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Official Panasonic UT50 Series Discussion Thread - Page 47

post #1381 of 2507
11/29/12 at 7:20pm
Was looking for the Samsung SSG-4100GB 3D Glasses, since they seem to work fine with the UT50, and thought I'd share I found them at a nice price at B&H Photo at only $17.47 each with free shipping.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=844500&is=REG
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post #1382 of 2507
11/30/12 at 3:11am
I have been trying to find out if the UT50 optical out actually does indeed carry a 5.1 signal. My friend said they might not because of licensing issues with Dolby. Can anyone confirm? This is a rather important bit for me to know about my set and I can't find it anywhere.
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post #1383 of 2507
11/30/12 at 3:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quaffapint View Post

Was looking for the Samsung SSG-4100GB 3D Glasses, since they seem to work fine with the UT50, and thought I'd share I found them at a nice price at B&H Photo at only $17.47 each with free shipping.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=844500&is=REG

Not showing at that price. I wish I'd gotten it from Amazon last weekend. I ended up going with BB for the "normal" price plus tax so I could pick them up today.

Leaning towards possibly getting one of those $35 pairs off ebay from China/HK because they look to be very similar to the Panasonic model in comfort and light blocking and the cheap ones can be for visitors.
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post #1384 of 2507
11/30/12 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slagbom View Post

I have been trying to find out if the UT50 optical out actually does indeed carry a 5.1 signal. My friend said they might not because of licensing issues with Dolby. Can anyone confirm? This is a rather important bit for me to know about my set and I can't find it anywhere.

The optical out on the UT50 only carries a 2.0 signal. You'll likely have to go the receiver route for surround sound. I stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure it's the case for most TVs now.
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post #1385 of 2507
11/30/12 at 5:58am
Yes, typically PCM via optical is only 2 channel. I don't know if the TV can send bitstream over optical. I would expect 5.1 to be available via HDMI ARC.
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post #1386 of 2507
11/30/12 at 11:17pm
Guys I am curious to hear about the apps like YouTube, Amazon video on Demand and how well they do thru the UT models.

The only "smart thing" I currently use is an xbox, and it is not preferable in the future for me. I have never been around a Roku or Apple TV or anything, and my bluray player is not hooked up to the internet (and doesn't do apps as far as I know).

I'm interested in the near future in getting a new tv, possibly a new bluray player, and possibly a Apple TV or Roku if I deem them necessary.

IDK...I think I am getting confused...or possibly just uneducated...about which things do what the best...or the same.

So how well does the UT line handle this stuff on its own?

Does the UT line offer the best audio available for online video and movie watching? And how would I get that sound to my avr?

Thanks for any input. Trying to figure out the best way to spend my money here, and if I don't need to double down on similar features across multiple components then I don't want to. (For example...I would not need a nicer bluray player or Apple TV or Roku if my TV can handle those things...Or why I would need a nicer bluray player or Roku or Apple TV because my TV can't does those things as well.)

Looks like I still have a little educating to do for myself, but figured I would ask here about these things as I am really contemplating the 55UT50. So any opinions or facts on these subjects would really help get a grasp on this stuff.

Thanks.
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post #1387 of 2507
12/1/12 at 12:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Bike View Post

The optical out on the UT50 only carries a 2.0 signal. You'll likely have to go the receiver route for surround sound. I stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure it's the case for most TVs now.
That is correct, the use of a D/A converter or TOSLINK cable to a receiver, has anybody thought of using the audio out from the headphone jack..
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post #1388 of 2507
12/1/12 at 1:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5thdimension View Post

That is correct, the use of a D/A converter or TOSLINK cable to a receiver, has anybody thought of using the audio out from the headphone jack..

There's no headphone jack available on the north american models:(
Edited by whipit - 12/1/12 at 1:09am
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post #1389 of 2507
12/1/12 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mphfrom77 View Post

Guys I am curious to hear about the apps like YouTube, Amazon video on Demand and how well they do thru the UT models.
The only "smart thing" I currently use is an xbox, and it is not preferable in the future for me. I have never been around a Roku or Apple TV or anything, and my bluray player is not hooked up to the internet (and doesn't do apps as far as I know).
I'm interested in the near future in getting a new tv, possibly a new bluray player, and possibly a Apple TV or Roku if I deem them necessary.
IDK...I think I am getting confused...or possibly just uneducated...about which things do what the best...or the same.
So how well does the UT line handle this stuff on its own?
Does the UT line offer the best audio available for online video and movie watching? And how would I get that sound to my avr?
Thanks for any input. Trying to figure out the best way to spend my money here, and if I don't need to double down on similar features across multiple components then I don't want to. (For example...I would not need a nicer bluray player or Apple TV or Roku if my TV can handle those things...Or why I would need a nicer bluray player or Roku or Apple TV because my TV can't does those things as well.)
Looks like I still have a little educating to do for myself, but figured I would ask here about these things as I am really contemplating the 55UT50. So any opinions or facts on these subjects would really help get a grasp on this stuff.
Thanks.

The UT50 does picture playback fine. When it comes to streamed audio out things get a little more muddy. I don't know if the UT50 streams multichannel and can send bitstream. I can't remember. But for 2 channel I think it's great, like I said, I'm not sure if it will stream more channels, and that's because Panasonic devices, at least with Amazon Instant Video, don't support more than 2 ch. I would personally recommend a new BD player if that's important to you, also if 3D is something you want. Sony players are pretty good fore supporting multi channel streaming.
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post #1390 of 2507
12/1/12 at 8:45pm
The UT has Smart Viera and limited apps similar to what is found on good Bluray player or XBOX360, i feel it's kind of redundant to have 3 different sources for media steaming but on the same note i don't like not using all the capabilities of a selected device.
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post #1391 of 2507
12/4/12 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by boushh2187 View Post


Thanks for the response. That I can hear it far away is what is worrying me. I'll record it and post to youtube later if I can get the sound to manifest itself.
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post #1392 of 2507
12/4/12 at 9:55pm
I'm new this forum and wanted to echo boushh2187's issue. I've had my UT50 for about 6 months and have just now noticed a similar buzz or low level humm from the TV. The TV volume is at zero and home theatre receiver is off. This sound is evident during scene changes or camera angle changes. Never noticed it before until recently while playing a PS3 game and watching a BD. ANY thoughts or feedback is appreciated.
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post #1393 of 2507
12/5/12 at 1:37am
Ok, here is an annoying issue that hopefully someone can identify a lasting solution for:

It took me about a week to figure out that the default aspect ratio for full is only 95%. It was driving me insane and I suddenly realized it had to be somewhere in there and sure enough, Picture>aspect ratio>HD Size and you have to switch to HD Size 2.

Well as soon as I did this and then back again (to see the difference) the screen started to flicker with a green tinted strobe. Now it is doing this randomly, exclusively when in HD Size 2 and can be fixed by hitting format or changing to HD size 1 and then back or returning to full.

It is only when I have my laptop hooked up via HDMI, so far. Despite this, I recommend anyone set their sources to size 2 though, because they're missing 5% of the screen!
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post #1394 of 2507
12/5/12 at 1:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mphfrom77 View Post

Guys I am curious to hear about the apps like YouTube, Amazon video on Demand and how well they do thru the UT models.

Really well. I only have my friend's Vizio 3D TV to compare to, but his loads slow as molasses. I have to think the UT50's extra processing power used for 3D helps. I thought I responded to you already, but I just came to this realization today.

Also having Youtube is rather nice although a keyboard would help (which I think you can plug in via USB).

Quote:
Originally Posted by mphfrom77 View Post

Does the UT line offer the best audio available for online video and movie watching? And how would I get that sound to my avr?
Thanks for any input.

Well Netflix boasts 5.1 but how to get it out of the TV is a great great question. The optical out is only 2 channel due to some licensing issue so I'd assume HDMI is the only way to go. I may start using my Xbox for Netflix so I can ensure I have 5.1 (don't have a AVR yet). But for the purpose of letting my neighbors sleep I'm content with the TV's surround effects for now.

Weekends when I can be loud is a different story.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mphfrom77 View Post

Thanks for any input.

Don't you mean output? biggrin.gif
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post #1395 of 2507
12/5/12 at 9:19am
I'm having HDMI ARC issues, has anyone successfully been usign HDMI ARC with the TV and receiver? I have HDMI Control and ARC enabled on my Yamaha V667 and Viera Link is enabled on the UT50 but my receiver doesn't switch to "TV" and my Harmony 650 sets the receiver to AV1 to use the Toslink, which does work. I think the volume is controlled better over ARC, though. I've gotten it to work but it seems inconsistent. Would the order of turning things on make a difference?
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post #1396 of 2507
12/5/12 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anikun07 View Post

I'm having HDMI ARC issues, has anyone successfully been usign HDMI ARC with the TV and receiver? I have HDMI Control and ARC enabled on my Yamaha V667 and Viera Link is enabled on the UT50 but my receiver doesn't switch to "TV" and my Harmony 650 sets the receiver to AV1 to use the Toslink, which does work. I think the volume is controlled better over ARC, though. I've gotten it to work but it seems inconsistent. Would the order of turning things on make a difference?

I have that same issue my friend with my harmony, it was flakey at best. I just use the tos link for all my viewing.
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post #1397 of 2507
12/5/12 at 5:52pm
I'm going to play around with it tonight, maybe I can find something consistently erroneous with the setup.
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post #1398 of 2507
12/5/12 at 10:08pm
Ahhh I'm going to get my UT50 tomorrow, and it'll be my first time owning a Plasma! Or any HDTV for that matter. I've owned a CRT TV this entire time, lmao. I'm nervous after reading all the plasma preparation threads, because burn in sounds horrifying! But at least it's a Panasonic and not something crappy like an Insignia or Vizio HDTV haha
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post #1399 of 2507
12/6/12 at 5:36am
Burn in is only an issue for certain things, such as ESPN (or other channel watermarks, but ESPN's doesn't disappear at commercial breaks), video game HUDs, and PC Desktops/window panes. I use my desktop/HTPC regularly and have had no real burn in. You may notice ghosting of something you've had displayed on the screen when it goes to "no signal black" but it's gone as soon as is shows something besides black. It's not anything to be concerned about. I remember CRTs doing the same thing, most notably when you shut off the TV and it keeps that ghost for a few seconds as the TV powers down - same thing. As far as breaking in your TV, that's only something you really need to consider if you want to calibrate white balance ASAP, otherwise it's unnecessary. Plasma is the closest current TV technology to CRT which is why it's preferred by so many people. I hope you enjoy your UT50.
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post #1400 of 2507
12/6/12 at 6:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spoonybard View Post

Ahhh I'm going to get my UT50 tomorrow, and it'll be my first time owning a Plasma! Or any HDTV for that matter. I've owned a CRT TV this entire time, lmao. I'm nervous after reading all the plasma preparation threads, because burn in sounds horrifying! But at least it's a Panasonic and not something crappy like an Insignia or Vizio HDTV haha

The whole burn-in thing is overblown imo. you may see some temporary IR from time to time but that is normal. Just keep your settings conservative the first 200 hours or so and vary the content you will be fine. Not a believer in break in either unless you are wanting to get a pro cal faster. Watch it and enjoy it is my advice smile.gif
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post #1401 of 2507
12/6/12 at 6:52am
+1
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post #1402 of 2507
12/6/12 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chunon View Post

I have that same issue my friend with my harmony, it was flakey at best. I just use the tos link for all my viewing.

I tested it out, I have Viera link enabled, audio set to HT, TV speakers off on the TV. On the receiver I had t set to HDMI control on, arc enabled and TV input as AV4. My logitech sets the receiver input to AV1, the TV's optical input. I noticed that the TV has to have a program on in order for it to send audio over the arc. So just pressing the internet button for the TV won't trigger it, the rings are through optical. By the way, can that ding be disabled? But when I choose Netflix or.go to a channel (I only have OTA antenna) it will switch the receiver to AV4 and then it will display TV as the input for the arc. Once I go back to input 2 on the TV to see my receivers wall paper, it turns off arc.
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post #1403 of 2507
12/6/12 at 4:38pm
Thanks for all the pointers guys, very much appreciated. I just got it, and it's so light and beautiful! What a difference, man. So glad to finally throw out the other one. My old CRT TV nearly landed on my damn foot, I luckily had some help carrying it or else one of my toes would have exploded and flown out into the opposite direction! I've finally caught up with the rest of the HD-ified Earf...feels good man. cool.gif
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post #1404 of 2507
12/6/12 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anikun07 View Post

I tested it out, I have Viera link enabled, audio set to HT, TV speakers off on the TV. On the receiver I had t set to HDMI control on, arc enabled and TV input as AV4. My logitech sets the receiver input to AV1, the TV's optical input. I noticed that the TV has to have a program on in order for it to send audio over the arc. So just pressing the internet button for the TV won't trigger it, the rings are through optical. By the way, can that ding be disabled? But when I choose Netflix or.go to a channel (I only have OTA antenna) it will switch the receiver to AV4 and then it will display TV as the input for the arc. Once I go back to input 2 on the TV to see my receivers wall paper, it turns off arc.

You have the activity on the harmony remote programmed as AV4 ?
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post #1405 of 2507
12/6/12 at 5:04pm
Nope, AV1.
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post #1406 of 2507
12/6/12 at 10:14pm
+1 Nice one! For my first post I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you guys for all the information and guidelines. I spent about 2 weeks reading up on this board before buying.

I have had a 50UT50 for almost a month now and it's been working out just fine. Slowly evolving my entire home audio/video setup and the UT50 was the first bigger step. Speakers are next.

Was messing around with a macbook using Plex to connect via DLNA and was having some issues with the UT50 processor handling quicktime files. But I need to spend more time with it before I make a case, it's new to me and there are many variables.

I do have a question related to future purchases, for anyone who has a current AVR. If I have a component input connected to the UT50 will it output the audio via optical cable/HDMI ARC to the receiver if I turn off the internal speakers? Im assuming it will but I cant find anything that states that explicitly .
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post #1407 of 2507
12/7/12 at 5:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalfinger View Post

+1 Nice one! For my first post I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you guys for all the information and guidelines. I spent about 2 weeks reading up on this board before buying.
I have had a 50UT50 for almost a month now and it's been working out just fine. Slowly evolving my entire home audio/video setup and the UT50 was the first bigger step. Speakers are next.
Was messing around with a macbook using Plex to connect via DLNA and was having some issues with the UT50 processor handling quicktime files. But I need to spend more time with it before I make a case, it's new to me and there are many variables.
I do have a question related to future purchases, for anyone who has a current AVR. If I have a component input connected to the UT50 will it output the audio via optical cable/HDMI ARC to the receiver if I turn off the internal speakers? Im assuming it will but I cant find anything that states that explicitly .

The TV should, but I haven't tried it. For my setup I would just have the component cables going to the receiver. Depending on your preferences and devices you can get away with a single cable going to your TV. In my setup I have one HDMI from the receiver to TV but I keep the optical as back up in case the TVs HDMI ARC doesn't kick in - though so far it's doing well. Other than that I have ethernet plugged in and rabbit ears on the coax. My PC, Wii, PS2, all go to the receiver and from there to the TV. Would there be a reason to bypass the receiver for whatever device your thinking of?
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post #1408 of 2507
12/7/12 at 9:30am
Loving the automatic sleep feature (Default: 2hrs)
I've dropped off every night this week and found it sleeping quietly in the morning wink.gif


My PX60 used to be 'glaring and blaring' at me when I blearily opened my eyes.
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post #1409 of 2507
12/7/12 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anikun07 View Post

The TV should, but I haven't tried it. For my setup I would just have the component cables going to the receiver. Depending on your preferences and devices you can get away with a single cable going to your TV. In my setup I have one HDMI from the receiver to TV but I keep the optical as back up in case the TVs HDMI ARC doesn't kick in - though so far it's doing well. Other than that I have ethernet plugged in and rabbit ears on the coax. My PC, Wii, PS2, all go to the receiver and from there to the TV. Would there be a reason to bypass the receiver for whatever device your thinking of?

Hi anikun07, it's a 1st gen XBOX360 (HD only thru components), and the AVRs Im interested in (Denon 1612/13) no longer support component. That's fine - I am slowly migrating my system to HDMI and do not plan on hanging on to the XBOX much longer (max a year or 2). Even tho for a 6 year old box it has performed admirably and the UT50 does a fine job paired with it. I'm looking for good audio and networking capability in my receiver as I have apple PCs and will probably end up with an appleTV.

Have you noticed any differences between the ARC and the optical? my general impression is that HDMI/ARC is still not considered tried and true by the avs community. I bought a cheap Philips DVD player at a garage sale for that had HDMI circa 2009 just to try my HDMI inputs - the PQ was terrible.
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post #1410 of 2507
12/7/12 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBeeching View Post

Loving the automatic sleep feature (Default: 2hrs)
I've dropped off every night this week and found it sleeping quietly in the morning wink.gif
My PX60 used to be 'glaring and blaring' at me when I blearily opened my eyes.

That's good to hear. It sure beats waking up to a DVD menu with audio repeating itself every 30 seconds. smile.gif
Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalfinger View Post

Hi anikun07, it's a 1st gen XBOX360 (HD only thru components), and the AVRs Im interested in (Denon 1612/13) no longer support component. That's fine - I am slowly migrating my system to HDMI and do not plan on hanging on to the XBOX much longer (max a year or 2). Even tho for a 6 year old box it has performed admirably and the UT50 does a fine job paired with it. I'm looking for good audio and networking capability in my receiver as I have apple PCs and will probably end up with an appleTV.
Have you noticed any differences between the ARC and the optical? my general impression is that HDMI/ARC is still not considered tried and true by the avs community. I bought a cheap Philips DVD player at a garage sale for that had HDMI circa 2009 just to try my HDMI inputs - the PQ was terrible.

I haven't noticed a difference, I've only watched Netflix and the TV is sending PCM, but I would feel more confident that if the TV can export encoded audio that it would be more likely to do so via HDMI ARC rather than optical. I use Netflix mainly for TV shows and I haven't checked if it can send bitstream or not. Sometimes I feel like I notice audio lag with Netflix audio out to AVR but it didn't seem like it mattered whether I used ARC or optical.
Edited by anikun07 - 12/7/12 at 4:50pm
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