The Official Panasonic TC-PXXS1 Owner's Discussion Thread - Page 18

I really wish you had read the Official 2009 12G Lineup thread instead - i was the first to discover the surprising lack of Analog Audio Output on the first 12G model in mid-February and posted about it, then in March i listed it among the things that the G10 has that the S1 does not have and that would have alerted you that they dropped the Analog Output:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1391

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=3207


Just to clarify in case you don't already know, the TV's digital/optical output will only output 5.1 audio while watching TV through the TV's internal tuner, and only then if the particular TV show you're watching is sending out a 5.1 soundtrack (i think it's kinda rare).

The digital/optical audio output will not pass 5.1 when watching any other sources like a cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player that are connected to any of the external inputs (like HDMI or Component). In this case you'll only get regular 2-channel stereo from the digital/optical output and you'll have to let your AVR decode it. So if you're using any sort of external STB then there's no need to buy the more expensive Gefen converter - the cheaper $79 version will suffice.

Just to clarify in case you don't already know, the TV's digital/optical output will only output 5.1 audio while watching TV through the TV's internal tuner, and only then if the particular TV show you're watching is sending out a 5.1 soundtrack (i think it's kinda rare).

The digital/optical audio output will not pass 5.1 when watching any other sources like a cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player that are connected to any of the external inputs (like HDMI or Component). In this case you'll only get regular 2-channel stereo from the digital/optical output and you'll have to let your AVR decode it. So if you're using any sort of external STB then there's no need to buy the more expensive Gefen converter - the cheaper $79 version will suffice.

thanks Randy Walters for the help. I do not have satellite or cable so I watch OTA TV for my HD and I think CBS broadcast most of its shows in Dolby 5.1. I am not sure about the other networks. Anyway I already bought the two Gefen converters with Dolby so I am covered in either case. That is good to know that the set will not pass the 5.1 from other sources.

I came across this converter below. Would it do the trick if I split it to left and right? Thanks.

optimization-world.com/details/prodid/226.html

(can't post links yet)

That adapter converts optical digital to coax digital. It does not convert digital to analog.

Not sure this is the best topic in which to ask but as the owner of a 42S1 and a young infant I am looking for an affordable wireless headphone solution that will work with the optical audio out only on this model.

Right now he could sleep through a Godzilla attack but I know that will change soon and with his room just around the corner from the TV I need reliable wireless headphone with digital optical input. My googling has only brought up models over $200 which is double the max I would ideally be looking to spend (and if possible). I understand there would be quality trade off for the cheaper, but the majority of my watching will be baseball until fall and the occasional Xbox360 game so I'm not that concerned with crystal clear sound.

Wired solution is out of the question. My wife would likely trip over that the first night taking the Panny down with her.

Hi. Can you explain what "...AVR decode" means? I was hoping to connect the tv optical out to my Dennon receiver (which has DTS/Dolby) and just leave the receiver on "TV", regardless of the actual video source. Will this produce DTS/Dolby sound or will it be standard stereo (or something else)?

Thanks!

I just pulled the compulsive trigger on the 42" model. I ordered from Buydig excellent price!

Ok so a couple questions... I'm in the last stages of my decision making between this an a Samsung LN40(or 46 not sure yet)530. I've seen the Sammy in store several times and the black levels are amazing for an LCD. Also, I'll have to put the TV directly across from a double SE facing window...

First one is about audio so sorry if I missed it, I saw some general discussion but not this specific question. I see there is only a digital out on this set. Not exactly a biggie for me as I have a surround sound system which accepts Optical anyway.

However, what I need to know is if this digital out accepts the signals from the various HDMI inputs (acting as a receiver of sorts). What I mean is, does it take digital in through HDMI and put it out through it's own digital out? Also is there any other digital inputs? My receive only has one Optical input, so unless the TV has an input as well I'll have to switch the cable out from the back of the receiver from my TV to my XBox all the time.

The whole color inaccuracy thing, how is that coming along? Does it seem like any of you have remedied that with the service menu? That's close to being three strikes against the plasma for me if it proves to be an issue, since in general the Sammy LCD don't have any color problems.

Last question, I know you guys are plasma fans but would you still recommend one to me if - I sit about 7ft from the TV, the TV will be in a bright room (facing a double SE window, and a sliding glass door is about 15ft to the left of the window), and I'm a big gamer?

I'm surprised at the lack of activity on this thread compared to the G10. For all intents and purposes the S1 is a G10 without THX and a few other features most won't need or want. I'm debating between the 2 and I don't see the point in spending $200 extra on the G10 if it looks better in Custom mode anyways. It just seems like people are blindly buying the G10 when they won't even use the extra features it has.

To each their own, but I bought an S1 for the very reasons you mentioned.

it's because we are all watching are S1's well atleast i am lol

I personally want the AVCHD playback capability and the Viera Cast and I think the "street price" won't be $200 for me as my target date is August. I know you have no use for these features, but some do. I think you will be surprised how many people do want the Viera Cast.

No, you'll only get Dolby Digital, etc... passed on the optical out from the internal tuner.



+1

"No, you'll only get Dolby Digital, etc... passed on the optical out from the internal tuner."

Why in the world would they only have one optical out and no analog out, and not have the TV be able to act as a receiver? Damn stupid... I guess I'll be using the speakers on the TV most of the time for watching TV because I'm not switching out the wire every time I go from XBox/DVD player to TV.

Thanks though

Any help with my other questions?

I've had the 42" for over a week now and love it. My only concern with the set is I hear some kind of slight buzzing or humming noise. It's not too loud. When I'm watching a Blu-ray I can't hear it over my surround sound. I notice it when I'm watching TV since the volume is usually much lower. It seems to only occur with certain shots. One shot it'll be completely silent, the next shot I'll hear the buzz.

Since this is my first plasma set, I'm not sure if this is normal or not.

Got one of these for bedroom & loving the pic.
Black level seems very good, nowhere near my Kuro but the best I have seen from Panasonic.

Is everyone else's remote slow on commands?
Especially when using the menu, not so much for volume.

Since people are commenting that the colour decoding of the S1 seems less than perfect, with some over-saturation and other issues, I wonder if an owner or reviewer could compare the colour performance of the S1 to previous models like the Z80 and Z85, Z800 and Z850 etc...how much different is it, better or worse? How much?

I don't own one yet, but I could of sworn I read a thread somewhere that said the response time for commands was very fast. I was hoping that was true because I absolutely hate an annoying lag time for inputting commands.

There's also some push that the G10 has somewhat better blacks but I find this unsubstantiated and I would bet it's untrue when someone has an opportunity to fine tune both sets after break-in.

Would think that D-nice might get to it hopefully sooner than later.

One other unknown is the wireless option. Some of us are using Netflix and although the G10 is going with Amazon for the moment, there's an expectation Netflix will become available. Then you could run just an ethernet from an Apple Airport Express ($99) and have access to it without having to use a computer to connect.

That's one really strong built-in feature the S1 won't have.

But my suspicion is that the S1 and G10 will both have similar pictures when the custom mode is dialed. It's possible that's wrong but I still doubt it.

First off, this is my first post...so be gentle. I've been aware of this site for some time, but not before my last TV buy. I currently have a 30 Sony Wega that was the first one in my first apartment.

Fast forward 5 years and I start reading this forum. I've been looking for a good new (bigger) TV and realized from the comments and the pictures provided that this was it.

Found a good deal online and went to Best Buy to see if they'd match. They almost laughed...so I moved down the road to HHGregg. HHGregg was much more generous...looked up the best price and said sure...we'll match. Much to my surprise...I have a big 50" box sitting in my spare bedroom awaiting the sell of my old TV.

That's good for me though, because if I didn't have the time I probably wouldn't properly break it in. So I need some help with this.

What settings should I use to do this. I've looked at D-nice's posts on the X1s but can I use the same settings. I'm hoping someone on here will respond quickly...because I'm not sure how much longer I can let it sit in the box

Thanks in advance!

So maybe I missed it but does anyone have the TC-P46S1? I was at Sears today and I saw it and thought it was pretty cool. I have an older Panny 720p plasma I liked, but I want 1080p and such. So any opinions?

If you're going to break it in with the Break-In DVD or better yet, a break-in image slideshow via the TV's SD Card Slot, then yes use his settings from the first post as they're for all 12G models, not just the X1. Basically you put the TV into VIVID mode and crank the Contrast up to 100 and start putting hours on it.

I have the 46 S1. I replace my 36 in Sony HD CRT (Wega) with it. I've been very pleased with the set. I did use the break in DVD for roughly 100 hours. Have not gone into the service menu yet, still waiting for the S1 settings from Dnice. I've used a couple settings so far and am still tweaking.

I think the only thing that this doesnt have that my old CRT had was deeper blacks. Not that S1's are bad by any means, but comparing to the CRT as you know, they're not quite there.

Good to know. The tv itll be replacing is http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...321&highlight= TH-42PE7U, I got from a BB black friday 2 yrs ago.
Ill be using it for Blu-Ray, and Comcast HD Cable along with all my awsome home audio.

Thanks Randy. I do appreciate the input and help. Going to start breaking it in tomorrow. Can't wait to get it hooked up and hopefully by the time my break in is done...D-nice has some settings up. It's rough only viewing this model in a store...cause I know their feed is crap.

Do you use a satellite/cable receiver for TV? If so, just run analog audio from the sat/cable to the receiver. That's what I do.

You guys are going to be very happy when you see the street price of the 54S1.

What do you know? Anything about any specific release dates?

Does it matter if the slideshow is not in the same order that it was downloaded it in. I'm hoping as long as all the colors get equal time it'll be ok...but for some reason...one of my grays got mixed in with my reds.

Don't get me wrong...I enjoy seeing scarlet and gray(Buckeye reference) but I just want to make sure.

And is it also sad that I brought my macbook to sit in front of the TV while it's going through all the colors just so I could talk to you guys, lol....

can't you just re-download the file and load it to your SD correctly? Mine seems in order