The Official Pioneer 9G Elite KURO Owner's Discussion Thread - Page 501

Originally Posted by prepress

I think the key phrase here, which is not part of the post, should be "based upon my experience." I saw the dirty whites you mention in one store on non-Elite Pioneers; they were obvious, especially next to the LCDs nearby, and even in the context of the overall picture. It's also true that none of these sets were calibrated; as usual, they were all out of the box. While the plasma whites were "dirty" the LCD whites were overly bright, washed out, and artificial-looking; one of the LCD sets was LED-backlit.

At home, with my 111, I've seen nothing that could be called "dirty" whites, either before or after calibration (by Kevin Miller). As far as the picture getting darker over time, all sets, whether plasma or LCD, will do that; there is an estimated time to half-brightness usually in the 50,000-60,000 hour range for most. I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about.

I plan to have my 111 for some time, as I like the picture and can't afford to swap sets every few years. But if I had to replace it today, I'd look plasma first, then an LED LCD, whatever got me closest to the picture I have now that fit my budget.

Originally Posted by dsaskew

Hello,
I received my pixel perfect panel from Value Electronics last night (Thanks Wendy and Alberto!). I took advantage of the special Pioneer pricing for the 151. The panel is in my home office going through break-in. My 151 has Feb. 2009 build date which was interesting because I kind of expected it to have the new Firmware already installed since the firmware was available very early in February. The firmware on my panel was 0904-0301 so I updated it with the latest version. Maybe my panel was built very early in February before the "Pioneer announcement ".

The 151 will be replacing a calibrated Philips 64pp9751 rear projection crt circa 2002. This tv was notable in that it had 9 inch crts and came with a Pronto remote. The size of this tv worked to my advantage as my wife jumped at the chance to replace this 64" behemouth with a nice "flat panel". The 151 will be wall mounted using a Sanus VMDD26 mount. Using this mount will preserve my 11' viewing distance in the TV room. I will put the wires behind the wall.
The other components that I will be replacing:
Pioneer Elite VSX-49txi => Yamaha RX-Z7 (purchased and received)
Zenith DB-318 DVD player => ? (either Sony S550/560 or OPPO 83)
Here is the rest of my current system.
Directv HR21-100 DVR
Motorola 6416 (Verizon FIOS)
JVC HM-DH40000U D-VHS (DTheater) VCR
Monitor Audio S8 (silver series) Mains
Monitor Audio Silver center channel
Monitor Audio S1 surrounds
SVS PB1-NSD sub

I have already reserved a calibration spot for Jeff's(umr) tour for August but I am on his backup list for June.

I do have 1 question about panel buzzing. If a panel buzzed would I hear it running the break-in images? I am using a thumbdrive and I do not hear any buzzing!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by alettiere

You have DSE. Run some vertical panning scenes with those bright colors and you'll be able to faintly see those streaks.

Originally Posted by LM2008

Hi Everyone,

I am getting ready for the NCAA final four here and was wondering what should I set the HD comcast box (1080I or 720P) to get the best picture?

My hdmi cable hook up to Oppo HDMI switcher, HDMI switcher to Yamaha v1700 via HDMI cable, HDMI Cable from Receiver out to Elite.

I am using Comcast in Phila., pa and notice that heatwave3 also has a problem but i don't think it is the same as my question. Thanks!

Originally Posted by dsaskew

Thanks MVP2005FAN!

Yes, I do have energy save/power save off

I would also like to thank you for your previous posts about mounts for the 151FD. Your feed back about the Sanus mount and the fact that I was able to see this mount in person at a local BB/Magnolia store led me to purchase this mount.

Originally Posted by LM2008

Hi Everyone,

I am getting ready for the NCAA final four here and was wondering what should I set the HD comcast box (1080I or 720P) to get the best picture?

My hdmi cable hook up to Oppo HDMI switcher, HDMI switcher to Yamaha v1700 via HDMI cable, HDMI Cable from Receiver out to Elite.

I am using Comcast in Phila., pa and notice that heatwave3 also has a problem but i don't think it is the same as my question. Thanks!

Originally Posted by nealh

I just had BB delivery a new Pioneer Elite 111FD Nov 2008 build with fw 0904-0201
I know there is an update but I prefer not to take any chances unless it is 100% necessary. . .I went ahead and downloaded the DVD break-in iso and usb drive files. . .However, the USB files play 5 grades of colors then a blank/blank screen is played for 30sec then the next 5 grades of a given color is played and this repeats...does this happen to anyone else on the new firmware or old for that matter

Originally Posted by newriver99

Last week I purchased an Elite 111 and will taken possession on Tuesday. I have been reading the owners thread and it has me thinking whether I have made a good decision. I read about dead pixels, buzzing and dirty screen. It does not sound good. What happens if you get one that has a problem with the shortage now that they are going out of business. Also the review on the Panny G10 was pretty good. So I'm thinking that the Panny V10 will be just as good if not better. Are the Pioneer Elites worth buying now?

Originally Posted by newriver99


the Panny V10 will be just as good if not better.


Are the Pioneer Elites worth buying now?

Originally Posted by Kermit955

I also received my 151 Feb '09 build date last week from Value Electronics. I ran the thumb drive file for a week 24/7 without any problems. Panel was perfect with no dead pixels or buzzing.
Wendy was really helpful and Alberto delivered my panel. He was even nice enough to help me move my Pio 1130 and Omnimount pedestal stand to the room upstairs. He even assembled a BDI 9429 upon delivery.

Originally Posted by Sid Burn

does anyone have contact for the pioneer canada head office past the standard call centre line? A direct line to a supervisor or someone like that?

I swapped my Kuro out and now I get attitude from one of the techs at the call centre because I was picky about the tv I was getting

Originally Posted by nealh

I just had BB delivery a new Pioneer Elite 111FD Nov 2008 build with fw 0904-0201
I know there is an update but I prefer not to take any chances unless it is 100% necessary

I went ahead and downloaded the DVD break-in iso and usb drive files(I have a portable dvd player and cant seen to set it to repeat the dvd over and over...and it gets hot for long term use)
I prefer to use USB drive

So I tried the DVD first...seems to work fine. It shows various colors for a set time in a set of images per color, then moves to the next color frame with no interval black/blank screen

However, the USB files play 5 grades of colors then a blank/blank screen is played for 30sec then the next 5 grades of a given color is played and this repeats...does this happen to anyone else on the new firmware or old for that matter

One more big question....when the images are shown the pink/whites/gray and to a much lesser degree on green, blue or red I see faint stripes of color. on some images it is uniform throught the screen and on other images it is more noticable in an area on the screen

Also does it matter if the dvd is run via AV cable lower image quality vs component or HDMI
Is that normal?

TIA

Originally Posted by newriver99

Last week I purchased an Elite 111 and will taken possession on Tuesday. I have been reading the owners thread and it has me thinking whether I have made a good decision. I read about dead pixels, buzzing and dirty screen. It does not sound good. What happens if you get one that has a problem with the shortage now that they are going out of business. Also the review on the Panny G10 was pretty good. So I'm thinking that the Panny V10 will be just as good if not better. Are the Pioneer Elites worth buying now?

Originally Posted by dsaskew

Nealh,
My panel originally had fw 0904-0301 and I just played the USB images once to check the pixels so I did not use the repeat all. All the images displayed with no problems.
Once I knew my new panel was fine I upgraded the fw to the latest version 0904-0401. I then started break-in by running the USB thumbdrive images in the repeat all mode and I have not had any issues. I ran the break in images for 4 hours straight last night and they have been running continuously today for 7.5 hours with no problems. The only blank screen I get is for 6 seconds between slides. The color slides display for 30 seconds.

Also I do not see stripes of colors faint or otherwise.
I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by nealh

OK..here are the pics resized
4677 and 4685 do not show it...others do ..wanted to show a comparison with same color image showing no lines and showing lines

taken with old Canon S30..the last pics where more grey scale(the camera was 2 feet away)

only shot whites, gray and green

BTW the farther I get the harder it is to see....I am really wondering if this is a flicker....correct if I am wrong but video and camera will pick this up on a computer screen like a slow refreshing CRT
FWIW..do not see it on the Hitachi RPTV and the farther away I get I cant see lines....but get a sense of flicker with the single color...I never saw it in the store so I expect it will "go away"(ie I will not see it) with normal TV use
Just hope I have no eyestrain/fatigue with Plasmas

Originally Posted by mvp2005fan

Hi, nealh-- I think what you are seeing is the very likely the normal pixel structure of the screen. Plasma technology does not flicker (assuming there is nothing wrong with the power supply).

If it would help reassure you, I'd suggest interrupting the break-in with some good blu-rays--I'll bet you won't be disappointed!

Originally Posted by Greg Young

I recently purchased a Pioneer 151. When it was delivered on Wednesday it had a cracked screen and was returned. I am suppose to get another one this week, fortunately. I thought you just hooked up your blueray dvd to the TV and enjoy. But what I am reading sounds like there is a procedure to follow to break in your TV. Can someone please explain it to me. Does the TV come with a dvd that you should play to make sure the colors are correct and to check for pixel damage. Do have to run some dvd for so many hours before you can actually watch a movie or can watch a blueray right away. Thanks Greg

TV.

Originally Posted by Greg Young

I recently purchased a Pioneer 151. When it was delivered on Wednesday it had a cracked screen and was returned. I am suppose to get another one this week, fortunately. I thought you just hooked up your blueray dvd to the TV and enjoy. But what I am reading sounds like there is a procedure to follow to break in your TV. Can someone please explain it to me. Does the TV come with a dvd that you should play to make sure the colors are correct and to check for pixel damage. Do have to run some dvd for so many hours before you can actually watch a movie or can watch a blueray right away. Thanks Greg

TV.

Originally Posted by mvp2005fan

I would suggest (as BarryB alluded to with his old Sony) to let your cable box pass the signal without processing it (i.e. Auto or select all possible resolutions out in the menu). Also, I'd set your Yammy to not upconvert because your Elite upconversion is likely better.

That way, the Elite will get a pure signal to play with--I actually think that the Elite does a better job with 1080i than 720p (at least from my cable provider); therefore, hopefully, the CBS feed should look pretty good. (especially now that the local affiliates should be able to delegate all of the HD bandwidth to one game at a time).

Originally Posted by Greg Young

I recently purchased a Pioneer 151. When it was delivered on Wednesday it had a cracked screen and was returned. I am suppose to get another one this week, fortunately. I thought you just hooked up your blueray dvd to the TV and enjoy. But what I am reading sounds like there is a procedure to follow to break in your TV. Can someone please explain it to me. Does the TV come with a dvd that you should play to make sure the colors are correct and to check for pixel damage. Do have to run some dvd for so many hours before you can actually watch a movie or can watch a blueray right away. Thanks Greg

Originally Posted by ccotenj

you can do one of 2 things...

- you can run the "break in" procedure that has been developed, and use d-nice's settings afterwards, and end up just fine. many many people have done this successfully and are happy with it. there is nothing "wrong" with doing it this way. and for many people, this is the "best" way. they'll end up with very good pq, and they'll satisfy their ocd.

- you can take it out of the box, turn contrast down a bit to be nice to it for the first 100 hours, and watch it. you can even force it to full screen for that period of time if you want to be extra nice to it. then you can adjust it a bit, run it in for a while longer, and either calibrate it yourself with the options that are available to you, or have a professional come in and do it...

i chose option 2... it was successful with my 150... i don't see any reason why it won't with the 111...

number 1, i do not have the patience to go through a break-in procedure...

number 2, i will always let a "pro" do the calibration (that patience thing again), so i'm not particularly concerned about re-creating d-nice's process. from my understanding of his explanations over the years, the "break in" process really isn't a "break in" process as much as it is a "if you run it this way for awhile, the settings you are about to use will give you a good picture" process. editorial comment: i think he performs a GREAT service to people by sharing all of his work and by outlining a procedure that will allow most folks to get their sets "close" by simply being patient. and he answers questions relatively patiently. so i do believe that for some, there's a great value in doing it. imo, d-nice is a very valuable member of avs, and many many people have benefited from his participation here.

number 3, i figure that the great majority of people who buy a set take it home, plug it in and use it. not only do they use it, if i had to bet, they've got it running so friggin hot it'll burn your eyes out. i think it's safe to say that these people aren't destroying their sets, because of the lack of comments about it.

number 4, did i mention i don't have the patience for it?

i know some will come back and say "but it's expensive, i don't want to break it". i understand that, especially with the past history of plasma sets and the few posters out here who (for some reason only known to them) crap "BURN-IN!!! BURN-IN!!!" into every plasma thread they can.

however, you buy a tv to USE it. bottom line, just like many other things, it's a "consumable". and as such, it should be consumed. as noted in #3, the great majority of people who buy a set never even heard of a break-in procedure, let alone use it. i'm confident in my assumption that pioneer has engineered their product so that the great majority of people won't break it right out of the box.

bottom line? i don't stress about it. as noted in another post, i unboxed my 111, put it on it's stand, hooked up the fios box, turned the contrast down a tad, and watch anything i want on it.

ymmv, of course. but imo, if you aren't planning on using d-nice's published settings, then you aren't really "gaining" anything (other than getting those first 100 hours over fast) by running the break-in procedure.

Originally Posted by heatwave3

Good summary +1

Originally Posted by ccotenj

i know some will come back and say "but it's expensive, i don't want to break it". i understand that, especially with the past history of plasma sets and the few posters out here who (for some reason only known to them) crap "BURN-IN!!! BURN-IN!!!" into every plasma thread they can.

however, you buy a tv to USE it. bottom line, just like many other things, it's a "consumable". and as such, it should be consumed. as noted in #3, the great majority of people who buy a set never even heard of a break-in procedure, let alone use it. i'm confident in my assumption that pioneer has engineered their product so that the great majority of people won't break it right out of the box.

Originally Posted by newriver99

Tommorrow I pick up my new Elite 111. What should I do after getting it home and unboxing it? Is there some firmware updating to be done? I plan on using the break in images for 150 hours. I do not plan to watch anything for the entire time. My HD satelite will be hooked up on Friday so that will help me from wanting to watch any tv programs.
Any suggestions will be helpful.

Originally Posted by Jim Boden

The whites on my 111FD are as good or better than any LCD I've seen and more natural looking, IMO. The only thing I've done to my 111 is enable D-Nice's ISFccc settings with ControlCAL.