The Official Pioneer 9G North American KRP-500M / KRP-600M Owner's Discussion Pt. II - Page 89

All plasmas buzz... especially when there is zero sound in your room.

I haven't done it but the settings are there. The manual doesn't appear to mention it and the relevant menu graphic is wrong -- Input Setup 2/2 is missing the last two entries --

Audio Input1 : INPUT N
Audio Input2 : INPUT M

where N and M are 1-6 (but must differ). The default is N=2 and M=1.

I suspect your only option is a neutral density filter. Ideally in the form of high quality sunglasses. Having the contast that low is doing damage to the dynamic range of the image.

No problems viewing any content. Only problem I have had is connecting my Sony laptop via hdmi, crashed the Vaio, but it connects fine via the RS232. Got the TS02 stand, it is fine.

Coming from a 2 year old Panny, yes it buzzed, but not from the face of the panel and even in the back, I had to be 3 inches away to hear it. I can hear the 600M from 13 feet away. It is faint, but still mildly irritating.

Hi,

It would be great in the future if you could break your Post up a bit (paragraphs / new lines) to make it easy on the eyes..

The original OP's question wasn't whether all plasmas buzz, but whether or not you noticed during your numerous calibrations if there was variation in the amount of buzz specifically on the 500M. Since there a lot of differing opinions on the amount of buzz, it would be nice to get an opinion from an individual who has used the same set of ears amongst many of the 500Ms out there.

Thanks bodosom.

Hello Bodosom and D-NICE,

I couldn't connect the Oppo, Toshiba and TiVo to the KRP500 at the same time using 2 HDMIs and one HDMI-DVI cable. But I did connect those 3 devices to 2 HDMI inputs on the Pio 2 devices at a time and checked all of them. The only device which has the black level issue is the Oppo. I switched between the 2 HDMI inputs on the Pio and the results are the same. This leads to suspect the Oppo.

Then I connected all of them to the Onkyo. I threw different disks into the Oppo and Toshiba as well as going up and down on channels on the TiVo. Then the only device that caused the black level problem was the Oppo. The Onkyo has 4 HDMI inputs and I switched the inputs for those devices. But the results are again the same. When the Oppo had the problem it had the problem on other inputs as well. But the Toshiba and TiVo didn't have the problem. I don't think the Onkyo is causing the problem. The Oppo smells the problem more.

When Oppo had the issue connected to the Onkyo receiver, I disconnected it from the Onkyo and connected to the Pio directly. Then it had the same problem on both inputs on the Pio. When the Oppo didn't have the problem I did the same and it didn't have the problem with the Pio. Again, the Toshiba and TiVo don't have the black level problem no matter how they are connected (through the Onkyo or directly to the Pio). I don't think the Pio is causing the problem. Again, the Oppo is more suspicious.

But one thing mysterious here. Several days ago when I started noticing this problem, it happened many times with the Oppo. For example when I play one DVD now and it worked fine. But the next DVD I played a couple hours after had the problem. To fix it I had to select RGB16-235 and finished watching it. Then I threw a next DVD and I have the same problem on the RGB16-235 setting which formerly fixed the problem. I couldn't figure out what's causing this problem. But now I noticed this black level problem occurs fewer times than before. But it still happens.

One more; D-Nice mentioned a preferred setting should be 422 instead of Auto on the Pio. I tried to set color space on the Oppo to 422 and the Pio too. It then looked fine. But it made the Toshiba and TiVo look pinkish all over. I tried to change setting on the Toshiba. What's available were "Enhanced Black Level" and "RGB Output Range". The former is with "On" and "Off" and the latter is with "Standard" and "Enhanced". No matter what I chose, it didn't fix the pink-all over problem with the Pio's 422 setting. This was the same for the TiVo too. Both the Toshiba and TiVo seem to work with Auto setting on the Pio only.

Call I call the Oppo the cause of the problem? Any input is welcomed. Thank you.

Michaelmorio

Thanks for the help and your dedication to this thread. I will make things work; can also lower RGB high/low to reduce light output when needed.

I'm going to really look at the differences between my 111 and 500M tonight but right now after some quality time with the 500M I'm pretty sure the blacks are not quite up to the 111. I know this is weird considering all that I've read here and they should be at least as good. Now they're not so bad that I think there is something I'm doing wrong but enough for me to scratch my head. I watch the 500M and then off to bed to catch a little more TV on the 111 and I swear the blacks on a title screen are deeper.

Your old Panasonic plasma had a third layer of glass that your KRP does not. That is the reason why your KRP is louder than your old Panasonic. However, all plasmas buzz. Some are just louder than others.

Of course I notcie a buzz. However it is nothing that is out of the ordinary.

Do you notice different levels of buzz from unit to unit within the same model? I own two KRP-500ms. One has a significantly louder buzz than the other. It only started buzzing louder after around 300 hours of use. Switching to Powersave 2 lowered the buzz noise to around the same level as my other KRP-500m with Powersave Off/Normal

Not really. But would never be able to confirm this as the room environment/acoustics plays a major role in how buzzing is perceived.

I have 3 plasmas, 1 600a and 2 4280 (UK Spec)

They all buzz, however I DO think they differ, they are domestic sets and the tollerences are wider for domestic sets, depends how well the damping "glue" has taken, the HP LCD that Im using now has tranformer ring.

A lot of it has to do with placement however I am prepared to concede that in order to get the prices down (certainly here in the UK) Pioneer HAS cut corners.

I have had a 434, a 506, a 507, a 508XD, a LX508, a 6080 AND now a KRP600a in my lounge and the ONLY one I have heard buzz in my lounge is the KRP 600a, and even that is ONLY in silence. The 4280 in our bedroom can be heard (only in silence) but cant hear the 4280 in the kids playroom.

I just think the buzz from a Pioneer is at a frequency that is within more peoples audio range, but D-Nice is correct all plasmas buzz, but so do many LCDs.

Yes I completely understand that all plasmas buzz. In fact, my new Panasonic X1 plasma in the bedroom buzzes louder than the quieter of my two KRP-500ms.

What is a 'domestic set'? Is that the same as 'consumer' vs. 'commercial/professional'?

Sorry, yes, but even the so called "commercial" panels are built to a "domestic" standard.

Proper commercial (broadcast) level sets cost around UK £23,000K thats translates to $35,000 USD.

My point is that we sometimes expect these comparatively cheap products to be perfect. There not and there never has been a perfect domestic set, & I doubt there ever will be.

I know if I build a pc, it adds a lot to the cost to add quiet fans and a meaty power supply, the Pio sets could have been engineered to a higher level but most people dont appreciate where the cost goes cuz you cant "see it".

The sales of the sets here in the UK have been really strong but its largley down to sluggish sales in the far east and the US that sadly led to Pio taking the decision they have, but this has been building for a few years.

But for me right now there is not a flat panel on the market that gets close to the KRP's and may be some time before anything does... sad really.

Hey stupid question, does the speakers on this thing goes under or on the sides? I know they don't come with them, but it's something I have to consider when purchasing either the 500 or 600.

Thanks

Daniel

Oops, I should have done that. My apologies

Page 9 of the KRP-S04 manual shows them mounted on the side.

Maybe because the phosphors are settled in your 111 vs the 500M being new. Or you have the settings for the 500M wrong...or are just hallucinating

Well it could be hallucinations but I don't think so.

I'm also not sure what I could be doing wrong. Tonight I am going to get tot he bottom of this and let you know if I'm crazy or not.

Not to mention the quality or lack thereof of the electrical service which varies from grid to grid, house to house.

I have 3 plasmas, 2 Pio, 1 Panny, none of them buzz unless my ear is 4 inches away, full white screen, power save off, and even then, the room has to be dead silent to hear a very faint buzz.

A few years ago before I had any plasmas, I took out all the dimmer switches in my house, made a huge difference in my 2ch stereo setup and any radio in the house tuned to AM.

I'll have to throw my lot in with you, more and more I find my 500M's black levels lacking, especially when I turn off the lights... The only time the black bars "melt into the bezel" is when a scene with a fair bit of brightness is displayed. All other aspects are quite superior to anything I've had before, but even my non-critical eye is bothered by this.

I've owned a 111 since February and it found a new home in our bedroom after the 500M was delivered. When I go watch TV in the bedroom I swear the blacks are better on the 111. I'm not saying the 500M is a slouch it's just that I'm not seeing an improvement over the 111 and maybe even a downgrade. I feel that something is off here.

I have a 600m and my blacks are very black. I have my set on RGB-235. On AUTO it was very washed out. I cannot distinguish the bezel from the screen in a dark room.

Thanks, that helps a whole lot.

Djoel

I thought D-Nice calibrated your display (or was supposed to).

If not, make sure you're using the correct RGB setting.

I noticed an improvement immediately when I put the 500M in place of the 111FD. It wasn't something I had to strain to notice. It was pretty apparent right away. However, if the room is bright then the advantage vanishes.

BUMP^^^^ Anyone? Only got 12 days left to exchange - if there any more left...thanks everyone!