Official Panasonic GT50 Series Discussion Thread [No Street Price Talk] - Page 83

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If that's happening on all your devices using different inputs then I'm afraid your set is defective. My old Panasonic 50G15 had something similar (although not at the edge, it was near the middle - click on pic below) along with a thin strip of stuck pixels in the middle of the black band and it needed replacement. Mine happened after 2 years of ownership though.

thanks for the input. do appreciate it. From what i have read here and elsewhere the GT50 does a great job with 3D content and the glasses are cheaper than the sony glasses. Viewing angle is important to me as i sometimes am moving around the room a bit. it is not mandatory for me to get an LCD/LED set but what i do want is the best picture quality i can get i.e color, off angle viewing, fast motion performance, depth of picture,clarity, black level, and contrast etc. Also is calibration recommended with the GT50- if so is it highly or lightly recommended. I am leaning towards having it done. The sales guy at Magnolia told me it is recommended and mentioned that one benefit is the tv would run a little cooler as well as resulting in an optimal picture.Any thought on this? Thanks again!

Don't make that decision until a week or so after you have the tv and then come back and tell us what you think.

If you do plan to spend money on calibration then I highly suggest that you check out the Calibration forum to locate someone rather than paying Best Buy. You can also PM Chad B or D-Nice for a quote too.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/712929/customer-reports-about-their-professional-calibrations

http://www.avsforum.com/f/139/display-calibration

If you are referring to an SD 480i or 480p input signal, the Panasonic will remember a different format setting for that separate from the format setting for an HD 720p/1080i/1080p input signal and the choices are different for SD vs HD.
For HD you normally want to select "FULL" and for SD you can choose "JUST" if you want to have a non-linear stretch of a 4:3 aspect ratio signal to fill the screen, or choose "4:3" format mode if you want it to display as 4:3 in the middle with side bars.
The color of the side bars when 4:3 format mode is active can be selected under a menu item under the Setup section, it can be black, or a shade of gray (to help prevent IR)

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping that there were a setting that would automatically show SD in 4:3 with side bars. But now that you mentioned changing the side bars to gray to help prevent IR I am just as glad that it is stretched. I will also go into Setup and change the side bar to gray because side bars do occur in some situations.

This may be a dumb question but is your the pixel orbiter on? Is it always off set toward the right? Have you played around with the Tv's aspect ratio?

Edit: just saw your pics disregard

The setting on the TV for the 4:3 sidebar black or shade of gray only works in the specific 4:3 mode for an SD or HD input.
It won't effect black bars as part of the signal, though the 4:3 mode in HD will cover up the sidebars of a 16:9 HD picture with black or gray as selected.

Just a quick update on my issue with buzzing....

The delivery company had my replacement TV a day early and offered to deliver today. They loaded the 60GT50 into my house, I offered them a bit of cash in exchange for staying a few extra minutes to set up the new TV and they happily obliged (must be a slow day for them). Anyhow, we set aside the old unit on the floor without taking it apart, installed the new one in its place. I plugged in my BD player, turned it on, ran through the setup quickly, played the slides and low and behold this thing buzzes at least as much as my old set did. I also saw a dead (black) dot on the right half of the screen against an all white slide. Needless to say I'm somewhat thankfull for being able to retain my old set, which apart from the buzz is perfect.

Of course this experiment in itself doesn't prove or disprove anything. But at least for me it did remind me of how prone today's TVs are to manufacturing faults. Getting a perfect one might be hard without exchanging numerous sets which is something I neither have the time for nor any inclination to do. Having said that, I still think that if the buzzing is bad enough the set should be exchanged. In my case, it's only affecting viewing where there is predominantly extremely bright scenes and the audio volume is very low. Even during hockey games I can't hear it as it's completely masked by audio. It doesn't help that I have zero-loss hearing which is more of a curse than anything. My wife has good hearing and she can't hear the buzzing at all.

Have had my GT50 up and running for three days now. This morning, I noticed some pixel disturbance at the top of the screen (dancing white dashes), but only during certain segments of the Today show. I did not see this disturbance on other channels. This evening, I caught it again, this time on another channel (see pics below). Anyone know if this is this an issue with the TV or with the signal?




Thanks in advance!

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Under settings, select HD size as HD1 instead of HD2 and report back. If already set to HD1 then disregard this post.

I think it's the signal. I had the same exact thing with Sundance Channel (which is SD where I am). I set the HD size back to 1 with Pixel Orbiter On for the Cable input and the white dashes are gone.

Not to derail your post but in a roundabout way this is related:

That post about a "well balanced diet" for Plasma TVs (to avoid IR) got me thinking. Black bars can be avoided by stretching the screen (which is annoying), but what station doesn't constantly show it's logo in the bottom right corner of the screen? Not many. I tend to leave the TV on CNN for an hour or two each morning and, sure enough when I checked the other day against a white screen, I could see that Live CNN logo superimposed over the Encore logo (which I also turn to fairly often). It persisted for about 4 days.

Fortunately the settings are remembered for each input (I want the full HD2 screen for HTPC and eventually, BluRay) so I'm going to keep an eye on that corner of the screen after going to HD1 w/ Pixel Orbiter. Maybe that's what everyone else is doing and I'm just now catching on. Without a lot of channel flipping, I don't see how it's possible to avoid some IR unless the built-in protective features do what they're designed to do.

Thanks for the update. Figured that might happen & glad you had the option of keeping the better unit. As others have hinted at there is some allowable tolerance for noise (whether spec-ed by the manufacture or just a statistical range based on the choice of parts and fabrication method) and for some of us, even though it's within the "normal" range, it can still be heard. Whether due to better hearing, a quieter room, whatever. This is my last week before I can return the set and I'm still leaning towards keeping it though I'm seriously considering having a tech dispatched just in case there is something that can be done. I'll follow-up if that's the case.

I'm still a little sketched by the potential IR issues (see post above) and the reflective screen but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Picture looks great, no tilting or bowing, all pixels appear to be good. Don't want to sound like I don't like it -- just a little stressed by that 30 day window closing soon.

I'm pretty happy about it right now. I've tabled all the issues that have been seen and discussed on the VT, GT and ST owners threads and honestly, apart from the buzzing, I have none of them. I did have a Panasonic service tech come out but he said the buzzing I had was totally normal. Mind you, his diagnosis is somewhat subjective but maybe he's right. Other than exchanging, I think it's still worth getting someone in your case as who knows, they may be able to do something.

Either way, I recall a post from a while back that said something along the lines of... "if you're happy with your TV and want to remain that way, avoid reading AVS forums" lol I think there's some truth to that. We are definitely a bunch of very picky buyers, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Buzzing is pretty audible sitting from 15 feet away and occurs ONLY when there is white contrast on the display. Otherwise, the set is deadly silent. Traded in my April 2012 build for a May 2012 build within the Amazon 30 day return period, and the new set still buzzes when there is white, although less noticeable (i think) that the previous set. Maybe it is just me ... I am beyond frustrated but not going through another exchange again ... arrrghhhh!

Can someone kindly link me to some general settings I can work with for the GT50. Beautiful TV:-)

Check the Cnet review.

Thanks! I was on HD2, so I adjusted. Have not seen the dancing whites, yet. I'll keep you posted.

No worries - thanks for the input. I run only one connection to my TV (HDMI) via the Pioneer VSX-1021K, so I'm only working with only one input. I guess I'll need to adjust the HD1/2 when jumping back and forth to BluRay.

Thanks both.

Hi All:

Enjoying the forum and appreciating the useful info. Got my 50" GT50 for our bedroom a few weeks ago. It has no problems that I am aware of having checked for the problems noted in this mega thread to a large extent.

After some experimentation, I settled on using the default "Custom" settings for most things (including both DVDs and Direct TV satellite--liking them better than either of the thx settings in general. I am using a software-updated PS 3 for DVDs.

Then, I discovered the "Custom" Katz settings. I used them for a while liking them in general and some aspects of them better than the "Custom" defaults. However, there were things I liked better about the "Custom" defaults. So, now I am using a compromise between the two sets of settings. I've posted the Katz "Custom" settings below--with those of mine that differ in bold juxtaposed in parentheses. Perhaps some of what I have posted will be of use to someone.

I am not an expert on dialing in TV sets. So, if you like my settings, then be aware that you might be liking something you shouldn't All comments about the goodness or the badness of my settings appreciated. Always trying for better--especially if easy!

Katz Settings Below (Mine Bolded in Parentheses when They Differ):

--Picture menu
Picture mode: Custom
Contrast: +76
Brightness: +59
Color: +45 (+50)
Tint: +1
Sharpness: 0 (+50)
Color temp: Warm 2
Color mgmt: Off [grayed out]
C.A.T.S.: Off
Video NR: Off

-- Pro settings submenu
Color space: Normal
W/B high R: +8
W/B high G: +2
W/B high B: +1
W/B low R: +2
W/B low G: -3
W/B low B: +2
Black extension: 0 (+5)
Gamma adjustment: 2.6
Panel brightness: Mid
Contour emphasis: Off
AGC: 0 (+7)

-- Aspect adjustments submenu
Screen format: Full
HD size: Size 2 (Size 2 or1, depending)
H size: [grayed out]
Zoom adjustments: [grayed out]

--PC Adjustments: not provided by Katz (grayed out)

-- HDMI settings: [no change from default]

--Advanced picture submenu
3D Y/C filter: Off [grayed out]
Color matrix: HD [grayed out]
Block NR: Off
Mosquito NR: Off
Motion smoother: Off
Black level: Light
3:2 pulldown: On
24p Direct in: 60Hz
Edited by znoddy - 6/26/12 at 8:03am

~Aldiggi

See post #2480 for a starter.

Thanks for the update. My situation is almost identical to yours, and my window for returning it expires this week. I am completely happy with my GT50, but I was more concerned that the buzzing was a defect (i.e. is louder than it should be), but I think that if anything, the GT50 just may be slightly louder than some other plasmas. I will be keeping my set, as everything else about my TV is excellent, and I believe that I can live with the slight buzzing that happens with white backgrounds.

Well my 60GT50 is going back, this time not for an exchange.

The buzzing reared it's ugly head last night and this morning and it was bad. Last night even my wife was hearing it. She asked if I too can hear the fridge. I said, no hon that's our TV. lol

Anyhow, both Panasonic Canada and FutureShop wanted me to do a second exchange but I just don't have the time and in all likelihood the exchange will be the same. Interestingly, the panasonic rep I spoke with eventually told me that they've received more buzzing complaints this year than before and he thinks it's due to the thinness of the 2012 models, in that there's hardly any sound insulation there and all the boards are near the rear surface almost exposed. I don't know if I buy that argument but it was interesting to hear nonetheless. My old G15 and PZ77 which are much thicker than the GT50, although they also buzzed, the buzzing isn't even in the same league. I never heard them from anywhere outside 4 ft away unlike my GT50 where I can hear it from 15 ft. It's a shame as I love the panel and the PQ is the best I've seen but I just can't live with this buzzing. Maybe I have to settle for an LCD.

I'm very sensitive to electrical noises, from fridge's, microwaves, TV's and my GT has almost no buzzing whatsoever. I also had an St which i upgraded to this GT and it too had no discernible buzzing.

Sorry to hear it.

Jason

znoddy, what was the reasoning behind altering Katz settings? I'm just curious is all...Did it make the picture "pop" more to you? Do you see any undesired effects by turning Black Extension & AGC up so high? Also, what are your lighting conditions? Thanks

I never gave a second thought to the buzzing "issue" until reading this forum. My 60GT50 does have some buzzing, but I can only hear it if relatively close with the sound muted or very low. I compared it to my Pioneer plasma and what do you know it buzzes much louder than the Panasonic. Funny thing is, I've had the Pioneer for over 5 years and never really paid attention to it. I usually have my AVR volume at a moderate level so it isn't a concern. Even with the volume low when watching at night while wife/kids are sleeping, it's there but I guess I've just ignored it.

Buzzing is not normal just b/c it's a "plasma"! My old Pio NEVER buzzed and my new 55GT30 doesn't either . . .even w/ my ears a few inches from the screen!

Many years ago, Pio panels were mostly "perfect" and then, in a good number of late deliveries, they started to 'buzz'! They were exchanged/fixed and the buzzing went away.

Buzzing that's "audible" (5 - 10ft away) is due to defective transformer(s) in the set . . . check out this thread here

The gentlemen fixed it with about 0.12$ worth of cable ties . . . LOL

Can someone explain (to this noob) how to turn 3:2 Pulldown on? I used Katz's calibration settings (adapting Custom), but 3:2 Pulldown is grayed out. Thanks!

I saw that thread, it's definitely interesting but who knows if the buzzing in my case is from the same component, let alone if the fix is at all applicable to the GT50 (that thread dealt with the V20). I'm also not comfortable fixing this myself, and frankly on a brand new set, I shouldn't have to. Sadly, even Panasonic's own service tech didn't want to bother with it, recommending an exchange.