TC-P54Z1 Vs TC-P54vt25

I bought the z1 last week. As of now I'm happy with the picture. But I am having trouble connecting my dvr through my pioneer receiver to the tv via hdmi. The screen flashes with nothing on it. All firmware are updated, and a new dvr. So I'm going to go look at the vt tomorrow. A bit of advise, hard connect the tuner box to the monitor. Don't waste your time with wireless. The z1 is a good set, but retail on this last year was outrageous.

The z1 does eat some electricity. But IMO it's a 54 in tv and is expected to use some power. Not a lot of heat on top of the set. It's warm but nothing as warm as a receiver.

The z1 is a real nice tv, but is the vt better? I'm going to try to figure that out tomorrow. The vt will have to be heads and shoulders better for me to change. I really don't want to support 3d sales.

I'm using the settings from cnet's review for my custom settings. My set's thx mode looks a lot better than the store display.

Hook the set up to vieracast. There is a software update 1.15. Panasonic's website only has 1.13. I can't find a firmware change summary anywhere.

The VT25 has much better blacks that will remain that way for much longer.

If your going to spend that much money why not get it calibrated once the set is broken in to get the maximum picture.

I called panny and they said it was pioneers problem. But this is the only tv I've ever had problems. It is hooked up via component cables right now. My receiver handled analog video very well (sc-27 model. So the problem has actually worked out for the better. Panasonic actually puts a yellow piece of paper in the instruction manual stating there maybe problems hooking a dvr through a receiver via hdmi.

I looked at the vt today. I think I'm going to keep the z1. I don't want to pay the premium for 3d. And the z1 IMO physically looks better. I'm a sucker for good build quality. The all metal frame is a step above.

I haven't had good luck finding an isf person in my area. I have a few months until I'm ready to get it done anyway.

I was also considering purchasing the Z1, however I wanted to ask if this TV suffered from the rising blacks.

It has a 12g panel like all other '09 panasonic. So yes rising blacks will probably exist. Now did panasonic change the algorithm due to the single glass screen? Doubt it. Cnet stated the picture is brighter than the v10. Is that solely due to the screen difference?

Panny, the king of denials!!!!!

Vt is much bettter anyway it has 3d, faster phosphurs, greater contrast and blacks

Also much more expensive. Are floating blacks on issue on the vt? I'd hate to have to tape a led to the ambient light sensor to get even blacks.

Theres a guy on avs forum named d-nice and hes the king of calibrating. Why dont you look him up on avs forum. I dont know where you live but he goes around the country and calibrates tvs.

Does anyone know how the "black level" setting works? Does it adjust gamma to make the black level look darker?

Right now I have it set on "light". The dark setting is too dark and shadow detail suffers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I dont believe that floating blacks have anything to do with the light sensor.

Thanks for checking on the firmware updates.

Out of curiosity I asked panasonic about the cnet.com article about rising blacks affecting the z1. Well needless to say it but, "We are unaware of any black level issues on the z1".

Well at least they're consistent...

I took my wife to look at the lg pk950. Her first response was "the picture isn't as clear.". Granted the pk would look better at home, but "I told you so" is too painful.

So I'm going to get an extended warranty and stay with the z1. Regardless, I have windows in my family room and i probably couldnt see the difference between the z1 and vt

The vt isn't on sale here. The display 54vt was awful. The demo 3d disc has caused some bad IR from it's menu. The rest of the disc is animated 3d garbage.

Even though the displays are right next to each other a direct comparison is impossible. The z1 is on thx with a cable feed, vt on vivid with 3d. The 50vt display was remotely located. Its source matl wasnt doing it justice. It had more contour banding with gradient colors than my z1. But i dont think that was the vt's fault.

Brightness of the display is more of a concern for my situation. I do have ambient light during the day. The z1 does just fine.

I'm a huge pioneer fan. I was just 6 months too late... So the vt was tempting but just not worth the hassle to work an exchange delivery/pickup appointment and $500 more.

The speakers on the z1 sound a lot better. Better tone, more volume, and forward firing. So keep that in mind to compare if you plan to use them some.