Official Panasonic 2011 TC-PxxS30 Thread

The ST30 has a much better panel (NeoPDP), and also has an excellent Anti-Reflective Filter (same panel and filter as on the GT30). Alternately, the S30 does not have any Anti-Reflective Filter at all, and it does not have the much better NeoPDP panel.

The ST30 also adds a Pro Settings menu in Custom mode with a lot more picture adjustment settings and adjustable gamma which makes it possible to accurately calibrate the TV without having to go into the Service Menu so that makes three very big advantages it has over the S30.

After comparing these two models in two different bright BB stores and also in one store with low light levels (Paul's TV), the picture quality difference between the two TVs was profound. The ST30 outperforms the S30 on every level for regular 2D viewing. I would gladly own an ST30, but i would not have an S30 in my home, especially considering that the ST30 is only a few hundred bucks more. And i have zero interest in 3D capability.

Yeah i'm still stuck on the term they used in 2009 and 2010 (NeoPlasmaDisplayPanel) but the new shorter version does add new and improved technology over the previous years with better blacks, and better contrast. Neo Plasma it is


I just hate to see someone stop just short of getting a much better display for only $200-300 more. The extra enjoyment and performance you'll benefit from for the next several years is surely worth the extra money.

I like people to be happy with their new Plasmas and quite honestly the S30 (like the S2) is not really representative of how good a Plasma can look

I agree with Randy. Its worth a few hundred dollars more to get the ST30 over the S30.

while i would love to be able to upgrade to the ST30 etc.. but the extra 600 is just not doable at the moment and i dont want any extra bills (we are moving into our new house)..

so, i had to settle on getting two Panasonic 50 inch S30's.. upgrading the living room and my rec room tv's.

can anybody recommend break in period settings for this model? or link me to a basic break in guide for this type of plasma size? any help would awesome..

thanks

If you are not going to get the set calibrated (changing things in the service menu to get the white balance closer to reference), then you don't need to really do a break-in or anything.

If you want to be on the safe side, I suggest you run your contrast at like 50 and for the first 100 hours or so, try to be safe and run full screen content (by zooming if needed) and avoid shows with static logos (ESPN ticker for instance or stations with obnoxious logos like the History Channel one) and of course go easy on gaming as some games have HUDS that can cause heavy image retention.

Well, my st30 has been giving me alot of trouble now. I haven't had any for the first 50 or so hours... Now that it's over the 100 hour mark... I have been having color banding by the tons, line bleed and alot more brightness flux.

I bought a power conditioner... Just made the picture a bit sharper. Didn't fix anything else.

The funny thing about the Color banding... Is if I pause the movie on the spot where is all messed up and go to the menu and back out it fixes it for a few seconds. So, I have no idea what so ever why this is happening. I tryed different HDMI cables and all.

Line bleed is very bad. I can see it just watching movies. When I open up menu I can see the bar streek across the screen.

Plus the flux of the light changes can happen many times in 1 scene.

I have waited for a long time... To see if this would go away. It has not.

The color banding also seems to be making the TV put the green tint on things. After accessing the menu and going back out the color banding is gone for several seconds and so is the green tint.

Really thinking about returning this set now. Is a shame too since the picture does look nice when it is fuctioning.

Previous 2 posts are in the wrong thread, this is S30 not ST30.

I got my 46s30 today, the only thing I wanted which is not there is analog audio out for my sound bar, tv is nice I am going to return my sharp quattron, could not all the problems with edge lit led flickering, there wre lot clouding on LCD set also,

I own 50 inch panny almost 3 years old now, I was debating to get 42gt25 from Costco but sales rep told me get the newer model as it better in pq and power consumption, it is bedroom set so viewing angle with LCD was a problem also, I will post my comments in few days, I will go through 100 hours break in first.

I wanted to get st30 but i thought s and ST30 are same panel, I would love those extra feature, i might change it to ST, i am not sure, it is a hassle to pack this set and bring back.

I thought about getting 42gt25 at Costco but 46 inch was appealing, hence s30, cost difference is around $200 for ST, i think it is worth the cost with extra feature.

Yah, I think that salesmen was just blowing smoke. The GT25 is a lot better then the S30, and, from what I've read, the same as the ST30, just the ST30 has AR and non-floating blacks.

Should I get st30 then, I like those pro setting on st30, it also has swivel stand that s30 is missing, it was my fault not checking the specs closely, but this plasma smoke any edge lit LCD, I am returning one today, my wife wanted LCD, but after looking the pq of LCD she is ok with plasma, this plasma is very slick looking too.

I went with the S30 last weekend and I'm very glad I did. I caught it on sale last weekend and really lucked out. Great unit.

Anyone spotted a good review on the S30 series yet?

Actual TVs are just starting to show up here now, my first impression is in features and quality they are somewhere between last years S2 and G series, but lower priced than the S2.

It is a very good set and is far better than any high priced led sets, I got one but I need to return it for couple reasons for st model, swivel and pro setting is worth extra, for budget conscious this best tv for price

From what I've seen, I think the S30 looks really good and has less glare than the Sammy D550 which is a similar price point.

Reflectivity on these two models is similar though, as neither of them have an anti-reflective screen and are both much more reflective than the next-level-up ST30 and D6500.

Something folks need to be aware of before choosing a TV for a bright sunny or well lit room.

Bought the S30 at BB on a whim but wished I'd research a little more. I'm not terribly upset with this model as I just wanted a TV for my new home and needed something to put on top of my new 3D fireplace.

Plus, my dedicated Home Theater is located in the basement and I'm still enjoying my Pioneer 50" Kuro.

I'll have to look for proper settings for the Panny to see if I can get this thing looking respectable in Cinema mode.

I've been trying to decide between the 50S30 and 50ST30 for the last few weeks. I originally was going to get an LCD but after multiple trips to the store decided plasma was a much better choice. I wouldn't consider myself an expert at all and am definitely not as commited to home theater as many people in these forums. I watch bluray movies and a ton of sports, I could care less about 3D. I'm not planning on getting the TV professionally calibrated. For someone who's just a basic what would be recommended?

I wonder, which is better: The Samsung D450 or the S30? I know one of them is the 720p set, but I've heard people say it's the best entry level plasma, and some people even tell me that it out does the S30. S30 is a hundred more, but is it worth?

I picked up one of these sets and am wondering how to get into the service menu. Does anyone know how to get in there?

You can google it. It's the same procedure as on previous years models. But if you don't know how to access the SM in the first place, it might not be a good idea to do so as you can ruin your TV (many here have).

I went to two bestbuys and looked at the plasmas. Seems the S30 and X3 have better color then the Samsung. Thought this may be a matter of opinion: The Samsung D550 has more "poppy" colors and a 3D option, while the S30 and X3 have more realistic colors. I'll probably end up going with the X3 or S30 since someone may be getting me the employee discount at BB for them. I didn't even see the screen door effect honestly.

Any word on when the 65" ST30 or S30 are being released?

I just picked up a S30 the other day, mind you my panel is still in the box while I do some reviewing on the comparsion of the ST to S series ... I did not go with the ST because I did not care about 3D at all, does not interest me. Mind you reading some more now, it seems the panel features (NeoPDP and Anti Reflective Filter) is worth the extra money .... would anyone agree with this ?

Any other opinion on the S30 would be greatly apprecaited, thanks

My dad just bought himself a TC-P50S30 and he noticed a weird issue. When he watches TV he's noticed that screen gets darker then lighter than back to normal. His wife noticed this as well on a separate ocassion. He asked at Sears (where he purchased it) and the employee there told him some BS that it does that because it's Energy Star compliant.

From what he tells me, this happens after several hours of use. Is there some auto contrast (or whatever) feature on this set? Or is this a sign of a faulty TV?

If the S30 has a CATS setting, turn it off. It auto-brightens dark images. Also don't use HIGH brightness.

St is worth extra as it has better panel, remote, USB wireless internet dongle, USB extension cable and pro setting, AR filter is better also,