Hello Everyone,

I have a th42px75u. I have a problem with the brightness in blacks changing.

I have talked to panasonic and gone all around about this. I really do not want to have the tv serviced.

To describe what is going on: the black level will go from a dark black to a lighter black and back and forth and so on and so on...... this happens with any source including sd card. Panasonic thinks it has something to do with the power source? I put a battery backup with surge protection to the tv with no change in brightness flicker.

I am getting a bit skeptical and worried.

Please, please, please I am in need of some true unbiased expert help.

The last thing I want is to have my television torn apart.

BTW, my father has the th42pz77u with no problems. In the same house. I am not sure about the power thing and we ruled out the source being a problem.

I am at a loss of ideas?????

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin

p.s. just teted outlet with voltmeter to find it floats around 122.5-123.5 with the tv on

Any ideas?

I just ordered a belkin power conditioner in hopes that it will help.

Please I need some expert input.

Kevin

Thats pretty weird. I don't think any thing like this can be explained. You should consider returning. I don't know of any wrong setting that can cause this. You can try placing your other TV in the same place to eliminate other issues.

Thats pretty weird. I don't think any thing like this can be explained. You should consider returning. I don't know of any wrong setting that can cause this. You can try placing your other TV in the same place to eliminate other issues.

Thanks alot for responding.

I guess you also have this tv? That would be most helpful if you do and can confirm that this problem does not exhist at all on your set.

I am thinking about returning but not sure if I will be able to.

I want to make sure that other owners are absolutley not experiencing anything like this. At that point I will know there is something surely wrong.

I also am hoping I am not being to critical and all the sets do this.

I am just not sure any more.

Thanks again for the response

Kevin

I have the same problem with my 42px75u.I've had the set for 2 months and it just started doing this about a week ago.I'm going to call Panasonic Monday and have it looked at.

My 1 week old panasonic also does this. I thought this was the 'floating blacks' feature that is described b y the reviews. To be honest sometimes the black look good and others they look just OK. I mention this because a last years model Samsung I tried seemed to have better blacks though it had terrible IR, poor shadow detail, false contouring, and red blotches when displaying white. Not sure what to make of it now that others are experiencing this same thing plus the horizontal banding or line bleeding.

You need to be more clear on the problem, so we know if it's just floating blacks (this is normal for the TV) or a static picture with blacks changing. Here's my understanding of things:

Floating blacks happens when you're watching a dynamic scene and the black levels change depending on how much light-colored stuff is on screen. For example, there's a shot of outer space and it's really black, and then a big while star destroyer takes up 3/4 of the screen and what little outer space you can still see becomes dark grey instead of black. That's normal.

If you pause a scene that's mostly black and the black level fluctuates even though the picture is static, that's not normal. Is that what you're seeing?

Actually ROX, I think you got that backwards :D. The more black on the display, the less black it actually looks. If there is a lot of bright stuff on the screen, then the small amount of black will look really black. But you are right in that the OP needs to tell us more about what he is seeing. If the TV is flickering, then I'd send it back. If it's what is described above, that is normal for plasmas.

I have the same problem with my 42px75u.I've had the set for 2 months and it just started doing this about a week ago.I'm going to call Panasonic Monday and have it looked at.

Thanks!

I did not notice this at first when I had my contrast at "0", it was only when I bumped the setting up a bit that I started to notice.

After that it will do it even if I set back to "0."

Thanks

Kevin

My 1 week old panasonic also does this. I thought this was the 'floating blacks' feature that is described b y the reviews. To be honest sometimes the black look good and others they look just OK. I mention this because a last years model Samsung I tried seemed to have better blacks though it had terrible IR, poor shadow detail, false contouring, and red blotches when displaying white. Not sure what to make of it now that others are experiencing this same thing plus the horizontal banding or line bleeding.

Thanks

This is the same feelings I have

I have compared to a few other sets in homes. A new samsung 1080p, a new panasonic 1080p, and a 6 year old panasonic 720p. None of these show this characteristic after much scrutinizing. (they are or where more expensive, higher end sets though)

Thanks

Kevin

You need to be more clear on the problem, so we know if it's just floating blacks (this is normal for the TV) or a static picture with blacks changing. Here's my understanding of things:

Floating blacks happens when you're watching a dynamic scene and the black levels change depending on how much light-colored stuff is on screen. For example, there's a shot of outer space and it's really black, and then a big while star destroyer takes up 3/4 of the screen and what little outer space you can still see becomes dark grey instead of black. That's normal.

If you pause a scene that's mostly black and the black level fluctuates even though the picture is static, that's not normal. Is that what you're seeing?

Thanks

Yes it does the outerspace thing. That itself is annoying but ok if its normal.

Yes it will change on a paused screen also. Not over and over but it seems very unstable. For instance a picture displayed from an sd card may go to a light black then back to dark (that is the blacks in the picture.) It will usually pick one and stay there but sometimes it seems like the set is "having a hard time," if that makes sense.

I hope this helps in explaining. If not please tell me what else to look for and I will let you all know what happens then. I will gladly find out anything that may help you help me.

Thanks a bunch!

Kevin

Actually ROX, I think you got that backwards :D. The more black on the display, the less black it actually looks. If there is a lot of bright stuff on the screen, then the small amount of black will look really black. But you are right in that the OP needs to tell us more about what he is seeing. If the TV is flickering, then I'd send it back. If it's what is described above, that is normal for plasmas.

Thanks,

On my set it does not seem to matter how bright the picture is. But it will indeed have a moon that takes up a quarter of the picture "grow" to take up three quarters of the picture in turn causing the remaining black (outer space) to jump to a lighter black towards the end of this sequence.

Like I said, please let me know what else you all may need to know to assess this characteristic as best as possible without actually seeing the set.

Thanks

Kevin

This sounds like floating blacks.

I own a 50PX75U and haven't notice any major problems with floating blacks (I'm sure they're there to some degree, but I don't seem to notice them). Perhaps some of the 10th gen Panny's have it more than others, or perhaps it's more prevalent in the 42" 75U.

If it's a major problem for you, I would suggest returning it and going with something else, possibly the Sammy 4254.

If you have an unusually bad case of floating blacks, maybe you can get Panasonic to replace your PDP with a new one... but they might just tell you that yours is operating normally.

I sometimes see what you are describing when the tv picture is set to vivid.

This sounds like floating blacks.

I own a 50PX75U and haven't notice any major problems with floating blacks (I'm sure they're there to some degree, but I don't seem to notice them). Perhaps some of the 10th gen Panny's have it more than others, or perhaps it's more prevalent in the 42" 75U.

If it's a major problem for you, I would suggest returning it and going with something else, possibly the Sammy 4254.

If you have an unusually bad case of floating blacks, maybe you can get Panasonic to replace your PDP with a new one... but they might just tell you that yours is operating normally.

Thankyou for the input,

If it is floating blacks what causes this? Why would one set have more troubles than others?

I do not think return is a possibility. Panasonic did not offer replacement. they offered service from a subcontracted company.

I do not want to switch to another brand or model tv for that matter. Just looking to figure this out.

I have done alot of research with little success. Just looking for some technical help.

I am trying to establish whether or not this is even a problem and if so how common.

I am sure that panasonic would like to know if it is a problem so they can come up with a fix.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions and comments.

If it is as simple as they all do it and the only resolution is to buy a better set than I will simply live with what I could afford.

Thanks again!

Kevin

I sometimes see what you are describing when the tv picture is set to vivid.

Thanks!

It seems to be more prevelant in vivid mode.

Kevin

I have the same problem with my Samsung 5054. I have read through both Samsung and Panny threads on here. Both threads mention problems like this. More mention it in the Samsung though. I am currently at a loss on what to do besides return the set before the 30 days are up.

I would really hate to do that though, since that is my only issue.

I have the same problem with my Samsung 5054. I have read through both Samsung and Panny threads on here. Both threads mention problems like this. More mention it in the Samsung though. I am currently at a loss on what to do besides return the set before the 30 days are up.

I would really hate to do that though, since that is my only issue.

Tripleoptic,

I would really hate to have my set taken apart for the same reason. Especially if it is not something that can be "fixed."

Thanks,

Kevin

I have not seen this at all on mine...

How long have you had it? What are your picture settings at?

The "Cinema" setting will have the most stable blacks. I've tested this on numerous sources......In fact, it's actually quite hard to calibrate the brightness properly unless it's on Cinema.

I have not seen this at all on mine...

How long have you had it? What are your picture settings at?

Right now on cinema the way it came from the factory. It is more stable but can go absolutely nuts from time to time.

I calibrated it via dve-hd (in cinema) at one time but ended putting it back to just cinema.

Thanks

Kevin

Oh, and I have had it for since about late July/early August.

The "Cinema" setting will have the most stable blacks. I've tested this on numerous sources......In fact, it's actually quite hard to calibrate the brightness properly unless it's on Cinema.

Yeah I have noticed it to be hard to adjust due to the black level changing as I am trying to make settings?

I am no expert on using dve to adjust contrast and brightness either. Colors are easy but I am not sure If I am using the patterns correctly for the contrast and brightness.

If you have any help on doing this with this set it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin

Yeah I have noticed it to be hard to adjust due to the black level changing as I am trying to make settings?

I am no expert on using dve to adjust contrast and brightness either. Colors are easy but I am not sure If I am using the patterns correctly for the contrast and brightness.

If you have any help on doing this with this set it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin

Do you view in a dark room? If you do, try my settings of Contrast +13 and Brightness +9.

Cnet calls this problem "poor" black level retention. In there reviews the "geek box" rates each TV in this category. My 7th generation Panasonic had this problem and I don't own this TV anymore. My advice is to return it if you can if it bothers you. This is why I own an LCD. Get a Pioneer it won't have this if you stick with plasma from reports in this forum. My 2 cents worth and opinion.

Do you view in a dark room? If you do, try my settings of Contrast +13 and Brightness +9.

Thanks Mav,

Yes I usually view in a dark or atleast darkened room.

I put my settings back to where I had them before. Cinema contrast 15 brightness 7. It looked much better when viewing a movie or cable. As soon as any black bars showed up they started flashing back and forth more than in other modes. Good new is it is not very noticeable in a picture at these levels when compared to higher settings.

The characteristic itself is less annoying than the thought that there is something wrong with the set.

It is starting to sound like this is normal with this set.

I will try 13 and 9. What pattern do you use to set contrast correctly on this set? How do you use it? I kind of just eyeball the contrast and came up with 14 at first eventually bumping it up to 15. I used a pattern but I probably did not use it correctly.

Thanks again!

Happy Holidays

Kevin

Cnet calls this problem "poor" black level retention. In there reviews the "geek box" rates each TV in this category. My 7th generation Panasonic had this problem and I don't own this TV anymore. My advice is to return it if you can if it bothers you. This is why I own an LCD. Get a Pioneer it won't have this if you stick with plasma from reports in this forum. My 2 cents worth and opinion.

Thanks!

sounds like what I am seeing is considered "normal." I really do not think I can return the set at this point. I will tell you that my next buy will not be for a while and I will be looking at pioneer along with panasonic. This certainly is not bad enough to make me dislike the set.

I originally had a panasonic lcd wich I did not like due to alot of reasons. Then I traded for a sony xbr that was top of its line. traded that in aswell for the this panasonic plasma. I can tell you that this tv is much better for my uses than the lcds. The problems I found in lcds far exceed this.

Maybe I was looking at the wrong lcds? Not to sure.

I guess my point is that I went with plasma because of lcds crappy foggy, cloudy blacks that I saw on the sets I owned. This plasma sure does excel in that manner. The lcds did have steady crappy blacks though. I guess it is a toss up?

Thanks again for your input

Kevin

Thanks Mav,

Yes I usually view in a dark or atleast darkened room.

I put my settings back to where I had them before. Cinema contrast 15 brightness 7. It looked much better when viewing a movie or cable. As soon as any black bars showed up they started flashing back and forth more than in other modes. Good new is it is not very noticeable in a picture at these levels when compared to higher settings.

The characteristic itself is less annoying than the thought that there is something wrong with the set.

It is starting to sound like this is normal with this set.

I will try 13 and 9. What pattern do you use to set contrast correctly on this set? How do you use it? I kind of just eyeball the contrast and came up with 14 at first eventually bumping it up to 15. I used a pattern but I probably did not use it correctly.

Thanks again!

Happy Holidays

Kevin
I used DVE HD DVD. Contrast is a tricky thing to setup......I just came up with a setting that didn't look bad on the test pattern, and that was bright enough, but not too bright for my viewing environment. Keep in mind, that when you change contrast, you might also have to alter brightness as well (according to DVE)

I used DVE HD DVD. Contrast is a tricky thing to setup......I just came up with a setting that didn't look bad on the test pattern, and that was bright enough, but not too bright for my viewing environment. Keep in mind, that when you change contrast, you might also have to alter brightness as well (according to DVE)

Thanks again,

I am going to just try to just enjoy the set. I have four years of warranty, so why not.

The problem is I tinker with things to much.

Take it easy

Kevin

I have had the Th-42px75u and the TH-50px75u both of these sets changed brightness
levels on certain scenes. Returned the 42 for another and the same result. Playing with
the settings I found that this only occurs in the Vivid mode. Presently have the 50 inich model in custom mode and don't have any issues. I think this is probably normal for these sets. Hope that helps

I have had the Th-42px75u and the TH-50px75u both of these sets changed brightness
levels on certain scenes. Returned the 42 for another and the same result. Playing with
the settings I found that this only occurs in the Vivid mode. Presently have the 50 inich model in custom mode and don't have any issues. I think this is probably normal for these sets. Hope that helps

Thanks,

It helps.

Happy Holidays

Kevin

I just picked up a TH42PX75U today for our bedroom and noticed this problem as well. Was watching Rocky IV on some SD channel, the scene was early in the show with Rocky and Apollo talking in Rocky's living room. Closeups of Rocky's face, the darks in the background were really fluctuating.

Moved out to our great room and put the same movie on our Pio 5070 and didn't observe any blacks variation at all.

I can easily return this TV, but I am happy with the price and to be honest, I don't suppose it will be a problem very often. In my area the Pio 4280 would be a lot more money and I don't want to spend it for a set we don't see that much.

Should I just fuhgettaboutit, or return it and try another one, or return it and pay the extra $100 for a 77U?

I've read the forums for long enough to know the Panny's are supposed to be really up there quality-wise. If I take this thing back and get another brand (other than Pio) will I just trade one minor problem in for some other minor (or major) one?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have very similar issues with the 58 THPE75U. I may try and exchange and see if the other set does the same thing.

I just picked up a TH42PX75U today for our bedroom and noticed this problem as well. Was watching Rocky IV on some SD channel, the scene was early in the show with Rocky and Apollo talking in Rocky's living room. Closeups of Rocky's face, the darks in the background were really fluctuating.

Moved out to our great room and put the same movie on our Pio 5070 and didn't observe any blacks variation at all.

I can easily return this TV, but I am happy with the price and to be honest, I don't suppose it will be a problem very often. In my area the Pio 4280 would be a lot more money and I don't want to spend it for a set we don't see that much.

Should I just fuhgettaboutit, or return it and try another one, or return it and pay the extra $100 for a 77U?

I've read the forums for long enough to know the Panny's are supposed to be really up there quality-wise. If I take this thing back and get another brand (other than Pio) will I just trade one minor problem in for some other minor (or major) one?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.


if you can take it back, by all means TAKE IT BACK. It will drive you nuts over time. My father bought the th42pz77u and it is not only a much better picture and 1080p and has perfect blacks.

he also picked it up from sears for less than I paid for my px75u. so just find a pz77u on a GOOD deal

that would be my advice.

hope it helps.

I have very similar issues with the 58 THPE75U. I may try and exchange and see if the other set does the same thing.

I wish there was a fix.

I wish there was a fix.


I have the 58PE75U and it has the same issue. I am using the custom setting and it has less floating blacks. I also called Panasonic and they said its part of the set. I made sure my contrast is jacked up and my brightness is down. It looks a lot better now.

I have the 58PE75U and it has the same issue. I am using the custom setting and it has less floating blacks. I also called Panasonic and they said its part of the set. I made sure my contrast is jacked up and my brightness is down. It looks a lot better now.

thanks bud. really meant a complete lack of this "feature"

Kevin

just cant beleive panasonic would engineer this into my set and not my fathers. Makes no sense. If they think it is a wonderful feature, they might aswell put it on the new 1080p sets also?

P.S. I am not complaining as much as scrathing my head in confusion at this point......

thanks bud. really meant a complete lack of this "feature"

Kevin

just cant beleive panasonic would engineer this into my set and not my fathers. Makes no sense. If they think it is a wonderful feature, they might aswell put it on the new 1080p sets also?

P.S. I am not complaining as much as scrathing my head in confusion at this point......

I also made sure my color space was set for video not pc on all of my sources. that made a HUGE diffenerce.

I also made sure my color space was set for video not pc on all of my sources. that made a HUGE diffenerce.

This is interesting. How would I make sure this is correct on my sources? I have a motorola hd box, toshiba A2 dvd, and an xbox 360.

I know the A2 can be set to video, film or auto. Is this the color space or something else? I just set it to auto.

Thanks for any info! I am very excited to understand this!

Thanks again

Kevin