The Official Panasonic 12G Settings/Issues Thread - Page 4

Originally Posted by chadmak09

wheres the contradiction?

Originally Posted by xPUNGENTODORx

Ok, I hate to do this and go back to page 1, but I'm trying to understand this break in time on the tv. I currently have 66hrs on my set and all of which were watched on the standard/vivid mode, with the last 5 hours or so on some custom settings I obtained from the owners thread.

In order to do a proper break in (please correct me if this is all messed up) I should do this... I need to buy/download one of the two recommended break in discs/software? Then turn on tv for the first time and run this program at the given settings for 120hrs? Then I'll be able to apply the final settings for optimal viewing?

Will I ever be able to use these final pic settings if I start with this break now or not because I've been watching tv for 66hrs already?

Please forgive my ignorance...

Originally Posted by chadmak09

wheres the contradiction?

Originally Posted by TopperMcFly

I don't want to start another p!s$ing contest. I just think "almost rivals" and "can't compete" say two very different things.

To almost rival means not only to match but almost exceed. To be unable to compete insinuates they are in separate leagues and they are not even close.

Clearly the Pioneers are better at blacks. I am just trying to get a grip on how much. It sounds like the panny is "black enough". It is the color issue that I am more interested in. Service mode calibration may be the great equalizer here and make the S1 more viable than the G10 regardless.

I will also pay my respects to D-nice. I won't be a hypocrite and only point out things that bug me. You do provide a great service to this forum and I thank you for that for what it is worth.

Originally Posted by socal scott

I got into the SM, but need to know what number to push on the remote after the two blue menus come up.

Be careful! To see how much time the tv has been on:

The Panasonic TC-P50X1 service menu is easy to get to. For the most part, you should not access it. Doing so can supposedly harm your TV in many bad ways if you don't know what you are doing. However, a lot of new owners want to know how many hours their new Plasma TV has. You can either keep track of the number of hours you have on the TV, or you can find the information in the Service Menu.

It took me a while to finally find out how to access it to determine this, but here is how.

1. On the TV itself, hold down the Vol - Button
2. While holding the volume button down, press info on the TV remote three times. Wait. Depending on what mode you are in, you will notice the display change. Two blue windows will appear in the upper left portion of your screen. This is the service menu. Keep reading if you want to know how to determine the number of hours on the set.
3. Now press the 2″ button on the remote. This will pull up a window with the word SRV-TOOL
4. Press the OK button on the remote. A light blue grid will appear.
5. On the Grid, cursor down (using the remote down arrows) to the row labeled PTCT
6. Cursor to the right. It should be an empty box.
7. Hold MUTE for 3 seconds. The amount of time the display has been on will be next to the word TIME this is in hours and minutes.

To get out of the service menu, I just power cycled the TV by holding the power button down on the TV itself.

Originally Posted by D-Nice

pr-655

Originally Posted by hydroponik

Just picked up the 42" a few hours ago and the pic is pretty nice.

The break-in process seems like a lot of work, however I want to do it when I'm not using the TV.

For the DVD, it necessary to use HDMI/Components? Or can I just use composite for the break-in? I don't have any extra cables lying around at the moment and want to make due with what's available.

Originally Posted by D-Nice

You are correct. David's review was contradicting on those two quotes you pointed out.

Originally Posted by bsavitz

I didn't really see them as contradictory.
"Deep black levels that nearly rival the all-time champ in that department". That means the black levels were close but not quite as good.
"It couldn't compete with the Kuro" was referring to the overall performance.
Just goes to show you how different people can take different meaning out of the same words.

Originally Posted by bsavitz

I didn't really see them as contradictory.
"Deep black levels that nearly rival the all-time champ in that department". That means the black levels were close but not quite as good.
"It couldn't compete with the Kuro" was referring to the overall performance.
Just goes to show you how different people can take different meaning out of the same words.

Originally Posted by skroh

My deeper problem with the review is that it clarifies for me, after wondering for the last few months, what CNET means by calibration. If they don't go into the service menu and do it right, how can they possibly comment on the ultimate quality potential of the display?

Originally Posted by chrisherbert

They don't pretend to comment on the ultimate quality of the set. They are trying to do the best job they can with the standard user menu. That's been their MO for several years, and they don't keep it a secret.

Originally Posted by chrisherbert

They don't pretend to comment on the ultimate quality of the set. They are trying to do the best job they can with the standard user menu. That's been their MO for several years, and they don't keep it a secret.

Originally Posted by speedking

I agree, I always view it as more of a preview. I don't think they are trying to pose as a technical expert, pretty up front about that, IMO.

Originally Posted by skroh

I disagree. They post detailed numerical measurements of color temp, gamma, greyscale, R/G/B levels, and they use the terms "before and after calibration." How is that not presenting themselves as giving a detailed technical evaluation of a set? And how is a reader trying to learn about HDTV and make an informed purchase decision supposed to know that their definition of "calibration" is so weak?

If you think that's just ducky, fine for you. But when their review slams the color accuracy of a set I'm interested in buying, the S1, while D-Nice is over here posting DIY service menu adjustments that make an X1 WAY outperform what they saw on the S1, I personally am dissatisfied with their lack of effort and professionalism.

Originally Posted by chrisherbert

Cnet doesn't ever calibrate using the service menu. That's just how they work. Whenever you read one of their reviews, keep that in mind. This is a conscious choice as I'm sure the reviewer is perfectly capable of doing a proper service menu calibration.

Originally Posted by peteylewis

Without a doubt, they won't do it because of the voiding of warranty issue.

I'm sure they employ lawyers over there at CNet.

Originally Posted by chrisherbert

Cnet doesn't ever calibrate using the service menu. That's just how they work. Whenever you read one of their reviews, keep that in mind. This is a conscious choice as I'm sure the reviewer is perfectly capable of doing a proper service menu calibration.