The Official PANASONIC PZ850u thread - All sizes (settings, feedback, etc...) - Page 39

Originally Posted by tomnan24

For those of you who are using the TV speakers and have used a separate audio system before, how are the speakers? I understand they aren't what a separate audio system would be but are they anywhere in the ballpark? Thanks.

Originally Posted by tomnan24

For those of you who are using the TV speakers and have used a separate audio system before, how are the speakers? I understand they aren't what a separate audio system would be but are they anywhere in the ballpark? Thanks.

Originally Posted by MagnumWPI@hotmai


my plan was to get a panny now, and in a few years when the prices have come down more, get a 60 or larger pio Elite series.

Originally Posted by MagnumWPI@hotmai

RJStol, congrats on the decision, could you post the link to the break-in photos from webapalooza? I couldn't find them. Are they the same as the ones that have been posted on here before from Cnet and other places?

Also, for those that have a PS3 as their BD-player, where is the option to output 1080p/24?

And last question, anyone know how the hell to get in touch with the administrator of the AVS forum site?

Thanks

The relevant setting for configuring the PS3 to output video in the 1080p/24 format is accessed from the XMB:

XMB >>> Settings >>> Video Settings >>> BD 1080p 24 Hz Output (HDMI)
Note: "Video Settings" was called "BD/DVD Settings" with PS3 firmware prior to version 2.50

The default setting of "Automatic" will enable 1080p/24 for any display that correctly communicates that it is 1080p/24 capable. If you KNOW your HDTV display supports 1080p/24 and you're certain the PS3 isn't automatically enabling 1080p/24 during Blu-ray playback, changing this setting to "On" will force 1080p/24 playback. Changing the setting to "Off" will not allow 1080p/24 playback regardless of the display's capabilities.

Originally Posted by MagnumWPI@hotmai

my plan was to get a panny now, and in a few years when the prices have come down more, get a 60 or larger pio Elite series.

Originally Posted by MagnumWPI@hotmai

On a side note, how much do ISF calibrations typically run?

Originally Posted by RJStol

After following reviews and this thread (and others) for the last 8 to 10 months, I finally pulled the trigger and got one of these sets. I got my 50PZ850U Friday and set it up Saturday. I've been running webapalooza's break-in pictures off an SD card continuously (54 hours now and counting) since then. Thank you webapalooza.

Originally Posted by RJStol

I'm breaking mine in on the "Cool" setting, since I like the picture better.

Originally Posted by RJStol

I have to admit, it looks great right out of the box-- even on the reduced settings (below 50 for all levels) while breaking it in.

Originally Posted by RJStol

I do have Question directed to those who were referencing the total number of hours the set has been on-- (dumb question) Is there some sort of internal timer I can access to tell me how many hours the set has been functioning? Or do I need to just keep track the old fashion way-- counting the hours. If there is-- how can I get to it?

Originally Posted by RJStol

I am really looking forward to the "magic" that comes after the break in. Again, THANK YOU ALL for the advise on the set and the settings. And THANK YOU webapalooza for the technical advise and break in pics!!

Originally Posted by Ray Collins

Which optimizer CD will you use?

Ray

Originally Posted by webapalooza

That's a good question, and somebody did post the directions on how to access the run time in the service menu, but it didn't work for me. Not sure why, but it just wouldn't.

Originally Posted by MagnumWPI@hotmai

Hey guys, you all seem knowledgeable from these threads. I recently just put on order a 50PZ850U from amazon for a very good price and am thrilled to be getting it.

However, I know that Pioneers have the best picture quality of any plasma and would kill to have a KURO, specifically the Elite series. I just saw that on amazon they lowered the price on the 5020FD and it's now only $200 more expensive than the panasonic I just ordered.

I know that the panny has a bunch more customizeability options than the 5020 and has viera cast, swivel base, studio ref, etc etc. And I know it's not the Elite KURO, but the pio still has the deeper black level.

my plan was to get a panny now, and in a few years when the prices have come down more, get a 60 or larger pio Elite series.

If you were in my position, what would you do? Cancel the panny and go with the non-elite Kuro with such a small price difference? Or would you stick with the 850U? I'm sure my picture will rock no matter what I do, but I desperately need some input here, and the quicker the better, I'd have to cancel the order immediately!

On a side note, how much do ISF calibrations typically run? Anyone know of a good place to go with for the calibration in the Waterbury, CT area?

Originally Posted by webapalooza

Hi Ray,

I'm assuming you were talking to me, and that you meant DVD? I've actually bought a couple of different ones:

1. HQV-Benchmark-DVD
2. Digital Video Essentials HD Basics Blu-ray

HQV also makes a Blu-ray version, but I haven't been able to find anyone who has it in stock.

Originally Posted by Jack D

I've got one the PZ850 50 inchers on the way. I currently have a 50 inch pro panny (8th gen) and it's mounted flat on the wall. I was just wondering if one of you PZ850 50 inch owners would be kind enough to tell me the distance between the vertical braces on the unit. I want to make sure that my existing wall mount will work with this unit.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

Originally Posted by Caponegville

My beloved plasma finally reached my door yesterday. I will now try and describe my experience being how this is my first plasma hdtv (had a 50" samsung DLP prior)

The company I ordered from took 7 days to get it to my house, they had friendly reps, customer service, and full tracking along the way. The delivery driver called me a few mins prior so that I knew he was coming. I ran into my bedroom threw on some decent clothes and bolted outside with my eyes glued on the road awaiting the white truck. Upon pulling up I noticed that there was only one person in the truck. I had paid extra and asked specifically for the white glove service (2 guys carrying it inside and taking it out of the box.) No biggie as I would deal with that later.

I explained my situation in which he understood and helped me take it in anyways. I inspected the box which was equipped with a drop sensor and had not been activated, (means they didnt drop it along the way) the box was flawless. We undid the 4 plastic holders and boom the top came right off and the tv was sitting in a fitted syrofoam casing. I pluged it in and turned it on, the screen illuminated and I could see it was working perfectly. I then talked to the driver for a minute and then signed the paperwork.

I was stuck putting it together which was fairly simple with only 8 bolts to screw as it wouldnt take a genius. I set it up and turned it on, WOW....straight out of the box it looked great. I then tweaked it a little to get everything under the 50 mark. My first impressions of this tv was the hd cable through cox was great, but as soon as I threw planet earth BR into the PS3 I was amazed. Very detailed and crisp clear picture, no issues at all that I could see. This hdtv clearly blew my previous tv into bits. I played the DVE basics BR after just to check out the content. It featured a special display of the 1080p format, such as 24p playback. I changed my settings to the 48hz for the 24p setting and didnt see any flickering like alot of reviews said. It made the scene look as though I was inside a theater which was awsome. I must admit it was a feature that I was unsure of but am glad to put it behind me now. Bottom line...........this tv is among the best I have seen in anyones house, the black levels look great to me and I could see how they might drop a shade darker but once I calibrate it I should have a better picture. I have been sorta keeping to the breakin guidelines. I mostly watch HD but when I watch SD I zoom it to fill the screen. When I go to bed I run the breakin DVD on loop till I leave for work in the morning. So far I have logged only about 21 hours currently. I played ps3 games on it for only a hour. No ghosting effect, or signs of IR. When I saw this tv in retail stores it looked totally different (crappy) but I am glad I took the plunge and I am a proud owner and can't wait to see how the calibration comes out.

Sorry for the rant, I could keep going with meaningless info for you folks to read but thats no fun, besides I have some COD5 catching up to do! Feel free to ask any questions if you have any..........take care!

Well folks here is the final calibration, top to bottom, and all the graphs and charts that go along with it.

Everything looks great!

The setup consisted of the following:

Denon AVR-4308CI Receiver
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U Plasma
Panasonic DMP-BD55K BRPlayer - Video Pic on player USER all 0's.

Blu-ray player was run through the receiver clean, meaning no processing done by the Denon.

HDMI1

Service Menu:

Contrast - 000
Color - 3F
Tint - 03
Sub-Brt - 800

WB-ADJ: CUSTOM

All-Cut - 80
All-Drv - FC
R-Cut - 80
G-Cut - 80
B-Cut - 80
R-Drv - FC
G-Drv - D9
B-Drv - 7D
Format - HD
Method - 03
Color Temp - Warm (these are service menu, I would wait on these)

(User available adjustments)
PM:

Picture - +50
Brightness - +47
Color - +50
Tint - 0
Sharp - 50
CT - Warm
CM - Off
DCC - Off
C.A.T.S - Off

Pro Settings:

PB - Low
CE - Off
GA - Mid
BE - 0

W/B high R - -11
W/B high B - 0
W/B low R - +1
W/B low B - +1
AGC - Off

Advance Picture

All Off
Black Level - Light
24p - 60hz
HDS - 2

Best gamma I could pull while still achieving an excellent black level was 2.10, target was 2.2, not bad in the end.
Picture is stunning!

The service menu adjustment under CUSTOM is my friends factory default THX setting from his 800 series.

As you can tell, once I applied his THX setting, the changes were far less drastic in the pro menu.

The colors pop more at the default settings so I left them as is.

Less IR with these changes.

Originally Posted by JChin

Wall mount spacing holes on back of unit are 660mm x 320mm (26" x 12.6") wxh

Originally Posted by rscba70

For now, I have 2 questions. First, any thoughts on whether or not to buy an extended warranty ($450+/- from BB). While I came by this set as the result of my previous extended warranty I have more confidence in the technology at this point. Anyway, I am looking for opinions.

Originally Posted by rscba70

Second, I see a lot of references to a break-in dvd. I did not receive much more that the remote and manual with the TV. Was there supposed to be a break-in dvd with the units?

Originally Posted by Caponegville

I played the DVE basics BR after just to check out the content. It featured a special display of the 1080p format, such as 24p playback. I changed my settings to the 48hz for the 24p setting and didnt see any flickering like alot of reviews said. It made the scene look as though I was inside a theater which was awsome. I must admit it was a feature that I was unsure of but am glad to put it behind me now.

Originally Posted by hc2

The picture actually gets better. Try these settings, don't worry about the service menu settings just yet. Wait until you get comfortable with your set. Robbyrockets has had some training as a calibrator.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ockets&page=14
Use webpalooza's SD card images to do about 100 hours of break-in, it seemed to help mine. Put them on a SD card(not formatted by your computer but by a camera), use the slideshow and set it to run at 15 second intervals when you are not using the TV.
http://www.webapalooza.com/plasma/
Enjoy your new set.