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Official Panasonic GT30 Series Discussion Thread [No Price Talk] - Page 119

post #3541 of 4130
2/3/12 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bambam View Post

So what Panasonic 3D glasses do you buy with the GT series? Available on Amazon?

I tried the Sony ones (49$) model 99021 - complete garbage.

I by miracle found panasonic 3d glasses at best buy stores - they are sold out in Canada. Worth the money.

Go with medium - they are large even.

I am trying to find the childrens size ones 3d3 (not 3d2), but they are nowhere to be found. If anyone knows let me know.

Love how the children ones are WAY more expensive than adult...... considering all the 3d movies are animated......
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post #3542 of 4130
2/3/12 at 7:40am
FINALLY! Got it up and running and I couldn't be happier. Thankfully I went with the 55" as I think I would have been angry with my self only going for the 50".

As for the TV, December build with no issues that I can see. No buzzing and no green blobs. I decided not to run the slides and just enjoy out of the box. I currently have it in custom mode with brightness and contrast and most of the features around 40 to ease the set in. I also have the pixel orbiter on (which I cannot do in THX mode).

I watched some of the Bulls/Knicks game lastnight and even with the motion control off it was better than with my HX820's motion control turned on. Also no soap opera effect is huge!

I also tried a couple BD's (Matrix Reloaded and 3:10 to Yuma) just to test a dark and light movie. Both look fantastic and should look even better once the set is broken in.

Question, do you guys recommend running the scrolling bar for 5-10 minutes after using the TV for an hour or two?
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post #3543 of 4130
2/3/12 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james4523 View Post

Question, do you guys recommend running the scrolling bar for 5-10 minutes after using the TV for an hour or two?

No, it does nothing and it won't accomplish anything other than wasting your time. It's just a useless placebo.
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post #3544 of 4130
2/3/12 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

No, it does nothing and it won't accomplish anything other than wasting your time. It's just a useless placebo.

That's good to know. Any advice on what to do in the initial 100-200 hours to ease the set in (without doing slides)?
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post #3545 of 4130
2/3/12 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by james4523 View Post

That's good to know. Any advice on what to do in the initial 100-200 hours to ease the set in (without doing slides)?

You're off to a good start limiting brightness & contrast to <50. Avoid prolonged letterbox viewing, or any other content that produces vertical or horizontal black bars, as well as station logos. There are certain concerns with gaming content - but if you're not running games - no need to worry.

I didn't use any break in slides, watched a wide variety of content, kept brightness & contrast <50 for first 50-60 hours and then let 'er rip with out any problems.
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post #3546 of 4130
2/3/12 at 10:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ggsantafe View Post

You're off to a good start limiting brightness & contrast to <50. Avoid prolonged letterbox viewing, or any other content that produces vertical or horizontal black bars, as well as station logos. There are certain concerns with gaming content - but if you're not running games - no need to worry.

I didn't use any break in slides, watched a wide variety of content, kept brightness & contrast <50 for first 50-60 hours and then let 'er rip with out any problems.

Sounds good. When do you think it's safe to watch a BD without zooming?
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post #3547 of 4130
2/3/12 at 5:56pm
Prices at Amo have dropped again. May see $2k or less by months end. They also changed vendors.
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post #3548 of 4130
2/4/12 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by james4523 View Post

Sounds good. When do you think it's safe to watch a BD without zooming?

That's up to you - keep in mind that there are many people who purchase plasma's and don't do any break in slides, or phosphor aging preparation, and like LCD owners, just turn on the TV and start watching all program content. The Panasonic Owner's Manual makes no mention of a "break in period"

You might experiment with BD viewing for a few hours at a time, and as long as you don't see any image retention - you should be good to go.
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post #3549 of 4130
2/4/12 at 6:45am
Hi there,
This might be the wrong place but I'm looking for some electronics help. Thinking of buying a second hand P42GT30B which has half the display missing. There are a couple of vertical lines and some white marks on the dead side, but the other side works fine.

The seller says it's definitely not cracked or impact damaged.

Trying to diagnose it before I buy it as a repair project. I'm guessing it's something to do with the display drivers and may just be an e-cap replacement or a whole new board... but while I've had experience in fixing lcd tvs I'm not as experienced with plasmas.

Any advice or diagnoses?

Thanks very much!
Dan
LL
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post #3550 of 4130
2/4/12 at 11:34am
I just purchased a 55GT30 from BB Magnolia and 2 ps3 3D glasses.They deliver it to me on 2/6..I asked the sales person about the 55GT31 and he told me that the GT31 haves different specs than the GT30,such as certain filters and what not.I didn't really believe him but I found out there is a bit of weight differences between them...

Does anyone know for sure if there's a difference between the two?

I also told the salesman to note on my order that I would like a box with the serial#1215 or higher to avoid the eproom fix....I will do a 100 hr. break in with the slides with lowered contrast and brightness and then update 2.1/2.2 firmware and try Dave O's settings or I will self calibrate with the Disney WOW disc...
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post #3551 of 4130
2/4/12 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterLewis View Post

I just purchased a 55GT30 from BB Magnolia and 2 ps3 3D glasses.They deliver it to me on 2/6..I asked the sales person about the 55GT31 and he told me that the GT31 haves different specs than the GT30,such as certain filters and what not.I didn't really believe him but I found out there is a bit of weight differences between them...

Does anyone know for sure if there's a difference between the two?

I also told the salesman to note on my order that I would like a box with the serial#1215 or higher to avoid the eproom fix....I will do a 100 hr. break in with the slides with lowered contrast and brightness and then update 2.1/2.2 firmware and try Dave O's settings or I will self calibrate with the Disney WOW disc...

There is no difference.
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post #3552 of 4130
2/4/12 at 3:01pm
My new reference disk for the GT30.....Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D

Today I put the 55" GT30 to a few tests; 3D over AT&T (Starz) and throwing the new Transformersark of the Moon 3D in as well. I wanted to test the new 3D glasses (3Active) with real 3D programming. I've done the 2D>3D conversion and actually came away impressed.


For Starz 3D I watched Tangled and with animated flicks it didn't disappoint. TV did a pretty good good and so did the glasses. I had no fatigue or issues wearing them. I used the "Game" setting so to get the most out of the colors. By the way it does have some good 3D moments and worthwhile for the family.


For the true 3D test I bought Transformers. Now today was the first time I've seen the movie period but I went with the 3D version first. The first five minutes of watching and listening told me this movie was going to be good. I could probably write four pages on the movie alone especially the 3D of standout scenes that made the 3D really come to life. I used vivid setting with a few tweaks like Normal instead of Cool 1.

I have not watched Avatar 3D but have the normal BR and I know many say it IS the best 3D movie out there. But the overall action, realism and dare say...amount of textures and color outweigh Avatar. If anyone has doubts as to how plasmas handle action and motion; look no more than TransformersOTM. This was a very impressive movie from all standpoints, the 3D, normal BR and the True_HD audio just kicked serious booty.


After the 3D I watched about 1/2 of the normal BD (second half) and it to rocked and the GT30 handled all the action flawlessly. For it the setting was 'Custom" using Dave_O's mid-brightness settings. As mentioned this is really a great movie to highlight details about every corner to the "Bots", the cars, skin tone, the buildings, glass, pavement...it's pretty much all there. I pretty much consider this my Number 1 referance movie.

TV...55" GT30
BR Player....Panasonic BDT210
AVR (3D pass/HDMI)....Yamaha RX-V671
3D Glasses....3Active by Dimensional Optics


Note: On the 3D Glasses I've watched two 3D movies today and my nose, ears, temple or eyes don't hurt and I had zero fatigue. They feel about the same as old style Raybans sunglasses.The GT30 saw the glasses when I turned them on without any issue.
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post #3553 of 4130
2/4/12 at 5:44pm
Can the 48hz flicker be resolved via firmware fix?

The 08 Hitachi P50X902 plasma had a 48hz feature that worked flawlessly from the reviews I gathered.It would be nice to have this feature to function as it should...
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post #3554 of 4130
2/4/12 at 6:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DR.DTS View Post

My new reference disk for the GT30.....Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D

Today I put the 55" GT30 to a few tests; 3D over AT&T (Starz) and throwing the new Transformersark of the Moon 3D in as well. I wanted to test the new 3D glasses (3Active) with real 3D programming. I've done the 2D>3D conversion and actually came away impressed.


For Starz 3D I watched Tangled and with animated flicks it didn't disappoint. TV did a pretty good good and so did the glasses. I had no fatigue or issues wearing them. I used the "Game" setting so to get the most out of the colors. By the way it does have some good 3D moments and worthwhile for the family.


For the true 3D test I bought Transformers. Now today was the first time I've seen the movie period but I went with the 3D version first. The first five minutes of watching and listening told me this movie was going to be good. I could probably write four pages on the movie alone especially the 3D of standout scenes that made the 3D really come to life. I used vivid setting with a few tweaks like Normal instead of Cool 1.

I have not watched Avatar 3D but have the normal BR and I know many say it IS the best 3D movie out there. But the overall action, realism and dare say...amount of textures and color outweigh Avatar. If anyone has doubts as to how plasmas handle action and motion; look no more than TransformersOTM. This was a very impressive movie from all standpoints, the 3D, normal BR and the True_HD audio just kicked serious booty.


After the 3D I watched about 1/2 of the normal BD (second half) and it to rocked and the GT30 handled all the action flawlessly. For it the setting was 'Custom" using Dave_O's mid-brightness settings. As mentioned this is really a great movie to highlight details about every corner to the "Bots", the cars, skin tone, the buildings, glass, pavement...it's pretty much all there. I pretty much consider this my Number 1 referance movie.

TV...55" GT30
BR Player....Panasonic BDT210
AVR (3D pass/HDMI)....Yamaha RX-V671
3D Glasses....3Active by Dimensional Optics


Note: On the 3D Glasses I've watched two 3D movies today and my nose, ears, temple or eyes don't hurt and I had zero fatigue. They feel about the same as old style Raybans sunglasses.The GT30 saw the glasses when I turned them on without any issue.

I'd would also try Tron: Legacy, Iron Man 1 & 2 and Inception. I'm about to get them from Amazon. I streamed Tron: Legacy and Iron Man 2 in HD from Netflix and that was very good. I can only imagine how good it's going to be in 3D from Blu-Ray.
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post #3555 of 4130
2/4/12 at 10:24pm
Darn, ordered a 50GT30 from Amazon on Tuesday and it showed up on Thursday. May 2011 build. Did the 2.1 > 2.2 patch process, but I am noticing FBr quite often while watching standard TV. I also sometimes notice that the middle of the screen is tinted a little green, which is disappointing (but not enough to ruin the PQ or to make me return it).

I suppose it's time to call Panasonic and get the FBr issue taken care of. All in all, it's much nicer than my previous 50PZ80U, though I don't know if I'll regret not going for the 60ST30 for $120 more in a couple of weeks or not The design of the GT won me over, though.
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post #3556 of 4130
2/5/12 at 5:10am
So I just picked up a GT30 from BestBuy yesterday. This is my first plasma, I've always had LCDs before this.

This TV was meant to be for me...my 2 year old daughter kept poking my old Samsung LCD (she thinks everything's an iPad) so it developed dead pixel lines horizontally on Friday. I ordered the 55" GT30 at BestBuy.com for $1599 on Friday night and only one store in NJ had it for pick up so I drove 30 miles to go pick it up. Paid for it and boom, I was only charged $1399!! Turns out that local store had a special running for that day only on that specific model I had no freaking clue about.

So in the end got the 55" GT30 for $1399...very very happy.

I see all the tips here about using slides and whatnot to prep the panel and then calibrated settings.

I turned it on and put the THX mode and I'm quite happy with the PQ as it is. Is there any downside to not doing all the stuff that's discussed here with a PDP? Also I notice with the THX mode on, I can't set any anti image retention settings on, is that a problem?
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post #3557 of 4130
2/5/12 at 5:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilehavoc View Post

So I just picked up a GT30 from BestBuy yesterday. This is my first plasma, I've always had LCDs before this.

This TV was meant to be for me...my 2 year old daughter kept poking my old Samsung LCD (she thinks everything's an iPad) so it developed dead pixel lines horizontally on Friday. I ordered the 55" GT30 at BestBuy.com for $1599 on Friday night and only one store in NJ had it for pick up so I drove 30 miles to go pick it up. Paid for it and boom, I was only charged $1399!! Turns out that local store had a special running for that day only on that specific model I had no freaking clue about.

So in the end got the 55" GT30 for $1399...very very happy.

I see all the tips here about using slides and whatnot to prep the panel and then calibrated settings.

I turned it on and put the THX mode and I'm quite happy with the PQ as it is. Is there any downside to not doing all the stuff that's discussed here with a PDP? Also I notice with the THX mode on, I can't set any anti image retention settings on, is that a problem?


Well first off congrads on the new set. I'm sure you'll be happy with it since we have the same one. And coming from a 2009 LCD I do see he difference.


The THX settingis actually quite good and a good starting point. Some of the factory settings cannot be changed depending on which mode. As to running the slides and all.....it boils down to what you want. Some swear it makes a difference and some swear it doesn't. For those really picky, take no chances and want the best PQ out there then doing the slides may or may not work but it eases the the doubts. I did not and instead have used normal programming and Xbox media player visualizations in between followed by using Dave_O's settings.


if you want moe control you need to get he 2.1 Patch, DL to a SD card, install it and then update to the new firmware again. It just adds more options and access to "pro settings" for better fine tuning. Look in the Panasonic and GT Settings thread for instructions and feedback. Good luck and enjoy.....and the 3D is quite enjoyable by the way.
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post #3558 of 4130
2/5/12 at 5:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DR.DTS View Post

Well first off congrads on the new set. I'm sure you'll be happy with it since we have the same one. And coming from a 2009 LCD I do see he difference.


The THX settingis actually quite good and a good starting point. Some of the factory settings cannot be changed depending on which mode. As to running the slides and all.....it boils down to what you want. Some swear it makes a difference and some swer it doesn't. For those really picky, take no chances and want the best PQ out there then doing the slides may or may not work but it eases the the doubts. I did not and instead have used normal programming and Xbox media player visualizations in between.


if you want moe control you need to get he 2.1 Patch, DL to a SD card, install it and then update to the new firmware again. It just adds more options and access to "pro settings" for better fine tuning. Look in the Panasonic and GT Settings thread for instructions and feedback. Good luck and enjoy.....and the 3D is quite enjoyable by the way.

Thanks. So the first time I hit the VieraCast button it prompted me for a software update and my TV updated and powercycled. My guess is this was 2.2 right? So you're saying I have to roll back to 2.1 and then manually update to 2.2?
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post #3559 of 4130
2/5/12 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DR.DTS View Post

Well first off congrads on the new set. I'm sure you'll be happy with it since we have the same one. And coming from a 2009 LCD I do see he difference.


The THX settingis actually quite good and a good starting point. Some of the factory settings cannot be changed depending on which mode. As to running the slides and all.....it boils down to what you want. Some swear it makes a difference and some swear it doesn't. For those really picky, take no chances and want the best PQ out there then doing the slides may or may not work but it eases the the doubts. I did not and instead have used normal programming and Xbox media player visualizations in between followed by using Dave_O's settings.


if you want moe control you need to get he 2.1 Patch, DL to a SD card, install it and then update to the new firmware again. It just adds more options and access to "pro settings" for better fine tuning. Look in the Panasonic and GT Settings thread for instructions and feedback. Good luck and enjoy.....and the 3D is quite enjoyable by the way.

This is going to sound like a really stupid question but I'll ask anyway!!

So when my 2008 Sammy LCD used to be OFF the glass panel was basically pitch black. With the GT30 when the TV is off, the panel is like a light grey color...lighter than the bezel by a lot. I'm guessing this is normal but I keep looking for a plastic sheet that would be covering the screen and causing this. Just not used to it I suppose
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post #3560 of 4130
2/5/12 at 5:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilehavoc View Post

This is going to sound like a really stupid question but I'll ask anyway!!

So when my 2008 Sammy LCD used to be OFF the glass panel was basically pitch black. With the GT30 when the TV is off, the panel is like a light grey color...lighter than the bezel by a lot. I'm guessing this is normal but I keep looking for a plastic sheet that would be covering the screen and causing this. Just not used to it I suppose

That's normal. Re 2.1, that is the process except the 2.2 update can be done again thru the internet.
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post #3561 of 4130
2/5/12 at 6:07am
Hio Guys-

I have a 3D question. The GT 30 (which I am about to buy) uses infrared technology to synch the glasses to the TV. Is that working OK for everyone?

The new line of Panasonics (the GT 50) uses bluetooth which I would guess works better, but don't know for sure.

Any comments?

Thanks-

Larry
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post #3562 of 4130
2/5/12 at 6:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by phakur View Post

Hio Guys-

I have a 3D question. The GT 30 (which I am about to buy) uses infrared technology to synch the glasses to the TV. Is that working OK for everyone?

The new line of Panasonics (the GT 50) uses bluetooth which I would guess works better, but don't know for sure.

Any comments?

Thanks-

Larry

I have no problem with the GT30 IR glasses.
I expect bluetooth to work as good or better.

- Rich
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post #3563 of 4130
2/5/12 at 9:26am
As you must know I'm tweaking my new 55GT30 and my video is not 100% smooth from the PC. I am currently using onboard video, ATI 4XXX and would consider upgrading my GC.

I'm using TMT3 the OEM player that came with my xonar audio card as it does not down sample for analogs. I recently bought Power DVD 11 and it's playback is very choppy, unwatchable. So I'm wondering if the new GC will solve that.

What is a very good GC for BD and BD3D playback, no games? Up until now the OB video has been fine at a lower resolution 1080i @ 30 Hz

edit as it turns out it's my GC. I ordered an asus eah6770 shoud do the trick
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post #3564 of 4130
2/5/12 at 2:08pm
i have a gt30 60 inch and all i can say is get it thx isf calibrated man what a difference and well worth the dollars my guy even did the 3d! i farted around with different settings myself and just could not get much out of it.
yes its not cheap but in the end with the amount i use this tv its well worth it
id post up my results but not sure how to post the pdf file
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post #3565 of 4130
2/5/12 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilehavoc View Post

Thanks. So the first time I hit the VieraCast button it prompted me for a software update and my TV updated and powercycled. My guess is this was 2.2 right? So you're saying I have to roll back to 2.1 and then manually update to 2.2?



Here is the link to the 2.1 Patch....

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c.../down_pro.html

DL and move the uncompressd file to a SD card (it'll be around 59 mb).

Turn on the TV and put the card in.

The Tv will "see" the card/ patch right away and just follow the on screen instructions.

Once you do the 2.1 Patch then go back and update the latest firmware. For me it took about 12-15 minutes to do both. You'll then have access to the "pro-settings" and able to try a few different ones posted on the GT30 Settings Thread.
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post #3566 of 4130
2/6/12 at 11:54am
I just recieved my set 55GT30 from BB...I got a Sept. build with eproom 62.46 so it looks like i'am in the clear.I will install 2.1 then 2.2 then i'am off to break in...
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post #3567 of 4130
2/6/12 at 12:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterLewis View Post

I just recieved my set 55GT30 from BB...I got a Sept. build with eproom 62.46 so it looks like i'am in the clear.I will install 2.1 then 2.2 then i'am off to break in...

What is the eproom?
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post #3568 of 4130
2/6/12 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by james4523 View Post

What is the eproom?

Sets prior to August build required an A board swap or an sd update to the eproom revision to fix the Fluacuating Brightness issue...So if your set is August or beyond you are ok...
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post #3569 of 4130
2/6/12 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterLewis View Post

Sets prior to August build required an A board swap or an sd update to the eproom revision to fix the Fluacuating Brightness issue...So if your set is August or beyond you are ok...

Yeah, I know about the build date, just wasn't sure what eproom was. It's no big deal since I have a Dec 2011 build, just wondering what it stood for.
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post #3570 of 4130
2/6/12 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by james4523 View Post

What is the eproom?

Its actually EEPROM which means Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.
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