale them?

I have the Industrial 42PHD6UY from 2004. It DEFINITELY looks better with 1080i, particularly on OTA CBS sports presentations.

I have the Industrial 42PHD6UY from 2004. It DEFINITELY looks better with 1080i, particularly on OTA CBS sports presentations.

Thanks, any other opinions?

Is Bruzzi's site down for good? Can't get to it


Nooooooo. :D



There was a problem with the Server (Hard Drive Controller) where my webpage is hosted. The site's back to normal. :)



.

Guys,

I'm wondering what you have your HD input set at for your Panny Plasmas. I have the 50-8uk and 42-60u. I have D*tv HD Tivo for both plasmas and I know the native res for both sets is 720 ...


They are actually 768 not 720. You should set whatever resolution looks better with your set up. When I had Time Warner Cable with Motorola HD STB, 1080i looked better on most channels.

Guys,

I'm wondering what you have your HD input set at for your Panny Plasmas...I was tinkering around last night and set the HD tivo to 1080i and the picture was better...
This has come up from time to time in the past, and the consensus always seems to be that Panasonic plasmas usually look best with 1080i input. Even their ED models do.

This has come up from time to time in the past, and the consensus always seems to be that Panasonic plasmas usually look best with 1080i input. Even their ED models do.

Thanks. I'll set everything to 1080i and sit back and enjoy!

Is http://bruzzi.ws/ down?

Is http://bruzzi.ws/ down?

Right now it is. I can ping the site but the web server application is not running.

Right now it is. I can ping the site but the web server application is not running.

Thanks, I'll check back later when its back up.

Right now it is. I can ping the site but the web server application is not running.


Sorry guys, I have no idea what's going on this time.

I had an issue that made me reinstall the software again in a different directory. Then the Server crashed. Few days ago the hard driver's controller went bad. And now a suspended page. WTF???

My page went down last night around 9:30pm and I still don't have an answer from my Webhost on what's wrong with it.

I'm looking for another host as I can rely on TotalChoice anymore. :mad: :mad: :mad:

If you guys are looking for something found in the FAQ, please let me know as I have a copy of all topics and can send the info via PM to you.

Regards,

Bruzzi

Thanks BruZZi, your site has loads of info for me/us, gl with the host hunt.

Thanks BruZZi! I was going to check the faq to see if there were any instructions on cablecard for the PX600U.

I'm actually having trouble accessing the service menu (just want to know how many hours it's been running). Your instructions say to hold V- on the TV and press RECALL on the remote 3 times, but..... there is no RECALL button on the remote :D

I'm in Australia so maybe that has something to do with it :)

Any idea how I can get in there?

If you guys are looking for something found in the FAQ, please let me know as I have a copy of all topics and can send the info via PM to you.

Regards,

Bruzzi

Too bad the FAQ links are down as I am a newbie in search of information. If you get a chance any of the newbie FAQ's would be appreciated, especially LCD vs, Plasma

Thanks!

bhightwr a t aol d o t com
(url restriction for less than 5 posts)

[QUOTE=_Michaelangelo_]
Q. Why would I choose a Plasma over other technology?
+ Surreal images
+ Rich, Vibrant colors
+ Good detail
+ WIDE viewing angle (160 degrees, if I'm not mistaken)
+ Lightweight for size, compared to rear projectors & tubes.

Q. And the reasons I wouldn't?
- Price (expontentional for larger sizes, and more resolution. Although one can offset this by shopping online. i.e.
- Not as sharp as film
- Size is limited
- Screen-door effect with some people
- Calibration is almost mandatory to get "full" enjoyment (but SO worth it)
- Perceived threat of burn-in

I agree with most of your comments, but would add this ... the viewing angle aspect is critical and it has almost nothing to do with horizontal degrees. All LCDs, flat screens as well as rear projectors, and all DLPs and LCoS have both brightness and color shifts when viewed from off-center angles.

Many LCD companies advertise 160-degree viewing angles but that means you can see a recognizable picture at that angle, maybe even a good recognizable picture, but not the SAME or as GOOD a picture as you will from directly in front of it -- directly in front BOTH vertically and horizontally, since the picture degrades if you stand up and look down at those sets or lay on the floor and look up.

In fairness, viewing angle on LCDs is less of a problem if you are far away from it, which is why many high-end LCD dealers have very deep viewing rooms. But in the average living room, say 10-12 feet from an LCD screen, a person sitting on one end of a seven-foot couch and a person sitting on the other end are not seeing the same picture -- and neither one is seeing as good a picture as the person sitting in the middle. With a plasma, they'd all be seeing the same great image.

Test one: Sit down and look at an HD image on an LCD. Stand up while watching the screen, does the image show a bit of wash out? Try it with a plasma. Image perfect, right?

Test two: Try something revolutionary. Hide the remote and try to adjust the color on your LCD or DLP using the controls on the set. Kind of hard, isn't it? What with having to walk away from the set the check the effect your twiddling the buttons had. Try it with a plasma and you'll be able to stand right next to the set and adjust the color as you watch.

Like CRT's, plasma screen are designed to watch television programs -- which people traditionally view from all over the place while cooking dinner, adding logs to the fireplace or making love on the floor. LCDs and DLPs do not give you that freedom of viewing position, like the computer monitors and conference room projectors they derive from, they are designed to be viewed by a worker drone chained to a chair in front of them.

True, plasma is not as sharp as film. But not many of us have home theaters capable of supporting a 70mm projector. And why list a perceived threat, as opposed to a real one, as a negative.

Here's an update...


I found a new Host. :) :) :)


I just placed an order with a new Hosting Company (after reading many good reviews about them). It'll take approximatelty 12 hours before I'm able to start setting up the FAQ. Also I'm very busy at my regular job so hopefully by the end of the week, the FAQ will be back online and running.

Thanks for your support guys. :) :) :)

Best Regards,

Bruzzi

Thanks for your support... was just about to refer someone to your site...then the panic set in ...but all is better now..

Bruzzi, does your FAQ have any info on how to change values and navigate through the service menus (I have TH50PX60U panny plasma). I know someone who has had a friend do a pro calibration in another town, he has a pdf of the values for his TH50PX60U, I would like to change my settings to match his (yes, I know each TV is different, yada, yada), but am timid about just winging it. I have updated firmare and checked stuff like hours of use using your excellent forum in the past.

Does anyone know where I could find this info?

k

Bruzzi, does your FAQ have any info on how to change values and navigate through the service menus (I have TH50PX60U panny plasma). I know someone who has had a friend do a pro calibration in another town, he has a pdf of the values for his TH50PX60U, I would like to change my settings to match his (yes, I know each TV is different, yada, yada), but am timid about just winging it. I have updated firmare and checked stuff like hours of use using your excellent forum in the past.

There is some information to be found on the web, but what it says is that the procedure is very complicated and easy to screw up. The values you see are mode-sensitive and depend on following exactly the right sequence of steps to be sure that you are looking at the right mode. It's not as simple as just looking at a screen and copying the values.

I just received my TH42PX60U last evening - watching TV really should not be this complicated. I have my STB (sci-atl 8300D) to output 1080i and. Watching SD the aspect ratio looked good in "just" but in HD "full" looked better. Then watching ABC HD the aspect ratio was 4:3 even though it was an HD broadcast. Is it harmfull to leave sidebars up so I don't have to continuously monkey with the aspect ratio? I tried setting the STB 4:3 to stretch and also side bars but it seems no matter what combination STB / aspect ratio there is no perfect combination where I don't need the Panny remote. Has anybody found the silver bullet I am looking for?

2nu2hd.. Set up the STB to wide all the time with resolution pass-through if possible. For HD programming and 4:3 commercials I just leave it on "full" all the time. For 4:3 programming I use "just". For non-anamorphic letter-boxed I use "zoom". I just need to monkey with the remote when changing programs ( 90%+ of what I watch is HD widescreen ).

Leaving bars is a problem only if you have your setting up far too high... otherwise enjoy the set and don't have a coronary if black bars are up for a small percentage of the time.

I have recently bought a 42px600. I played "Snatch" on my Smsung hd950dvd at 720p using hdmi. The picture was horrendous. The "Dynamic False Contouring" i.e Creeping Moss, was really pronounced. I tried it on a Philips dvd using composite and it was the same. It looked like a kid had painted the movie using paint by numbers. For such a highly rated Plasma I would expect better. It is also noticable to a lesser extent on some other movies but Snatch is the worst.
Does anyone else have this problem or is it a duff screen?
DP

Try 1080i and see if that helps. Panasonic plasmas usually favor that setting.

Tried all settings including 1080i. No difference.

Sorry, no ideas. Hopefully, someone here can help. I've never seen that DVD, and I'm not especially sensitive to false contouring anyway. My daughter often sees it on sets in stores when I don't.

You might try using the S video connection, letting the TV do all the processing, just to be sure the problem lies with it and not the DVD player or some mismatch between the player and the TV.

Thanks for that idea. I will give it a try.
You certainly don't have to be sensitive to it when I play Snatch. I bet a blind man could feel it in brail!!!
Thanks again for your help.

Here's the temporary domain name:

http://c03.privatesystems.net/~bruzzi/forum/index.php


"bruzzi.ws" should be available in few days.


UPDATE: Here's the New Domain Name:

www.bruzziforum.com


.

Thanks BruZZi. Appreciate your work on maintaining the FAQ.

Thanks BruZZi. Appreciate your work on maintaining the FAQ.


You're Welcome . :) :) :)

Had to start all over again so i need some time.

BTW: Will answer your questions once I get home. :) :) :)

Just picked up my 60U a few days ago and have been reading through this forum for various tips and tricks. I read BruZZi's FAQ section about checking the firmware version and I'm stumped. I press the Volume + Key on the remote and on the plasma at the same time for about 5-10 seconds, and nothing happens. I've tried it in a couple of different modes (HDMI, Component, etc) and nothing.

I went into Menu, Setup, About, Version and get the following:

TV - 0142-0110, meaning v1.21 firmware.

I have no problems checking the # of hours, so I'm confused why I can't access the firmware version this way as well. Thanks!

I'm in the same situation. How does 0142-0110 translate to 1.21? Also, is this number the tuner firmware, or the board?

Bill,

Check out : Panasonic Link (http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.com/SpecialApplications/ProductFirmwareDownloads/Firmware/PDP/PX60/PX60_GenX_V1-25_instructions.pdf)

Look at the bottom of page 1...That's how I came up with my version.

Thanks. Interestingly enough, on the service menu options submenu, it says my EEPROM is 1.25, which is the current version. I'm not quite sure then what 1.21 refers to, as the current tuner version is 1.04.

Is there a guide on how to make adjustments using the service menu?

Edit: Didn't search hard enough

Just did a search of this thread and came up empty. We bought a 42PX60U for our living room to replace our 10 year old CRT. I've secured the base to the stand we have it on using the supplied plastic straps per the manual but have not secured the screen to the wall yet.

I've been to both Home Depot and Lowes trying to describe what I need per the manual and they look at me as if I have three heads. Any recommended pieces of hardware for this?

Thanks,
Bill

Just did a search of this thread and came up empty. We bought a 42PX60U for our living room to replace our 10 year old CRT. I've secured the base to the stand we have it on using the supplied plastic straps per the manual but have not secured the screen to the wall yet.

I've been to both Home Depot and Lowes trying to describe what I need per the manual and they look at me as if I have three heads. Any recommended pieces of hardware for this?

Thanks,
Bill

First of all, if you're mounting your display to the wall, you don't need the base. Secondly, are you looking for something like this:

http://www.omnimount.com/consumer/product.aspx?ProductId=366c87e3-add8-43d8-be4f-328aab22a448

Products like this are available anywhere you can buy home theater gear. Even Home Depot: I went to their Web Site and found similar mounts by "Chief" (tried to embed the link but couldn't get it to work).

Per the manual, when you're not mounting it ON a wall you use the supplied base. You attach that base using the supplied straps to the TV stand (that houses the other system components). In addition to securing it that way the say to run "commercially available strong chain or wire" from the top corners of the screen's back to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.

Bill

Per the manual, when you're not mounting it ON a wall you use the supplied base. You attach that base using the supplied straps to the TV stand (that houses the other system components). In addition to securing it that way the say to run "commercially available strong chain or wire" from the top corners of the screen's back to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.

Bill

When you say "on the wall", or "to the wall", do you mean on a platform? Or on a shelf? Or do you mean attached directly to the wall, as per the link above?

You said:

"but have not secured the screen to the wall yet"

Sounds like you are attaching the display directly to the wall. If so, there is NO reason to use the base.

Is the product you are looking for similar to the image posted above?

Just trying to help by responding to your choice of words.

If you actually mean placing the display on a shelf or platform, and are looking for wire (per the attachment below, taken from your manual), I know for a fact that Home Depot has dozens of different types of cable and chains from which you can choose, having bought some before for different application. You don't need to support the entire weight of the display - only enough to stabilize the unit in case it gets bumped or nudged. I've actually had a display on the stand alone for several weeks (but I don't have kids or pets running around) with no issues while awaiting delivery of a mounting stand.

If you actually mean placing the display on a shelf or platform, and are looking for wire (per the attachment below, taken from your manual), I know for a fact that Home Depot has dozens of different types of cable and chains from which you can choose, having bought some before for different application.

Precisely. I guess I'll have to figure out a solution on my own. I was thinking of some wire with clamps an looping them through a drywall anchor of some sort. I guess I'll have to get creative. I was just looking for other people's solutions. Maybe most do mount them on the wall as opposed to using a stand.

Bill

Precisely. I guess I'll have to figure out a solution on my own. I was thinking of some wire with clamps an looping them through a drywall anchor of some sort. I guess I'll have to get creative. I was just looking for other people's solutions. Maybe most do mount them on the wall as opposed to using a stand.

Bill

Bill,

Well, I honestly don't think this needs to be a MIL-SPEC installation :) . Like I said, the wire won't be supporting the entire weight of the display - it's only there for stability. I'd imagine a simple molly-bolt into the wall would be MORE than sufficient.

FWIW, I've never seen anyone actually DO this (use the wire, that is)...is there a reason why you wouldn't just mount it to a wall (just curious)?

We don't plan on being in the house for more than 2 more years and I've already got the stand.

Bill

Bill_B4, I know what you're referring to in the manual. I've done this already. I just used eye hooks on the wall and picture hanging wire from the eyehook to hooks on supplied with the TV.

Bill,
FWIW, I've never seen anyone actually DO this (use the wire, that is)...is there a reason why you wouldn't just mount it to a wall (just curious)?

I did this. My house has a 48 inch wide, 24 inch deep niche - so hanging on the rear of the niche won't work. Simply putting it on my old TV stand puts it toward the front of the niche at a reasonable height. The wire at the top and the straps at the bottom gives me a bit of confidence this won't tip over during an earthquake - which does happen once in a while in California.

Site's back up with a new Domain Name and Host.

www.bruzziforum.com


I still need to add info. :) :) :)
.

FAQ is extremely helpful -- thanks! I want to update the firmware in my PX3750U, but don't have a specific SD card writer. I do have a camera that uses SD and the PC looks as this as an external drive, so was wondering if I can simply erase all of the picture files on the SD card, and copy over the firmware file? Also, there are instructions regarding formatting the SD card? Do I need to do something here? If I format it, will this prevent me from using it in the camera going forward?

Thanks...

FAQ is extremely helpful -- thanks! I want to update the firmware in my PX3750U, but don't have a specific SD card writer. I do have a camera that uses SD and the PC looks as this as an external drive, so was wondering if I can simply erase all of the picture files on the SD card, and copy over the firmware file? Also, there are instructions regarding formatting the SD card? Do I need to do something here? If I format it, will this prevent me from using it in the camera going forward?

Thanks...

Call Panasonic. They will send you an SD card with the firmware you need. You then send back the card in the included envelope.

Call Panasonic. They will send you an SD card with the firmware you need. You then send back the card in the included envelope.

Thanks! That was easy!

Is there a way to get the $200 dollar rebate from Panasonic without using the place you bought it from to mount your display? The place I bought just charges way to much to mount flat panels

Is there a way to get the $200 dollar rebate from Panasonic without using the place you bought it from to mount you display?



Anyone call mount the display. Or you can just have it sat on a tabletop/shelf.

Prior to setting up my new Panny 50", I RTM and noted they instruct the user to secure the panel to a wood base and the back wall. Is this really necessary? Mine will be placed inside a built-in cabinet that is substantially deeper and wider than the panel but it would be a challenge to get enough access to install screws and wire as they instruct in the manual.

Panasonic purposefully made its recomended installation procedure bizarre and impractical.

If 0% of customers follow the instructions then 0% of the litigants who've been crushed by falling plasmas have a claim against the company.

...If 0% of customers follow the instructions then 0% of the litigants who've been crushed by falling plasmas have a claim against the company.
Exactly. It's all about the lawyers. :rolleyes:

I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma that's been resting on a standard TV base for two years. The whole thing is tucked in an alcove. I did secure the TV with the base strap, because I have to move the base from time to time when I want access to the TV's rear jacks, but never considered connecting it to the wall (for the same reason). It's plenty stable. I would not be at all concerned if I had a cabinet such as yours.

Of course, I don't have kids roughhousing near the set. :p

Site's back up with a new Domain Name and Host.

www.bruzziforum.com


I still need to add info. :) :) :)
.
Do you not allow people to register for your board? :(

I am trying to find out the firmware on my new 40px60u. I went to Bruzzi's forum and found out that i need to press the vol+ on the remote and on the set for a few seconds together but when i do that nothing happens. Do i need to be on a cerain input or at a certain menu screen to do this or is there something else i need to do. thanks for the help

Ron

I am trying to find out the firmware on my new 40px60u. I went to Bruzzi's forum and found out that i need to press the vol+ on the remote and on the set for a few seconds together but when i do that nothing happens. Do i need to be on a cerain input or at a certain menu screen to do this or is there something else i need to do. thanks for the help

Ron

Do you, by any chance, have the internal speakers off on the plasma (your TV connected to a receiver for audio)?

I do. And I found that I had to turn the internal TV speakers on (temporarily) to bring up the menu showing the firmware version.

However, note that I have the prior year's model (the 50u). Might be the same issue though.

No. I am using the internal speakers for the time being. I wish i knew what the problem is.

I have recently bought a 42px600. I played "Snatch" on my Smsung hd950dvd at 720p using hdmi. The picture was horrendous. The "Dynamic False Contouring" i.e Creeping Moss, was really pronounced. I tried it on a Philips dvd using composite and it was the same. It looked like a kid had painted the movie using paint by numbers. For such a highly rated Plasma I would expect better. It is also noticable to a lesser extent on some other movies but Snatch is the worst.
Does anyone else have this problem or is it a duff screen?
DP

You will see what they call "clay-face". Panasonic has a firmware update that will change the internal settings and make it more easy to use the TV settings to take the CF out.
http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.com/SpecialApplications/ProductFirmwareDownloads/downloads1.asp


TH-42PX600U
TH-50PX600U
TH-58PX600U
PX600_GenX_V1-46.exe (456KB)
DG-Board EEPROM GenX Firmware


Caution:
This firmware overwrites the EEPROM on the DG board and has no effect on the tuner 1.46 9/1/2006 Poor picture details
Faces appear as "Clay Faces"
Excessive brightness with no details in the black level
Download the file to your local drive then double-click to extract the zipped files - Select a formatted SD card as the destination. To update the firmware, follow the instruction in this
firmware installtion guide Download

...Select a formatted SD card as the destination...
Is there any way to format an SD card if one doesn't own a camera that uses them?

You will see what they call "clay-face". Panasonic has a firmware update that will change the internal settings and make it more easy to use the TV settings to take the CF out.
http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.com/SpecialApplications/ProductFirmwareDownloads/downloads1.asp


TH-42PX600U
TH-50PX600U
TH-58PX600U
PX600_GenX_V1-46.exe (456KB)
DG-Board EEPROM GenX Firmware


Caution:
This firmware overwrites the EEPROM on the DG board and has no effect on the tuner 1.46 9/1/2006 Poor picture details
Faces appear as "Clay Faces"
Excessive brightness with no details in the black level
Download the file to your local drive then double-click to extract the zipped files - Select a formatted SD card as the destination. To update the firmware, follow the instruction in this
firmware installtion guide Download

I was not aware that Panasonic plasmas might have a software update, but it makes sense. How does the new software get uploaded into the unit? Is this only for plasmas with SD cards?

Thanks for the help.

I'm trying to figure out if the problem I am having is a Comcast issue or if it's an issue with my TH-42PX50U

3416 Intermittent Loss of HDMI Signal

I recently switched to a Motorola 3416 box from a 3412 (lost recordings, freezes etc) over the past two days the HDMI picture signal has dropped out. I still have audio but no picture. The only way to get the picture back on my Panasonic TH42PX-50U is to turn the power off to the set and then back on or poweroff/on the cable box.

I can still cycle thru the inputs however, it takes 3 presses of the tv/video button to get the set to switch to the next input. After those 3 presses switching to another input only takes 1 press.

A few days before this issue I could not turn the TV on with either the remote button or the button on the set, I unplugged the power cord and plugged it back in and that solved that issue.

Is this a Comcast DVR problem or is my Panny on the fritz? I dont think it's the TV as I can still switch inputs and get signals.

While I think my plasma looks great (my 42" 600U arrived just over a week ago), I am interested in applying these firmware updates to get the best picture possible. So, just to be clear, all I need to do is transfer the files I downloaded to a SD card (via my friend's digital camera), stick the SD card into the front slot and begin the firmware update? Can anyone confirm this because the last thing I want to do is screw up my tv.

Your input is much appreicated!

While I think my plasma looks great (my 42" 600U arrived just over a week ago), I am interested in applying these firmware updates to get the best picture possible. So, just to be clear, all I need to do is transfer the files I downloaded to a SD card (via my friend's digital camera), stick the SD card into the front slot and begin the firmware update? Can anyone confirm this because the last thing I want to do is screw up my tv.

Your input is much appreicated!

Where do you obtain the firmware from? I don't see it on the Panasonic website.

Scallica - a few posts above mine contains the link. By the way, the files will not transfer to an SD card through my friend's digital camera. I had to buy an adapter from Best Buy.

Before I make the firmware upgrade, I'd like to know if anyone has done this yet and can confirm that the results offer a significant improvement (Panny 42" 600U, Version 0164-7410). If so, how difficult is it to actually run the update once the card is in the front slot?

Thanks :)

Scallica - a few posts above mine contains the link. By the way, the files will not transfer to an SD card through my friend's digital camera. I had to buy an adapter from Best Buy.

Before I make the firmware upgrade, I'd like to know if anyone has done this yet and can confirm that the results offer a significant improvement (Panny 42" 600U, Version 0164-7410). If so, how difficult is it to actually run the update once the card is in the front slot?

Thanks :)

So the only way to upgrade the firmware of a Panny plasma is via SD card?

Where do you obtain the firmware from? I don't see it on the Panasonic website.

Its not supposed to be public I think, but here it is:

http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.com/SpecialApplications/ProductFirmwareDownloads/downloads1.asp

You can also call Panasonic and they will send you an SD card.

It is absurdly easy to do.

I just installed my 50px600u on my wall and I am in the break in phase. This clay face issue, is it a HD issue or do you see it also with a upconverted DVD. I think I might be seing this issue off a dvd, but it is not every face, but on Ultraviolet, she does have that "soft" look in the face that lacks small details. The other faces are fine. Sorry if this is a new question, I am new to this forum and HD. I just graduated from a 27" crt.

posted this in another thread, but i didn't get a reply:

does anyone know if the stands for the consumer displays are compatible with the commercial displays? specifically the 42" 9uk.

I just installed my 50px600u on my wall and I am in the break in phase. This clay face issue, is it a HD issue or do you see it also with a upconverted DVD. I think I might be seing this issue off a dvd, but it is not every face, but on Ultraviolet, she does have that "soft" look in the face that lacks small details. The other faces are fine. Sorry if this is a new question, I am new to this forum and HD. I just graduated from a 27" crt.

I am not an expert but do you see the same on different DVDs, I remember watching Ultravilet on my crt and it seams that this movie looks very animated in nature. I have 9uk and dvds form my progessive player look really nice. :D

I tried to read as much of this thread as possible but I did not find the answer I was looking for, so here it goes.

I have the TH-42PX50U, it is set up with my HD satellite receiver ( Bell Expressview ) for those of you not familiar with this, it is the Canadian equivalent of your Dishnet/Directv. Anyway, the HD Bell receiver allows for either 480i, 480P, 720p, 1080i, (no native/passthrough) to be chosen and than to be output to the TV. I have the HD satellite receiver set-up to outut 1080i for now.
Assuming that Bell Expressview is not changing the signals coming in from the broadcasters NBC 1080i, ABC 720p etc... (which has been a contraversy on many Canadian Forums that all Bell signals are changed to 720p....) what setting would you recomend, 720P or 1080i ??

The reason I ask this is that this Panny TH-42PX50U is a 768 progressive scan display, correct ? According to the manual Pg # 12, it is capable of displaying the following 480i, 480P, 720p, 1080i, but this note on pg # 13 is throwing me off, it reads as follows: "720P signals will be converted to 1080i format and output to the display."
Why would a 768p native set be converting the 720p signal to a 1080i. Is it not more work for the set to take a 720P signal, interlace it to 1080i, (unnecessary step) than to just leave the 720P signal and process it to 768p?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance

Paul. :confused:

... what setting would you recomend, 720P or 1080i ??

This comes up from time to time. The consensus seems to be that Panasonic Plasmas usually look best with 1080i input. Even the ED's do.

"720P signals will be converted to 1080i format and output to the display."

...Why would a 768p native set be converting the 720p signal to a 1080i. Is it not more work for the set to take a 720P signal, interlace it to 1080i, (unnecessary step) than to just leave the 720P signal and process it to 768p?...

That statement in the manual initiated quite a lively debate here at one time.

Some took the position that it was little more than a typo, and should be ignored. Others, like me, observed that previous Panasonic plasmas did not accept external 720p input (and took a marketing hit because of it), so they may have merely made a "patch" to permit acceptance of 720p signals without having to redesign any other circuitry, which was based on processing 1080i signals.

It got heated, but I don't know that anyone on either side was persuaded by the other's reasoning. Take your pick. :)

It's been argued that scaling is scaling (especially in the digital realm), so it doesn't matter if the conversion is from 720 or 1080 to 768. Unlike analog, degradation is not proportionate to the amount of change. It's hard to imagine that the set actually interlaces a progressive signal again, since plasmas are inherently progressive and de-interlacing is not a simple process, although I suppose it's possible for some obscure reason.

During the aforementioned debate, someone said the phrase you quoted was exorcised from latter editions of the manual (presumably the U.S. version).

This comes up from time to time. The consensus seems to be that Panasonic Plasmas usually look best with 1080i input. Even the ED's do.

During the aforementioned debate, someone said the phrase you quoted was exorcised from latter editions of the manual (presumably the U.S. version).

I heard that 720p was better, because of the lack of 3:2 pulldown for 1080i.

Also, page 42 of the current manual includes 720p as a valid input. The manual is available on Panny's website also.