Official Panasonic UT50 Series Discussion Thread - Page 62

Originally Posted by chunon 

So the implication is that a UT50 = VT50 ? Don't think so

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

I won't argue technical lab specs but viewing real world content the UT50 has more punch to the picture than the VT50 IMO. Less contrast, but also sans the louvre filter so it makes up the difference
...
I don't test or watch tvs during daylight so I have no room to talk here (the UT would probably lose bad in this challenge).

Originally Posted by tjernie 

Has the UT50 been tested for input lag with Leo Bodnar's Lag Tester?
I know the ST50 has ~39-42 ms and the U50 has around 27 ms. Both with game mode on.

Can any one please confirm the measured lag on the UT50 with Leo's Tester?

Thanks a million!

Originally Posted by anikun07 

Amazon.com has some of the best and affordable black out curtains. I like the navy blue ones. My house looks like midnight when they're all drawn, light can't get in and can only rarely be seen trying to poke through the curtain. I can't recommend them enough if you need light control.

Originally Posted by anikun07 

Nope, just that the UT50 is not necessarily inferior to the VT50. The VT50 has a lot of juice in terms of features and picture control, but I don't think someone would sell "a better TV" for a "worse TV" in a situation like this.

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

Before I confuse newcomers.. when I say "sans the louvre filter" I mean just that. The UT50 lacks the anti-reflective 'louvre filter' that makes the ST-up models a more appealing choice with light present. I never really bought into it since my VT50 wasn't that hot in a bright room either. There are still reflections on the ST/VT models and they both wash out in bright rooms compared to LCDs so I never understood the hype behind these so-called filters. It's true that it deflects light coming from above.. but damn what a cost in PQ to block that overhead light. I described early in the thread that the louvre filter is like some vasoline substance smeared across the screen unless your front and center (looking dead on). But as soon as you move just slightly up or down I can see the picture dim and it reminds me of the problems DLP had. This is 2013 and we shouldn't have to suffer like this. Playing the Wii and Kinect is almost out of the question unless the display is mounted high.

But that isn't the real (or only) reason why I condemn it. It fails for me because it takes away some valuable contrast that the ST/GT/VT series have. What good is better contrast ratio if you slap an aggressive filter on these 'high contrast' models that dim or dullen the screen. Yes side by side my UT50 was actually brighter in a dark room than the VT50 under any circumstance. Bright in a good way as It had more punch (not LCD blown out of proportion bright). Don't confuse this because I'll never own a standard or LED backlight LCD again. So in actuality the crippling (or hiding/masking) of contrast due the filter also means that blacks just didn't appear as inky as one without the filter. So even though the UT50 has less contrast (or technical jargon they shove down your throat) it doesn't matter because the anamorphic bars for instance have more PUNCH. How on Earth do anamorphic bars have punch? I don't know but they just seem deep like an abyss on my UT50. The blacks in demanding scenes have more PUNCH. The picture is not only punchier but cleaner. So this raw unadulterated punch from the lack of aggressive filters means that even a lowly UT50 makes films like The Dark Knight and Sin City wet your pants. I'm not saying the VT50 and Kuro won't either.. but IMO UT50 is the current king. <--- my goodness I can see the line form a mile long right now to throw a pie in my face and call me stupid lol

I think I need to youtube a 1080p vid of my Kuro next to the UT50, although the general rule is to never go by pics or vids since it's only capable of what your monitor can display.

Originally Posted by chunon 

"UT50 is the current king. <--- my goodness I can see the line form a mile long right now to throw a pie in my face and call me stupid lol"

All I have say is wow I have nothing else to say.

Originally Posted by chunon 

Don't wanna hijack this thread so I'll bow out.

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

Ya know I should have said "In a world without Kuro" so it wouldn't have upset some members and of course all IMO.

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

chunon- Obviously I'm aware the VT50 can be calibrated to reference level. I'm not delusional. But it doesn't mean it looks best to my eye and there are plenty here (I get emails all the time) that praise the UT50 and the recommended settings me and anikun provide. D-Nice himself was impressed with my 42UT50 and admitted the difference in blacks in all 2012 panels were minimal and he was able to get the UT50 from 'good' to 'better' in Cinema mode. Not perfect, but acceptable enough. The VT50 is the victor if you go by numbers and numbers alone.

Originally Posted by chunon 

Guess no one should buy a ZT60 what a waste of cash.

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

I think we have a misunderstanding. Every few years something comes along and just sets a bench in it's class. Examples from the last decade are the Sony XBR960, Sony XBR8 (tri-luminous LED), Samsung B8500 (great for local dimming LCDs), Pioneer 9/9.5G Kuro (probably the best plasma that will ever be made assuming new tech kills it within 5 years and it's not surpassed), the Sharp Elite (although I feel its priced out of range). By most.. the UT50 will never be lumped with the mentioned panels as it's considered 'low grade' and/or bargain model with 3D tacked on. It's unfortunate because I feel it deserves honorable recognition along with the best. Not only because the 50UT50, for example, can be had for $699 now but there's never been anything in it's class to perform so well. If your into Mopars then it's like the 340 was the "small block that thought it was the big block". Also I get the feeling that many within the field will disagree because they won't take the time to put their hands on it.

Anyway I'm looking forward to OLED. I think Panasonic knocked it out of the park with the 2012 models so unless there's another leap in tech then I'm content with what I have. If you want a ZT60 then by all means it's not a waste of cash. It's all eye of the beholder.

Originally Posted by PathofNeo 

Oh I gotcha on the filter part . Yeah some like it others don't but it's whatever works for you. If you noticed lately I'm trying not to be so abrasive as to not skew ppl. The higher end models are certainly worth the cash. So let's take a breather here start over LOL. We're lucky Panasonic gave a darn to fix/improve things the way they did last year.

Originally Posted by dfran1 

anyone on the fence again should click on the buy now at amazon for the 50"
again at 599.99 and we don't know for how long, minutes, hours or a few days.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P50UT50-50-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00752VKFK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top