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Official Panasonic VT50 owners thread - Page 174

post #5191 of 12311
I think i will drop Dish Network soon because I find myself rarely ever using it. I mainly watch Blu Ray movies or Netflix and Hulu. I could always just torrent my favorite tv shows anyways, then again I will have to since dish dropped AMC, so no Walking Dead.mad.gif
post #5192 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

2. Amazing quality. The streaming 1080p is extremely sharp. I seriously don't know why any of you pay for cable anymore.

Because the available content is much more limited.

Michael
post #5193 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael2000 View Post

Because the available content is much more limited.
Michael
How limited are we talking about here?

Like Netflix limited or...
post #5194 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

2. Amazing quality. The streaming 1080p is extremely sharp. I seriously don't know why any of you pay for cable anymore.

We are clearly stupid and are more interested in the actual content we want to watch over some ethereal search for picture quality.
post #5195 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adamd View Post

Is there any vt50 owners here that went from a st to vt? If so how do u compare them?

I also wonder this too ... I think I have decided to go with the GT if anything but wondering the gap between a VT and an ST as far as PQ OOTB (I wont ever do any kind of calibration, just tweak the settings is all) on regular HD cable shows and Sports?

Also I use Comcast for my cable service via a TiVo Premier box ... does this give a good picture on these 65XX50 Panny TV's or should I be looking for a better source like say DTV? (I just want the best digital picture and the best source feed for my shows and sports so I wont see any kind of ghosting or what not like I did on my 70" Sharp that I just returned)
post #5196 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Famouss View Post

I think i will drop Dish Network soon because I find myself rarely ever using it. I mainly watch Blu Ray movies or Netflix and Hulu. I could always just torrent my favorite tv shows anyways, then again I will have to since dish dropped AMC, so no Walking Dead.mad.gif

I dropped cable about 6 months ago and have not missed it at all, but then I am not a fan of network TV or sports.
post #5197 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by rogo View Post

We are clearly stupid and are more interested in the actual content we want to watch over some ethereal search for picture quality.

No, you're not stupid. Just ignorant of what's possible with a Roku/AppleTV/etc. The coverage you get with Hulu+, Netflix, and local channels (which we all get if we pay for cable internet) is amazing, and the quality is tangibly *better* than anything that gets pooped out of a cable box, which matters a lot for giant plasmas like the 65" VT50.

Your response wasn't surprising in the least. This is definitely an age/demographics thing. I work in the tech industry, and virtually no-one that I know under the age of 35-40 pays for cable. Everybody has setups involving some sort of on-demand IP-based content. We think you'd be crazy to pay $100+/mo for a crapload of channels, only to have 90% of them be terrible. The broadcast model is dead too- nobody wants to watch anything live anymore, so they become slaves to their DVR. However, ask someone above 40, and they have no idea how we can live without it, despite the rampant price fixing, terrible content/$ ratio and nasty channel packaging practices, and overly-compressed video. They pay for it because it's what they're used to- that's it. It's a business model that will ultimately die with a generation of people. It's already long dead with mine.

Anyway, sorry to go so off-topic. It sort of ties in here with the complaints that the VT50 doesn't handle processing of garbage video well- I predict that with the death of traditional broadcast TV (as we know it), "televisions" as we know them today will die off. Instead, we'll be likely be buying "monitors" that perform virtually zero processing. And I can't wait for this to happen.
post #5198 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

No, you're not stupid. Just ignorant of what's possible with a Roku/AppleTV/etc. The coverage you get with Hulu+, Netflix, and local channels (which we all get if we pay for cable internet) is amazing, and the quality is tangibly *better* than anything that gets pooped out of a cable box, which matters a lot for giant plasmas like the 65" VT50.
Your response wasn't surprising in the least. This is definitely an age/demographics thing. I work in the tech industry, and virtually no-one that I know under the age of 35-40 pays for cable. Everybody has setups involving some sort of on-demand IP-based content. We think you'd be crazy to pay $100+/mo for a crapload of channels, only to have 90% of them be terrible. The broadcast model is dead too- nobody wants to watch anything live anymore, so they become slaves to their DVR. However, ask someone above 40, and they have no idea how we can live without it, despite the rampant price fixing, terrible content/$ ratio and nasty channel packaging practices, and overly-compressed video. They pay for it because it's what they're used to- that's it. It's a business model that will ultimately die with a generation of people. It's already long dead with mine.
Anyway, sorry to go so off-topic. It sort of ties in here with the complaints that the VT50 doesn't handle processing of garbage video well- I predict that with the death of traditional broadcast TV (as we know it), "televisions" as we know them today will die off. Instead, we'll be likely be buying "monitors" that perform virtually zero processing. And I can't wait for this to happen.

I'm interested in the specific details of the setup you use - the devices, subscriptions, services, cost, etc., that enable you to get what you want without Cable.

I'm over 60, but still a geek at heart, so have no problem 'entertaining' new notions of how to get my entertainment content. So what are you able to get, at what cost, and how do you get it? And what, if anything, are you not getting, that is available through Cable?

I'm currently with TWC, and now have Netflix with my VT50, an Amazon Prime subscription, use VuDu occasionally, etc. But I'd have no qualms about getting rid of TWC if I can still get what I want, when I want it (live viewing options under your system?), at cheaper cost.

Thanks.
post #5199 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

No, you're not stupid. Just ignorant of what's possible with a Roku/AppleTV/etc. The coverage you get with Hulu+, Netflix, and local channels (which we all get if we pay for cable internet) is amazing, and the quality is tangibly *better* than anything that gets pooped out of a cable box, which matters a lot for giant plasmas like the 65" VT50.
Your response wasn't surprising in the least. This is definitely an age/demographics thing. I work in the tech industry, and virtually no-one that I know under the age of 35-40 pays for cable. Everybody has setups involving some sort of on-demand IP-based content. We think you'd be crazy to pay $100+/mo for a crapload of channels, only to have 90% of them be terrible. The broadcast model is dead too- nobody wants to watch anything live anymore, so they become slaves to their DVR. However, ask someone above 40, and they have no idea how we can live without it, despite the rampant price fixing, terrible content/$ ratio and nasty channel packaging practices, and overly-compressed video. They pay for it because it's what they're used to- that's it. It's a business model that will ultimately die with a generation of people. It's already long dead with mine.
Anyway, sorry to go so off-topic. It sort of ties in here with the complaints that the VT50 doesn't handle processing of garbage video well- I predict that with the death of traditional broadcast TV (as we know it), "televisions" as we know them today will die off. Instead, we'll be likely be buying "monitors" that perform virtually zero processing. And I can't wait for this to happen.

Hey! Did you read my post above? I'm well over forty. smile.gif
post #5200 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by rogo View Post

We are clearly stupid and are more interested in the actual content we want to watch over some ethereal search for picture quality.

No, you're not stupid. Just ignorant of what's possible with a Roku/AppleTV/etc. The coverage you get with Hulu+, Netflix, and local channels (which we all get if we pay for cable internet) is amazing, and the quality is tangibly *better* than anything that gets pooped out of a cable box, which matters a lot for giant plasmas like the 65" VT50.

Your response wasn't surprising in the least. This is definitely an age/demographics thing. I work in the tech industry, and virtually no-one that I know under the age of 35-40 pays for cable. Everybody has setups involving some sort of on-demand IP-based content. We think you'd be crazy to pay $100+/mo for a crapload of channels, only to have 90% of them be terrible. The broadcast model is dead too- nobody wants to watch anything live anymore, so they become slaves to their DVR. However, ask someone above 40, and they have no idea how we can live without it, despite the rampant price fixing, terrible content/$ ratio and nasty channel packaging practices, and overly-compressed video. They pay for it because it's what they're used to- that's it. It's a business model that will ultimately die with a generation of people. It's already long dead with mine.

Anyway, sorry to go so off-topic. It sort of ties in here with the complaints that the VT50 doesn't handle processing of garbage video well- I predict that with the death of traditional broadcast TV (as we know it), "televisions" as we know them today will die off. Instead, we'll be likely be buying "monitors" that perform virtually zero processing. And I can't wait for this to happen.

Ignorance is abundant as of late. There are no grouping of streaming services that would accommodate many of our wants in terms of content that we may like to view, regardless of your opinion as to what is considered "good" content. Sure, I can wait a year or two and hope that they add season 5 of Breaking Bad to Netflix, or I can just watch it........ um.... now. Apple TV is quite good in some respects, but it is still subscription driven, pay per view driven and also still quite limited. While something like it may be the future, it is definitely not ready to take over the world. While I applaud your forward thinking, you are still a couple of years ahead of yourself. Plus anything that requires the use of itunes can go take a flying you know what IMO. I have a phobia about anything Apple because many users are just like Jeep owners that all have to wave as they drive by each other with " I hate Bush" bumper stickers.

I may be inclined to call someone out-gunned for not having every available content at their disposal. I enjoy everything that you do. But I still have Directv. I find Roku, Netflix, Amazon, and to an extent apple TV to be convenient novelties with extremely limited selection. And the claim of 100% superiority in terms of PQ is not accurate as an across the board statement. I find your claims of streaming superiority to be exaggerated and naive. And please do not speak for me by saying "we" as an under 40 person that works in the tech industry. I am happy to wax intellectual about tech any time you like.

But once the old "people" finally die (40 is coming up for me), you will be able to make the world a better but limited content streaming only world.

BTW, I do not pay $70 (not over $100) for hundreds of crap channels. I pay $70 for a hand full of excellent channels that are not mimicked (for free) in the streaming world.

While I am watching my Denver Broncos in quite good HD while also having PIP for the other games, you can watch re-runs of Scrubs on Netflix.

I have an idea, let's actually respect other forum members choices and share ideas instead.
Edited by TopperMcFly - 8/3/12 at 7:56am
post #5201 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

No, you're not stupid. Just ignorant of what's possible with a Roku/AppleTV/etc. The coverage you get with Hulu+, Netflix, and local channels (which we all get if we pay for cable internet) is amazing, and the quality is tangibly *better* than anything that gets pooped out of a cable box, which matters a lot for giant plasmas like the 65" VT50.
Your response wasn't surprising in the least. This is definitely an age/demographics thing. I work in the tech industry, and virtually no-one that I know under the age of 35-40 pays for cable. Everybody has setups involving some sort of on-demand IP-based content. We think you'd be crazy to pay $100+/mo for a crapload of channels, only to have 90% of them be terrible. The broadcast model is dead too- nobody wants to watch anything live anymore, so they become slaves to their DVR. However, ask someone above 40, and they have no idea how we can live without it, despite the rampant price fixing, terrible content/$ ratio and nasty channel packaging practices, and overly-compressed video. They pay for it because it's what they're used to- that's it. It's a business model that will ultimately die with a generation of people. It's already long dead with mine.

I'm over 40, and I'd love to get rid of Dish and got OTA+streaming, I've tried. I tried Roku, ATV, WDTV devices. Those three all had drawbacks that kept me from being completely happy with them. I ended up going with an HTPC with XBMC + Viera apps. That gave me Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime and Rhapsody plus local playback of my BR rips along with a ton of streaming services on the XBMC.There's a few problems that get in the way of it being a complete solution though:

1) I can't get three of our local sports teams without a subscription to a cable/sat network. MLB.TV blacks out local games when they're live, there's ZERO NFL Streaming, and PAC-10 hasn't figured out how to offer streaming services that are worth a crap. I have a family, so sitting in bars all weekend to watch sports is not an option anymore.
2) I can't get an OTA signal. The nearest tower is 70 miles with trees and hills in the way. Even with a 50' mast the signal is weak out here.

The funny part is I can get some serious bandwidth, so I COULD stream to every TV in the house if I wanted to.

Glad it works for and your friends though, call me when you have a solution for me. You'll have to speak loudly though, us old folks are a little hard of hearing.
post #5202 of 12311
You know, you get over 100 channels and yet it seems like nothing good is on to watch from time to time.
Reply
Reply
post #5203 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma View Post

You know, you get over 100 channels and yet it seems like nothing good is on to watch from time to time.

For sure, that is why I just got the HR32. I watch many shows that are not streamed and I enjoy being able to sit down and watch them at will. But yes, the majority of channels are worthless. We are clearly headed in a streaming direction, but it is just not ready for the prime time yet as a one stop shop alternative. I am lucky enough to be able to pay far more than I should to cover all of my content bases. Unfortunately, that still requires a provider like Directv. Otherwise I am unacceptably gimped in terms of access to everything I require.
post #5204 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma View Post

You know, you get over 100 channels and yet it seems like nothing good is on to watch from time to time.

I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
With a truckload of hundred thousand dollar bills
Man came by to hook up my cable TV
We settled in for the night my baby and me
We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn
There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on

Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
A message came back from the great beyond
There's fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on

Well we might'a made some friends with some billionaires
We might'a got all nice and friendly if we'd made it upstairs
All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John
Our love's fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
(Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on)

So I bought a .44 magnum, it was solid steel cast
And in the blessed name of Elvis well I just let it blast
'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet
And they busted me for disturbin' the almighty peace
Judge said "What you got in your defense son?"
"Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on

I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and...
post #5205 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLCPhoto View Post

I'm interested in the specific details of the setup you use - the devices, subscriptions, services, cost, etc., that enable you to get what you want without Cable.
I'm over 60, but still a geek at heart, so have no problem 'entertaining' new notions of how to get my entertainment content. So what are you able to get, at what cost, and how do you get it? And what, if anything, are you not getting, that is available through Cable?
I'm currently with TWC, and now have Netflix with my VT50, an Amazon Prime subscription, use VuDu occasionally, etc. But I'd have no qualms about getting rid of TWC if I can still get what I want, when I want it (live viewing options under your system?), at cheaper cost.
Thanks.

As of today, I use the following for content:

Hulu Plus (Apple TV) $8/mo.
Netflix Streaming (Apple TV) $8/mo.
Amazon Prime (used rarely, but incl with my Prime membership) (Xbox 360/VT50) (I consider this free)
HD Local Channels (NBC, ABC, CBS) that come over my cable (cable internet), plugged directly into the VT50. (I consider this free)
Vimeo/Youtube (Apple TV) (free)
iTunes, for the occasional show that I can't get on Hulu, or new release movie. (Apple TV) (pay per view)
TONS of Blu Rays- SlickDeals.net is my homepage. Virtually 100% of the Blu Rays that I get are <$10 from Amazon prime.

Things I'm looking into adding:
NHL streaming (Apple TV)

Depending on how you look at it, at a minimum I pay $16/mo, excluding my internet fees and Amazon Prime membership. There are definitely coverage holes- sports is of course a big one (I'm a huge college basketball/football fan), unless it's on a local station. However, this has pushed my friends and I to more frequently meet up at sports bars and at other people's houses (the rare ones who do still pay for cable) for such events. It's been a lot of fun.

And I want to be clear in saying that I didn't intend my comments regarding age to be offensive- it's just an observation of trends that I see. There are definitely exceptions to the rule, including my own grandfather. He's in his late 80's and cut the cord a while ago, and streams more content with more exotic setups than I could ever dream of. Take a retired engineer, and add tons of time + curiosity, and the results can be impressive smile.gif.
post #5206 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma View Post

You know, you get over 100 channels and yet it seems like nothing good is on to watch from time to time.

Bingo. You nailed it on the head.
post #5207 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by robnix View Post

I'm over 40, and I'd love to get rid of Dish and got OTA+streaming, I've tried. I tried Roku, ATV, WDTV devices. Those three all had drawbacks that kept me from being completely happy with them. I ended up going with an HTPC with XBMC + Viera apps. That gave me Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime and Rhapsody plus local playback of my BR rips along with a ton of streaming services on the XBMC.There's a few problems that get in the way of it being a complete solution though:
1) I can't get three of our local sports teams without a subscription to a cable/sat network. MLB.TV blacks out local games when they're live, there's ZERO NFL Streaming, and PAC-10 hasn't figured out how to offer streaming services that are worth a crap. I have a family, so sitting in bars all weekend to watch sports is not an option anymore.
2) I can't get an OTA signal. The nearest tower is 70 miles with trees and hills in the way. Even with a 50' mast the signal is weak out here.
The funny part is I can get some serious bandwidth, so I COULD stream to every TV in the house if I wanted to.
Glad it works for and your friends though, call me when you have a solution for me. You'll have to speak loudly though, us old folks are a little hard of hearing.

Yes, you definitely make solid points for the hardcore sports fan. As I said in another post, the solution for the cord-cutter (for now) is to embrace sports bars and meeting up with friends more often. I've actually really enjoyed this. If you're desperate though, you can often find live streams of games, though their legality is questionable.

One day sports will be streamed in HD. There is no technical reason why they can't today. It's all business models. When television ad revenue for games begins to plummet, we'll see the inevitable move to online streaming. It's not a matter of if, but when.
post #5208 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

Yes, you definitely make solid points for the hardcore sports fan. As I said in another post, the solution for the cord-cutter (for now) is to embrace sports bars and meeting up with friends more often. I've actually really enjoyed this. If you're desperate though, you can often find live streams of games, though their legality is questionable.
One day sports will be streamed in HD. There is no technical reason why they can't today. It's all business models. When television ad revenue for games begins to plummet, we'll see the inevitable move to online streaming. It's not a matter of if, but when.

Like I said, hanging out in a sports bar all day with kids is not my style. I used to do it, and really enjoyed it, but now I'd rather hang out with the family and friends at home and watch. Those live streams, I've tried them, look pretty lousy on a 65" TV.

It'll be a LONG time before you see sports streamed in HD with the same level of access that you have with broadcast/sub networks. There's too much money wrapped around that exclusivity.
post #5209 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopperMcFly View Post

Ignorance is abundant as of late. There are no grouping of streaming services that would accommodate many of our wants in terms of content that we may like to view, regardless of your opinion as to what is considered "good" content. Sure, I can wait a year or two and hope that they add season 5 of Breaking Bad to Netflix, or I can just watch it........ um.... now. Apple TV is quite good in some respects, but it is still subscription driven, pay per view driven and also still quite limited. While something like it may be the future, it is definitely not ready to take over the world. While I applaud your forward thinking, you are still a couple of years ahead of yourself. Plus anything that requires the use of itunes can go take a flying you know what IMO. I have a phobia about anything Apple because many users are just like Jeep owners that all have to wave as they drive by each other with " I hate Bush" bumper stickers.
I may be inclined to call someone out-gunned for not having every available content at their disposal. I enjoy everything that you do. But I still have Directv. I find Roku, Netflix, Amazon, and to an extent apple TV to be convenient novelties with extremely limited selection. And the claim of 100% superiority in terms of PQ is not accurate as an across the board statement. I find your claims of streaming superiority to be exaggerated and naive. And please do not speak for me by saying "we" as an under 40 person that works in the tech industry. I am happy to wax intellectual about tech any time you like.
But once the old "people" finally die (40 is coming up for me), you will be able to make the world a better but limited content streaming only world.
BTW, I do not pay $70 (not over $100) for hundreds of crap channels. I pay $70 for a hand full of excellent channels that are not mimicked (for free) in the streaming world.
While I am watching my Denver Broncos in quite good HD while also having PIP for the other games, you can watch re-runs of Scrubs on Netflix.
I have an idea, let's actually respect other forum members choices and share ideas instead.

You can of course pay a huge premium to watch shows on premium channels, like Breaking Bad, but that doesn't change the fact that I think you're crazy for throwing money away like that. I recently discovered Breaking Bad on Netflix, and I've still got a huge list of episodes to work through. I've never been the kind of person who has to see a movie on an opening night, either. But hey, PLEASE keep paying an excessive premium for mediocre content. You're quite possibly helping keep their industry afloat for the rest of us.

Ultimately, you're still are paying that $70/mo. for hundreds of crap channels, whether you like it or not. If TV channels were offered a la carte, this would be a completely different conversation. Give me all of my local channels, HBO, ShowTime, ESPN(s), History Channel and Discovery, AMC, etc. and I'd probably pay $30/mo. for just that. Even still, I'd probably be on the fence since an 100% IP, on-demand model is long overdue.

I suppose the other big difference with my generation and demographic (and especially with kids just coming into their 20's now) is that we watch a hell of a lot LESS TV. Again, most of it is crap. I can pay almost an order of magnitude LESS for my content and have wayyyyyyy more than enough to keep me entertained.

One huge sticking point (IMO) is the quality (or lack thereof) of streaming content and the interfaces on most devices. The built-in apps on the VT50, IMO, are terrible. The UI stinks. Samsung and LG are not much different. The only two that I've seen get it right are the Apple TV and the Xbox 360. The apps are fluid, reliable, fast, and pump out beautiful 1080p without a hiccup. The rest of the pack has a long way to go to catch up.
post #5210 of 12311
Wow this place has really gone in the crapper.
Now we have members telling us how to spend our money and if we don't spend it the way they think we should then we're "crazy".
This community used to be about people helping people. Now I see so much bigoted, judgmental, and intolerant people telling others how to live their lives.
Supposedly this is AVS Forum. It's about audio visual sciences.
post #5211 of 12311
I guess now that they have fixed the VT50 there is nothing more to talk about here.wink.gif
post #5212 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by TopperMcFly View Post

Ignorance is abundant as of late. There are no grouping of streaming services that would accommodate many of our wants in terms of content that we may like to view, regardless of your opinion as to what is considered "good" content. Sure, I can wait a year or two and hope that they add season 5 of Breaking Bad to Netflix, or I can just watch it........ um.... now. Apple TV is quite good in some respects, but it is still subscription driven, pay per view driven and also still quite limited. While something like it may be the future, it is definitely not ready to take over the world. While I applaud your forward thinking, you are still a couple of years ahead of yourself. Plus anything that requires the use of itunes can go take a flying you know what IMO. I have a phobia about anything Apple because many users are just like Jeep owners that all have to wave as they drive by each other with " I hate Bush" bumper stickers.
I may be inclined to call someone out-gunned for not having every available content at their disposal. I enjoy everything that you do. But I still have Directv. I find Roku, Netflix, Amazon, and to an extent apple TV to be convenient novelties with extremely limited selection. And the claim of 100% superiority in terms of PQ is not accurate as an across the board statement. I find your claims of streaming superiority to be exaggerated and naive. And please do not speak for me by saying "we" as an under 40 person that works in the tech industry. I am happy to wax intellectual about tech any time you like.
But once the old "people" finally die (40 is coming up for me), you will be able to make the world a better but limited content streaming only world.
BTW, I do not pay $70 (not over $100) for hundreds of crap channels. I pay $70 for a hand full of excellent channels that are not mimicked (for free) in the streaming world.
While I am watching my Denver Broncos in quite good HD while also having PIP for the other games, you can watch re-runs of Scrubs on Netflix.
I have an idea, let's actually respect other forum members choices and share ideas instead.

You can of course pay a huge premium to watch shows on premium channels, like Breaking Bad, but that doesn't change the fact that I think you're crazy for throwing money away like that. I recently discovered Breaking Bad on Netflix, and I've still got a huge list of episodes to work through. I've never been the kind of person who has to see a movie on an opening night, either. But hey, PLEASE keep paying an excessive premium for mediocre content. You're quite possibly helping keep their industry afloat for the rest of us.

Ultimately, you're still are paying that $70/mo. for hundreds of crap channels, whether you like it or not. If TV channels were offered a la carte, this would be a completely different conversation. Give me all of my local channels, HBO, ShowTime, ESPN(s), History Channel and Discovery, AMC, etc. and I'd probably pay $30/mo. for just that. Even still, I'd probably be on the fence since an 100% IP, on-demand model is long overdue.

I suppose the other big difference with my generation and demographic (and especially with kids just coming into their 20's now) is that we watch a hell of a lot LESS TV. Again, most of it is crap. I can pay almost an order of magnitude LESS for my content and have wayyyyyyy more than enough to keep me entertained.

One huge sticking point (IMO) is the quality (or lack thereof) of streaming content and the interfaces on most devices. The built-in apps on the VT50, IMO, are terrible. The UI stinks. Samsung and LG are not much different. The only two that I've seen get it right are the Apple TV and the Xbox 360. The apps are fluid, reliable, fast, and pump out beautiful 1080p without a hiccup. The rest of the pack has a long way to go to catch up.

Well, I guess starving children might say you are throwing away $79 a year for faster shipping, or $16/month for streaming sloppy seconds. And your generation may watch less TV but they seem to have no problem texting in the middle of a restaurant, or while driving, or while someone is trying to have a conversation with them, or when standing in line, or when watching TV, ............ But they don't text all the time. Sometimes they play World of Warcraft for 18 hours at a time or some other mind enriching game. And there is youtube to save the day. Sometimes I cant get enough of that. I don't really feel that way about an entire generation, but I figured I would give mass labeling a shot. I don't think it is working for me.

Again thanks for your summation of how other people spend their money.

BTW, two nights of a few drinks and a dinner at a sports bar pays for my Directv. But I would guess the previously mentioned starving children would label both of us as big time A holes.


Can we get back to the VT please?
Edited by TopperMcFly - 8/3/12 at 9:24am
post #5213 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by mnc View Post

I guess now that they have fixed the VT50 there is nothing more to talk about here.wink.gif

As funny as that sounds, I am having a hard time trying to come up with something that has not been covered!

I guess I could mention that I am not seeing a noticeable shift in PQ with the implementaion of functional luminance controls.

Also, I watched the Hurt Locker yesterday. Great movie, but I gotta say, I am not a big fan of infused film grain. I do understand how it adds to the grit of the film but it also spells massive dithering.
post #5214 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmwilker View Post

Wow this place has really gone in the crapper.
Now we have members telling us how to spend our money and if we don't spend it the way they think we should then we're "crazy".
This community used to be about people helping people. Now I see so much bigoted, judgmental, and intolerant people telling others how to live their lives.
Supposedly this is AVS Forum. It's about audio visual sciences.

Wow, a little hyperbolic don't you think? Topper's feathers tend to get ruffled easily and things tend to spiral out of control. Tons of people were complaining about the quality of their cable signal on the VT50, and I make one comment about how it's difficult for me to understand how you guys pay for something that you complain about so much. Garbage in, garbage out.
post #5215 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmwilker View Post

Wow this place has really gone in the crapper.
Now we have members telling us how to spend our money and if we don't spend it the way they think we should then we're "crazy".
This community used to be about people helping people. Now I see so much bigoted, judgmental, and intolerant people telling others how to live their lives.
Supposedly this is AVS Forum. It's about audio visual sciences.

Wow, a little hyperbolic don't you think? Topper's feathers tend to get ruffled easily and things tend to spiral out of control. Tons of people were complaining about the quality of their cable signal on the VT50, and I make one comment about how it's difficult for me to understand how you guys pay for something that you complain about so much. Garbage in, garbage out.

Yeah, I do that. It is quite bad manners. I still think you were overly judgemental, and I find myself oddly and overly protective of Rogo tongue.gif. But I will take my licks for adding C4 to the conversation. My feathers are fully de-ruffled. I would have a beer with ya anytime. We could talk tech smack and hoot it up. wink.gif

I used to own a Jeep and waved at other jeeps. But if you tell anyone, I will flat out deny it.
post #5216 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by JewDaddy View Post

Wow. I'm surprised to hear you guys saying that. Not sure where you saw the movie or what screen it was on but I went to an IMAX to watch it and the picture looked incredible. There are two types of IMAX Screens from what I understand. The regular size IMAX (which is still huge) and the really big IMAX screen, which are only located in certain areas. I drove four hours out of my way to see it at a huge imax screen in Nashville and it was AMAZING. I will agree though on the non-imax scenes, the picture was a little muddled and soft. But once it switched over to the scenes filmed with IMAX Cameras, it looked incredible. Better than any home display I've yet to see. Color, Clarity, Black Levels, Shadow Detail, everything. For those of you who haven't seen it in IMAX yet, please do yourself a favor and get the full experience that Christopher Nolan intended.

You are talking two different kinds of theaters. The standard huge size screen is the IMAX, The screen that completely surrounds you is called an OMNIMAX. The OMNIMAX theaters are located special places like the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.
post #5217 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest261 View Post

Wow, a little hyperbolic don't you think? Topper's feathers tend to get ruffled easily and things tend to spiral out of control. Tons of people were complaining about the quality of their cable signal on the VT50, and I make one comment about how it's difficult for me to understand how you guys pay for something that you complain about so much. Garbage in, garbage out.

Hyperbolic, yes. But the bigoted, judgmental, and intolerant part no. You saying it is difficult to understand has a much different tone than saying you are crazy for....
I have never thought the image on my panel was soft. I do see motion artifacts at times but I am very pleased with the quality of service I have from the cable company.
BTW I would have cut the cord years ago if it weren't for sports. And yes I spend a ton on my cable service.
post #5218 of 12311
Quote:
[Quote:
Originally Posted by Roxme

You guys crack me up.
Got an observation that some may have made previous. My P55VT50 is about 350 hours old and get better every day. But the dithering thing you guys were discussing is noticable on my AT&T U-verse STB, moreso on some broadcasts than others (Zero sharpness setting, all output in 1080i, for both component and HDMI inputs; I use both on occassion).
Well, okay, I'm getting use to it since I know this VT50 can do so much better. For example, HBO's Game of Thrones is SPECTACULAR, while local HD primetime broadcasts are not so much. And, of course BD is totally awesome, as is most SD DVD material.

Hope that made sense. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

From Ice that Jaw:
Where you watching it in HD? I have the first season on DVD and it's looks as good as any mid-tier blu-ray transfer upscaled to 1080p. Boardwalk Empire on DVD is the same. I'm sure the Blu-ray version are even better but I was pretty damn amazed at the DVD quality on this TV./QUOTE]

Yes, all 1080i HD signals form the AT&T STB. One other observation I made when watching the Today Show the other day, switching to the attic antenna eliminated 99% of the dithering or softness. Seriously, I don't think this an issue with the set itself and at its worst, the picture from all sources is lightyears better than any other sets in my experience.

Edited by Roxme - 8/3/12 at 9:53am
post #5219 of 12311
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopperMcFly View Post

Yeah, I do that. It is quite bad manners. I still think you were overly judgemental, and I find myself oddly and overly protective of Rogo tongue.gif. But I will take my licks for adding C4 to the conversation. My feathers are fully de-ruffled. I would have a beer with ya anytime. We could talk tech smack and hoot it up. wink.gif
I used to own a Jeep and waved at other jeeps. But if you tell anyone, I will flat out deny it.

Fair enough smile.gif
post #5220 of 12311
I don't think a discussion of converting to viewing streaming content only can be complete without a discussion of bandwidth caps. If you don't have them today, you're gonna. And the cost of your internet service has to be factored into the cost of the individual streaming providers....
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