Official Panasonic GT50 Series Discussion Thread [No Street Price Talk] - Page 28

Originally Posted by HLdan

I never said that exactly, other members have stated that D-Nice was firm that the THX mode and the 24K steps of gradation on the GT50 were marketing BS and it was better to ignore them and buy the ST50. Thing is I need more than just the PQ on my GT50. The dual core processor was a major jump in performance and I'm coming from a Samsung D7000 which I kept for only 1 week and returned it. The ST50's system performance was sluggish in terms of the Viera Connect and overall menu functions just as my D7000 was. In fact there were times the ST50 had a system hangup while it was processing just as my D7000 was. Sadly these manufacturers offer the dual core processor as a "feature" when it really should be built in on all models regardless of price point.
There should be no reason any new TV to have sluggish menu performance on advertised feature but that's the game we have to play. Not everyone is going to use Viera Connect or the web browsing and maybe not many people will care if the on screen menu graphics on the TV itself are sluggish but for me that was important, after all I paid money so it should work as advertised, sadly the ST50 didn't cut it. There's also a lack of inputs on the ST50 but that's another story.

Originally Posted by tercel

I would have considered the GT-50 but was scared off when the HDJ insider informed me gamma in THX mode was not corrected again this year. To be honest with you setting Custom mode to 2.6 will only give you an actual gamma level of 2.2 which is still a touch low for my dark viewing preference. I was also confused why the extra gradation was only applicable in Cinema, again a mode with a locked in gamma level that is actually around 1.9

Originally Posted by Damiene

My 55GT50 arrived this morning, initial impression is a big thumbs up! Picture looks great after just some minor tweaking to the custom mode (used d-nice's ST50 no prep settings as a starting point), and the Apps seem to perform great. Very snappy and responsive, tried both Amazon Prime and Netflix streaming and they both looked amazing. No flash support, but the web browser otherwise seems to perform well.

There is definitely a slight buzz, comes and goes with bright scenes as others have noted, but is really only noticeable when the sound is muted, and even then is rather slight. I'd describe it as somewhat similar to the "hum" of the old picture tube TVs.

Can anyone recommend a media server to run for streaming using the DLNA player? Using Windows Media Player, I could stream xvid .avi files, but not .mkv files. I also tried the PS3 Media Server which I had used with my Xbox 360, and while I was able to connect to that, it didn't seem to be able to play anything.

Originally Posted by yvrmike

First post folks, go easy on me, I've been lurking for some time before registering yesterday -- I'm wondering if GT50 (or ST or ?T) can comment on the minimum mounting distance (from wall) Panasonic specifies in their manual for wall mounting:



I'd hoped to use a mount which would set the TV considerably closer to the wall than ~ 3".

Are the specs Panasonic lists (Page 5 of manual) for wall mounting in the league of covering-their-own er... bases, or should they be strictly adhered to?

This unit is going in a living room I'm doing a complete renovation on and my objective is to have the TV as flush as possible to the wall to minimize impact, recognizing that a 30x50" black obelisk will intrude no matter what. I'll have it mounted low enough for comfortable viewing without tilting it. I have a deep recessed 2 gang electrical box mounted behind where the unit will end up - one side for for electrical service, the other to accomodate the depth of ethernet|optical connectors and wire bend radius.

In the store it seemed the lions share comes out the front of the 55" GT50, and some to the top, to my unscientific hand-test at least.

So for you GT|ST 50 series owners... how close can one go to the wall practically (cable management) and safely (heat dissipation)? Are you satisfied with the look that was achieved in your install?

What tried and proven solid flush wall mounts would you recommend for this unit?

Mike
Vancouver, BC

Originally Posted by tercel

I would have considered the GT-50 but was scared off when the HDJ insider informed me gamma in THX mode was not corrected again this year. To be honest with you setting Custom mode to 2.6 will only give you an actual gamma level of 2.2 which is still a touch low for my dark viewing preference. I was also confused why the extra gradation was only applicable in Cinema, again a mode with a locked in gamma level that is actually around 1.9

Originally Posted by Paoli Dad

I use the Sanus VLL10 for my GT50. The Sanus specs say it can go as close as .67 inches from the wall , though I had to add 2 extra washers to bring it out a little farther to accomodate the Power Cord protrusion in the back.

Originally Posted by sheshechic

I know- right!?

I'm using THX bright room most of the time and adjust the contrast down for night time movie extravaganzas lol. I haven't had the time to run the AVS 709 or the WOW blu-ray hubby bought the other day. I also have to try to do it when hubby is busy or asleep.

I forgot to say that I lowered sharpness too.

Originally Posted by eagle_2

I'm still confused over just what modes the extra gradations of the GT50 are available in. If it's not available in THX mode or custom, and just in cinema, then I see no value in that for most people.

Originally Posted by Bazylik

By movie extravaganza, you mean watching blu-rays?

Originally Posted by chunon

I'm curious which pro calibrator stated there are no advantages to buying the GT50 ? It certainly wouldnt be Chad.[/QUOTE

It was Chad, but that is not exactly what he said. I believe he said that if you were looking at dark room image quality only, it would be a toss up between the ST and the GT. He also said that the bright room setting on the GT50 was a big plus.

Originally Posted by dponeill


He said he'd buy the GT50, didn't he?

Originally Posted by sheshechic

Not only did he say he'd buy one, he BOUGHT one

Originally Posted by Damiene


Can anyone recommend a media server to run for streaming using the DLNA player? Using Windows Media Player, I could stream xvid .avi files, but not .mkv files. I also tried the PS3 Media Server which I had used with my Xbox 360, and while I was able to connect to that, it didn't seem to be able to play anything.

Originally Posted by sheshechic

I'd like to see something more substantial/reliable on what modes it is or isn't present in. I find it hard to believe that it's limited to one mode but can believe that it may be excluded from standard mode. But then I'm not an engineer either.

Originally Posted by yvrmike

Thanks for that, very helpful. Anything ~ an inch or less sounds ideal and I imagine it looks sharp on your wall.

Are you using the digital optical or ethernet connections on the back? I wonder if they would protrude more than the right angle power cord plug?

Originally Posted by weedeater

I'd want more airflow, not less.
Also, there is a rear-facing speaker on these units. Mounting it that close to the wall kinda defeats the purpose.

Originally Posted by yvrmike

Perhaps convective currents behind (like a chimney) might provide decent airflow anyway... whatever I end up doing, I'll keep an eye on temperatures back there and if I have to, will mount it out further.

Originally Posted by sheshechic

Not only did he say he'd buy one, he BOUGHT one

Originally Posted by htwaits

What a wonderful world Panasonic owners live in.

The folks, who want the best when watching movies, Blu-ray or DVD, during evening hours, and are not critical about what they watch during daylight hours, can buy the ST50 series of displays. These same lucky folks may also have no interest in using Internet connectivity as part of their entertainment options. For a much reduced price they can enjoy picture quality that is so close to the higher end models that it might take a professional calibrator to notice the difference.

If people are very interested in adding Internet material in their home entertainment, they can probably get much improved performance by moving up to the GT50 line. At the same time they can probably improve their day time viewing quality, and for many, they get an improved appearance with a more attractive bezel.

If someone is very much into the appearance of any large black device that they put into their home, and they also want the very best in black levels, they can move up to the VT50.

To top it off, anyone who wants the very best industry standards performance from any of Panasonic's "50" series displays, they can engage the services of one of the excellent professional calibrators that are active here at AVS. (See the links in the signature area at the bottom of my post.)

If I've missed some critical characteristic of the ST, GT, or VT series displays that you think is critical, I apologize. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by htwaits

What a wonderful world Panasonic owners live in.

The folks, who want the best when watching movies, Blu-ray or DVD, during evening hours, and are not critical about what they watch during daylight hours, can buy the ST50 series of displays. These same lucky folks may also have no interest in using Internet connectivity as part of their entertainment options. For a much reduced price they can enjoy picture quality that is so close to the higher end models that it might take a professional calibrator to notice the difference.