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Official Panasonic UT50 Series Discussion Thread - Page 9

post #241 of 2507
5/13/12 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonyxbr1980 View Post

I now wonder if we will ever see a 42inch here again.

I doubt there will be another 42" 1080p in the USA.
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post #242 of 2507
5/13/12 at 8:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pcgeek543 View Post

Well good news. I got Hugo and the ran the same test cnet did only at 48hz ... Cnet really should know about this. I want my credit for it lol.

That was a great catch!
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post #243 of 2507
5/13/12 at 9:25pm
bamajeep- Let us know it goes. If you find yourself struggling with contrast don't worry. That's why I listed between 76-82. It's hard dialing it in so I imagine you'll have the same struggle. I found 83 is where the line really disappeared while 76 was the cutoff point where the bars weren't matching white. So I kept it at a conservative middle of 78. Those of you wanting more punch can safely bump it to 82. I didn't see any fluctuation in brightness/color within these numbers. 78 looks plenty bright to me in a dark room (actually brighter than my Kuro). Like I said 82 was still falling into accuracy, but after using the Kuro for so long it looked a tad on the bright side. But it's to each his own on that one.
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post #244 of 2507
5/14/12 at 3:36am
Well it's done, I've just ordered the 50" version of the UT50.
For those who have this set, i've read complaints that the ST50 doesn't handle 720p material well, it gives that content a "smudged up look". Is it the case with this TV ?
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post #245 of 2507
5/14/12 at 4:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingbat7 View Post

Well it's done, I've just ordered the 50" version of the UT50.
For those who have this set, i've read complaints that the ST50 doesn't handle 720p material well, it gives that content a "smudged up look". Is it the case with this TV ?

I've noticed this on 720p broadcasts, but not on 720p games or movies. It lessens in effect overtime and honestly, it's hard to tell from normal 8-10 feet viewing distances. Only when you get a couple of feet from the TV is it really noticeable.
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post #246 of 2507
5/14/12 at 10:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingbat7 View Post

For those who have this set, i've read complaints that the ST50 doesn't handle 720p material well, it gives that content a "smudged up look". Is it the case with this TV ?

An oil painting look for less than 1080p content is nature of the beast for plasma. You'll find out though that it goes away after time. With blu-rays and dvds I never see this effect... only with downloaded capped 720p shows so it's no big deal. In fact I've grown to like the painting look since it masks the defects (if any) of certain 720p shows.
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post #247 of 2507
5/14/12 at 7:12pm
@ Path of Neo

What kind of heat does your 55 give off? Is it pretty cool to the touch? Also with the picture modes you have experimented with, could you have a day and a night mode calibrated? I know the ut50 doesn't have day and night modes, but are there two modes accurate enough to compensate?
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post #248 of 2507
5/14/12 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PathofNeo View Post

An oil painting look for less than 1080p content is nature of the beast for plasma. You'll find out though that it goes away after time. With blu-rays and dvds I never see this effect... only with downloaded capped 720p shows so it's no big deal. In fact I've grown to like the painting look since it masks the defects (if any) of certain 720p shows.

Hey Neo! We spoke a while ago...ended up going with the ST50 because I do a lot of daytime viewing.

Best set I've ever owned, but are you for sure the oil painting look fades a bit over time? I've got around 70 hours on my set and PS3 games (most of which run at 720p natively) look very smudgy and bizarre. Did not see this with the ST30, even in the first 20 hours or so. Let me know...considering upgrading to the GT50 if that set eliminates this issue.
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post #249 of 2507
5/14/12 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan134 View Post

Best set I've ever owned, but are you for sure the oil painting look fades a bit over time? I've got around 70 hours on my set and PS3 games (most of which run at 720p natively) look very smudgy and bizarre. Did not see this with the ST30, even in the first 20 hours or so. Let me know...considering upgrading to the GT50 if that set eliminates this issue.

I'm not positive it'll go away. I hate to say it but what your describing is possibly that louvre filter present on the ST/GT/VT. I noticed the same thing in the store and it wasn't just 720p. Everything looked smudgy. I'm going on a limb but it was probably the most ridiculous thing I'd seen from a Panasonic. Kudos to those who enjoy it but count me out, it's way to aggressive. Sure the ST is clear in a dark room when the filter isn't as present but trust me the UT still has more clarity. It should also clear up those games of yours. The tradeoff however is poorer daytime performance.

No...I'm not happy about the situation for this year as it hindered my shot at an upper tier model. Sorry but that's the best I got for you at this time.
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post #250 of 2507
5/14/12 at 9:39pm
I don't think it's the filter, because the ST30 had a very similar filter and did nothing of the sort. This is some sort of software upscaler/smoother. I've seen it used before in gaming but it can almost always be disabled. I cannot disable it on this TV.

Some 720p games look flat out gorgeous while others lack crispness that can be seen on almost every other TV.
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post #251 of 2507
5/14/12 at 9:50pm
Dan134- I don't know what to tell ya?
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post #252 of 2507
5/14/12 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PathofNeo View Post

No...I'm not happy about the situation for this year as it hindered my shot at an upper tier model. Sorry but that's the best I got for you at this time.

PathofNeo sounds like you have some insight on this louvre filter issue so I have some questions:

If I understand correctly, the purpose of the filter is to reduce reflections, but does it also tint the screen slightly? From what you were talking about before, seems Panasonic either made thier filter too agressive (dark tinted) or something else which has affected picture quality of some sources (smudging).

Hard for me to decide between the different models based on what you said. I've never had to think about reflections much because my current LCD TV has a matte screen. If all the models share the same panel and perform nearly identicaly, then it would come down to the the ST or UT (I actually much prefer the look of the U and X series but they don't come in 60 inches). So I'm deciding how much of a visual factor having or nothaving the louvre filter will have.
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post #253 of 2507
5/14/12 at 10:53pm
Well the UT without the filter isn't any worse than my old G10. If you have blinds the the UT is fine and it can handle a considerable amount of light. I can enjoy the picture quality just fine with my light on or my small lamp at night. It's only going to look bad in a fairly bright room,like in a living room on a very sunny day with 3 or more windows with light shining directly inside or light beaming directly into the TV.
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post #254 of 2507
5/14/12 at 11:55pm
Update for you guys...

The glasses came in today and I gave it a quick go tonight. It's coming along very good and less compromise than I imagined dialing in the settings. I'm not as interested in crosstalk atm as I am with getting the basic numbers. Tone is looking like it needs pushing red but the color is bouncing so I will have to take my time with it and get it right.

Just looking at patterns with the glasses shows a more stable picture than my old ST30. I'm very impressed here. However it's impossible for me to calibrate using 48hz. Whether or not 48hz is smoother in film is up for debate but the calibration patterns, screens, and motion is showing me 60hz is where it needs to be.

I need more hands on time and hope to knock it out in the next couple days.
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post #255 of 2507
5/15/12 at 1:32am
That's awesome,glad they finally came. For just testing the 48hz vs 60,watch a movie at 60 and pause when you see the CT and switch to 48hz and you will see some will dissapear and others almost disappear to the point where it's not even noticeable,or extremely faint. Hugo had it the worst throughout but was definitely more enjoyable at 48hz.
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post #256 of 2507
5/15/12 at 2:59am
I aim to get the 3D and game mode done by night fall. Crosstalk and related settings will be user preference, but the basic settings won't be (I nailed them). I ran another quickie and couldn't be happier with the relatively easy and accurate results.

I'll do the game mode and see about other 3D settings tonight. It'll also allow me to double check everything to be sure I'm giving you guys the best results possible from my end.
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post #257 of 2507
5/15/12 at 6:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan134 View Post

I don't think it's the filter, because the ST30 had a very similar filter and did nothing of the sort.

It can't possibly be caused by the filter causing that issue. If it were, it would also be doing it at 1080i and 1080p, not just 720p. And it would have been happening to the 2011 models which also had the Louvre Filter as well as the Samsungs which have a similar Louvre Filter. Other than these few reports, i haven't seen any other such complaints.


Quote:


This is some sort of software upscaler/smoother. I've seen it used before in gaming but it can almost always be disabled. I cannot disable it on this TV.

This is possible. More data and more examples are needed if it's to be investigated further.


Quote:


Some 720p games look flat out gorgeous while others lack crispness that can be seen on almost every other TV.

I've done a lot of experimenting with different signals on each of my HD TVs over the years as well as the TVs i've set up for other people, and a 720p signal always looks softer than the same content at 1080i. When i set the Cable Boxes/Satellite Receivers/DVRs/Tivos etc to 1080i Fixed the 720p channels and 1080i channels all look crisper with a lot more detail. When i set them to output 720p Fixed that same content now looks soft and mushy and the crisp detail i saw at 1080i is now soft and a lot less detailed (blades of grass, close up of a watch movement, facial details like stubble and zits, etc). Once i demonstrate this to people they do see the difference and most people want me to leave it at 1080i Fixed to get the extra detail. A few people (like my "wife") actually prefer the softer look of the 720p signal.

Every single TV i've done acts like this to some extent or another. I'm wondering that since these new 2012 panels are so much more accurate than prior models then maybe they're just amplifying the difference between the 720p and 1080i signals that i see on all the other HD TVs.

If anyone is having the 720p Mush issue, i'd try changing the signal of the source (if possible) from 720p to 1080i and re-watch the same content and see if that reduces or eliminates the "mushy" effect. I understand this isn't possible on some games which are fixed at 720p, but virtually all other sources have the ability to set the output resolution to 1080i Fixed. I just switched my Tivo back to 720p Fixed while typing this and the morning news is instantly softer and lacking detail on my G10 and small LED LCD TV by my desk (both are fed with a Geffen HDMI splitter). Facial detail is gone at 720p, but is restored at 1080i.
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post #258 of 2507
5/15/12 at 7:32am
Can someone please describe 'oil painting'? Lol!

Also, 720p SHOULD look softer than 1080i as it's less data! The fact that 1080i is interlaced doesn't matter. What are you guys comparing it to to determine 720p looks like an oil painting?
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post #259 of 2507
5/15/12 at 8:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

It can't possibly be caused by the filter causing that issue. If it were, it would also be doing it at 1080i and 1080p, not just 720p. And it would have been happening to the 2011 models which also had the Louvre Filter as well as the Samsungs which have a similar Louvre Filter. Other than these few reports, i haven't seen any other such complaints.


This is possible. More data and more examples are needed if it's to be investigated further.


I've done a lot of experimenting with different signals on each of my HD TVs over the years as well as the TVs i've set up for other people, and a 720p signal always looks softer than the same content at 1080i. When i set the Cable Boxes/Satellite Receivers/DVRs/Tivos etc to 1080i Fixed the 720p channels and 1080i channels all look crisper with a lot more detail. When i set them to output 720p Fixed that same content now looks soft and mushy and the crisp detail i saw at 1080i is now soft and a lot less detailed (blades of grass, close up of a watch movement, facial details like stubble and zits, etc). Once i demonstrate this to people they do see the difference and most people want me to leave it at 1080i Fixed to get the extra detail. A few people (like my "wife") actually prefer the softer look of the 720p signal.

Every single TV i've done acts like this to some extent or another. I'm wondering that since these new 2012 panels are so much more accurate than prior models then maybe they're just amplifying the difference between the 720p and 1080i signals that i see on all the other HD TVs.

If anyone is having the 720p Mush issue, i'd try changing the signal of the source (if possible) from 720p to 1080i and re-watch the same content and see if that reduces or eliminates the "mushy" effect. I understand this isn't possible on some games which are fixed at 720p, but virtually all other sources have the ability to set the output resolution to 1080i Fixed. I just switched my Tivo back to 720p Fixed while typing this and the morning news is instantly softer and lacking detail on my G10 and small LED LCD TV by my desk (both are fed with a Geffen HDMI splitter). Facial detail is gone at 720p, but is restored at 1080i.

Quick queston: I have a cheap 50" Samsung 720P (actually 768P) plasma and I have always had my cable box set to 720P. I wonder if changing the output to 1080i would look any better? Or wouldn't it matter as my tv is only 720P? I guess I never really gave this much thought...

-Guru
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post #260 of 2507
5/15/12 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ListedGuru View Post

Quick queston: I have a cheap 50" Samsung 720P (actually 768P) plasma and I have always had my cable box set to 720P. I wonder if changing the output to 1080i would look any better? Or wouldn't it matter as my tv is only 720P? I guess I never really gave this much thought...-Guru

The 1080i Fixed setting looks better on all of my 768p Plasma and LCDs as well as on my 1080p Plasmas. I even saw it on my old HD Tube TV.

Try it for yourself while watching a 720p channel like ESPN (Sports Center) or your local KABC news or GMA (look at the details in the anchor's faces and clothing and studio set etc). Then switch back to 1080i and notice the extra detail and crispness.
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post #261 of 2507
5/15/12 at 2:45pm
I also believe alot of it does have to do with the panel being so sharp and accurate. Even with a sharpness setting of zero this panel looks as sharp or more so than my g10 did at 100. The picture did improve in the first 20 hours or so though,because the first day I got mine I watched contraband@1080p and it looked pretty bad. So even my 1080p content had some oil painting effect going on. I was coming from a g10 which has a much softer picture so it was very noticeable to me.
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post #262 of 2507
5/15/12 at 3:20pm
Thanks for the 720p explanations Randy.
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post #263 of 2507
5/15/12 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonyboy View Post

What kind of heat does your 55 give off?

Seems to be no hotter than any of my other displays, so fairy cool to the touch.
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post #264 of 2507
5/15/12 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PathofNeo View Post

Seems to be no hotter than any of my other displays, so fairy cool to the touch.

Mine is very cool to the touch. No heat, even after being on for 8-10 hours.

Also, I've had it for about a week and a half and probably have around 70-80 hours on the set and decided to watch my first 2.35:1 Blu-Ray, Underworld: Awakening. I figured since it's a dark movie and relatively short it wouldn't give me much in the way of IR and I was right...none at all. This is awesome because I watch a lot of 2.35:1 movies.

Have I mentioned that I love this TV? Because I do.
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post #265 of 2507
5/15/12 at 6:13pm
In the case of 720p

Keep in mind the TV should be set to graphics mode, and the color space set to match (the PS3 in this case). Most likely both the TV and PS3 should be set to full range for gaming.
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post #266 of 2507
5/15/12 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Condor View Post

Most likely both the TV and PS3 should be set to full range for gaming.

Yes that is correct. Also I have a big update coming shortly.
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post #267 of 2507
5/15/12 at 7:48pm
alot of people and reviews mention that the ST50/GT50/VT50 have much improved brightness that really makes the image 'pop', does the UT50 have this brightness/pop aswell?


also, I read in a couple of places that the UT50 uses a last gen panel, any truth to this? I don't really see how it could, seeing as it does have the focused field drive system.
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post #268 of 2507
5/15/12 at 9:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

It can't possibly be caused by the filter causing that issue. If it were, it would also be doing it at 1080i and 1080p, not just 720p. And it would have been happening to the 2011 models which also had the Louvre Filter as well as the Samsungs which have a similar Louvre Filter. Other than these few reports, i haven't seen any other such complaints.


This is possible. More data and more examples are needed if it's to be investigated further.


I've done a lot of experimenting with different signals on each of my HD TVs over the years as well as the TVs i've set up for other people, and a 720p signal always looks softer than the same content at 1080i. When i set the Cable Boxes/Satellite Receivers/DVRs/Tivos etc to 1080i Fixed the 720p channels and 1080i channels all look crisper with a lot more detail. When i set them to output 720p Fixed that same content now looks soft and mushy and the crisp detail i saw at 1080i is now soft and a lot less detailed (blades of grass, close up of a watch movement, facial details like stubble and zits, etc). Once i demonstrate this to people they do see the difference and most people want me to leave it at 1080i Fixed to get the extra detail. A few people (like my "wife") actually prefer the softer look of the 720p signal.

Every single TV i've done acts like this to some extent or another. I'm wondering that since these new 2012 panels are so much more accurate than prior models then maybe they're just amplifying the difference between the 720p and 1080i signals that i see on all the other HD TVs.

If anyone is having the 720p Mush issue, i'd try changing the signal of the source (if possible) from 720p to 1080i and re-watch the same content and see if that reduces or eliminates the "mushy" effect. I understand this isn't possible on some games which are fixed at 720p, but virtually all other sources have the ability to set the output resolution to 1080i Fixed. I just switched my Tivo back to 720p Fixed while typing this and the morning news is instantly softer and lacking detail on my G10 and small LED LCD TV by my desk (both are fed with a Geffen HDMI splitter). Facial detail is gone at 720p, but is restored at 1080i.

Thanks for the insight Randy. The PS3 is capable of software upscaling to 1080p for a few games, so I've tried it with Uncharted 3, which is capable of it. Upscaled to 1080p using the PS3, it looks unbelievable. When it reverts to 720p, it looks good but not as stunning, obviously.

To be honest, I think I'm totally blowing this issue out of proportion because my last set was a Sharp 32 inch fully array LED LCD, and going to a 50 inch Plasma is a HUGE difference, not even just better, a totally different look. I'm wondering if I'm looking for detail in the 720p source that is simply not there, and when I think it's there on my 32 inch set, it's just artifacting mistaken for detail as a result of an overly sharp image.
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post #269 of 2507
5/15/12 at 9:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by William_D View Post

alot of people and reviews mention that the ST50/GT50/VT50 have much improved brightness that really makes the image 'pop', does the UT50 have this brightness/pop aswell?


also, I read in a couple of places that the UT50 uses a last gen panel, any truth to this? I don't really see how it could, seeing as it does have the focused field drive system.

I've seen the UT50 in stores in a dim showroom and it indeed seems to have the same light output as the step up models, but it lacks the filter. If you plan on putting the UT50 in a dim room and don't care about advanced calibration, I don't see why you would choose the ST50 or higher over the UT50.
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post #270 of 2507
5/15/12 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan134 View Post


I've seen the UT50 in stores in a dim showroom and it indeed seems to have the same light output as the step up models, but it lacks the filter. If you plan on putting the UT50 in a dim room and don't care about advanced calibration, I don't see why you would choose the ST50 or higher over the UT50.

From what I understood it just lacks the pro menu,but can still be fully calibrated via the service menu. Is this not correct?
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