Official Panasonic 2011 TC-PxxVT30 Series Thread Discussion Thread [No Price Talk] - Page 156

Originally Posted by colomb

I'm finally upgrading our aging Sharp Aquos 37D4U, and I'm seriously considering the VT30. This will be my first Plasma and I have a couple questions regarding the set.

1) Judder/motion. Is it noticeable? Is it just source dependent? I don't want any at all, but where is it most likely to happen ( gaming, cable, dvd, bd )? I'm confused how a set like this earns stellar marks from reviewers and can exhibit any judder at all.
2) Dithering. I went to BB to compare the D7/8000 versus this set and I noticed a fair amount of dithering on the VT30. Is that just a matter of lowering the brightness?
3) Brightness. Are plasmas in general dimmer than LCD? Is this set a little dimmer than competing plasmas?

Thank you,

Originally Posted by KMFDMvsEnya

The VT will be a revelation, especially if calibrated, once you watch some quality Blu-Ray releases.

Best Regards
KvE

Originally Posted by Ishniknork

Yes I've been following that thread over there too. There is a possibility that with the all new panel design and filter the 2012 sets will be brighter but where and by exactly how much that brightness will be increased is still a mystery. The upper end is where it's needed. Newer technology generally enables engineers to do more with less. I've decided to wait it out and see for myself.

Originally Posted by whipit

@ninogui, I've not been able to play MKV with windows Media Player. So I went looking and it was suggested to try Mezzmo. Well I found it works very well with 1080p M2TS, MKV and others. It comes with a free 15 day trial. I also thought about a Boxee Box for a 2 year old panny. I haven't tried any other workaround yet.

Originally Posted by avsscientist

I like Mezzmo too, but it can't seem to deliver those files without transcoding activated, otherwise the TV will get a "cannot read file" error. This is disappointing because I really like Mezzmo's itunes-style features but transcoding just reduces the quality of the source file, not to mention high CPU usage on my Quad-core machine which would be problematic after a 2-hour movie!

Originally Posted by avsscientist

Despite the upcoming 2012 model, got my 65VT30, couldn't be happier, especially after running the slides and punching in the burn-in settings, this is the most AMAZING TV I've ever experienced. Thanks all for the contributors to this forum.

But testing the DLNA function today, just realized that it doesn't decode .wmv files!! All .wmv files result in "cannot read file" error using the Mezzmo DLNA server. The only way to view these .wmv files is to activate "transcoding" on Mezzmo which results in high CPU usage and over-heating in 1080p.

On the other hand, my 2012 Samsung UN55D8000 could decode and play all these files just fine.

Is this an issue with the Mezzmo server? Has anyone successfully decode and play HD .wmv files on the Panasonics?

Originally Posted by whipit

I don't have any wmv files to try but since mezzmo won't play avi files I just use win7's media player. DLNA is built into win7 and it shows up on my list of servers in the tv's menu along with mezzmo.

Originally Posted by ninogui

windows 7 media player is slightly upgraded from windows vista (the one I still use) but in practical easy terms you can use mezz for some files and dlna windows media player for others as they appear on the very same screen list in the tv set

but I bet you did not try 3D subs on a ripped mkv 3d half sbs file ?

Originally Posted by whipit

Not yet Do the subs pop out of the screen?

Originally Posted by batchman027

First time posting, noob, etc Just got my 65VT30 delivered yesterday (excellent white-glove service - thanks Amazon/Ceva!) and so far, very impressed! Vacation ends today so 100 hour prep starting tonight. Replacing 5 year old 42PX60U, which still runs like a champ and putting in bedroom (getting rid of POS LG LCD)

One question: I did notice that Blu-ray picture seemed a little darker that I would like (BDT210)- will reference settings fix this or is there something else I should be doing?

Originally Posted by ninogui

I experienced transcoding from mezz to the VT30 with Q6600 cpu at no more than 7-9% cpu use and with 720 or 1080 content, also I see no hit in quality whatsoever related to streaming on a hard disk connected to an usb port on the tv set

Originally Posted by BuTal63

Has anyone taken delivery of a 65VT30 from Crutchfield in the past few weeks? If so, can you advise the manufacturing date on your set? (re the latest firmware upgrades/fixes).

One of their advisors offered me a great package price on the set when purchased as part of a total A/V upgrade I've been planning for some time. Actually beats Amazon.

But the advisor told me Crutch has a large inventory of the 65VT30's right now and, although they did get a Nov. shipment, he couldn't guarantee I'd get the latest manufacturing date. He admitted Crutch doesn't move these sets as quickly as Amazon (who could!) so it's possible to get an older manufacture.

Of course the set's returnable if I don't like it, but I don't need the hassle.

And then there's that pesky Panny press conference on Jan. 9, to announce the wonderful, marvelous 2012 model improvements.

Thanks for any info.

Originally Posted by nick_622

Had it unplugged for 3 hours and it still opens right up into the service menu.

Originally Posted by avsscientist

@ninogui, good to hear your success. What device profile did you choose for your Mezzmo? For me, "Panasonic Viera (no divx)" is the only one so far that can decode .wmv and .mkv files. Maybe my high CPU usage comes from wrong profile?

Originally Posted by Ishniknork

What I'm saying is:
Turn on the TV.
While it's on and in the service menu unplug it from the wall.
Wait a minute, plug it back in and turn it on.

I've read that sometimes this is the way you are supposed to exit the service menu. I don't know if it will fix your problem but it's worth a try. Otherwise contact Cleveland Plasma and see if they can help.

BTW, the first time you turn on the TV it will go to a user setup menu, but you should be able to navigate that with the remote.

Originally Posted by the dza

Can I still do the break in slides after about a week of watching Netflix? I want to do the slides, but there are no LJ reference settings available yet. Any word o when they will be available?

Also, I've noticed that my set auto dims and brightens when watching basketball games and ESPN. Other channels dont have this. Is this a feature that can be turned off? I have CATS off.

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by nick_622

OK guys ... just received my 55vt30 from Cleveland Plasma and when I turn it on it goes directly into what I would imagine is the Service Menu. I don't seem to be able to get out of it ... all keys on the remote are ignored and turning the TV off and back on just gets me back into the Service Menu.

Any Ideas??

Originally Posted by ninogui

this is weird. usually just the on/off button works. I wonder if someone messed up and you are stuck on some firmware update broken procedure, or a no boot condition / board malfunction leading you all the time to the service menu?

can you post a photo of what show on your ON screen ?

with the set ON press the vol(-) button on the right side of the screen and while pressing it point the remote to the screen with your other arm and press 0 three times
look at the screen and notice if something changed
turn OFF, then ON again

if the set doesnt boot then you have a problem.