mounting The 42px50u right know. At first i wasn't to happy until i did some basic adjustments. i only have dishnet, with s-video to the pdp, it looks pretty good. Alot better then the sony 34xbr910 crt tube did with same signal.. i still dont know how to post pics!

Hey gang, just got my 42PD50U last Saturday and finally got to play with it and a HDTV STB from Charter for the last two nights. First off, the PQ is unbelievable. Even most of the SD channels look great. The HD channels are simply breathtaking. I've been watching NBA playoffs all weekend and I don't even like basketball.

Most importantly, my STB has a menu that sets up the STB output. When I set it to 480p, it puts the bars on the side of everything except HDTV broadcasts. Also, my aspect button won't change in this mode. Its locked at whatever it is. Anyone know how to fix this?

Also, the STB set to 480p will not allow the TV to control the closed captioning. If its set to 480i, it will. What up with this? Its a Motorola 6200 HD STB (no DVR).

Thanks for the help and all the review that helped me decide on this model!

Originally posted by Sheldon186
mounting The 42px50u right know. At first i wasn't to happy until i did some basic adjustments. i only have dishnet, with s-video to the pdp, it looks pretty good. Alot better then the sony 34xbr910 crt tube did with same signal.. i still dont know how to post pics! How is the display so far? I almost "pulled the trigger" on a TH-50PX50U today at CC. They offered the panel for MSRP and included a 3-year CC warranty. They claim to provide a 30-day money back guarantee, pixel perfect return policy, same day delivery and (2) years financing at 0%.

Originally posted by Sheldon186
i still dont know how to post pics!

Go to http://www.imageshack.us

use the Browse button to find a pic on your Computer.

Click Host it.

Then copy/paste the first link ( Hotlink for forums 1) here.

It's free. :D

Has anyone seen the new 37 inch Panny yet?

Originally posted by optivity
How is the display so far? I almost "pulled the trigger" on a TH-50PX50U today at CC. They offered the panel for MSRP and included a 3-year CC warranty. They claim to provide a 30-day money back guarantee, pixel perfect return policy, same day delivery and (2) years financing at 0%.

Optivity, could you put your location in your profile (or tell us where you saw the Panny)? I would like to see this and the 42 PX display also but haven't found them yet in Baltimore. Those terms are very intriguing.

Thanks,

Rich N.

Originally posted by gboy
can the PX50 deliver above and beyond the PD50?

Disclaimer: I am a happy owner of the pd50u.

I have not seen the PX50 yet, but I am so impressed with the pd50u's PQ that I can not imagine the PX50 being anything other than awesome (from a PQ standpoint). On a 42 inch screen it might not be that big a deal at 10 feet, but I bet the text and couple other areas will look better at 6 feet than they do on the pd50u. From a PQ standpoint there are two main questions to ask yourself (in my opinion):
1. Are you going to be watching at closer than 7 feet?
2. Do you think there is a difference in SD content PQ between the two (if you watch much SD content)?

If you watch a fair amount of SD at greater than 6 feet then the pd50u might be the set to consider. If not, then I gotta believe that the PX50 is the set to get. Thats assuming that you don't consider the extra bucks an issue.

Just the thoughts of a panny owner :)

True, pirate, however that assumes that 42 inch is big enough for the distance you WILL be watching from. My concern is that from 11 feet, the 42 inch won't be a big enough jump from my 36 inch Sony 4:3 CRT to make it worthwhile.

Jim

Any chance COSTCO might be carrying 42PD50U ?? Very eagerly waiting for it :)

Wow, I am seriously pumped after hearing that review of the PX50 !! I can't wait to order my 50" now and hooker it up.

OK guys. After all the hype I decided to get off my lazy butt and check out the 42PD50U for myself. (I was looking for a replacement for my 32" HD CRT in the bedroom. I've been lurking the plasma area for about a year now.

I went to CC and there it was. I was immediately impressed. I went there with the intention of merely looking. But I was able to feel like a got such a good deal that I went ahead and bought it. I got the Plasma, a Cantilever mount and a 3 year protection plan for 3K.

It is now the morning after and let me tell you, this set is awesome! Like many of you here, I having been watching HD for nearly 5 years. To see HD looking this incredible on an ED set simply amazes me. I would have to say that the HD material on this plasma from 7 feet away looks better than my HD pioneer 53 inch RP CRT in the living room. I almost wanted to put this guy in the living room. Maybe my eyesight isn't as good as others in this forum but the SDE is not noiticble to me from 5 feet and further.

It's so nice to have a set that you don't having to worry about convergence issues, out of focus issues in the corners, and major overscan problems that I have with my RP CRT. Now I can't wait to replace that beast with a plasma. Don't have the money for that now though.

This set replaced my 32 HD CRT and I think size wise it is the perfect replacement. I always felt watching on HD on the CRT was a little too small. This plasm is just right. Size wise, when watching SD programming, it is like watching on a 36 CRT. But when watching HD and seeing the whole screen fill up is incredible. I love it! HBO HD, HDNet, ESPN HD, they all look amazing.

Jim, my distance is about 11 feet and I am very pleased. But then again, this is for the bedroom. I you have the room and money you may want to wait for the 50".

Anyway, I just wanted to share some quick comments with you all and thank you all for contributing your experiences as well.

Thanks! Finally, I am a proud owner of a Panasonic Plasma!!!!

Originally posted by raidbuck
Optivity, could you put your location in your profile (or tell us where you saw the Panny)? I would like to see this and the 42 PX display also but haven't found them yet in Baltimore. Those terms are very intriguing.
Thanks, Rich N.
Rich, just made a couple of calls and all the CCs in Northern NJ now have them (both 42PD50U & 42PX50U) on the floor, call up the nearest one to you.

The px500 models are out in Japan now, and I had a look this weekend at a few stores in Shinjuku. The bright store lights don't plasmas much justice, but the Panasonics actually held up quite well. I couldn't do any meaningful comparison or evaluation under these conditions, certainly not of black levels, but the panels should the same as those in the px50 series.

On the feature side, they have double tuners, so that it is possible to see 2 HD channels side by side, though apparently not PIP. They also have a program search feature that let's you search by keyword and marks favorite programs. It also seemed possible to stretch and zoom HD content in 4:3 format.

Interestingly, Panasonic did not introduce the ED models here.

The best prices for the 50" model on the net are around 500,000 yen ($4700).

Han

Han,

Just to confirm, you're saying it has split-screen mode but not picture-in-picture?

Thanks.

Originally posted by jim1701
True, pirate, however that assumes that 42 inch is big enough for the distance you WILL be watching from. My concern is that from 11 feet, the 42 inch won't be a big enough jump from my 36 inch Sony 4:3 CRT to make it worthwhile.

Jim

You make a good point Jim. In fact, this entered my mind in the past week. My viewing distances range from 5 feet (w/son sitting on the floor) to about 13 feet. I think the fact that this thought came to mind is enough for me to say that 13 feet is probably about as far as you want to go with a 42 incher. Don't get me wrong, I think 42" is plenty for 13 feet, but that probably has to do with what I was viewing last. At 13 feet the 42" pd50u blows my 32 inch CRT out of the water. The CRT is not HD, but I have to be about 8 feet or less to get the visual effect (w/ respect to size) that I get with the plasma.

In short, I think it has alot to do with what you are currently calibrated to. 36" is certainly different than 32".

Best of luck on you decision :)

Originally posted by hockeynut
OK guys. After all the hype... I went ahead and bought it. I got the Plasma, a Cantilever mount and a 3 year protection plan for 3K.

It is now the morning after and let me tell you, this set is awesome!

Well congrats to you hockeynut!
Enjoy your new Panny.

Please post pics and let us know all the 'details'.

cheers

shane

Originally posted by GmanAVS
Rich, just made a couple of calls and all the CCs in Northern NJ now have them (both 42PD50U & 42PX50U) on the floor, call up the nearest one to you.

Thanks for the information.

Rich N.

Originally posted by optivity
How is the display so far? I almost "pulled the trigger" on a TH-50PX50U today at CC. They offered the panel for MSRP and included a 3-year CC warranty. They claim to provide a 30-day money back guarantee, pixel perfect return policy, same day delivery and (2) years financing at 0%.

Check CC Again, and read the fine Print abount the pixels. They dont cover any unless there is a cluster of 8 or more and that is by word also. I just had a return on a bad sony tube. 10 trips later with the same diagnose. They did not want to fix or replace it. It almost endded in court.
Even when they did return it they screwed me on pricinging, matching all kinds of other stuff. Faithful CC consumer lost. Never again will i shop at CC. Im posting pics right now.

Originally posted by Pete'sBlind
I have to agree with an earlier post that the yellows displayed on the PD50 showed up neon green!

Vindicated at last!

Now that I know I wasn't losing my mind when I saw what you describe on my set, let me mention my observations since then:

1. This dramatic error in yellow color decoding appears to be highly pronounced in a small subset of individual sets of this model. After the last straw (a lime green horses head on the center court logo during a Mavericks basketball game), I asked CC to exchange my set for a different one and crossed my fingers. They were great about it, and agreed with no hassles at all (in the 30 day satisfaction period). I've had my new pd50u for a few days now, and have not noticed the green push nearly to the degree I did before. There is still a subtle green push, but based on my observations of many models side by side in the showroom, it's actually less than most other sets.

This effect can be particularly noticed on new yellow firefighter slickers, legal pads, and apparently some school buses.

2. This effect is much more pronounced in SD color matrix than in HD color matrix. However, on an effected set, the effect can still be noticed in HD.

3. The effect cannot be dialed down by standard settings without destroying color fidelity for all other colors.

4. The effect must be somewhat rare, because until your post, I could not find a single person on this forum who could duplicate what I was seeing despite repeated requests on my part for other forum members to A/B the display with a CRT side by side. Several members responded, but no one else had this problem.

Like I said, I'm much happier with my new set so far. I decided to take a chance on my problem being an individual set thing instead of a model thing because of the wonderful PQ, and it worked out for me. I guess the store you visited just had the bad luck to mount one of the "green neon" models.

Originally posted by thehan
The px500 models are out in Japan now, and I had a look this weekend at a few stores in Shinjuku. The bright store lights don't plasmas much justice, but the Panasonics actually held up quite well. I couldn't do any meaningful comparison or evaluation under these conditions, certainly not of black levels, but the panels should the same as those in the px50 series.

On the feature side, they have double tuners, so that it is possible to see 2 HD channels side by side, though apparently not PIP. They also have a program search feature that let's you search by keyword and marks favorite programs. It also seemed possible to stretch and zoom HD content in 4:3 format.

Interestingly, Panasonic did not introduce the ED models here.

The best prices for the 50" model on the net are around 500,000 yen ($4700).

Han

Do you know if the PX500U has 2 HDMI inputs? Does it have stretch modes on HD, or only on SD like the PX50?

Originally posted by raidbuck
Optivity, could you put your location in your profile (or tell us where you saw the Panny)? I would like to see this and the 42 PX display also but haven't found them yet in Baltimore. Those terms are very intriguing.

Thanks,

Rich N.

The CC I saw these at was the one in Catonsville on Rt 40. The 50PX50 hadn't been set up yet, but it might be by now. Just don't buy it before I get a chance to look at it.

Sorry about the oversize there!

was at CC in Wayne, NJ where there was a panasonice rep. He had a Powerpoint like printout for info and the 42PX50 was on display. It was very clear in the printout that this is eighth generation glass and it has subpixel control. He said the subpixel control couldn't be shut off. Since it was a Powerpoint like presentation computer printed on plain paper for his use, I think the odds are hight that the info is correct.

I pity someone using dial-up connection viewing this thread now! :D

I see Circuit City this weekend now has a 10% off on all digital TVs and specifically show that discount on the Panasonic 42PD50 and 42PX50 models. In my area all of the CC stores are out of the 42PD50's and only have the 42PX50's in stock - so there must have been a lot of new 42PD50 owners this week!

Old Sony In Entertainment center:

(http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410050538xc.jpg)

Great reason to get rid of the Sony

[img=http://img155.echo.cx/img155/9877/0410050579qy.th.jpg] (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410050579qy.jpg)

New Outof Box th-42px50u:

[IMG]http://img155.echo.cx/img155/3315/0410050960lf.th.jpg (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410050960lf.jpg)

Entertainment Center Prep

(http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410050956np.jpg)

Rear Mounting With alum. Angle iron For PDP

[img=http://img155.echo.cx/img155/1416/0410051067bw.th.jpg] (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410051067bw.jpg)

[img=http://img155.echo.cx/img155/7397/0410051075ka.th.jpg] (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410051075ka.jpg)

Still Needs Work "Dumm Electrical outlet & Floor Molding" I'll get there!

[img=http://img155.echo.cx/img155/872/0410051126gl.th.jpg] (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410051126gl.jpg)

[img=http://img155.echo.cx/img155/8452/0410051142qj.th.jpg] (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410051142qj.jpg)

Entertainment Center Panny Mounted!

[IMG]http://img155.echo.cx/img155/510/0410051134gv.th.jpg (http://img155.echo.cx/my.php?image=0410051134gv.jpg)

Great setup and great looking panel, Sheldon!

I really like the flush mounting, but I hope you've given some thought to cooling. Looks like there's no back on the entertainment centre, which is good; hopefully it's not pushed back flush to the wall. You still might want to consider a quiet computer fan or two back there to move the air around.

Anyway, congrats and enjoy!

edit: p.s, you might want to sell that stand to one of the many forum members that want one for their industrial panels; painted black, that wouldn't look half bad. Of course I'm not certain the new stands fit the old panels. BruZZi would know; he knows everything!

That is a nice set up - but PerryU is right about the cooling situation. I burned up a Toshiba 34" CRT with a tight fit (Kids: "Dad, something smells funny and the TV went blank"). The idea would be to get an air flow going, as stangnat hot air will be captured and rally get things cooking.

(The installlation specs call for 3-4 inches sides and tops). THese panny''s don't have their own cooling fans like some plasmas so its wise to keep an eye on the cooling thing.

Frank at http://www.activethermal.com can help you out with some cooling suggestions.

From what I understand, the PX50s DO have cooling fans. The PD50s don't. Can anyone confirm this?

CC in Burlington MA has the Panasonic 42PD50 and 42PX50 on display and side by side!

sheldon186...
That is a great looking Panny with that matte grey bezel.

Complete envy here.

cheers and use it in good health!

sheldon186,

Congrats. Can you confirm if the PX has a fan or not? The manual suggests it does, but it's not clear if it applies to the 42 incher as well as the 50. If so, is it audiable at all?

From What ive seen and heard! It dosen't... It's very quiet. You can't hear a thing until you put your head to the back of pdp @ about 1 foot or so.

Originally posted by megaptera
Han,

Just to confirm, you're saying it has split-screen mode but not picture-in-picture?

Thanks.

That's what it looked like. Split screen comes up by default. There might be a PIP option hidden somewhere, but I doubt it. It can handle two HD channels simultaneously though.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
Do you know if the PX500U has 2 HDMI inputs? Does it have stretch modes on HD, or only on SD like the PX50?

Only one HDMI input. I tried stretching and zooming on 4:3 HD broadcasts and it worked fine, but I just saw that the Panasonic site says it can't "side-cut" HD images. I'll check up on it again.

Han

Anyone know if CC will be carrying the 42PX500u? I just picked up the 42PX50 but would like to have the split-screen (Twinview PIP) of the PX500.

Bought my 42PX50U at CC today. It gets delivered on Tuesday. :) :)

Originally posted by thehan
The px500 models are out in Japan now…
…double tuners…
…program search feature…
…seemed possible to stretch and zoom HD content in 4:3 format… [<WOW]
Han

THAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT NEWS [TO ME] POSTED IN WEEKS! THANK YOU SO MUCH HAN.

Originally posted by hardwired
Anyone know if CC will be carrying the 42PX500u? I just picked up the 42PX50 but would like to have the split-screen (Twinview PIP) of the PX500.

its not as good as a flexible PIP, but I might be able to live with a split screen arrangement - but you have to get such a high end Panasonic just to get this feature?

Originally posted by thehan
Only one HDMI input. I tried stretching and zooming on 4:3 HD broadcasts and it worked fine, but I just saw that the Panasonic site says it can't "side-cut" HD images. I'll check up on it again.

Han

That would seem to imply that you can zoom 4:3 (top-cut) but not 16:9 (side-cut) HD. Not really a big deal IMO. Now I have to decide if HD stretch modes are worth 500 bucks and 2 months more to wait. I'm leaning against it, and once I see the 50PX50 in action that 2 month wait will seem even more unbearable.

btw, I couldn't find any mention of the PX500 on the Panasonic site, where did you find it? Was it on their Japanese site?

Anyone try to access the service menu in the 42PX50 yet? If so have you been able to eliminate overscan on all 4 sides easily? Is there only one such setting for all inputs?

I just posted a thread asking for opinions on the JVC PD-42X795 as an alternative to the panny 42pd50 and 42px50/500. The JVC has the same panasonic 3000:1 contrast glass and separate media box, nice for wall mounting ease. It also has cablecard, PIP, ATSC tuner, 3:2 pulldown, and stretch mode for HD. These features are available only on the 42px500, and the media box only in the onyx series. The JVC is available at costco.com. Any thoughts about this?

Originally posted by empire_of_one
That would seem to imply that you can zoom 4:3 (top-cut) but not 16:9 (side-cut) HD. Not really a big deal IMO. Now I have to decide if HD stretch modes are worth 500 bucks and 2 months more to wait. I'm leaning against it, and once I see the 50PX50 in action that 2 month wait will seem even more unbearable.

btw, I couldn't find any mention of the PX500 on the Panasonic site, where did you find it? Was it on their Japanese site?

I had another look, and there are some limitations. It seems to be a 4:3 to 16:9 stretch, but the signal being HD, it can't detect the 4:3 automatically. It cuts the sides even if applied to a full widescreen picture. A Japanese message flashes across the screen for a few seconds, that seems to warn that part of the screen may be cut, although I couldn't read it fast enough to get its message entirely. In addition, this setting is not remembered so switching away from the channel and switching back to it, will bring back the side bars.

The px500 info is only at the Japanese site at http://viera.jp/.
There is a fairly good translator at http://www.excite.co.jp/world/text

Han

Han, nice find
Here is alittle better tanslater
Enter this url
http://panasonic.jp/viera/products/px500/index.html
Into here, http://world.altavista.com/

Those looking to purchase the new Panny, please contact me
I am trying to work up a group pricing with 1 of our forum sponsors.
Probably save $1000 of CC price

Originally posted by nogits
However, what I knoticed is that all of the digital and HDTV channels are on very odd .x channels. For instance, Comcast says I should tune to channel 707 for Channel 7 but I tune to channel 7.1 on the Panny. INHD is channel 719 but Panny says it is 105.2.



I notice the same thing on my Comcast cable. I also don't have a cablecard from Comcast and no STB. The PD50U's QAM picks up some HD stations but they don't correspond to Comcast's listing. For example, ABC is suppose to be channel 231 but the PD50U has it as "110-1". The same for NBC, CBS, FOX and WB. I can't pick up UPN HD for some reason. The important thing is the HD stations come in.

px50 or px500?

I own the PD50U and this happened to me the other day and i wanted to share it incase it ever happens to any of you. While switching channels the screen went blank except for a line of artifacts on the very top of the display and the set would not respond to any commands from the remote or front pannel. I tried switching the set off but when turning it back on the same thing appeared. A blank screen. I got sound but no picture. While looking through the trouble shooting guide in the manual nothing addressed this situation. I tried numerous things and the thing that finally worked was to unplug the power cord from the set itself. Once i plugged the power cord back in the picture returned. FYI.

Originally posted by mister_two
The PD50U's QAM picks up some HD stations but they don't correspond to Comcast's listing. For example, ABC is suppose to be channel 231 but the PD50U has it as "110-1".

If you had an STB, the QAM channel assignments would be remapped by the STB to get the numbers Comcast is telling you. All OTA/clear QAM channels are of the form N-N (though just to add to the confusion they themselves can be remapped by PSIP from the actual frequency-based numbers to ones that match the local station's analog channel -- so if ABC is locally broadcast on channel 7, the HD version might show up as 7-1 even though it's really 80-1.

I'm still trying to understand this QAM tuner. How many channels are you able to pick up with it? ESPNHD? INHD? I just thought you could only get the network HD channels. It seems you can get any HD channel that's not encrypted by your local cable company. Is this correct? How many more HD channels would you get with a CableCard compared to QAM?

And the most stupid question I've got....are you able to utilize the QAM tuner for free without any cable subscription or do you at least have to have digital cable? Thanks in advance, iBG.

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
I'm still trying to understand this QAM tuner. How many channels are you able to pick up with it? ESPNHD? INHD? I just thought you could only get the network HD channels. It seems you can get any HD channel that's not encrypted by your local cable company. Is this correct? How many more HD channels would you get with a CableCard compared to QAM?

And the most stupid question I've got....are you able to utilize the QAM tuner for free without any cable subscription or do you at least have to have digital cable? Thanks in advance, iBG.

First of all there are no stupid questions that is what these forums are for. I have standard TWC and after running a scan of the digital channels i have picked up the following stations in HD.

PBS
ABC
NBC
CBS
FOX
WB

The only problem i have is the signals are not coming in very strong on the HD channels and the signal drops off once in awhile. It gets to be annoying so Saturday i am getting TWC to install the digital stations and there HD package. Hope this helps.

Originally posted by mister_two
I notice the same thing on my Comcast cable. I also don't have a cablecard from Comcast and no STB. The PD50U's QAM picks up some HD stations but they don't correspond to Comcast's listing. For example, ABC is suppose to be channel 231 but the PD50U has it as "110-1". The same for NBC, CBS, FOX and WB. I can't pick up UPN HD for some reason. The important thing is the HD stations come in.

Where I live (Mountain View, CA), UPN is not carried by Comcast cable. So, unless UPN has a carrier agreement with Comcast for HD, you won't get it. Check the http://www.comcast.com website to get a list of channels you do get.

I also noticed something with the PX50 -- there are two digital channels that represent the HD channels the "raw" and the "cooked" (for lack of better terms). I can tune to Channel 7.1 and pick up ABC (KGO-DT) with built-in tuner. I can also get to it with something like 110-1 (though that's not the channel). So the panel is smart enough map the channels appropriately.

Things are not so bad for the local channel tuning (7 (analog), 7.1, 7.2) is set up for adjacent tuning.

The other thing that is a real pain with QAM tuning and no CableCard is that the TV catches over 1000 channels (105.1, 105.2, 105.3, 105.4, ... 105.10) whether there is an unecrypted signal on the channel or not The "manual" mode is horribly bad when it comes to trying to manage and edit down all of these channels into a managable list. My old Sony TV had a way to tune to a channel and then, from the remote, add or delete the channel from the rotation, without having to go into a special menu to do
the operation. I wish the Panny tuner had this capability. What is there is extremely painful to deal with.

Comcast is installing the CableCard on Tuesday (tomorrow) and I'll find out how well that works in the evening.

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
I'm still trying to understand this QAM tuner. How many channels are you able to pick up with it? ESPNHD? INHD? I just thought you could only get the network HD channels. It seems you can get any HD channel that's not encrypted by your local cable company. Is this correct? How many more HD channels would you get with a CableCard compared to QAM?

And the most stupid question I've got....are you able to utilize the QAM tuner for free without any cable subscription or do you at least have to have digital cable? Thanks in advance, iBG.

Read post #1024 in this thread. There is no way to answer any of your questions definitely because they all depend on what your cable company is doing in terms of encryption, encoding, and cabling to your location.

It's very unlikely that any cable company will let you see ESPN-HD for free.

Note: Cablecard doesn't matter if you are willing to use a set-top box. It's not even clear that the current version of Cablecard will work on your cable system, and if it does, it may be obsolete in a couple of years anyway.

You certainly need at least a basic cable hookup to use the QAM (cable) tuner. If you don't have that then you have to use a TV antenna.

The bottom line is that you just have to try it and see what you get.

nogits i have the same concern. It seems the scan picks up all the digital and HD Channels regardless of signal strength. So unless you know exactly what the channels with good signals are you have to go through them all. What a pain. This is a feature that Panasonic could do better at.

Originally posted by nogits

The other thing that is a real pain with QAM tuning and no CableCard is that the TV catches over 1000 channels (105.1, 105.2, 105.3, 105.4, ... 105.10) whether there is an unecrypted signal on the channel or not The "manual" mode is horribly bad when it comes to trying to manage and edit down all of these channels into a managable list. My old Sony TV had a way to tune to a channel and then, from the remote, add or delete the channel from the rotation, without having to go into a special menu to do
the operation. I wish the Panny tuner had this capability. What is there is extremely painful to deal with.



Yeah, I have this problem also (QAM picks up hundreds of not viewable cable stations) and the PD50U has a real clunky way of deleting these useless stations. Have to go thru each one by one. :(

I am in New Jersey, just outside of NYC. The QAM picks up two ABC and two NBC stations. The second NBC channel in my area shows the local weather forecast map 24 hours a day.

Does anyone else notice when changing HD channels that it's not instantaneous? Only with HD channels do I have this problem. When I hit the channel up/down button there is a pause of about 2-3 seconds of blank screeen before the picture appears. The sound comes right away but the screen takes a few seconds. A little annoying.

So, have there been any sightings of the 37" model? Or am I the only one interested?

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
So, have there been any sightings of the 37" model? Or am I the only one interested?
I'm also interested in the 37". From what I can gather from the web, it seems as though it will be available in the next couple of weeks. Panasonic has added it to their site, finally. I think that means it's close.

Originally posted by mister_two
Yeah, I have this problem also (QAM picks up hundreds of not viewable cable stations) and the PD50U has a real clunky way of deleting these useless stations. Have to go thru each one by one.

It may help to note that if everything is working well (that is, the cable company is sending PSIP in a format the Panny can understand) the useful stations have string identifiers like "KABC-HD" and the encrypted ones don't have anything. Since I only get the locals, I simply marked those as favorites without hunting through the encrypted stuff up around 80-1 and above. If that isn't working, you're right, it is pretty clunky.

There may be a forum in your area to discuss what channels are useful. Try looking at http://www.broadbandreports.com/forums/all under your cable company for starters.

Does anyone else notice when changing HD channels that it's not instantaneous?

The HD compression can take at least 1 second to lock up because of the way it's encoded (one I frame every 15 frames).

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
So, have there been any sightings of the 37" model? Or am I the only one interested?
In stock (at full MSRP) at the CC in Paramus, NJ (Rte 17N), s/b on floor next couple of days.

Just got back from CC, and they had the PX4250U on display. Looked like it hadn't been tweaked, as others have attested the out-of-box settings aren't too attractive.

The display model was the only one they had in stock so the guy said he would cut me a deal, in addition to the already 10% off MSRP they're running this week. I figured it'd be worth it since the set's been on display less than 48 hours.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
That would seem to imply that you can zoom 4:3 (top-cut) but not 16:9 (side-cut) HD. Not really a big deal IMO. Now I have to decide if HD stretch modes are worth 500 bucks and 2 months more to wait. I'm leaning against it, and once I see the 50PX50 in action that 2 month wait will seem even more unbearable.

btw, I couldn't find any mention of the PX500 on the Panasonic site, where did you find it? Was it on their Japanese site?


Hmmm... this is an interesting feature ... maybe interesting enough to return my PX50 and get a PX500 instead.

The problem is this ... broadcasters are doing a pathetic job of broadcasting both SDTV and HDTV. On Saturday, KGO was showing a sports program letterboxed in NTSC. I thought, hey great! I'll switch to 7.1 and see the same program in wide screen. No joy. Channel 7.1 was showing the exact same 4:3 letterboxed signal in 720p. No ability to zoom the signal. :^(

There's nothing worse than watching a doubly "letterboxed??" picture with bars on both top and bottom and left and right on a big screen set. If you could zoom the DTV picture, at least it would have the potential of looking better than NTSC equivalent.

Last night, KGO was showing Extreme Makeover Home Edition in 720p but 4:3 aspect. No ability to stretch unless I went back to the NTSC signal. Worse, the source material was so bad in DTV (colors, contrast) that NTSC was better. Not until "Desparate Housewives" came on in true wide screen HD did the source material look good.

So, until broadcasters get a clue about what to do with varying source material, having the ability to stretch/zoom 720p and 1080i 4:3 aspect content, especially letterboxed 4:3 content, may be worthwhile.

ccdengr,

I have to learn how to use the "favorite" channel feature. It probably works like the bookmark feature in a web browser. Maybe I can individualize certain favorite channels for myself and ones for my wife.

As far as stretching in HD content, I usually don't mind watching letterbox (or black/gray bars on two sides) content in HD . With the PD50U I find myself ONLY watching HD content on it. If I had to watch SD programs for any length of time I rather watch it in my bedroom's 27 inch TV. I don't mind the lack of stretching feature because I can't stand either FULL or JUST because of the distortion and ZOOM removes too much from the two sides plus the top and bottom.

GmanAVS, when you are ready to purchase, check out electronics expo on route 17 north in Paramus. I got an unbelievable deal on the PD50U (less than $1950, out the door). I don't know if they can swing a similar deal on the 50 incher but it doesn't hurt to check them out.

Originally posted by nogits
There's nothing worse than watching a doubly "letterboxed??" picture with bars on both top and bottom and left and right on a big screen set. If you could zoom the DTV picture, at least it would have the potential of looking better than NTSC equivalent.

Last night, KGO was showing Extreme Makeover Home Edition in 720p but 4:3 aspect. No ability to stretch unless I went back to the NTSC signal. Worse, the source material was so bad in DTV (colors, contrast) that NTSC was better.

As long as there *is* NTSC to fall back to, it's probably a better and simpler option. There's no guarantee that zoomed DTV will look better than NTSC; it depends on how they're upconverting it and what bitrate they're using versus how clean your NTSC signal is. One hopes that double letterboxing is a transitory thing.

As people have noted, many HD STBs have zoom capability, though not all of them.

One thing to be aware of -- NBC in particular often starts an HD program in double letterbox and it doesn't switch to full HD until after the intro and first commercial break. They seem to do this habitually on "Medium" for example. So don't give up on HD until after that.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
That would seem to imply that you can zoom 4:3 (top-cut) but not 16:9 (side-cut) HD. Not really a big deal IMO. Now I have to decide if HD stretch modes are worth 500 bucks and 2 months more to wait. I'm leaning against it, and once I see the 50PX50 in action that 2 month wait will seem even more unbearable.

btw, I couldn't find any mention of the PX500 on the Panasonic site, where did you find it? Was it on their Japanese site?

I have the HD zoom feature on my 60" RPTV. It degrades the picture when u zoom it and u see less of the picture too. Can't think of a good reason for that feature? Once u have seen true HD you won't want to see any drop on PQ whether it is to fill the entire screen or trying to see something very tiny. All 4:3 programs in the HD tier channels are SD quality- zooming it will just magnify the flaw! So that extra feature is useless in my opion! PIP is in that same category. How can u enjoy watching 2 programs SIMULTANEOUSLY but only able to hear one ? Tape the other program if its that important.:cool:

The only reason I care about zoom/stretch is because of burn-in concerns. I know the newest plasmas are more resistant to burn-in, but the problem has not been completely eliminated yet. If I'm watching something like the local newscast I don't care enough about the PQ to risk burn-in, no matter how slight the risk.

It's also a bit of a convenience issue. I'm planning on using an HD DirecTivo, and from reading up on that box, I've learned that everything is output at the same resolution, regardless of the original resolution. So if I've got the box set to output 1080i for HD, EVERYTHING will be at 1080i, including the SD channels. I'll have to switch the output resolution of the box to 480i or 480p anytime I want to use the Panny stretch mode. The DirecTivo does have an HD stretch mode at least, but no zoom modes. And the S-Video and composite outputs are only enabled when the box is outputting 480i/p, so I can't get around it that way either. If the Panny had HD zoom/stretch, it would make life a lot simpler.

Well I finally did it. I placed an order today for the TH-50px50u. I ordered it from TVA and I should have it delivered between 5/11-5/13. I currently have a Sony KD34XBR2 which I have had for 3 years. Alongside of the XBR2 I have a component rack with all of the receivers, HD-SAT box, DVD, etc. I am lookig for a nice rack that can hold 6 components plus the plasma. I would prefer an open look with metal frame and glass shelves. Any suggestions as to brand, models etc. I have done a lot of searching, but the sheer number of units makes it difficult to find out what is good and what is not.

regards,

AZARBY

what is the difference between the 50px50u, the px500, and the 50 onyx, also is the 50 to small for 14 ft seating distance?

empire_of_one pm me

Originally posted by technofan
... PIP is in that same category. How can u enjoy watching 2 programs SIMULTANEOUSLY but only able to hear one ?

I never had PIP until I got my PD25U, but now I'm addicted and would be loath to give it up.

I watch my favorite shows while keeping track of sporting events with PIP (split screen, actually). I don't need to hear the latter to know what's going on, and I don't watch both all the time, just enough to keep up with the game. I switch my complete attention to the game during commercials (at least when both channels aren't in commercial mode simultaneously :mad: )

Tape the other program if its that important.:cool:

I don't have a DVR and won't until D* cuts it's price in half from the ridiculous $1000 they are asking now for their HD version. As for tape, you answered that one yourself:

Once u have seen true HD you won't want to see any drop on PQ
;)

Originally posted by azarby
... I am lookig for a nice rack that can hold 6 components plus the plasma. I would prefer an open look with metal frame and glass shelves. Any suggestions as to brand, models etc. ...

check out this thread on plasma furniture (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=527015). lots of good ideas in there. i'm partial to Bell'O (http://www.bello.com) myself.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
The only reason I care about zoom/stretch is because of burn-in concerns. ...The DirecTivo does have an HD stretch mode at least, but no zoom modes.

Fair enough, though I think you may be overly concerned about burn-in. But clearly, you should get the features you want, and it's too bad that the PD50/PX50 doesn't zoom/stretch HD input.

However, I'm not sure that zooming HD makes much sense except in the "double letterbox" case, which I'm hoping will become less frequent as more and more stations convert fully to HD. Stations should upconvert letterboxed SD video to true 16:9 HD in the first place, not make you do it at home! If you can stretch actual 4:3 material to 16:9, that should be most of what you need.

There are some people who insist on zooming 2.35:1 movies so they get no black bars, but on a 16:9 TV that's going to cut off the sides (unless they use some vertical non-linear stretch). I just relax and assume that watching a few such movies isn't going to result in burn-in, and I do the same for the occasional 4:3 content on HD.

Originally posted by Macfan424
I never had PIP until I got my PD25U, but now I'm addicted and would be loath to give it up.

;)

Panasonic has lost me as a customer now that they have dropped PIP, I was going to get the new PD50U before reading this thread - I just assumed it had PIP. Now I have to look elsewhere. Even a basic CRT TV for several hundred $$$s has PIP.

Originally posted by ccdengr
Fair enough, though I think you may be overly concerned about burn-in. But clearly, you should get the features you want, and it's too bad that the PD50/PX50 doesn't zoom/stretch HD input.

However, I'm not sure that zooming HD makes much sense except in the "double letterbox" case, which I'm hoping will become less frequent as more and more stations convert fully to HD. Stations should upconvert letterboxed SD video to true 16:9 HD in the first place, not make you do it at home! If you can stretch actual 4:3 material to 16:9, that should be most of what you need.

There are some people who insist on zooming 2.35:1 movies so they get no black bars, but on a 16:9 TV that's going to cut off the sides (unless they use some vertical non-linear stretch). I just relax and assume that watching a few such movies isn't going to result in burn-in, and I do the same for the occasional 4:3 content on HD.

I'm sure once I've had one for a while I'll be able to relax on the burn-in, but it's taken me this long to get over burn-in concerns to begin considering a plasma in the first place. It also doesn't help that I'm an OAR purist. When I switched to DVD all those years ago, it was mainly to be able to see movies in OAR, not for the improved PQ they offered. So I'm sure not planning on stretching or zooming 2.35:1 movies any more than I have to (only during the break-in phase and for movies where framing isn't as vital like comedies). I guess I'm compensating by wanting to zoom/stretch 4:3 stuff as much as possible.

Unfortunately a lot of DTV stations add sidebars to 4:3 content anyway, so even the PX500s HD stretch/zoom modes won't work there, since the signal is seen by the TV as 16:9 and reportedly it can't sidecut the HD.

Originally posted by ccdengr
Fair enough, though I think you may be overly concerned about burn-in. But clearly, you should get the features you want, and it's too bad that the PD50/PX50 doesn't zoom/stretch HD input.

However, I'm not sure that zooming HD makes much sense except in the "double letterbox" case, which I'm hoping will become less frequent as more and more stations convert fully to HD. Stations should upconvert letterboxed SD video to true 16:9 HD in the first place, not make you do it at home! If you can stretch actual 4:3 material to 16:9, that should be most of what you need.

There are some people who insist on zooming 2.35:1 movies so they get no black bars, but on a 16:9 TV that's going to cut off the sides (unless they use some vertical non-linear stretch). I just relax and assume that watching a few such movies isn't going to result in burn-in, and I do the same for the occasional 4:3 content on HD.

For 5 years I've lived with a Pioneer Elite which stretches only SD content.....HD content is automatically set to full. If there are black bars above and below with HD or DVD movies then so be it....that is what the director has chosen for the aspect ratio and I don't want to distort the image by stretching the signal vertically (and I'm speaking of movies as I have noticed very few bars with broadcasts which are not movies). SD broadcasts generally suck picture quality wise anyway so I set that to full and haven't given it a second thought. So, for me, zooming HD content is a non-issue. And with contrast/brightness set at reasonable levels, there has been no burn-in at all.

Moderator

only MSRP no retail links please

We can't discuss anything here but MSRP.

Sorry,

I just wanted to know if these sets were new or if they were older models. The MSRP and the listed price have such a difference I thought these were last season's models.

Thanks.

I stopped by the local CC again tonight to view the PX50 again. This time the 50PX50 which had just been taken out of the box last time I was there was now hung on the wall, right next to the Pio 5050HD. Unfortunately, they also decided to stack a bunch of DVD player boxes right where the prime viewing spot between these TVs would be. So to compare I had to stand either 3' away, in front of the boxes, or about 14' way looking over the boxes.

Like the 42PX50, the 50PX50 wasn't set up so I went in and did some quick adjustments. Overall, the 50PX50 looks great. Side by side with the Pio, it's not a massive difference in PQ by any means, but I definitely preferred the Panny. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall the Panny looks better to me.

Color: The Pio has a bit more saturation than the Panny. To my eyes, I preferred the look of the Panny and thought it looked more natural, even in showroom lighting. The Pio has a bit more pop to the colors but at the expense of naturalism. This one is a matter of preference.

Shadow Detail and blacks: With the Panny's Black Level set to Dark, I couldn't get the shadow details I could get in the Pio no matter what I tried. With Black Level set to Light on the Panny, shadow detail returned. I didn't notice as much difference in black levels this time as last time, but given the showroom conditions and the program material (a storm-chaser doc on Discovery HD at 1080i) black level was hard to judge. The Pio didn't look as washed out as last time though. I did notice that the PD50 above the Pio seemed to have slightly deeper blacks than both the PX50 and the Pio.

Sharpness/Detail: This was an odd one. On most everything the Panny seemed much more detailed. But for some reason the Pio looked more detailed on faces. I can't explain it, that's just how it looked to me. Overall the Panny had a much smoother and more natural picture to my eyes. While the Pio did have a bit more pop to the picture, it just looked a little more processed in comparison (and this was with all NR and processing options turned off). I suspect the extra apparent detail in the faces on the Pio may have been a result of this processing, and the Panny may have actually been more accurate.

Noise/Artifacts: Here is where the Panny really excelled over the Pio. Side by side, you really notice how noisy the Pio's picture is compared to the Panny. The PX50 rarely exhibited any distracting amount of noise, and when it did, I could look right over at the Pio and see much more noise on the same picture. I think the Panny is about as clean as it gets here. The storm-chaser doc that was being shown included a lot of DV camcorder shots of clouds and tornados, so there was a lot of false contouring and macroblocking in these shots from the source. Strangely enough, these artifacts were more noticable on the Panny than the Pio. I attribute that also to the noise, I think to some extent the Pio's noise was obscuring the artifacts in the source. On HD shots of clouds and such, I didn't see any false contouring on either set.

Overall, I felt the Panny looked smoother and more natural than the Pio. The Pio has a bit more pop but ultimately, they're both very close PQ-wise. I took this as a good sign, since past comparisons seemed to indicate that the Pio outshone the Panny in bright conditions, with the opposite being true in darker rooms. This Panny definitely holds its own against the Pio on the showroom floor.

I'm going back with some reference DVDs Wednesday night to check DVD and SD PQ, and if all goes well, and unless I find out about some great feature the PX500 has that makes it worth the wait, I may try haggling one of these out of CC's hands.

Just checked out the price on the TVA web site for the 50PX. I can't believe it.

I typically would prefer to buy something this expensive from a real store, but the savings more than make up for shipping, particularly with no sales tax.

If I recall, I've seen plenty of good things about them on in varous forums. Plus aren't they the ones with the pixel perfect guarantee for AVS Members?

I saw a coupon box on the checkout, anyone aware of any coupons that can be used?

Also, anyone have a feeling on wall mounts for the 50PX? If I go with TVA, I may just add in their standard mount. Any toughts?

The TVA price is definitely tempting. My plan for now is to try to get it at CC while they're having their 10% off sale, and get them to throw in a 3-year service contract for free. If I can swing that, I'll consider the price difference as insurance against possible TV return. Considering that I've currently got a 100% return rate on HDTVs so far which didn't live up to my expectations, that's a reasonable insurance policy for me.

Originally posted by FunkyRebel
Sorry,

I just wanted to know if these sets were new or if they were older models. The MSRP and the listed price have such a difference I thought these were last season's models.

Thanks.

No problem.....seeing your post count it is not something that you could easily know.

Originally posted by DanP
No problem.....seeing your post count it is not something that you could easily know.

Not entirely true......

Everybody is required to read and agree to abide by the Forum "Rules, Policies and Guidelines".

Once they sign up, it is assumed that they actually did read and understand the posted "Rules".

But we do believe that everybody deserves a second chance.:)

Dave

Originally posted by empire_of_one
Unfortunately a lot of DTV stations add sidebars to 4:3 content anyway, so even the PX500s HD stretch/zoom modes won't work there, since the signal is seen by the TV as 16:9 and reportedly it can't sidecut the HD.

I understand completely about the tension between wanting to watch the original aspect ratio and avoid burn-in. As I said several posts ago, if it wasn't for burn-in I would probably watch all 4:3 material in 4:3 and never use JUST.

Where I was going with my argument: if the HD Tivo does stretch on HD signals but not zoom, then you may be OK relying on it to stretch 4:3 as needed and just not bother to zoom.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I'm sure once I've had one for a while I'll be able to relax on the burn-in, but it's taken me this long to get over burn-in concerns to begin considering a plasma in the first place. It also doesn't help that I'm an OAR purist. When I switched to DVD all those years ago, it was mainly to be able to see movies in OAR, not for the improved PQ they offered. So I'm sure not planning on stretching or zooming 2.35:1 movies any more than I have to (only during the break-in phase and for movies where framing isn't as vital like comedies). I guess I'm compensating by wanting to zoom/stretch 4:3 stuff as much as possible.

Unfortunately a lot of DTV stations add sidebars to 4:3 content anyway, so even the PX500s HD stretch/zoom modes won't work there, since the signal is seen by the TV as 16:9 and reportedly it can't sidecut the HD.

That may be incorrect. When I played with the px500 in a store here in Tokyo it seemed that it can cut the sidebars and stretch on HD content, but it can't detect the necessity for doing so since the signal is 16:9. I could manually make it stretch pressing the "screen mode" button. It would even stretch and cut a full 16:9 HD broadcast without sidebars, so clearly the tv makes no assumptions on the contents, and it warns in a popup message that part of the image may be cut.

I have not read a manual, and the Japanese models don't seem to be switchable to English, so I'd like to stress that at this point this is my impression only. I tried it on their previous model that was still on display (px300) and it worked identically there.

OK, I assumed when the site said it couldn't side-cut, that meant only 4:3 could be stretched/zoomed, but if that's not the case then that's definitely good news for the PX500.

Does it have the same stretch/zoom modes, Full, Just, Standard and Zoom, as the other Pannies? I'm assuming the stretch mode you used for 16:9 was Just, since the Full isn't a stretch mode in 16:9?

We need a group buy for the 42PX50U !!!

Originally posted by hdguy
Nogits,
To improve block noise from your Tivo, go to Picture settings -> Other Adjust -> MPEG NR (see page 25 in the manual).

I've noticed that this feature will soften the effect of MPEG macroblocking.

Try it, and let us know what you think.

Thanks. I'd already found MPEG NR.

I tried playing around with the MPEG Noise Reduction NR settings this evening.

After some trials, I think my preference is to use "Best" quality recording on the Tivo with MPEG NR off rather than "High Quality" with MPEG NR on.

The MPEG NR softens the image a little too much for my tastes, especially when zooming the image. The little bit of analog noise that I gain with MPEG NR off helps make images look just a little bit more sharp.

From my point-of-view, I want the best source material I can get rather than trying to "fix" a degraded signal. It's worth the upgrade to the Tivo. Besides, I can't keep up with 40 hours of TV on my Tivo anyhow. :^)

has anyone figured out how to adjust overscan on the pd50 yet?

Originally posted by Negative Zer0
check out this thread on plasma furniture (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=527015). lots of good ideas in there. i'm partial to Bell'O (http://www.bello.com) myself.

I checked out the Bello products and found two models that I like, the 2601 and the 2572. The local Ultimate Electronics has the 2601 in stock but I would have to order the 2572. The only thing that concerns me for both units is the spacing above the bottom shelf. I have a Denon 3805 that is 6 3/4 in high and the shelf has ~7 1/2" height. It looks like the middle shelf might have more clearance as there appears to be a lot more space behind the top shelf support. Denon recommends 4" on all sides. With these units I could comply with everything except the top. My current stand has about 2" clearance. With the Bello units the sides and back would be wide open. Would I be asking for trouble with that tight of a clearance on the top. If anyone has a 2601, could they measure the distance between the middle glass and the top glass.

Thanks,
azarby

Originally posted by vnguyen
has anyone figured out how to adjust overscan on the pd50 yet?
Yes Service Menu access and features for both the 42PD50 and 42PX50 would definitely be appreciated from all the new owners!

I'm a "proud" new owner of a TH-50PX50U PDP. Currently I have the panel set to 'Just' mode when watching SD programs. I'm using the 'Standard' factory setting with the picture, brightness & color adjustments turned down a few notches. The panel is performing well and I have observed no de d/stuck pixels. Any information from PD/PX owners regarding adjustments/settings/proper care/etc. is greatly appreciated.

Optivity. Have you read Rich Harkness articles: "Polishing Turd" and "Steaming Rat"? I followed his approach and it changed the way I watch TV...

http://www.glaucobruzzi.com/plasma-faq/forumdisplay.php?f=3

I may not be for everyone, but worth a try.

Congrats on your new PDP. I'm a recent and happy PD50U owner....

Any chance of a PowerBuy on the 50PX50 sets from TVA? :D

Originally posted by stevepas9
Optivity. Have you read Rich Harkness articles: "Polishing Turd" and "Steaming Rat"? I followed his approach and it changed the way I watch TV...

http://www.glaucobruzzi.com/plasma-faq/forumdisplay.php?f=3

I may not be for everyone, but worth a try.

Congrats on your new PDP. I'm a recent and happy PD50U owner.... steve, thanks for the link, I'll try and put to use some of Rich' guidelines... I'm really looking forward to watching 'AI' & 'House' tonight... and don't even get me started on a new episode of 'Lost' tomorrow... Life just doesn't get any better for 'Optivity' these days...:)

(unless I get to see 'Kate' in one of her obligatory underwear shots tomorrow)

Hi azarby,

I have the Bello 4201A purchased from the local UE in Mesa. The shelf clearance is similar, 7.5". My HK AVR is also ~6.75" in height.
I have found that the AVR gets quite warm with so little clearance on top. I am concerned enough that I have temporarily placed a quiet
table fan on the floor behind one of my main speakers (where it's not visible from the front) directed toward the back of the AVR and
this keeps the AVR nice and cool. April through October I think it will definitely need it.

Bruce

As thehan mentioned, and what it looks like from the operating manual on the Japanese website - the 42PX500U will have the following features:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fcnc.asp.hi-ho.ne.jp%2fcnc%2fmanual%2f2005%2ftv%2fth_50_42_37px500_tv.pd f

or

http://cnc.asp.hi-ho.ne.jp/cnc/manual/2005/tv/th_50_42_37px500_tv.pdf



1) split screen (page 31 of 84 on Adobe, page 61 of manual) and (page 33 of 84 on Adobe, page 65 of manual)

2) It looks like you may can stretch HD content by the following examples of more screen modes (page 29 of 84 on Adobe, page 56 and 57 of manual)

3) It also looks as if it will have 2 Ant inputs. Look on right side of the page where it shows one example of an antenna and another of a satellite going into two ant inputs (page 47 of 84 on Adobe, page 93 of manual)

Can anyone here translate Japanese? If it has these options and the addition of Program Guide plus other options SD input etc... It looks like it will have the stand similar to the 25U's according to pictures on the Japan site. Not sure if it will swivel. It looks like I will be holding out another 2 months for one. Especially for what I see on the pricing when putting in the 42PX500U in a search engine.

Have a good day.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
From what I understand, the PX50s DO have cooling fans. The PD50s don't. Can anyone confirm this?

I have the PD50U and it does not have any fans. The Manual does not specify if it does or not, but if it does they are silent.

Originally posted by ccdengr
Fair enough, though I think you may be overly concerned about burn-in. But clearly, you should get the features you want, and it's too bad that the PD50/PX50 doesn't zoom/stretch HD input.

However, I'm not sure that zooming HD makes much sense except in the "double letterbox" case, which I'm hoping will become less frequent as more and more stations convert fully to HD. Stations should upconvert letterboxed SD video to true 16:9 HD in the first place, not make you do it at home! If you can stretch actual 4:3 material to 16:9, that should be most of what you need.

There are some people who insist on zooming 2.35:1 movies so they get no black bars, but on a 16:9 TV that's going to cut off the sides (unless they use some vertical non-linear stretch). I just relax and assume that watching a few such movies isn't going to result in burn-in, and I do the same for the occasional 4:3 content on HD.

I agree this burn-in issue is over rated on the Panasonic. This week-end i watched 4 movies side by side with 2.35:1 aspect ratio and watch all HD without any worry. If you want to achive burn-in on your Panasonic you have to almost try. If you use common sense and don't watch the same programming for days you will never get any burn-in period. When you zoom the picture you distort it to much for my liking. Eventually they will convert fully to HD,. In the meantime i prefer to watch a non distorted view.

Originally posted by catslick
I have the PD50U and it does not have any fans. The Manual does not specify if it does or not, but if it does they are silent. I received a TH-50PX50U last Sunday. Operation is silent & after a few hours of operation the panel is cool to the touch.

Originally posted by catslick
I agree this burn-in issue is over rated on the Panasonic. This week-end i watched 4 movies side by side with 2.35:1 aspect ratio and watch all HD without any worry. If you want to achive burn-in on your Panasonic you have to almost try. If you use common sense and don't watch the same programming for days you will never get any burn-in period. When you zoom the picture you distort it to much for my liking. Eventually they will convert fully to HD,. In the meantime i prefer to watch a non distorted view. We are 'experiencing' the bleeding edge of technology. I'm watching SD programs in 'Just' mode and can't say I'm 'enthralled' by it. But, I purchased this PDP for it's wide-screen HDTV capabilities which are 'incredible.' Fortunately, I get 16 HD channels so there is a lot of HD content to watch. I want to be careful with the panel during it's break-in period so I'm minimizing the use of side-bars, contrast, etc. I was quite annoyed to see the 'omnipresent' CBS logo last night.

Originally posted by optivity
I was quite annoyed to see the 'omnipresent' CBS logo last night.

My heart aches for you (sarcasm) ;)

Seriously, I sure would love to see a panel like yours with my own two eyes, let alone in my own house! I'm sure I'll have to drive to Tucson to see one, but they are usually a few weeks behind the rest of the country.

How about it Tucsonians, any 50PX50s there yet?

Originally posted by yobob
My heart aches for you (sarcasm) ;)

Seriously, I sure would love to see a panel like yours with my own two eyes, let alone in my own house! I'm sure I'll have to drive to Tucson to see one, but they are usually a few weeks behind the rest of the country.

How about it Tucsonians, any 50PX50s there yet? If you're ever in Upstate NY...

Hey everyone, I just got my 42PD50 and its great!

But has anyone been able to program their remote to control a directv D10-200 set top box? I think I tried just about every code in the manual but no luck and the directv remote is extremely inconvenient to use compared to the pannys.

According to pricegrabber, there are 4 companies offering the 50PX500U and three of them say "in stock"! Are these really available for shipment already in the U.S.?

one states "IN STOCK, SHIPS 24-48 HOURS"

going off-topic for a quick second ...
Originally posted by azarby
... Would I be asking for trouble with that tight of a clearance on the top. ... i doubt it. electronics tend to run warm. nature of hte beast. while heat will kill, it's really gotta be a lot of it IME. you should really check to see if your receiver is known for running warm. for example, the h/ks are notorious for it (i've got one too, BJ Rider), even with an internal fan.

the reccommended clearance for your receiver, likely assumes a closed cabinet/case/rack. the open Bell'Os I think, will more than make up for the lack of 3.25 extra inches on top. the heat escaping through the top vents are not going to be trapped there. it'll dissipate rather quickly, i imagine.

(for the record, i'm no engineer. the preceeding was nothing more than applied (un)common sense. season to taste, YMMV, grains of salt and all that :p)

Originally posted by optivity
We are 'experiencing' the bleeding edge of technology. I'm watching SD programs in 'Just' mode and can't say I'm 'enthralled' by it. But, I purchased this PDP for it's wide-screen HDTV capabilities which are 'incredible.' Fortunately, I get 16 HD channels so there is a lot of HD content to watch. I want to be careful with the panel during it's break-in period so I'm minimizing the use of side-bars, contrast, etc. I was quite annoyed to see the 'omnipresent' CBS logo last night.

Just make sure during the break in period i believe to be the first 200 hr's of use and to keep your Brightness and Contrast to a minimum and you will be fine. I work at a College and they have NEC plasma's they use for networking monitors and also for displaying coming events for students and these things are on constant display with stagnant icons etc and they sow no signs of Burn-in. They are over two years old. Also the Station Logo's are not an issue unless you watch the same Station and leave it on for two weeks straight. These panel's they use today are so much better than they use to be. The Panasonic panels have addressed this issue and i do not concern myself with burn-in anymore.

I GOT IT! I bought th 42px50 and it's so nice. I've never owned a plasma or anything of this size. But after months of lurking and visiting every CC and BB I have come across I bought this one because it was as good as or better then the others Sony, Pio, etc. and it was priced very well (I've noticed Panasonic has always had high quality, well performing products at very reasonable prices for what you get. Also because I was in Boston this weekend and decided to take the short trip to New Hampshire to pick it up Tax Free. The blacks are close to the black of the bezel. I think it's great.

Couple of observations,
There is a buzz in the back but like someone else noted, you can't hear it about a foot back from the front of the set.

This set was made in Japan not Mexico, which was the point of discussion a while back.

A couple of newbie questions:
I sit about 6.5' back from the set and it seems too big. I don't know if it's because I'm not used to a set of this size. I may purchase the 37px50 and return the one (thanks to CC's 30 day to questions asked policy). Or maybe I need an adjustment period. What do you think?

Where can I purchase an Antenna to recieve OTA HD channels? I want to see what I can pick up before going thru the cable company.

Also, do you guys suggest purchasing the especially for Component Video cables? Or can I use the (composite?) cables from my VCR?


Thanks everyone for all your openness in helping others. Remember it helps us lurkers just as much.

Blik, I plan on getting the 37" and if I decide it's too small, I'll then go with the 42".

Originally posted by blikkem
I GOT IT! I bought th 42px50 and it's so nice.

I sit about 6.5' back from the set and it seems too big. I don't know if it's because I'm not used to a set of this size. I may purchase the 37px50 and return the one (thanks to CC's 30 day to questions asked policy). Or maybe I need an adjustment period. What do you think?


I've read many posts here that say that at first their set seemed BIG, but after living with it a while, they wished they had gotten a bigger one!

FWIW

Does anyone have the dimensions of the TH-42PX500U yet? I tried to discern from the link to the Japanese manual, but I couldn't read any of it.

Yes, the Incredible Shrinking TV phenomenon is well documented. FWIW, I've seen the following comment several times on these forums: "I'm looking to buy a new TV because my current set is too small." Can't remember ever seeing "I'm looking to buy a new TV because my current set is too big."

Originally posted by jambon
Vindicated at last!

Now that I know I wasn't losing my mind when I saw what you describe on my set, let me mention my observations since then:

1. This dramatic error in yellow color decoding appears to be highly pronounced in a small subset of individual sets of this model. After the last straw (a lime green horses head on the center court logo during a Mavericks basketball game), I asked CC to exchange my set for a different one and crossed my fingers. They were great about it, and agreed with no hassles at all (in the 30 day satisfaction period). I've had my new pd50u for a few days now, and have not noticed the green push nearly to the degree I did before. There is still a subtle green push, but based on my observations of many models side by side in the showroom, it's actually less than most other sets.

This effect can be particularly noticed on new yellow firefighter slickers, legal pads, and apparently some school buses.

2. This effect is much more pronounced in SD color matrix than in HD color matrix. However, on an effected set, the effect can still be noticed in HD.

3. The effect cannot be dialed down by standard settings without destroying color fidelity for all other colors.

4. The effect must be somewhat rare, because until your post, I could not find a single person on this forum who could duplicate what I was seeing despite repeated requests on my part for other forum members to A/B the display with a CRT side by side. Several members responded, but no one else had this problem.

Like I said, I'm much happier with my new set so far. I decided to take a chance on my problem being an individual set thing instead of a model thing because of the wonderful PQ, and it worked out for me. I guess the store you visited just had the bad luck to mount one of the "green neon" models.


I just got my PD 50 and it qualifies as a fire engine. I used Avia Guide to Home Theater to calibrate color and tint. Both settings calibrated to 0. The grass is "brilliant" and yellow letters are green tinged. Any suggestions? I got my unit on the web so sending it back is not an option.

I've ordered a set ;) and now I need help with the mount. Are the mount holes in the same location as the previous generation Panny 50 inch set? Chief and Peerless have not added the 50PX50 to their lists yet.

I'm leaning towards the Peerless PSWT for $152 due to the fact that it is 1/2 the cost and the lateral shift is included.

I just got my PD 50 and it qualifies as a fire engine. I used Avia Guide to Home Theater to calibrate color and tint. Both settings calibrated to 0. The grass is "brilliant" and yellow letters are green tinged. Any suggestions? I got my unit on the web so sending it back is not an option.

My PD50 has the same "greening up the yellows" problem, I bought from CC but my wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting to exchange it. whats the serial number on the back of yours, I wonder if its from the same lot as mine and has some sort of defective part or other wierd quirk. Its starting to really irk me though...

Originally posted by yobob
I've read many posts here that say that at first their set seemed BIG, but after living with it a while, they wished they had gotten a bigger one!

FWIW Originally posted by empire_of_one
Yes, the Incredible Shrinking TV phenomenon is well documented. FWIW, I've seen the following comment several times on these forums: "I'm looking to buy a new TV because my current set is too small." Can't remember ever seeing "I'm looking to buy a new TV because my current set is too big."
I experienced this phenomena with my last TV... I went from a 27" to a 36" TV which at first seemed HUGE than after (2) years seemed kind of
small, especially when viewing HD material with those damn black-bars at the top & bottom of the screen. My 50" PDP @ 12' is kind of 'over powering' right now... but I'm sure I'll adjust. The good news is.... there is room enough on the wall to accommodate that 65" SED panel in my future...:cool:

My 65" Panasonic is "just right".

When there is an offordable larger panel, then I fully expect it to suddenly shrink.

I too have wasted wall space.

Originally posted by blikkem
Where can I purchase an Antenna to recieve OTA HD channels? I want to see what I can pick up before going thru the cable company.


Most Target's and Wal-Mart's have regular antenna's for HD reception. I am lucky in that I am located in a central area where I can get the Baltimore and Washington DC HD stations with just an indoor antenna. I have the powered RCA (about $25) that I am very happy with. A friend gets great reception with just a sliver surfer unpowered antenna. Target has a 90 day return policy, so buy a powered and unpowered, and see which works best for you. I do recommend with the powered antenna that you do not set the antenna for maximum gain...I have noticed it causes stations to drop out. Back the gain off a little and you should get good reception.

Darren

Originally posted by catslick
I have the PD50U and it does not have any fans. The Manual does not specify if it does or not, but if it does they are silent.

I don't know about the PD50. While perusing the troubleshooting section of the PX50 manual, it definitely says you may hear a whirring which is the fan, and not to worry about it.

Darren

Between RichN and Empire_of_One maybe we should start a Baltimore Plasma (Panny?) Club. you know, with regular meetings. Get the SO's to serve little finger sandwiches while we watch HD...;)

Darren

P.S. Sorry about three posts in a row. I was out of town and just catching up on this thread.

Originally posted by DarrenK
I don't know about the PD50. While perusing the troubleshooting section of the PX50 manual, it definitely says you may hear a whirring which is the fan, and not to worry about it.

Darren

I'm not saying there are no fans, but I will note that manuals are often wrong in areas like this. Often. Many Panasonic manuals, in particular, have referred to fans that do not exist in the units.

Originally posted by Negative Zer0
going off-topic for a quick second ...
i doubt it. electronics tend to run warm. nature of hte beast. while heat will kill, it's really gotta be a lot of it IME. you should really check to see if your receiver is known for running warm. for example, the h/ks are notorious for it (i've got one too, BJ Rider), even with an internal fan.

the reccommended clearance for your receiver, likely assumes a closed cabinet/case/rack. the open Bell'Os I think, will more than make up for the lack of 3.25 extra inches on top. the heat escaping through the top vents are not going to be trapped there. it'll dissipate rather quickly, i imagine.

(for the record, i'm no engineer. the preceding was nothing more than applied (un)common sense. season to taste, YMMV, grains of salt and all that :p)

I stopped by the local Ultimate Electronics and actually measured the distance between shelves of the Bello AVS-2601. The way they have it designed, I would not put the receiver on the bottom shelf, just too tight. The middle shelf is a lot better fit. The quoted dimension of 7.5 " is from the glass of the middle shelf to the top bottom of the shelf rail. Behind the rail is an additional 3" with plenty of venting. It looks like the 2601 will do the job. Going to go back and purchase it this weekend.

Thanks,
azarby

Originally posted by jmcguire57@yaho
I used Avia Guide to Home Theater to calibrate color and tint. Both settings calibrated to 0. The grass is "brilliant" and yellow letters are green tinged. Any suggestions? I got my unit on the web so sending it back is not an option.

On the PD25, there were service menu options to control the individual color settings (RGB cut, RB drive, etc.)

As far as I know, the only useful thing we know how to do in the PD50 service menu is display the number of hours of operation.

I don't know if it's even possible to change the color settings at this level in the PD50, but it sounds like that's what would have to be done to fix these "green-neon" units.

I believe there's a plug on the back of the PD50 marked "service only", and it may be that the settings can only be adjusted via some piece of test equipment plugged into this port. I didn't look at mine before I put it into its cabinet, so I don't know if it's a connector or what.

Maybe someone with a service manual has more insight.

Originally posted by optivity

I received a TH-50PX50U last Sunday. Operation is silent & after a few hours of operation the panel is cool to the touch.
________________________________________________________


I read earlier it has a fan that exhausts from the top of the unit.

Usually if there is a fan, there is a filter to keep it clean.

Is there mention of filter replacement for this unit?

Originally posted by Pete'sBlind
My PD50 has the same "greening up the yellows" problem, I bought from CC but my wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting to exchange it. whats the serial number on the back of yours, I wonder if its from the same lot as mine and has some sort of defective part or other wierd quirk. Its starting to really irk me though...

I've read posts from 4 or 5 people now who have had this problem. It would probably be a good idea for one of these green-tint sufferers to call Panny service up and see whether there's a fix to the problem or not.

Originally posted by Gooch74
As thehan mentioned, and what it looks like from the operating manual on the Japanese website - the 42PX500U will have the following features:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fcnc.asp.hi-ho.ne.jp%2fcnc%2fmanual%2f2005%2ftv%2fth_50_42_37px500_tv.pd f

or

http://cnc.asp.hi-ho.ne.jp/cnc/manual/2005/tv/th_50_42_37px500_tv.pdf



1) split screen (page 31 of 84 on Adobe, page 61 of manual) and (page 33 of 84 on Adobe, page 65 of manual)

2) It looks like you may can stretch HD content by the following examples of more screen modes (page 29 of 84 on Adobe, page 56 and 57 of manual)

3) It also looks as if it will have 2 Ant inputs. Look on right side of the page where it shows one example of an antenna and another of a satellite going into two ant inputs (page 47 of 84 on Adobe, page 93 of manual)

Can anyone here translate Japanese? If it has these options and the addition of Program Guide plus other options SD input etc... It looks like it will have the stand similar to the 25U's according to pictures on the Japan site. Not sure if it will swivel. It looks like I will be holding out another 2 months for one. Especially for what I see on the pricing when putting in the 42PX500U in a search engine.

Have a good day.

If fact, there are 3 antenna inputs. One for analog, one for ground digital, and one for satellite digital (BC/CS). This may very well be different on the US model though.

As for the stretching of HD content, you can choose to either have the tv figure out the proper zoom/stretch mode by itself once you press the screen mode button, or cycle through the options yourself. This depends on the general "side cut" setting in the setup menu. The manual also mentions the warning message I saw when playing with it in the shop.

The split screen option has a PoutP option, with one of the two channels taking up most of the screen real estate, but no PIP.

Han

After seeing these reports on yellows turning green on some PD/PX50s, I wonder if this happens with DVD too. Since DVD is technically SD, potentially you would see the effect there. Has anyone who's experienced the green issue seen it on DVD? If not, how are your DVD and other SD sources connected? It may be input related, rather than SD specific.

Jambon,

I noticed that you set your tint setting to +2. Others seem to be using a tint setting of -2. Perhaps you need to adjust your tint setting to correct the green push?

As far as I know, the higher you crank up your tint, the greener the screen appears.

So I've been lurking around for a long time reading, and I finally feel in love and bought a 42PX50U. Now I know the 500U will have a PC input but since my MCE 2005 has a DVI I thought I would just buy a DVI-HDMI cable and be off. So far it is working fine but I notice in the manual it states this in the manual for the HDMI port

"this input terminal is not intended for used with computers" Anyone have any idea if this warning has any validly? And I seem to have two options 1080i or 720P to the plasma from MCE what would be better? I've tried so many combinations I know longer can tell what is better : )


Thanks!!
Robert

Originally posted by blikkem

Where can I purchase an Antenna to recieve OTA HD channels? I want to see what I can pick up before going thru the cable company.

Check out Craigslist in your area for antennas. I picked up an almost new 12 foot Terk antenna for only $30, which would have been $150 in stores. It works great! Some people buy these huge antennas, and then find out their homeowners covenants will not let them put them up outdoors.

w w w . C r a i g s l i s t . o r g

Has anyone been able to compare the new panny's (PD/PX50) to the 7UY models? Either side by side or someone who has seen both seperately...? I saw a PX50 at CC today and it was definitely bright and beautiful, even though the room had a lot of light. IMO it was the best looking display in the store. I have not seen a 7UY in person.

The specs on the PX/PD50's are identical to the commercial 7UY's (same contrast, same amount of colors, same amount of gradiations.) To me this suggests that their raw image quality should be *very* close or identical (other than scaling/electronics, which I know can make a big difference.)

Compared to the bright image I saw from the PX50 today though, I've seen some washed-out looking 7UY's in various gallery images here. It makes me wonder: If the contrast ratio is the same between the 7UY and the PX50, I don't see how the PX50 could be brighter/punchier unless it likewise sacrified black levels... maybe it's because the PX50 had literally just been unpacked? Or maybe it's just that I haven't found the right 7UY screenshots (I've seen Harkness' 6UY shots which are incredible though...)

Well, either way, I am very likely getting a panasonic in my home soon so I guess I'll be able to provide my own answers shortly... :-)

- paul

Originally posted by Rkendall
"this input terminal is not intended for used with computers" Anyone have any idea if this warning has any validly? And I seem to have two options 1080i or 720P to the plasma from MCE what would be better?

My guess is that Panasonic was trying to avoid supporting a million permutations of resolution and pixel clock from DVI-equipped computers. If your MCE is sending 720p or 1080i it should look pretty much like an STB as far as the plasma is concerned. As for which of 720p or 1080i, try them both and see which one you like better; the difference will probably be subtle (in general 720p is better for sports and 1080i better for movies, but it's not a huge difference and depends more on how the source material was shot than on how it's delivered to you.)

Originally posted by ccdengr
My guess is that Panasonic was trying to avoid supporting a million permutations of resolution and pixel clock from DVI-equipped computers. If your MCE is sending 720p or 1080i it should look pretty much like an STB as far as the plasma is concerned. As for which of 720p or 1080i, try them both and see which one you like better; the difference will probably be subtle (in general 720p is better for sports and 1080i better for movies, but it's not a huge difference and depends more on how the source material was shot than on how it's delivered to you.)

So is their any risk of damaging it by sending it a resolution or refresh rate that it may not like?

Thanks
Robert

rbkessler

As I was so graciously informed in the following thread, the FCC has nullified all HOA's prohibitions against rooftop antenas. Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=531920&highlight=Hagendos)

Originally posted by Rkendall
So is their any risk of damaging it by sending it a resolution or refresh rate that it may not like?

I think the risk is low, but I wouldn't swear it's zero. Based on what you said, MCE explicitly gives you directions for how to set to 720p or 1080i, and I assume your display card can drive that resolution. But I'm not taking responsibility if your plasma gets fried; send the bill to Bill Gates :)

Has anyone else tried this? If you can't do it, MCE seems pretty useless for HD.

You might ask over at the MCE forum.

Originally posted by ccdengr
I think the risk is low, but I wouldn't swear it's zero. Based on what you said, MCE explicitly gives you directions for how to set to 720p or 1080i, and I assume your display card can drive that resolution. But I'm not taking responsibility if your plasma gets fried; send the bill to Bill Gates :)

Has anyone else tried this? If you can't do it, MCE seems pretty useless for HD.

You might ask over at the MCE forum.

It works fine, its not MCE that worries me, what worries me is Panasonic felt some reason to explictly say not to do it. And I'm trying to find out if anyone has any logical reason that they would care. I would not think so, but I thought I would throw out the question. : )

Thanks
Robert

I've seen plasmas with fans and yet without any kind of filters.

If there are fans, you should be able to find them fairly easily.

So specifically, here is an image that optivity posted recently from his new PX50:

http://home.nycap.rr.com/nessus/DSC00818.JPG

An awesome shot. The PX50 I saw at CC today looked this good too. What I'd love to know is: can a 7UY look this good? I haven't seen any gallery shots that show that to be the case... but the specs suggest that it should be true.

Maybe this question belongs in its own thread...?

- paul

I'm hoping someone here can give me some insight.

Purchased 42PX25 in December '04 with lots of help for all you folks in this forum, thank you!!

Last night the wife attempts to play "American idol" from the Cox Cable Motorola DVR set top box and all we get is the sound no picture?

Oddly enough I'm able to view the HD channels from the cable box and from the cable directly connected to the unit. When I try to view any other non-HD station from either the cable box or the antennae all I can get is the sound, no picture.

help. will call cox and panny service today but dread the thought of lugging that unit in.

John F.

Originally posted by DarrenK
Between RichN and Empire_of_One maybe we should start a Baltimore Plasma (Panny?) Club. you know, with regular meetings. Get the SO's to serve little finger sandwiches while we watch HD...;)

Darren

P.S. Sorry about three posts in a row. I was out of town and just catching up on this thread.

Darren, I would definitely be interested, except I'm not sure if I'm actually going to get the 42PX50U. It depends on cost and what my wife thinks. I'm considering both it (when I can see it, in Baltimore the PXs are not here yet) and the Sammy HLR46 coming out this week. I'll definitely post if I get it. I'm sure we could assist each other in fine tuning the displays as well.

Rich N.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
After seeing these reports on yellows turning green on some PD/PX50s, I wonder if this happens with DVD too. Since DVD is technically SD, potentially you would see the effect there. Has anyone who's experienced the green issue seen it on DVD? If not, how are your DVD and other SD sources connected? It may be input related, rather than SD specific.

I have the problem with the Green Neon effect, but it is only present on certain scenes. Sometimes the greens and yellows are fine and other times not. Turning down the brightness and Contrast has helped but has not eliminated it completely.

FYI, there is a Service slot on the back of the PD50U that looks like some kind of card can be inserted.

I can definitely say i do not experience any kind of Green Neon watching DVD'S.

I have sent an email to Panasonic Customer Service concerning the Green Neon issue and once i hear back from them i will share what they have to report.

Originally posted by foles1_98
I'm hoping someone here can give me some insight.

Purchased 42PX25 in December '04 with lots of help for all you folks in this forum, thank you!!

Last night the wife attempts to play "American idol" from the Cox Cable Motorola DVR set top box and all we get is the sound no picture?

Oddly enough I'm able to view the HD channels from the cable box and from the cable directly connected to the unit. When I try to view any other non-HD station from either the cable box or the antennae all I can get is the sound, no picture.

help. will call cox and panny service today but dread the thought of lugging that unit in.

John F.

Did you try unplugging the power cord from the panel and reinserting it. According to Panasonic if you have any picture problems try this first before placing a Trouble Call. It worked for me when i had a similar experience with my PD50U. Just a thought.

Simple Mounting Questions...

I'm probably going to wait for the PX500 but I imagine the location of the inputs would be similar. For those of you who wall mount, how do you work with the cables?

I suppose the best option is to put a hole in the wall and feed the AC, HDMI, and perhaps components through and down. Is it possible to wall mount and not do that? May look wierd having cables hanging from the bottom of thing, but just wondered what the options are and what you guys may have done. Does it depend on the type of wall mount?

Are the inputs easy to get to from underneath or do I have to take the thing completely off to plug something in?

Soon......... >:)

Originally posted by Hov
Simple Mounting Questions...

I'm probably going to wait for the PX500 but I imagine the location of the inputs would be similar. For those of you who wall mount, how do you work with the cables?

I suppose the best option is to put a hole in the wall and feed the AC, HDMI, and perhaps components through and down. Is it possible to wall mount and not do that? May look wierd having cables hanging from the bottom of thing, but just wondered what the options are and what you guys may have done. Does it depend on the type of wall mount?

Are the inputs easy to get to from underneath or do I have to take the thing completely off to plug something in?

Soon......... >:)

If you are going to mount your PDP on a wall the professional way would be to have an electrical outlet inserted behind the panel to plug your set in and having the rest of your cables run behind the wall and coming out above your floor molding. Another way you can go is to get a cable shield from any hardware store or Electrical outlet and hide your cables in that. You can then place that on the wall, put the best thing to do would be the 1st solution to hide all your cables to give it that clean look. You can also pay to have this done but it is cheap. Usually around $200.00 and up. Or if your lucky like me you can have a friend who is a contractor help you do it yourself. There is also a lot of tips on a Google search on how this can be accomplished. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Originally posted by yobob
I've read many posts here that say that at first their set seemed BIG, but after living with it a while, they wished they had gotten a bigger one!

FWIW

Makes sense, I went from a sub 30" tv to this so it's a big jump. I'll watch as much as possible and decide before the 30-days is up. Thanks

IBleedGarnet,
I would have gotten the 37" first but it was not out yet, I wanted to take advantage of being in the no sales tax state and the 42" seemed like such a perfect size in the store. It's one of those in store illusions I guess. I'll live with it and see what happens. I'll keep an eye on the 37 inch though. CC has it on their website for $2699.00 now.

Thanks guys.

Guys:

Regarding the otherwise awesome shot from Desperate Houseviwes from optivity (a few posts above) and the neon green issue (real or perceived):

look at the woman's dress. Should it be yellow or neon green like on the pic?

Does anybody else have this episode DVR-ed and can compare on a different type of display?

Just a thought, not a knock on the great pic.

Originally posted by DarrenK
Most Target's and Wal-Mart's have regular antenna's for HD reception. I am lucky in that I am located in a central area where I can get the Baltimore and Washington DC HD stations with just an indoor antenna. I have the powered RCA (about $25) that I am very happy with. A friend gets great reception with just a sliver surfer unpowered antenna. Target has a 90 day return policy, so buy a powered and unpowered, and see which works best for you. I do recommend with the powered antenna that you do not set the antenna for maximum gain...I have noticed it causes stations to drop out. Back the gain off a little and you should get good reception.

Darren

Thanks DarrenK,
Hey, my younger brother is named Darren!
Thanks I'll check Target and Wal-Mart (best stores, as far as national chains go) this weekend for powered HD antennas. I want to get as many channels as possible before deciding to spend that much money monthly on cable HD.

Thanks.

Anyone have any answer on my Component Cable question?
Is it necessary to get especially for Component cables? Or will the regular composite ("audio/video" cables) be OK?

Thanks in advance. :D

Originally posted by catslick
I have the problem with the Green Neon effect, but it is only present on certain scenes. Sometimes the greens and yellows are fine and other times not. Turning down the brightness and Contrast has helped but has not eliminated it completely.

FYI, there is a Service slot on the back of the PD50U that looks like some kind of card can be inserted.

I can definitely say i do not experience any kind of Green Neon watching DVD'S.

I have sent an email to Panasonic Customer Service concerning the Green Neon issue and once i hear back from them i will share what they have to report.

So far it sounds like this is an issue with the s-video input. A DVD hooked up to s-video should display the same problem if it's there on other SD content.

Originally posted by wintr
So specifically, here is an image that optivity posted recently from his new PX50:

http://home.nycap.rr.com/nessus/DSC00818.JPG

An awesome shot. The PX50 I saw at CC today looked this good too. What I'd love to know is: can a 7UY look this good? I haven't seen any gallery shots that show that to be the case... but the specs suggest that it should be true.

Maybe this question belongs in its own thread...?

- paul Guys (and gals) you "gotta" believe me... this picture Does Not!!! do this panel 'Justice!'

Without any calibration and the contrast/brightness/color levels turned down the HD rendering from this panel is still "awesome."

Originally posted by blikkem
Thanks DarrenK,
Hey, my younger brother is named Darren!
Thanks I'll check Target and Wal-Mart (best stores, as far as national chains go) this weekend for powered HD antennas. I want to get as many channels as possible before deciding to spend that much money monthly on cable HD.

Thanks.

Anyone have any answer on my Component Cable question?
Is it necessary to get especially for Component cables? Or will the regular composite ("audio/video" cables) be OK?

Thanks in advance. :D

Component will give you a better picture. Below is the sequence of worse to best:

Composite = Worse
S Video
Component
DVI
HDMI = Best

Originally posted by empire_of_one
So far it sounds like this is an issue with the s-video input. A DVD hooked up to s-video should display the same problem if it's there on other SD content.

Empire you may be right, but i do not use s-video connections at all. I use Component for all my connections.
DVD to Denon Digital THX tuner is = Monster Component
Panasonic PDP to Denon Tuner is = Monster Component
PDP to Cable Box is = Monster Component.
TWC only has Component STB's in my area.

FYI. Better quality Cables do make a BIG difference. I even noticed a big improvement in F coaxial cables. I switched from TWC coaxial cables to Monster and what an improvement. They say you should spend 10% of your PDP purchase on cables and i am a believer.

Originally posted by wojtek
Guys:

Regarding the otherwise awesome shot from Desperate Houseviwes from optivity (a few posts above) and the neon green issue (real or perceived):

look at the woman's dress. Should it be yellow or neon green like on the pic?

Does anybody else have this episode DVR-ed and can compare on a different type of display?

Just a thought, not a knock on the great pic.

i have the 42PD50, for about 2 weeks now, and when color and tint are both at 0, the picture is supersaturated. there isn't a green or red push so much as an all out color assault.

once the color is dialed down to about -6 or -7, and the tint at 0 or -1, the picture is beautiful and natural, with skin looking like skin, grass like grass, and stormy grey skies showing all the curves and contours of the clouds. and that's just from 480i DVD and 480p SD.

it sounds to me like there just may be a bad batch of PD50s out there.

Originally posted by catslick
Empire you may be right, but i do not use s-video connections at all. I use Component for all my connections.
DVD to Denon Digital THX tuner is = Monster Component
Panasonic PDP to Denon Tuner is = Monster Component
PDP to Cable Box is = Monster Component.
TWC only has Component STB's in my area.

FYI. Better quality Cables do make a BIG difference. I even noticed a big improvement in F coaxial cables. I switched from TWC coaxial cables to Monster and what an improvement. They say you should spend 10% of your PDP purchase on cables and i am a believer.

good cables DEFINITELY make a difference. but IMHO (and only IMHO), monster is the bose of cables, no better than the rat shack gold series (a fine generic cable, and a fraction of the monstrous monster prices).

Originally posted by VicAjax
i have the 42PD50, for about 2 weeks now, and when color and tint are both at 0, the picture is supersaturated. there isn't a green or red push so much as an all out color assault.

once the color is dialed down to about -6 or -7, and the tint at 0 or -1, the picture is beautiful and natural, with skin looking like skin, grass like grass, and stormy grey skies showing all the curves and contours of the clouds. and that's just from 480i DVD and 480p SD.

it sounds to me like there just may be a bad batch of PD50s out there. What settings are you using, Vivid, Standard or Cinema; and what color temps: warm, normal or cool? In terms of the default settings, I prefer 'Standard w/cool color temp' and then dial the picture, color and brightness settings down from there. Of course during the break-in period I'm not looking to maximize the panel's performance but more to insure proper phosphor wear. I feel I have a good-eye for detail and I have not noticed any renderings regarding color that could be construed to look out of place. I will begin to pay more attention to these issues given I still have 26 days left to return the panel for a full refund if I am not satisfied. I am using a Monster 400 HDMI cable and I'm not sure what the exact settings were when I took that shot of DH. Since Sunday I have viewed "Deadwood," DH, AI and "The Shawshank Redemption" in HD and each program looked spectacular to me... as for SD viewing... well that's another story.

Originally posted by VicAjax
good cables DEFINITELY make a difference. but IMHO (and only IMHO), monster is the bose of cables, no better than the rat shack gold series (a fine generic cable, and a fraction of the monstrous monster prices).

Vicajax thanks for the heads up on the rat gold series cables as you are right the monster cables are at monstrous prices, but they do help PQ that's for sure. I have my Brightness, Contrast, Color set to 0(zero) and my tint at -3. I also have the PD50U and will try your settings to see if the PQ is better and will help tune down the Green Push. If not i believe you are right and that there is a batch of bad PDP'S out there and i may have one of them. I am hoping that Panasonic will give some clue as to why the green push is happening. It has to be controlled somewhere at least i am hoping. I really don't want to take the set back for another because i am 180 hours into the break in period and i really don't want to break in another set but will if i am forced to. These forums are great and i have benefited greatly from them. Thanks everyone.

Originally posted by optivity
What settings are you using, Vivid, Standard or Cinema; and what color temps: warm, normal or cool? In terms of the default settings, I prefer 'Standard w/cool color temp' and then dial the picture, color and brightness settings down from there. Of course during the break-in period I'm not looking to maximize the panel's performance but more to insure proper phosphor wear. I feel I have a good-eye for detail and I have not noticed any renderings regarding color that could be construed to look out of place. I will begin to pay more attention to these issues given I still have 26 days left to return the panel for a full refund if I am not satisfied. I am using a Monster 400 HDMI cable and I'm not sure what the exact settings were when I took that shot of DH. Since Sunday I have viewed "Deadwood," DH, AI and "The Shawshank Redemption" in HD and each program looked spectacular to me... as for SD viewing... well that's another story.

hey optivity (love your 50PX50 thread, btw):

my settings are

Standard
Color Temp: Normal
Picture +7 (for break-in... dial up to +12 for the odd show)
Brightness +5 (also for break-in, with occasional dial-ups)
Color -7
Tint 0 or -1
Sharpness -5 to -1

i initially calibrated with Avia, which gave me color and tint settings at or around 0/-1, but once i started fiddling ("steaming rat"), i noticed that everything appeared MUCH more natural when i dialed down the color. (YMMV, of course.) now, i'm absolutely thrilled with the picture, and i can't wait to get my 8300 HDDVR (i think you're using that too).

right now, i have component running direct from my 5 year old sony megachanger (surprisingly good picture), and digital cable into Coax through the SA 8000 SD DVR.

I second the RatShack Gold cable recommendation. Been using the coax for years. Good connectors, cables, and construction. If you are going higher-end and want to spend more, skip the Monster and look for custom cables online.

Originally posted by catslick
Vicajax thanks for the heads up on the rat gold series cables as you are right the monster cables are at monstrous prices, but they do help PQ that's for sure. I have my Brightness, Contrast, Color set to 0(zero) and my tint at -3. I also have the PD50U and will try your settings to see if the PQ is better and will help tune down the Green Push. If not i believe you are right and that there is a batch of bad PDP'S out there and i may have one of them. I am hoping that Panasonic will give some clue as to why the green push is happening. It has to be controlled somewhere at least i am hoping. I really don't want to take the set back for another because i am 180 hours into the break in period and i really don't want to break in another set but will if i am forced to. These forums are great and i have benefited greatly from them. Thanks everyone.

catslick... take a look at www-dot-bluejeanscable-dot-com... they have a great rep and great prices. definite upgrade over rat shack and monster.

good luck with the green issues. i will say that, even at factory default, while the color was oversaturated all around, i did not notice over-green... if anything i saw a slight red push.

Originally posted by VicAjax
good luck with the green issues. i will say that, even at factory default, while the color was oversaturated all around, i did not notice over-green... if anything i saw a slight red push... i initially calibrated with Avia, which gave me color and tint settings at or around 0/-1, but once i started fiddling ("steaming rat"), i noticed that everything appeared MUCH more natural when i dialed down the color. (YMMV, of course.) now, i'm absolutely thrilled with the picture, and i can't wait to get my 8300 HDDVR (i think you're using that too).
I noticed the colors seemed to be more saturated when using the component inputs. I believe you will be far more impressed with the performance of your panel if you use the HDMI interface after you get your SA8300HD-DVR installed. I've used both the 8000 & 8300... the 8300 is the best performing STB I've seen to date.

Originally posted by optivity
I noticed the colors seemed to be more saturated when using the component inputs. I believe you will be far more impressed with the performance of your panel if you use the HDMI interface after you get your SA8300HD-DVR installed. I've used both the 8000 & 8300... the 8300 is the best performing STB I've seen to date.

i had a couple of concerns about using HDMI out of the 8300... i was under the impression that 1) output is a little buggy, 2) it disables the optical out on the STB, 3) component would allow me to bypass the STB's scaling, so i could use the aspect modes on the panny.

i'm probably wrong about all these things... i'll just have to experiment. it's coming (knock wood) on tuesday... and they had freakin' better bring the 8300 like i requested and not the 8000.

Originally posted by VicAjax
i had a couple of concerns about using HDMI out of the 8300... i was under the impression that 1) output is a little buggy, 2) it disables the optical out on the STB, 3) component would allow me to bypass the STB's scaling, so i could use the aspect modes on the panny.

i'm probably wrong about all these things... i'll just have to experiment. it's coming (knock wood) on tuesday... and they had freakin' better bring the 8300 like i requested and not the 8000. The video output from the HDMI interface seems work fine for me, however the audio is problematic. I mute (or turn off) the sound output on the PDP and use the RCA (not optical) digital audio out interface from the STB to an Onkyo 6.1 DD sound system. There is an audio settings adjustment on the SA8300 to select either HDMI or Dolby Digital. Since my Onkyo sounds way better than any TV sound output... losing the HDMI audio is no problem for me. I do prefer the 'pass-through' feature when using the component output of the STB & I don't really understand why this is not supported for HDMI? This is one reason I'd like to try the CableCARD option but because the PX50U lacks a stretch/zoom option for 720p/1080i signals, I won't attempt the CableCARD until after the break in period.

Originally posted by optivity
The video output from the HDMI interface seems work fine for me, however the audio is problematic. I mute (or turn off) the sound output on the PDP and use the RCA (not optical) digital audio out interface from the STB to an Onkyo 6.1 DD sound system. There is an audio settings adjustment on the SA8300 to select either HDMI or Dolby Digital. Since my Onkyo sounds way better than any TV sound output... losing the HDMI audio is no problem for me. I do prefer the 'pass-through' feature when using the component output of the STB & I don't really understand why this is not supported for HDMI? This is one reason I'd like to try the CableCARD option but because the PX50U lacks a stretch/zoom option for 720p/1080i signals, I won't attempt the CableCARD until after the break in period.

even if i had the slot, cablecard's not really an option for me. our kid doesn't pass out until 10pm (otherwise he's up at 5am :eek: ), so we rely exclusively on DVR/InDemand programming.

as far as HDMI... i'm correct that if you use HDMI and you select HDMI audio, you can't use the other audio outs? what a pain in the arse. i don't want to run SD audio through my stereo... that's just a nuisance. but if the PQ is a significant upgrade over component, i may have to suck it up.

man, i wish TWC/SA would get their collective acts together.

Originally posted by VicAjax
catslick... take a look at www-dot-bluejeanscable-dot-com... they have a great rep and great prices. definite upgrade over rat shack and monster.

good luck with the green issues. i will say that, even at factory default, while the color was oversaturated all around, i did not notice over-green... if anything i saw a slight red push.

Thanks VicAjax i will check that site out tonight as well as your settings. Hey let me ask you a question. I have TWC and i am having Digital Cable and HD package installed Saturday. They told me they only have STB with Component connections. Is there something i am not aware of? How do i get to use my HDMI output? Can i buy my own STB and have TWC use that if that is a possibility or do i have to use what they have? Sorry for the dumb questions but i haven't a clue and you people seem to have all of answers. .:confused:

Originally posted by VicAjax
as far as HDMI... i'm correct that if you use HDMI and you select HDMI audio, you can't use the other audio outs? what a pain in the arse. i don't want to run SD audio through my stereo... that's just a nuisance. but if the PQ is a significant upgrade over component, i may have to suck it up.

man, i wish TWC/SA would get their collective acts together. Oh, the sacrifices we must make!;)

Originally posted by optivity
The video output from the HDMI interface seems work fine for me, however the audio is problematic. I mute (or turn off) the sound output on the PDP and use the RCA (not optical) digital audio out interface from the STB to an Onkyo 6.1 DD sound system. There is an audio settings adjustment on the SA8300 to select either HDMI or Dolby Digital. Since my Onkyo sounds way better than any TV sound output... losing the HDMI audio is no problem for me. I do prefer the 'pass-through' feature when using the component output of the STB & I don't really understand why this is not supported for HDMI? This is one reason I'd like to try the CableCARD option but because the PX50U lacks a stretch/zoom option for 720p/1080i signals, I won't attempt the CableCARD until after the break in period.

The HDMI connection on the SA 8300 does have the pass-through freature. It's called Auto DVI/HDMI in the settings menu.

Originally posted by catslick
Thanks VicAjax i will check that site out tonight as well as your settings. Hey let me ask you a question. I have TWC and i am having Digital Cable and HD package installed Saturday. They told me they only have STB with Component connections. Is there something i am not aware of? How do i get to use my HDMI output? Can i buy my own STB and have TWC use that if that is a possibility or do i have to use what they have? Sorry for the dumb questions but i haven't a clue and you people seem to have all of answers. .:confused: You may have to play "hardball" with TW and insist they provide you with an SA8300HD box. Let them know you own a PDP with an HDMI interface and you want the option to use HDMI, Component or both.

Originally posted by D-Nice
The HDMI connection on the SA 8300 does have the pass-through freature. It's called Auto DVI/HDMI in the settings menu. My STB is set to that... my PDP supports 1080i/720p/480p/480i, what would you recommend I select using the set-up wizard on the STB? It indicates I can select: 1080i/720p/480p wide-screen/480i wide-screen/480p std-screen and 480i std-screen.

Originally posted by optivity
My STB is set to that... my PDP supports 1080i/720p/480p/480i, what would you recommend I select using the set-up wizard on the STB? It indicates I can select: 1080i/720p/480p wide-screen/480i wide-screen/480p std-screen and 480i std-screen.

I selected all of them although its not necessary. Try to select 1080, 720, 480p standard and 480i standard.

Originally posted by VicAjax
i have the 42PD50, for about 2 weeks now, and when color and tint are both at 0, the picture is supersaturated. there isn't a green or red push so much as an all out color assault.

once the color is dialed down to about -6 or -7, and the tint at 0 or -1, the picture is beautiful and natural, with skin looking like skin, grass like grass, and stormy grey skies showing all the curves and contours of the clouds. and that's just from 480i DVD and 480p SD.

it sounds to me like there just may be a bad batch of PD50s out there.

When I looked at these TVs at CC, there definitely appeared to be a "sweet spot" around the -7 color setting. It looked good at 0, but a tad oversaturated. Reducing the color to -7 definitely gave a more natural appearance, without losing any of the vibrancy of the colors. I only got to check on HD, but glad to hear that SD looks about the same.

I'm curious about whether you've set Black Level to Light or Dark in the Adv. Setting menu. I tried the Dark setting, but just couldn't get all the shadow details back, so I went back to Light (which still looked plenty deep in the blacks to my eyes).

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I'm curious about whether you've set Black Level to Light or Dark in the Adv. Setting menu. I tried the Dark setting, but just couldn't get all the shadow details back, so I went back to Light (which still looked plenty deep in the blacks to my eyes). Same experience with my panel, the 'dark' setting kills too much detail.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I'm curious about whether you've set Black Level to Light or Dark in the Adv. Setting menu. I tried the Dark setting, but just couldn't get all the shadow details back, so I went back to Light (which still looked plenty deep in the blacks to my eyes).

ditto. mine's set to light. i may fiddle more after break-in, but with white/black levels set so far down, the dark setting kills detail.

from optivity
You may have to play "hardball" with TW and insist they provide you with an SA8300HD box. Let them know you own a PDP with an HDMI interface and you want the option to use HDMI, Component or both.

yeah... i tried playing hardball on the phone, hopefully it worked. if the guy shows up with an 8000, i'm going to insist on an 8300 and then demand my service fee credited if he doesn't have one. i really don't want to trek to 23rd st. for a box exchange.

from catslick
Thanks VicAjax i will check that site out tonight as well as your settings. Hey let me ask you a question. I have TWC and i am having Digital Cable and HD package installed Saturday. They told me they only have STB with Component connections. Is there something i am not aware of? How do i get to use my HDMI output? Can i buy my own STB and have TWC use that if that is a possibility or do i have to use what they have? Sorry for the dumb questions but i haven't a clue and you people seem to have all of answers.

i don't know what the deal is with TWC in st. pete, but in nyc, there are two HD DVRs available, the SA8000 and the SA8300. the 8300 has HDMI and is supposedly a vastly superior box. i think twc also has a pioneer box (non-DVR) that has HDMI, but i'm not sure.

also, don't listen to the customer reps, they're almost universally morons. that kind of info should be available on the twc website.

you should check also out the Local HDTV Info and Reception (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=45) forum and see if there's info on your neck o the woods.

i've never had HDTV, this'll be my first go... so i'm a total newbie too.

Originally posted by raidbuck
Darren, I would definitely be interested, except I'm not sure if I'm actually going to get the 42PX50U. It depends on cost and what my wife thinks. I'm considering both it (when I can see it, in Baltimore the PXs are not here yet) and the Sammy HLR46 coming out this week. I'll definitely post if I get it. I'm sure we could assist each other in fine tuning the displays as well.

Rich N.

Hi Rich,

Actually, I understand from an earlier post that the PX's are at the CC in Catonsville. But my post was half in jest, as I notice a lot of Baltimore/Maryland area folks (saw someone posting from Columbia today too). However, I certainly would not mind getting a group of like minded Plasma/HDTV/AV enthusiasts in the area together to compare notes, help each other tweak sets etc.

Personally it looks more and more like I am going to wait for the 500U, so I won't have a plasma until June at the earliest, but I do have a Tosh. 56H80 RPTV to play with.

Darren

Originally posted by DarrenK
Hi Rich,

Actually, I understand from an earlier post that the PX's are at the CC in Catonsville. But my post was half in jest, as I notice a lot of Baltimore/Maryland area folks (saw someone posting from Columbia today too). However, I certainly would not mind getting a group of like minded Plasma/HDTV/AV enthusiasts in the area together to compare notes, help each other tweak sets etc.

Personally it looks more and more like I am going to wait for the 500U, so I won't have a plasma until June at the earliest, but I do have a Tosh. 56H80 RPTV to play with.

Darren

OT, but for anyone in the MD area whose interested, I've been to both the Columbia and the Glen Burnie Tweeters recently, and BOTH have the Qualia 006 on display. They might be in some other Tweeters locations as well for anyone who wants to see what all the fuss is about.

Originally posted by DarrenK
Hi Rich,

Actually, I understand from an earlier post that the PX's are at the CC in Catonsville. But my post was half in jest, as I notice a lot of Baltimore/Maryland area folks (saw someone posting from Columbia today too). However, I certainly would not mind getting a group of like minded Plasma/HDTV/AV enthusiasts in the area together to compare notes, help each other tweak sets etc.

Personally it looks more and more like I am going to wait for the 500U, so I won't have a plasma until June at the earliest, but I do have a Tosh. 56H80 RPTV to play with.

Darren

Darren,
Is CC scheduled to get in the 42" and 50" PX500U and if so when?

Originally posted by VicAjax
hey optivity (love your 50PX50 thread, btw):

my settings are

Standard
Color Temp: Normal
Picture +7 (for break-in... dial up to +12 for the odd show)
Brightness +5 (also for break-in, with occasional dial-ups)
Color -7
Tint 0 or -1
Sharpness -5 to -1

i initially calibrated with Avia, which gave me color and tint settings at or around 0/-1, but once i started fiddling ("steaming rat"), i noticed that everything appeared MUCH more natural when i dialed down the color. (YMMV, of course.) now, i'm absolutely thrilled with the picture, and i can't wait to get my 8300 HDDVR (i think you're using that too).

right now, i have component running direct from my 5 year old sony megachanger (surprisingly good picture), and digital cable into Coax through the SA 8000 SD DVR.

VicAjax you are the man. If your ever in St. Pete look me up and i will treat you to dinner. I used the settings you provided me and Holy Crap the lime green push went away and all the colors and PQ look so natural. For all the people who have posted on this forum experiencing the green push please try the settings that VicAjax suggested and maybe you will be as lucky as me.
Thank you.

If you are in the Midwest and looking for the 42PX50U, you might want to check with ABC Warehouse. Their website shows a competitive B&M price and 0% financing. The specs look like they are from the 500U, but I doubt that will fool any AVS readers.

Originally posted by optivity
You may have to play "hardball" with TW and insist they provide you with an SA8300HD box. Let them know you own a PDP with an HDMI interface and you want the option to use HDMI, Component or both.

optivity, I took your advice and i called TWC and told them that i had a PDP with HDMI input and that i wanted a STB that had HDMI output. Unfortunately they told me all their STB's used Component and that they did not have any with HDMI. I don't know if they are being truthful or not, but it sure pisses me off. I told them to skip my Saturday appointment and i would look else where and if Satellite could provide me with one i would call them back and cancel my Cable. Thanks for your help.

Originally posted by catslick
I told them to skip my Saturday appointment and i would look else where and if Satellite could provide me with one i would call them back and cancel my Cable. Thanks for your help.

I think the DishPlayer 942 has HDMI output :)

Originally posted by Pete'sBlind
My PD50 has the same "greening up the yellows" problem, I bought from CC but my wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting to exchange it. whats the serial number on the back of yours, I wonder if its from the same lot as mine and has some sort of defective part or other wierd quirk. Its starting to really irk me though...

My serial # YH5150911 Feb 2005. The red is also neon. It happens on antenna (cable), Cable box (s-vhs) and DVD (component in). It's less when I turn the color down (-5) and go to "warm" color temp.

I went ahead and plunked down the cash (or more precisely, the credit card) for the 50PX50U tonight. They couldn't guarantee me an evening delivery so I'll be getting it delivered Saturday.

I went down with a selection of DVDs I'm familiar with (Matrix, SW, ROTK) as well as some SD content burned to DVD to check the SD quality and zoom modes. The salesman was very cooperative in hooking up a DVD player and letting me test it out, but unfortunately the only DVD player they could hook it up to was a cheap Sony and they didn't even have the remote. The salesman was able to get into the DVD setup menu to change the output to 16:9 and I saw some settings I would have liked to change (sharpness was set to high and deep black was off) but I couldn't figure how to get back in to change them after he left so I was stuck with them. I saw some definite issues that clearly looked like they were coming from the cheap DVD player and cable combo (mostly some blurring/ghosting and pixellation), so I tried to ignore those and focus on the stuff I was looking for like black levels, shadow details, color rendition, SD quality, SDE and noise/graininess in PQ, and satisfied myself that there weren't any major issues in those areas. By contrast, the panel had been displaying DiscoveryHD special about spiders that looked phenomenal, which is why I'm certain the pixellation and ghosting were DVD player issues. There was a spider with incredibly thin, spindly legs and never was there any flicker or stairstepping on those legs, no matter what angle they moved at.

I was also pleased with the SD quality, although certainly not in the same league as DVD or HD, it looked better overall than similar content I've viewed on DLP/LCD RPTVs. The player was hooked up via component, and I saw no greeny yellows on the SD I viewed. In general, I was looking for an excuse not to buy one and couldn't find one, so I got it. This is the third HDTV I've bought, the first two didn't last two weeks before getting returned, so I'm hoping when I get the Panny home it will be the one that wins my heart.

PS, for the Baltimore people, I bought from the CC on Rt 40 in Catonsville, which is the only store in this area I've been to that has it, so I'd definitely recommend taking a look at one there while they're still having their 10% off sale.

Originally posted by jmcguire57@yaho
My serial # YH5150911 Feb 2005. The red is also neon. It happens on antenna (cable), Cable box (s-vhs) and DVD (component in). It's less when I turn the color down (-5) and go to "warm" color temp.

Yeah my tint is at -6, picture is at -5 and the color is at -5, and that seems to do alot towards fixing the greeny yellows.... with a serial # of YH5162...so I guess they are not really that close but mine was made in FEB 2005.

but ...

today while waching the over the air antenna that I just hooked up and re-scanned the channels, I couldn't acess the picture menu,,,, I would highlight it, push ok, then the menu would go away and I'ld be watching TV again. I also would hit the "recall" button and nothing would happen!!! I think I'm going to chalk it up to some static discharge issue when I hooked up the antenna. I turned it off for about 30 seconds, and then back on and all was normal except the closed captions had mysteriously turned themselves on......

but right now everything is working ok. Anyone else know whats going on? can the signal level for over the air stuff be so weak that it won't let you adjust the picture or display the recall info?

Originally posted by hardwired
Darren,
Is CC scheduled to get in the 42" and 50" PX500U and if so when?

I don't know. I was only reporting what others had said they saw. Apparently the 500u series may be closer to the Onyx series in specs? This is just a guess. If so, then I suspect the "regular" B&M stores may not carry them, only the videophile and specialty stores. For example, I could not find the old 37px25u anywhere locally except one store, which was a TV only retailer who refused to budge from MSRP. I would never do business with them anyway, so...

Darren

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I went ahead and plunked down the cash (or more precisely, the credit card) for the 50PX50U tonight. They couldn't guarantee me an evening delivery so I'll be getting it delivered Saturday.


Well, congrats and the best to you!
Saturday can not come soon enough, I'm sure. ;)

1) that ghastly decision-making process is out of the way.
2) you will soon be the proud owner of my fantasy monitor.

Nuttin' but envy here, baby!

cheers!

shane

Originally posted by DarrenK
I don't know. I was only reporting what others had said they saw. Apparently the 500u series may be closer to the Onyx series in specs? This is just a guess. If so, then I suspect the "regular" B&M stores may not carry them, only the videophile and specialty stores. For example, I could not find the old 37px25u anywhere locally except one store, which was a TV only retailer who refused to budge from MSRP. I would never do business with them anyway, so...

Darren I believe Panasonic uses the phrase: "same as ONYX" when describing the 500U series panels. The glass & electronics may be the same but I don't believe the 500Us have a separate media box like the XVS series.

Originally posted by catslick
VicAjax you are the man. If your ever in St. Pete look me up and i will treat you to dinner. I used the settings you provided me and Holy Crap the lime green push went away and all the colors and PQ look so natural. For all the people who have posted on this forum experiencing the green push please try the settings that VicAjax suggested and maybe you will be as lucky as me.
Thank you.

awww, shucks. glad to be of service. no worries about dinner, but i've always been curious to see st. pete's salvadore dali museum. :D

From page 14 of Panasonic's Operating Instructions manual for the TH-37/42/50PX50U:

"• Depending on your DVD player and DVD-Audio software the copyright protection function may operate and disable
optical output."

Does this mean that potentially the PX50Us optical output will not serve the optical input of my Onkyo 6.1 DD receiver? I wonder how the whole HD-DVD-HDCP issue will "play-out?"

Will HD-DVDs have both digital optical and RCA outputs?

If one purchases an HD-DVD w/HDCP that includes a separate digital audio output, does anyone know how it's going to play with older (by 2 years) DD receivers?

Regarding CableCARD....

Given these devices support video & audio digital signals, is the PDPs optical output interface "active" with CableCARD and can it also be disabled by the same "copyright protection function?"

Long time lurker; 1st time poster. I picked up my 42PD50u from BB 3 weeks ago and have been tweaking colors ever since. Running HD via Moto STB; using a splitter to run SD direct to panel via coax; component from Moto to panel. Digital audio out to a 5.1 Sony.

Settings: normal, warm, HD color matrix ON; color & tint -5 or -5, picture +7, brighness 0 to +5. The PQ is "very good" on SD channels; in fact, I think SD viewing is better on the plasma than it was on my 32" Sammy flat-screen HD CRT.

The PQ on HD channels is "excellent." No discernable SDE beyond 3 - 5 feet; just a nice, clean, crisp picture. So what's the problem?

Well, while I don't get violent greens and reds like others have reported, I do get a green cast, or "fringe," on most of the SD channels and, to a lesser degree, some of the HD channels. It is most noticeable around peoples shoulders or around their hair, especially if they have lighter-colored hair and there is any greeen in the background scene.

Strangely, if I am watching golf, baseball or football scenes where there is obviously a lot of green going on in the background, all the greens are more intense in "noirmal" mode than they do in "vivid."

I don't notice the green annoyances as much on component-input/output (and progressive-scanned) DVD material. I am not using S-video or composite inputs, and my CATV provider is Midcontinent.

Like others herein, I am wondering if I should exchange the panel while I still can, or hope that the green fringe-iness settles down after breakin? BTW, neither I nor the BB salespeople see the green fringe on the display model...

Comments, anyone??

Originally posted by gojc
Long time lurker; 1st time poster. I picked up my 42PD50u from BB 3 weeks ago and have been tweaking colors ever since. Running HD via Moto STB; using a splitter to run SD direct to panel via coax; component from Moto to panel. Digital audio out to a 5.1 Sony.

Settings: normal, warm, HD color matrix ON; color & tint -5 or -5, picture +7, brighness 0 to +5. The PQ is "very good" on SD channels; in fact, I think SD viewing is better on the plasma than it was on my 32" Sammy flat-screen HD CRT.

The PQ on HD channels is "excellent." No discernable SDE beyond 3 - 5 feet; just a nice, clean, crisp picture. So what's the problem?

Well, while I don't get violent greens and reds like others have reported, I do get a green cast, or "fringe," on most of the SD channels and, to a lesser degree, some of the HD channels. It is most noticeable around peoples shoulders or around their hair, especially if they have lighter-colored hair and there is any greeen in the background scene.

Strangely, if I am watching golf, baseball or football scenes where there is obviously a lot of green going on in the background, all the greens are more intense in "noirmal" mode than they do in "vivid."

I don't notice the green annoyances as much on component-input/output (and progressive-scanned) DVD material. I am not using S-video or composite inputs, and my CATV provider is Midcontinent.

Like others herein, I am wondering if I should exchange the panel while I still can, or hope that the green fringe-iness settles down after breakin? BTW, neither I nor the BB salespeople see the green fringe on the display model...

Comments, anyone?? I cannot confirm your observations on my PX50U, but many PD50U owners report the same anomaly. Have you tried the HDMI interface to determine it's color rendering? I'll try to be pro-active tonight and check-out the component input from my DVD player to see how it performs. BTW... where was the panel made, in Japan or Mexico?

Stopped into a Tweeters (Towson, MD) this morning hoping to see a PX50 of some sort. No such luck. Alll they had was a PD50. It looked terrible. I did not mess with the settings, but the PQ was quite bad. I asked the salesdrone what the source was and he said "HD". He thinks they are getting the PX this week. But then He also thought the 500's were coming out now too. I told him not until June.

Clearly the problem with this TV was the source. I have seen a PD50 at BB that had a nice picture. So please, when shopping sets, always consider that GIGO still rules as far as PQ.

Darren

Oops. Meant to say "standard" instead of "normal," or worse yet, "noirmal." Wish AVS provided a spell-checker! :)

optivity quote:
I cannot confirm your observations on my PX50U, but many PD50U owners report the same anomaly. Have you tried the HDMI interface to determine it's color rendering? I'll try to be pro-active tonight and check-out the component input from my DVD player to see how it performs. BTW... where was the panel made, in Japan or Mexico?

Osaka build. I am at the office and don't have the date or S/N info handy. Will post that later. Also, I see this forum does have a spell-checker. Is this a great country, or what?

Originally posted by DarrenK
Stopped into a Tweeters (Towson, MD) this morning hoping to see a PX50 of some sort. No such luck. Alll they had was a PD50. It looked terrible. I did not mess with the settings, but the PQ was quite bad. I asked the salesdrone what the source was and he said "HD". He thinks they are getting the PX this week. But then He also thought the 500's were coming out now too. I told him not until June.

Clearly the problem with this TV was the source. I have seen a PD50 at BB that had a nice picture. So please, when shopping sets, always consider that GIGO still rules as far as PQ.

Darren

I stopped by the Columbia and Glen Burnie Tweeters this week, but not the Towson. GB had the PD50, but neither had the PX50 yet. Both had Qualias though, did the Towson store have one too?

BTW, the green cast is also noticeable along the top edges of yellow letters or numbers, and in shadowed areas around faces, where one might normally expect to see a "5-o'clock shadow."

gojc,
Change the Color Matix setting to SD and report back with your results.

gojc:

it's also possible that your sharpness is too high, which can cause excessive fringing. try setting it to -5. it may look a little soft compared to what you're used to... but once your eyes adjust, it will look so much better/more realistic than before.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I stopped by the Columbia and Glen Burnie Tweeters this week, but not the Towson. GB had the PD50, but neither had the PX50 yet. Both had Qualias though, did the Towson store have one too?

I don't even know what a Qualia is, so I did not look for one.

Darren

Just did it. Bought the PX50 from TVA. CC send me an email that they were in stock, so I first called CC, and they offered the price listed on the web which is below MSRP, plus free shipping plus a 10% gift card. But their extended warranty is over $400 more than TVA and they don't have a pixel perfect guarrantee. They both charged sales tax in California, so that didn't help. Still, with a 4 year warranty and even the screen warranty, TVA was still cheaper, even when the 10% gift card is factored in (which I didn't want and could not be applied to the purchase of a warranty).

Delivery is in around a week.

TVA's web site said they were out of stock, but they told me that they got a few more in today. If you want one of these, you gotta keep checking in it would appear.

hdguy and VicAjax,

Thanks for the suggestions - I will try them later and report back tonight, although it seems to me that I originally had the Color Matrix set to SD (isn't that the default setting?) and still had "green fringe."

Maybe I'm confusing it with the mold in my pool refrigerator (e.g., "green fridge")? Sorry. I still think the PQ on this set is great, and as I posted earlier, even the SD channels look better, but the green issue is just annoying enough to distract me. And, for a 2K plus outlay, a guy shouldn't have to be distracted by anything (other than wife & kids) while watching HDTV!

For those PD50 owners out there who are keeping track of such info, my set was also a Feb '05 Osaka build, S/N YB 516 0985.

Thanks again for your help.

jc

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
Dr. Plasma says it can ship the 42" 500U in 24-48 hours. Anyone wanna place an order?:)

has anyone ever ordered from these guys? They have some NICE prices, anyone know if they are "authorized"

Originally posted by tivoboy
has anyone ever ordered from these guys? They have some NICE prices, anyone know if they are "authorized"

I wouldnt order from them just because they claim they can ship the 500 in 24/48 hours, which they can not. They have said they can ship all of the new models for at least a month before they are out. Thats bad business they wouldnt get a penny from me just for that reason alone, if im gonna spend 5k over the internet i need to know its somebody I can trust, and they are blatantly lying

Originally posted by iBleedGarnet
Dr. Plasma says it can ship the 42" 500U in 24-48 hours. Anyone wanna place an order?

possible it means:

its first 500U in USA, incredibly arriving before its own shipping container,

or

replace the word “ship” above with “credit-card charge”.

Originally posted by HDidiot
possible it means:

its first 500U in USA, incredibly arriving before its own shipping container,

or

replace the word “ship” above with “credit-card charge”.

It sounds like you're probably not far off the mark:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller5510.html

It's amazing how much dough people will consider plunking down on online dealers they know very little about.

It's not a rare problem. I've seen the Panny Green Monster Effect at several showrooms on the 47PD50U. I'd made my decision to purchase one after a lot of research, and was looking at different stores for the best deal. I've probably seen 7 separate 47PD50U's (2 CC's, 2 BB's, Tweeter, 2 Sears) in the last week and 3 or 4 of them were too green.

I had the sales guy at Tweeter see if it was just a simple adjustment; he couldn't adjust it out. It looked fine at a couple of stores, so maybe it was how they hooked it up. This problem has been report on the HD PX50U version, too. It looks like a Panasonic problem that crosses models.

It's too bad, but I only buy a TV once every 20 years, and I don't want to mess with a problem right out of the box. Once you've noticed the Green Monster, you can't enjoy the TV because you're always looking for it. But unless there's a clear obvious fix, I'm going with something else. Maybe a big CRT.

(originally posted by hdguy)
Change the Color Matix setting to SD and report back with your results.


Color Matrix defaults to "SD" on my SD channels and "HD" on my HD channels; I cannot change the CM setting when viewing these channels. I can only switch between SD and HD on the digital channels, with a slightly noticeable change in color warmth, but no big effect on the green cast. On the other hand, I can only switch the 3D Y/C Filter "On" and "Off" when viewing the SD channels; it defaults to "Off" on the digital and HD channels and cannot be changed.

BTW, my STB is a Mortorola DCT 6400 (HD) Dual Tuner DVR. As posted earlier, I'm using a splitter to route SD channels directly to the RF input on the Panny, while digital and HD channels (which are scrambled) are fed from the STB to the Component 1 input. The green effect is more noticeable on some channels than others, so perhaps I will just have to learn which channels to avoid...?

hey guys, (i posted this seperately earlier, but no one responded)

i have a pd50 and i'm living in L.A. and watching tv using over the air signals. whenever i set the clock to manual, i get the right time, but the ending time of each show is set to central time. (i.e. i'm watching Alias at 9:00 and the end time for that show is 10:00, but when i press recall it'll show -12:00 for the end time.) and when i set the clock to auto, the end time will be correct, but the clock will be two hours behind. (alias at 7 and the end time at 10)

has anyone else had this problem? do you think i can correct this in the service menu?

if you own a pd50 could you please respond as to whether you have this problem also, a simple yes or no will due. thanks in advance guys.

Originally posted by vnguyen
hey guys, (i posted this seperately earlier, but no one responded)

i have a pd50 and i'm living in L.A. and watching tv using over the air signals. whenever i set the clock to manual, i get the right time, but the ending time of each show is set to central time. (i.e. i'm watching Alias at 9:00 and the end time for that show is 10:00, but when i press recall it'll show -12:00 for the end time.) and when i set the clock to auto, the end time will be correct, but the clock will be two hours behind. (alias at 7 and the end time at 10)

has anyone else had this problem? do you think i can correct this in the service menu?

if you own a pd50 could you please respond as to whether you have this problem also, a simple yes or no will due. thanks in advance guys.

I believe there is a setting in the menu to set the Time Zone? I have my clock set to MANUAL and i have not experienced this condition.

I also picked up a PD50 this week. Great picture but i have the green tint. Called Panny and they said to try better cables. I have to run the tint level at -16. Got good cables but no help on tint. Got a great buy at ephoto with free shipping. Was 700 less than CC.

Originally posted by bee298
I also picked up a PD50 this week. Great picture but i have the green tint. Called Panny and they said to try better cables. I have to run the tint level at -16. Got good cables but no help on tint. Got a great buy at ephoto with free shipping. Was 700 less than CC.

Does the entire image get messed up if you set your tint to -16?

I ordered a TH-50PX50U from TVA and it should get here in about a week. The staff at TVA was helpful and friendly, and the price was pretty good.


optivity,

What are the settings on your 50PX50?

Originally posted by bee298
Great picture but i have the green tint. Called Panny and they said to try better cables.

What a bunch of BS out of Panny.

Next thing they will say try some red cables to cancel out the green push.:mad:

Stopped at BB over lunch to see what they might have. Only Panasonic plasma in the entire store was an open box TH-42PX25U at the clearance price of $3599. Feel sorry for whoever pays that.

BB's beat goes on . . . :rolleyes:

You should see Tweeter's price on the 42PX25U. It's highway robbery.

I also ordered a TH-50PX50U from TVA and it should get here in about a 10 days. The person I talked to at TVA was helpful and friendly too.

Here's hoping you guys figure all the settings out before it arrives.:D

I just received my th-50px50u from TVA. Ordered it Monday, arrived today. It's all unpacked and on the pedestal, waiting for my neighbor to come home so he can help me put it up on the component stand. Can't wait to turn it on.

azarby

What does "3D Y/C" filter really do?

Should I leave this on or off?

What does "3D Y/C" filter really do?

this feature helps reduce static from a noisy image, i.e. when you have bad reception and you get "snow" on your channel, the 3D Y/C filter helps smooth out the picture. if your reception is good, then you shouldn't use this feature because it tends to blur the video. i, myself, don't use this feature.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, it is for NTSC signals and not ATSC signals. It works when using S-Video and Composite hook-ups with a 480 signal.

Dave

For the Pd 50 U try ephotoclub. ?????+ free ship

What does "3D Y/C" filter really do?

Should I leave this on or off?

jrock: The Panny manual sez the filter: "Minimizes noise and cross-color in the picture" (what vnguyen said). I would be curious to know if you can toggle the 3D Y/C Filter on/off and with which inputs. As I observed in an earlier post, I can only switch the 3D Y/C Filter "On" or "Off" when viewing SD channels; it defaults to "Off" on digital and HD channels and cannot be changed. Please keep us/me posted - thanks!

The Y/C filter is part of the circuit that separates the luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) parts of a composite signal. It's inapplicable to a digital signal, since the encoding there is MPEG, and it's inapplicable to a component signal, since that's already been separated.

Martyj,

Thanks -- that would be one less thing for me to worry about now!

My 50PX50 will be here tomorrow sometime between 2 and 4 tomorrow. I'll be able to run my DVD-Recorder and my SD Tivo with both s-video and composite connections, so I'm going to check for any green tint problems and I'll be able to switch back and forth between s-video and composite easily to see if the problem is more apparent on one or the other type of connection.

Remember, different inputs may require different setting calibrations. Meaning different tint/color settings, etc....

Well I only have it set up that way to see which, if either, inputs produce any green tint. If I don't see any on s-video, I won't even bother with composite. If I do see it on s-video and can't dial it out without compromising my settings, I'll switch over to composite and see if there's any improvement. Either way, I'll eventually be replacing my SD Tivo with the HD version, and then I'll be hooking up with HDMI, so neither one will affect me permanently. I just want to see if I can see the effect that's been talked about.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
My 50PX50 will be here tomorrow sometime between 2 and 4...

Good luck! One note you're probably aware of -- the Panny ships with the table stand not attached to the plasma. You'll want some help to set it up even if you were planning to just use the stand. This is in contrast to, for example, the Zenith, that comes with its stand already attached and which you can just leave on the floor in its box for initial testing.

Obviously if you bought installation they'll do that for you.

The reviews of ephotoclub on Epinions make me nervous.

Originally posted by ccdengr
Good luck! One note you're probably aware of -- the Panny ships with the table stand not attached to the plasma. You'll want some help to set it up even if you were planning to just use the stand. This is in contrast to, for example, the Zenith, that comes with its stand already attached and which you can just leave on the floor in its box for initial testing.

Obviously if you bought installation they'll do that for you.

Is this a two or three man job....two to lift the panel and one to attach the stand underneath. Hopefully it can be a job just for two.

According to CC, delivery includes:

Basic ($39.99)—Includes unboxing your new TV, hookup to one existing video source (cable, satellite or antenna), checking for power and a picture, and removing the cartons and packing material.

Doesn't say anything about attaching stands, but you'd need to do that to hook it up, turn it on and check picture. Anyway my father is gonna be here to help move the old heavy direct-view CRT out of the way, so if CC doesn't put it on the stand I'll have some help.

Originally posted by empire_of_one
My 50PX50 will be here tomorrow sometime between 2 and 4 tomorrow. I'll be able to run my DVD-Recorder and my SD Tivo with both s-video and composite connections, so I'm going to check for any green tint problems and I'll be able to switch back and forth between s-video and composite easily to see if the problem is more apparent on one or the other type of connection. Congratulations... I've had mine since last Sunday and I'm happy to report my panel is "still" awesome... no "green monsters" just "amazing" color & "high" definition... Of course, I'm using only the HDMI interface from my SA8300HD-DVR to the PDP.

This panel "rocks!" and I'm glad I bought it.

Originally posted by optivity
Congratulations... I've had mine since last Sunday and I'm happy to report my panel is "still" awesome... no "green monsters" just "amazing" color & "high" definition... Of course, I'm using only the HDMI interface from my SA8300HD-DVR to the PDP.

This panel "rocks!" and I'm glad I bought it.

Gee, and I thought you'd be 'over it' of it by now... :D

There are green monsters all right... green with envy!

cheers.

shane

Originally posted by DanP
Is this a two or three man job....

Two will work. You need to assemble the stand first, and then two people can lift the plasma and insert it into the stand (it slides down onto two large pins.)

CC put my 42PX50U on the pedestal stand as part of the $39 delivery charge. I was at work - they even showed my wife how to do the channel scan.

I wish nobody had ever mentioned the green "tinge" because now I find myself looking for it all the time. It's really no big deal - it's never so bad that it drives me nuts - I just can't help wondering if anything that looks yellowish-green in a scene should really look more yellowish and less-green!

I haven't adjusted any settings yet and perhaps that will eliminate it all together? Either way I'm more than satisfied...

My PQ on my pd 50 is great except for the green tint. I have to go to -16 on the tint to adjust it. Is This An Acceptable Level? Panny sent me another emal and said if I wasn,t satisfied with that setting i could call a Panny local service rep. I asked if they were going to cover the fee if i did that and have not yet got an answer back . As far as ephoto goes they were good for me and saved me hundreds of dollars. My PQ is so good it is hard to tell a difference between SD and HD.

i need some help here, when using hdmi from dvd to plasma display will you still get sound through your av setup or only through tv? i have the th42pd50u with hdmi, i will be using a denon 4800 receiver that does not have dvi or hdmi out, so before i invest in a new dvd player with hdmi how does this all work.

thanks.

You will still have a sound output on the DVD player to hook up to the Denon receiver

Today I went on a mission to confirm the reported green tinge and neon green type effects being reported with the new Panny's. My focus was on the TH-42PD50U model.

I reviewed two of these panels via DVD over component and definitely noticed a green tinge to yellow material and was somewhat startled when I saw a "neon green" effect on football field goal posts.....

Hopefully, this green issue is corrected until then my focus is now back on the commercial Panny models.

My 50PX50U arrived today and it looks gorgeous. I'm also happy to say that I have seen NO green effect on the yellows on either DVD through component or SD from my DirecTivo over s-video. That was quite a relief, even if the SD is only a temporary source for me. I thought I saw a slight green push on skin tones on DVD, but I reduced tint to -5 and that did away with it. If I didn't have an eagle eye looking out for it after all the reports I've heard, I doubt I would have noticed any green at all, and even now I'm not sure if there really was any or if I was just imagining it. Nevertheless, I'm going to record the next episode of The Simpsons as a final check. But I watched a poker tournament over SD that had lots of yellow, as well as the yellow in the NBC logo, and I watched Jurassic Park which featured some scenes with characters wearing yellow raincoats, as well as the jeeps they drove which were painted both green and yellow. In all cases, yellows looked exactly like they should.

Jurassic Park looked amazing on this TV. Black levels, colors, everything looks excellent so far. I also think I finally found a use for the Dark option on the Black Level setting, it really improved the black level of my SD sources to near DVD quality, without losing much shadow detail like it does on DVD or HD. SD quality is much better than some RPs I've seen and I'm not nearly as distracted by the Just stretch mode as I was afraid I might be.

I don't have any HD sources yet, I was waiting for the TV before I committed to which HD service I was going with. I should be getting some HD in a couple weeks, once I can schedule an antenna installation. For now, I'm more than happy with the SD and DVD performance.

Well it appears that your observations combined with those of optivity indicate that all connections, HDMI, component, s-video are green free for the 50 HD inch set. Not a big sample size but encouraging nonetheless. Mine will be here sometime this next week via TVA and I'll post my observations. I am green sensitive as my 5 year old Pioneer Elite CRT has turned very green! I can null it out via Avia by turning the tint way down in the minus settings but it doesn't pass the reality check when I view program material. I think it may be a grayscale issue but I'm not going to spend the buckos to find out or to have it recalibrated. I think it may be grayscale because gray or dark blue has a distinct greenish tinge. Perhaps those with the green push should examine gray also. BTW, I saw the new 42" HD Panny at CC today and saw no green problems.

I don't have the time at the moment to re-read posts, so would someone mind summarizing the neon green issue. Specifically, is it on both the PD50U and the PX50U?

Originally posted by empire_of_one
I also think I finally found a use for the Dark option on the Black Level setting, it really improved the black level of my SD sources to near DVD quality, without losing much shadow detail like it does on DVD or HD.

Actually thats exactly what a dark vs light black level setting is for. NTSC composite video sources like analog TV channels have a higher black level voltage than progressive DVD and HD sources which use 0IRE for black. So the dark setting makes a NTSC composite source look like a 480p or HD source does with the light setting, it should shift the black level to match the two types of sources. My DVD player has a similar option to change the black level at the source.

Originally posted by DanP
Well it appears that your observations combined with those of optivity indicate that all connections, HDMI, component, s-video are green free for the 50 HD inch set. Not a big sample size but encouraging nonetheless. Mine will be here sometime this next week via TVA and I'll post my observations. I am green sensitive as my 5 year old Pioneer Elite CRT has turned very green! I can null it out via Avia by turning the tint way down in the minus settings but it doesn't pass the reality check when I view program material. I think it may be a grayscale issue but I'm not going to spend the buckos to find out or to have it recalibrated. I think it may be grayscale because gray or dark blue has a distinct greenish tinge. Perhaps those with the green push should examine gray also. BTW, I saw the new 42" HD Panny at CC today and saw no green problems. One interesting observation to note is... currently my D* signal is provided by a SA8300HD-DVR via the HDMI interface. The SA8300 will support 1080i/720p/480p-widescreen/480i-widescreen/480p-std./480i-std. After "playing" with the various settings it seems to me that SD content looks best using the 480p-std. setting. SD is actually quite good.Originally posted by empire_of_one
I also think I finally found a use for the Dark option on the Black Level setting, it really improved the black level of my SD sources to near DVD quality, without losing much shadow detail like it does on DVD or HD. Originally posted by Joxer
Actually thats exactly what a dark vs light black level setting is for. NTSC composite video sources like analog TV channels have a higher black level voltage than progressive DVD and HD sources which use 0IRE for black. So the dark setting makes a NTSC composite source look like a 480p or HD source does with the light setting, it should shift the black level to match the two types of sources. My DVD player has a similar option to change the black level at the source. Thanks for the info… I’ll have to try this. Keep those “tips” coming.

Originally posted by DanP
Well it appears that your observations combined with those of optivity indicate that all connections, HDMI, component, s-video are green free for the 50 HD inch set. Not a big sample size but encouraging nonetheless. Mine will be here sometime this next week via TVA and I'll post my observations. I am green sensitive as my 5 year old Pioneer Elite CRT has turned very green! I can null it out via Avia by turning the tint way down in the minus settings but it doesn't pass the reality check when I view program material. I think it may be a grayscale issue but I'm not going to spend the buckos to find out or to have it recalibrated. I think it may be grayscale because gray or dark blue has a distinct greenish tinge. Perhaps those with the green push should examine gray also. BTW, I saw the new 42" HD Panny at CC today and saw no green problems.

I received my th-50px50 on Friday. The set is awesome except for the neon greens. I have tried both component and HDMI. It is still present with either connection. Turning the tint down helps a lot. An interesting observation is that if I try vivid mode, the green problem doesn't seem to be as noticeable.

If anyone has gotten any suggested settings from Panasonic please post them so others can see if it helps there situation.

azarby

Originally posted by azarby
I received my th-50px50 on Friday. The set is awesome except for the neon greens. I have tried both component and HDMI. It is still present with either connection. Turning the tint down helps a lot. An interesting observation is that if I try vivid mode, the green problem doesn't seem to be as noticeable.

If anyone has gotten any suggested settings from Panasonic please post them so others can see if it helps there situation.

azarby

What kind of "neon green" problem do you have? Do the greens look too green or do other colors, such as yellow, appear green?

Also, how far do you have to turn down the tint to get rid of it?

I am ready to buy, but now paralyzed with the fear of neon green...argh! I hope panasonic responds soon to this as I'm ready to give up and look elsewhere.

See new/related thread:

New Panny Plasmas- Reported Green Issues

(Sorry, don't know how to insert hyperlink yet...)

Originally posted by jrock65
What kind of "neon green" problem do you have? Do the greens look too green or do other colors, such as yellow, appear green?

Also, how far do you have to turn down the tint to get rid of it?

It's both. Buy turning the tint to -3 -5, I can get rid of the green tinge in the other colors, The super bright "GREEN" is just there and appears to be content dependent. Some shows have it, and others look perfect. With HDMI, the supper greens are not a strong as with the component connections. My source for all material is the Samsung HD Directv (SIR-TS160) receiver which is currently putting out 1080i, I even tried 720p with no difference. OTA broadcasts act the same. I haven't had time to do anything with the DVD which is 480p.

azarby

Originally posted by azarby
It's both. Buy turning the tint to -3 -5, I can get rid of the green tinge in the other colors, The super bright "GREEN" is just there and appears to be content dependent. Some shows have it, and others look perfect. With HDMI, the supper greens are not a strong as with the component connections. My source for all material is the Samsung HD Directv (SIR-TS160) receiver which is currently putting out 1080i, I even tried 720p with no difference. OTA broadcasts act the same. I haven't had time to do anything with the DVD which is 480p.

azarby

What if you really turn down the tint, to say -20 ?

Originally posted by Foos-Man
I am ready to buy, but now paralyzed with the fear of neon green...argh!

Obviously color is somewhat subjective, but I think people may be overreacting a bit. On my PD50, yellows are yellow (to use the standard calibration image, the Simpsons are yellow :-) and the greens are in some cases a "vivid" green (grass on golf courses, for example) but I don't think there's anything freakish or even unusual about it. If I wanted a less saturated image I would turn down COLOR, not mess with TINT.

It may be true that some Pannys are greener than others, but until confronted with really hard evidence I think it's just as likely that some people are more choosy about color rendition than others.

If you can find a display that suits your needs better, go for it!
Whatever you pick, I would suggest that you buy it in such a way that you can send it back and get something else if you don't like it. I know it's a hassle, but given variability between sets and personal preference you may get stuck with something you don't like otherwise.

Originally posted by azarby
...The super bright "GREEN" is just there and appears to be content dependent. Some shows have it, and others look perfect...

azarby

Apparently this effect is not uncommon with plasmas of various brands. It has been frequently mentioned in reviews. Some say it is deliberate in order to make sporting events look more vivid.

Originally posted by jrock65
What if you really turn down the tint, to say -20 ?

Turning the tint to -20 makes the picture red. Using standard mode, the best settings so far are:

Picture 12
Brightness 0
Color -3
Tint -6
Sharpness 15

I will also experiment with reducing the sharpness a little and maybe another -1 or -2 on the color. The biggest difference occured when I changed over to HDMI.

azarby

Originally posted by ccdengr
Obviously color is somewhat subjective, but I think people may be overreacting a bit. On my PD50, yellows are yellow (to use the standard calibration image, the Simpsons are yellow :-) and the greens are in some cases a "vivid" green (grass on golf courses, for example) but I don't think there's anything freakish or even unusual about it. If I wanted a less saturated image I would turn down COLOR, not mess with TINT.

It may be true that some Pannys are greener than others, but until confronted with really hard evidence I think it's just as likely that some people are more choosy about color rendition than others.

If you can find a display that suits your needs better, go for it!
Whatever you pick, I would suggest that you buy it in such a way that you can send it back and get something else if you don't like it. I know it's a hassle, but given variability between sets and personal preference you may get stuck with something you don't like otherwise.

I agree with you there.

If other colors, such as yellow, are green, or if there is a green "halo" around images, then there's definitely a problem.

OTOH, overly vivid greens are not as big a problem, especially if adjustments can tune them down.

Originally posted by ccdengr
Obviously color is somewhat subjective, but I think people may be overreacting a bit. On my PD50, yellows are yellow (to use the standard calibration image, the Simpsons are yellow :-) and the greens are in some cases a "vivid" green (grass on golf courses, for example) but I don't think there's anything freakish or even unusual about it. If I wanted a less saturated image I would turn down COLOR, not mess with TINT.

It may be true that some Pannys are greener than others, but until confronted with really hard evidence I think it's just as likely that some people are more choosy about color rendition than others.

If you can find a display that suits your needs better, go for it!
Whatever you pick, I would suggest that you buy it in such a way that you can send it back and get something else if you don't like it. I know it's a hassle, but given variability between sets and personal preference you may get stuck with something you don't like otherwise.

This pretty much corresponds with what I've seen. Occasionally I'll see something, usually a text or graphic, that has a greenish-tinged yellow and I'll get paranoid that I'm seeing this effect, but then I've seen plenty of natural, correctly-produced yellows on both SD and DVD. I haven't yet seen a green tint on any yellow that I KNEW should be yellow, such as taxis, school buses, pencils, etc. I do notice some greens that have a more neon quality than others on SD, but I saw this same thing on some RPTVs so I attribute it to the source, not the TV. I've seen that same oversaturation on magenta, cyan and other fluorescent color tones. I have the Color Management setting off, color at -5 to -7, tint at -5, and using color temp of cool on vivid for SD and normal for standard on DVD.

I watched Spider-man on DVD today, with it's yellow school buses, green goblins, and red-and-blue spidermen, and all colors looked accurate and natural. The PQ was incredible, it looked nearly HD.