AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Plasma Flat Panel Displays › The Official LG xxPK550 Owner's Discussion Thread [no price talk]
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The Official LG xxPK550 Owner's Discussion Thread [no price talk] - Page 2

post #31 of 5201
3/20/10 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaddix View Post

would anyone with a 550 or 750 happen to have rock band 2 that they can use to test the input lag?

If not familiar, RB2 has an automatic calibration to to synchronize the audio and video and it has a nice side use of telling you how much lag you're getting between input>output through the image processing.

Funny you should mention that. I just played RB2 on it for the first time last night. I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head, but I want to say that both audio and video were about 70-80ms. I calibrated with the drums though. If you want me to post the numbers with an automatic guitar calibration, I could do that later.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #32 of 5201
3/20/10 at 6:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by perpetual98 View Post

Funny you should mention that. I just played RB2 on it for the first time last night. I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head, but I want to say that both audio and video were about 70-80ms. I calibrated with the drums though. If you want me to post the numbers with an automatic guitar calibration, I could do that later.

Yes please! That would be tremendous help to me and I'm sure there's a few others that would appreciate that info as well.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 5201
3/20/10 at 2:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauri View Post

Usually it takes at least about 100-150 hours of use before you get the best picture quality from a plasma display, nevermind the brand. For that reason, it is always good to arrange a serious calibration (and/or test) when the display has 200 hours or more.

The best way I suggest you for doing the initial break-in, for those who are interested in that, is to use a 100 IRE pattern (full white), and run it on the display for about 2 hours for session. Then turn off the TV and leaving it off for 1 hour or more, so that the electronics and the panel get perfectly cool, and then repeat the session, and so on. Contrast should be set around 70%, and power saving function to low (or to off if the "low" option is not available). You can also use the internal timer from the OSD to turn off the TV (I don't know how it works on these new models). About 100 hours of break-in by using that system, and you will be OK

The interesting thing on the LGs plasma, on the previous 2008 and 2009 series, and I guess it is the same for these new models, is that you have that 100 IRE (full white) pattern available from the OSD. On the E.U. 2008 models its name was "refreshPDP". They offer it to clean the display in case of bad IR, but it is also perfect for the break-in

BTW, there should be also the "Orbiter" (I don't know the exact name on these new U.S. models) function available from the same OSD setup (if you don't find it on that setup, search for it in the PDF manual). It helps to reduce image retention (IR), and it is always a very good thing to use it during gaming.


they have that white screen thing as well as a checkered board pattern that cycles through colors. I'm guessing i can use that to. I mean, I can use the white. Is it okay if i watch stuff right? As long as it's full screen and not too much static stuff? I'd figure that would be a good break in method when i want to use the tv for the first few hours.
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 5201
3/20/10 at 5:03pm
borcth... I don't know if using just a white pattern would be good to age the screen evenly, but I know quite a few people have used the BBC Planet Earth series and run the disc on loop. If you don't own it, you can probably just rent it for a few days. As for normal watching right now, it would not be a problem, but you may want to just turn down the contrast to no greater than 70 for the first 100 hours.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 5201
3/20/10 at 7:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Encrypted Neuron View Post

borcth... I don't know if using just a white pattern would be good to age the screen evenly, but I know quite a few people have used the BBC Planet Earth series and run the disc on loop. If you don't own it, you can probably just rent it for a few days. As for normal watching right now, it would not be a problem, but you may want to just turn down the contrast to no greater than 70 for the first 100 hours.


Thanks for the advice. I have HD scenescapes. That uses none static images and you can have it on repeat. That's what i would have running in the background. A white screen always on while im there would annoy me, unless i'm not there.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 5201
3/20/10 at 9:58pm
I just got my 50PK550 tonight. I am new to the world of HDTV. Unfortunately I am just running Stand Def cable through the TV. It looks pretty grainy, which is what I expected. For those of you with this TV do you have any reccomended settings for initial use? I have figured out that Cinema looks best IMHO. Just not sure what levels brightness, tint, contrast, etc., etc. should be at. No buzzing BTW. I turned the volume down just to see if I could hear anything and I just about sat on top of it. Someone on here mentioned how reflective the screen was. Yeah, when the TV is turned off I can see my ugly mug. No issues when the TV is turned on, though.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 5201
3/20/10 at 10:15pm
Using a 100 IRE pattern is good because all 3 phosphors (RGB) of the panel will age in the same way. A 100 IRE pattern is R=255 G=255 B=255

The second advantage is that, with the LGs, you have that patter available from the OSD, and so you don't get the risk that a DVD logo or a fixed pattern could be displayed for hours on the display if something got wrong when using a DVD player with a DVD break-in, like the Evangelos (link) or others.

I have discovered that "100 IRE pattern break-in system" more than 1 year ago by reading a professional calibration thread, here in AVS.
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 5201
3/20/10 at 10:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane0049 View Post

For those of you with this TV do you have any reccomended settings for initial use? I have figured out that Cinema looks best IMHO. Just not sure what levels brightness, tint, contrast, etc., etc. should be at.

Cinema mode is usually the best calibrated setup from factory, but if you have also the THX modes, and I guess you should have 2 available in this new PK550 ("THX Bright" for "day", and the other one for "night" viewing), they should be better then Cinema. The thing I actually don't know (I asked around but got no answer until now) is if the THX profiles where calibrated from factory after some hours of break-in or not. If the answer is yes (as I think), than you will get the best picture quality after some hours of use, let say 100 hours or so.

BTW, when using Cinema mode, I suggest you to reduce a bit the Contrast. Usually, on old LGs, its default value was 80 (range: 0-100). If you usually watch at night, set it to 72-73, and use it for a few days to get a correct feedback. Same thing for the Color setting: usually the default value is 50 (range: 0-100), and I suggest you to reduce it to 45-46. Color and Contrast are working togheter.. when you decrease Contrast you should decrease a bit also the color saturation. All the other factory settings are usually OK.

Remember that, in any case, with all plasmas you will get the best picture after at least 100 hours of use. So be a bit patient
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 5201
3/20/10 at 11:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by perpetual98 View Post

Funny you should mention that. I just played RB2 on it for the first time last night. I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head, but I want to say that both audio and video were about 70-80ms. I calibrated with the drums though. If you want me to post the numbers with an automatic guitar calibration, I could do that later.

Hey perpetual (or any owners), any chance you have a laptop you can hook up to the 550 and take some snapshots of a cloned timer? Examples, links, and info in here.
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 5201
3/21/10 at 11:10am
I'm actually going to go ahead and order it now and return if the reviews are bad lol. Good deals running out of time..
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 5201
3/21/10 at 12:14pm
Decided to give it a shot. Don't really need any online features of PK750.
Will be picking one at Sears in a couple of hours.
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 5201
3/21/10 at 12:24pm
Dumon... wait if you are going to Sears. I believe starting this Monday they have a family and friends sale going on, which takes off an additional 5-10% off on the TVs including the 550.
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 5201
3/21/10 at 12:29pm
A good thing, if it is possible, is always check in the shop if the TV is working good Just turn it on and wait for as long as you can . All electronic components are subject to what is know as "infant mortality".

During shipping the plasma should be in vertical position. Otherwise, when you are at home, put it in its final place but wait some hours (3-4 at least) before turn it ON. In winter, you should do the same even if during shipping the TV was in vertical position, to avoid that any condensation inside the TV, formed by the difference in temperature, may create some short circuit.
Reply
Reply
post #44 of 5201
3/21/10 at 12:38pm
I am ordering one here in a few minutes and its saying it has family&friends discount of 10%
Reply
Reply
post #45 of 5201
3/21/10 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dumon View Post

Decided to give it a shot. Don't really need any online features of PK750.
Will be picking one at Sears in a couple of hours.

That's why I got my 50PK550 yesterday. Paying 300 - 400 dollars more for the PK750 doesn't make sense. Other than one less HDMI port, being 1' inch thicker, and not coming with the online features the PK550 is virtually the same. I really want to be able to stream Netflix, but the Wii that I am going to get will have that ability latter this Spring.
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 5201
3/21/10 at 1:32pm
I am envious ;_;
Reply
Reply
post #47 of 5201
3/21/10 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane0049 View Post

That's why I got my 50PK550 yesterday. Paying 300 - 400 dollars more for the PK750 doesn't make sense. Other than one less HDMI port, being 1' inch thicker, and not coming with the online features the PK550 is virtually the same. I really want to be able to stream Netflix, but the Wii that I am going to get will have that ability latter this Spring.

the 750 and 950 are considered Infinias. Is that just a marketing thing with the extra features, or are they actually different panels than the 550?
Reply
Reply
post #48 of 5201
3/21/10 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane0049 View Post

That's why I got my 50PK550 yesterday. Paying 300 - 400 dollars more for the PK750 doesn't make sense. Other than one less HDMI port, being 1' inch thicker, and not coming with the online features the PK550 is virtually the same. I really want to be able to stream Netflix, but the Wii that I am going to get will have that ability latter this Spring.

I asked in the pk750 thread which had the most glare and I was told it was the pk550.

I have a room with three big windows just to the left of the tv, at the moment I have a lcd tv. I am wondering if plasma would be a good choice, most of my tv watching/gaming is done after 8pm but occasionally I do watch some television in the afternoon.

At the moment I am thorn between a pk550 (cheapest, but supposedly has more glare), pk750 (if this one has less glare), or a sony 52ex700 (practically no glare, but lcd and quite a bit more expensive). Obviously the lcd would perform best in broad daylight, but is also the most expensive one, what I should be asking is if for the amount of the money the 550 or 750 is a viable option?
Reply
Reply
post #49 of 5201
3/21/10 at 2:14pm
woohoo ordered =D!!!!! Be here on Wednesday! First plasma ever O_O!!!!!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #50 of 5201
3/21/10 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane0049 View Post

I just got my 50PK550 tonight. I am new to the world of HDTV. Unfortunately I am just running Stand Def cable through the TV. It looks pretty grainy, which is what I expected. For those of you with this TV do you have any reccomended settings for initial use? I have figured out that Cinema looks best IMHO. Just not sure what levels brightness, tint, contrast, etc., etc. should be at. No buzzing BTW. I turned the volume down just to see if I could hear anything and I just about sat on top of it. Someone on here mentioned how reflective the screen was. Yeah, when the TV is turned off I can see my ugly mug. No issues when the TV is turned on, though.

cinema for me look best too. I did change all the settings. I always do. Stock factory settings never float my boat anyway. I didnt try cable tv, as it's not hooked up in my room. But blu rays, like hell boy 2, Gladiator and PotC: At worlds end, look fantastic. Crisp, clear and such fluid motion. Unless your running an HD source, SDtv will always look like poop on HD tv's. I dont remember the settings, as i returned the tv and am waiting for another. I had a defective panel. And since I only had the tv for a day and it tends to take me a couple of weeks to get the calibration juuuust right, i'm not sure.
Reply
Reply
post #51 of 5201
3/21/10 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaddix View Post

woohoo ordered =D!!!!! Be here on Wednesday! First plasma ever O_O!!!!!!!!


Mines coming thursday from beachcamera! I'm jonesing. I want it now! lol. I remember how awesome blu rays looked and wanna try the others that I have.
Reply
Reply
post #52 of 5201
3/21/10 at 3:29pm
Just picked up the 60PK550 and it is a great set. Anybody have calibrated setting for it yet?
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 5201
3/21/10 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kabouter View Post

I asked in the pk750 thread which had the most glare and I was told it was the pk550.

I have a room with three big windows just to the left of the tv, at the moment I have a lcd tv. I am wondering if plasma would be a good choice, most of my tv watching/gaming is done after 8pm but occasionally I do watch some television in the afternoon.

At the moment I am thorn between a pk550 (cheapest, but supposedly has more glare), pk750 (if this one has less glare), or a sony 52ex700 (practically no glare, but lcd and quite a bit more expensive). Obviously the lcd would perform best in broad daylight, but is also the most expensive one, what I should be asking is if for the amount of the money the 550 or 750 is a viable option?

I am not an expert. The PK550 is my first HDTV I have ever owned. However, I can verify that there are no glare and or reflection issues once the TV is turned on. The TV is a mirror when turned off. I do have my TV located in a dimly lit room, so of course that helps. The results probably will be different in a brightly lit room.

The PK750 has one more HDMI port, is 1" thinner (2" vs. 3" for PK550), and comes with online features for streaming Netflix, Pandora, etc.. There is no filter on it that would change the glare or reflection. IMHO, paying the extra money for the PK750 is not worth it.
Reply
Reply
post #54 of 5201
3/21/10 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane0049 View Post

IMHO, paying the extra money for the PK750 is not worth it.

But paying extra money for the PK950 will be worth it. Man I'm so ready to pull the trigger on a 60PK950. The problem is no one has it yet.
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 5201
3/21/10 at 3:58pm
On my first post I stated that Stand Def looked horrible on this TV. It isn't the TV's fault, though. Here is what I have learned that has made me feel better about the issue. I have the 50PK550. Sitting at 7' from the TV you can visibly see how grainy stand def looks. After changeing the the viewing distance to 10' the PQ of stand def dramatically increases and is less bothersome. For those of you who have more experience w/ HDTV's you are prob saying "Duh!" For you first time owners, like me, hopefully this info helps out.
Reply
Reply
post #56 of 5201
3/21/10 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Encrypted Neuron View Post

Dumon... wait if you are going to Sears. I believe starting this Monday they have a family and friends sale going on, which takes off an additional 5-10% off on the TVs including the 550.

yeah, you can get th 50" pk550 for a decent price from sears with that discount (10% off for the 550)

(no actual price talk, right?)
Reply
Reply
post #57 of 5201
3/21/10 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by burberr23 View Post

Just picked up the 60PK550 and it is a great set. Anybody have calibrated setting for it yet?

Read my post #38.
Reply
Reply
post #58 of 5201
3/21/10 at 4:02pm
Yeah. For those with deeper pockets the PK950 will be probably better. Since the PK950 is reported to have a filter it will be a huge difference for those with brighter rooms. I bet it will improve the PQ quality as well.
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 5201
3/21/10 at 4:15pm
I'm still in a toss up over this set, waiting for some more reviews. My short short list is this one 50PK550, the LG 42LH90, or the Panny TC-P42G25. I don't really care if it can stream Netflicks and all that, and THX is just a factory preset which you can do youself, but I just want the best PQ for my price range. I have never owned a plasma, but they still have the best looking picture from the different sets that I have seen. It's tough with the whole itchy trigger finger right now, also my dad retired from Sears soooo, I could use employee number for an additional discount..hmmmm
For those that have the set, how is the black level in a dark room? This has been one of key factors for me. Any of you can give a mini review? I haven't seen any expert reviews yet, I know CP is working on one (which I'm patiently waiting for ), but maybe one of you can post your take on it.
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 5201
3/21/10 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
^^^ thats easy actually if those are your only choices, 50PK550. Great overall set with an excellent picture. 42" is to small
Cleveland Plasma Insider
» Get the latest news and updates at the Cleveland Plasma sponsor page.
Reply
Cleveland Plasma Insider
» Get the latest news and updates at the Cleveland Plasma sponsor page.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Plasma Flat Panel Displays

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Plasma Flat Panel Displays › The Official LG xxPK550 Owner's Discussion Thread [no price talk]