Official Panasonic VT50 owners thread - Page 275

On a side note, I'm wondering if people here can comment on my issues. Here is my situation, I had a VT50 that developed two dead pixels and then one that started flashing green. Panasonic deemed this as a defect and replaced the panel. The tv I received is starting to act even worse and I've yet to be able to get them to just agree to swap it. Do you think this set is worth replacing, the issues are:

1) Vertical lines running all through the screen, about 12 - 15 of them in total, including a really bad one on the righ hand side of the screen (banding). First VT50 did not have any of these lines. Really noticeable on color slides and white scrolling bar sweep. Have noticed the occasional time in regular content.

2) Flashing/flickering picture. Not the strobe lights from sports, but while watching a movie the picture will flash or flicker a few times. Have seen this on Bluray, satellite, and PS3, all different inputs. Noticed on Bluray during the Dark Knight Rises and did not have that issue on my 3 year old Panasonic entry level plasma that I have, so it is not a source issue.

3) Picture becoming darker with time. When I initially turn on the tv, the picture quality is right where it should be in my opinion. After a few hours though, the picture has become noticeably darker. This is easily noticed with my satellite guide as the colors have become quite a bit darker then when initally turned on. CATS is turned off.

This tv is an October build which I only have had for about 4 weeks. Have an A board replacement coming up, but hoping they end up deciding after that or before that to just replace the panel again. 3 seperate issues in 4 weeks is not a good track record for what else may develop.

Mark-B, In my experience with the right hand side banding/dark band, changing out the "A" board did nothing. They changed the board out and tried adjusting voltages but did nothing so Panasonic gave me an in store credit for the 65VT50(July build). My current ST50(October -2 version) has the same as what you are talking about across the screen(bunch of darker bars/bands), I can see it with the white sweep and I don't think it will go away or get better with time. Plus it has the trademark right hand side vertical band.

My VT50 is pretty accuratately calibrated, the problem for me was that the IMAX scenes were spectacular, which really highlighted the flaws in the 35mm scenes.

What do you mean by an in store credit? They gave you money towards getting another one, or did a replacement? With my first replacement, they game the dealer the money for it and had them swap it after that.

Ok I will try that. The eyes of people on the screen is pretty blurry and dark when they are zoomed out. Hopefully Darblet box helps fix that problem or I might have to look into calibration.

Ditto. TDKR was awesome on the VT50, but it actually highlighted the differences between 35mm and IMAX. I take that as a good thing!

All,

Been a short time reader. Recently bought the 65" VT50 from Best Buy as a xmas gift for the parents and was finally received today. I'm currently breaking it in. But as I was running the slides, unfortunately I came across a stuck/dead red pixel, similar to stevel's post. The green and blue slides illuminate the same pixel fine, but it has issues only with red. All other colors are fine.

When I was sealing the deal for the price match with the BB manager, he confirmed I can return the unit for any reason on or before Jan 24. I really like the picture quality and am afraid that if I tell them the real reason to exchange it (stuck/dead pixel), they may not honor that and can only offer me a return & refund. I would rather just make up some BS that the parents were disappointed in the picture/sound quality and would like to exchange it for another unit. Otherwise, I may just return it for a refund and start the painful process all over again.

Thoughts? Appreciate any input.

They will have no problem returning. You can always give them a call before making the trip. I would return it. I know someone who had a issue with 3 TV's in a row with dead pixel's, and Best buy even said he can keep bringing them back until he gets a panel with no dead or stuck pixels.

65" VT50 arrived today, and I'm starting the break-in process. First observations: no bad pixels; yes on light buzz on the brightest white slides but definitely don't hear it in the viewing position; no obvious fan noise. One thing I did notice is the gap on the right edge between where the "lit" pixels stop and the frame begins. Actually, I see the same thing across the top to a lesser degree. Assume this is just normal for this set? And yes, pixel orbiter is off, Aspect is set to Screen - Full, HD size 2.

I did watch some 3D and it was pretty poor compared to my Samsung LED. I'm using my Samsung glasses, which activated and brought the picture into focus but just didn't get the real 3D effect. I guess I'll need to buy a pair of Panny glasses to see if that makes a difference. Has anyone else used Samsung active glasses with their VT50?

Can't wait for break in to be completed and the set to get calibrated. I've seen this panel shine at Magnolia and it's just a matter of time (I hope) until my panel matches what I know this one is capable of.

Mark_b, they basically gave the store I bought it at which is Visions Electronics here in Canada full credit for the defective TV so I got an in store credit for the full amount that I paid to do whatever I wanted with it. Not 100% sure how it works between Panasonic and the store behind the scenes for the credit. I did try other Panasonic's but I am going to be trying a Samsung now due to screen uniformity issues and buzzing.

The lines that present themselves on the right hand side of the Panasonic Tv's look like just a lighter line but I have attached a picture that has been enhanced to show what that vertical line on the right hand side is kind of what appears to me to be a blotch/blob/ something wrong with the coating. There is a smaller blotch on the upper left hand side too. This is the Tv that Panasonic ended up replacing. This tv seemed to really get a lot worse all of a sudden in the 300-400 hour range.




Edited by TommmyJ - 12/13/12 at 1:52pm

How did you enhance the pic to show the defects? I try to take a picture of mine but it won't pick up the lines, but they are easily visible in person. Which Visions store did you get the tv from? That's the same place I got mine. What happened with your replacement tv? Is Visions letting you return it or is it another store credit thing with Panasonic?

I can't remember what the software was but likely just about any photo type software will do(may have even been something in Windows), just try adjusting the sliders( I can't remember which settings I used). You will likely see what the defects on your tv really look like . I know it is hard to show the defects so people can see and understand what you are referring to as a problem but this helps bring it out so it is visible. I think it is something with the coating or something when it is applied. Someone had a theory that it is some kind of rollers they use in the process that can cause streaks on the glass as the rollers are not clean or are contaminated somehow. Not sure. You can see how the right edge of the right hand side blotch makes up the vertical line that most people see on their sets.

Zoom it out to fill the screen at least during the breakin process.

1. there is a gap all around the panel between the last set of pixels and the border. This is true for all these sets.
2. Make sure those old Sammy glasses are BlueTooth and not IR. The Sammy BlueTooth glasses should work.

If I shine a flashlight around the edge of my 65" I can see an 1/8 of an inch all the way around the outside of the screen on the very edge where the pixels actually start. I'm guessing that part is normal because of the way the bezel on this TV is designed to be so much thinner this year.

My TV had a minor scuff mark on the screen the size of a dime, like the anti-glare coating got scuffed / smeared.

All 4 corners and the bottom edge have scuff marks from rubbing on the foam bag and styrofoam during shipping.

I thought I had a dead pixel but it was a speck of junk between the anti-glare coating and the glass. I can see an ever so slightly raised dimple from this.

None of these problems can be seen without shining a light and craning my neck to get the right angle so nothing I can't live with. Every TV gets some marks on it from shipping.


The one thing that I want to get an opinion on though is how normal is it to have slight variations in the screen uniformity.
On a bright white screen using 'THX Bright Room' setting, I can see what appears to be vertical slightly curved blotches... about 6 inches long vertically and 2 inches wide. 5 or 6 randomly across the screen. They are slightly grayer then the whits surrounding them. Didn't check it on 'Vivid' yet. It doesn't seem like a deal breaker for me but I want to know how uniform other peoples screens are.

I'm doing a burn in on THX Cinema since I'm guessing since this is the most accurate color, It will burn in more evenly???

Can anyone recommend a skilled ISF certified tech in the Trenton / Princeton area of NJ?

I had 8 responses from Craigslist within the first day for my 200lb CRT. Make sure you describe it well, and play up the fact that it would take a pretty expensive new set to out-do the picture. Pictures of the TV help, too.

As for disposal, my county has a trash/recycling center, and they accept any working electronics, including CRT TVs, and it's free if you live in the county (since you've already paid for it).

Have a quick settings question. If I set my aspect to JUST, the picture is extremely stretched horizontally. This is with both cable and PS3. Both are running through the same receiver via HDMI, however. I can almost swear it was not like this when I first looked at the settings. The only way I can get a correct aspect ratio now is to use FULL on SIZE 2. I want to use JUST for obvious reasons. What's going on here?

I just received my VT50 today and JUST does exactly that, stretches the picture. Full with Size 2 fits the screen properly without overscan.

Verify that pixel orbitor is turned off.

Don't know what kind of bluray player you have, but on my Oppo 95, there is a setting where you enter the screen size. If it's off, that's likely to make a difference.

I have both the Panasonic and the Samsung glasses. Only real difference is that the Samsung lets in more light on the sides and the Panasonics are marginally more comfortable. I wouldn't buy the Panasonics thinking that the picture will improve because it's not likely to.

Congrats on getting your display.

Equipment:Pannasonic 65" VT50
DTV
Onkyo 607

Issue: While viewing DTV there seems to be a inconsistency in the sharpness of the picture. Some channels/programs look great and some channels/programs look out of focus and soft. This even seems to vary with different shows on the same channel. I have read that the video processors in this TV aren't the greatest leading to HQ content looking great and lower quality content looking not so hot. I am not referring to SD programming, all HD 1080i signals from HDTV. My much cheaper older Samsung Plasma had a much more consistent picture, but when the VT's picture is good, it blows my older Samsung away.

Question: Anyone here have any feedback on using a DarbeeVision Darblet with this TV(and DTV)? Thoughts, good results? I am also having the TV calibrated next week(free Best Buy calibration). I am currently on "custom" setting. I know everyone says to use THX but it seems a bit "washed out" to me. I will also need to get a new receiver eventually because my current receiver is not 3D. What is everyones thoughts on the Onkyo NR818 with this TV? Effects on the picture with the NR818 vs the Darblet?

I appreciate everyone's times and thoughts!

Well that's certainly disappointing then regarding the 3D. My player is an Oppo 93, screen size is set to 65. Unless I'm missing something significant, the 3D on my new Panasonic plasma is clearly inferior to my Samsung LED/LCD (UN60D7000). The glasses are definitely working, but there is no depth to the images as with the Sammy. I better do some more searching on the topic.

Regarding the edges, on closer inspection it is clear that around the entire screen there is black space between where the pixels end and the frame covers the glass. I believe this is normal and I've verified this via other posts.

I think this panel is a winner. I just need to let the break-in happen and then get a good calibration.

I asked this a couple of weeks ago but I want to ask again because someone in another thread eluded that I many have not gotten the correct answer...


Is there anything wrong with having Best Buy calibrate my TV? I am doing it because it is free. I understand that it might not be the best/complete calibration job but I know that up front and expect that. I have actually tracked down a local, highly respected calibrator that I will eventually have come fine tune/complete the calibration on my set. I just want to make sure that BB doing the calibration isn't going to make things worse.

Have you messed around with the 3D settings at all? I haven't yet, but I noticed in Options --> Setup --> 3D settings there is an adjustment for depth and the default is Medium. Perhaps you could try Maximum and see if that helps? Just a thought.

As to the 3D part of your writing, I watched "The Avengers" 3D Blu-ray and was very impressed. I did use the Panasonic active shutter 3D glasses, Model: TY-ER3D4MU.

If it's free, you really don't have anything to lose. I know a lot of users say that the BB calibration is terrible, but I'm sure some actually do know what they are doing. I'd think they will at least be able to dial in grayscale.

Out of curiosity, how did you get it free? I was looking at the Reward Zone silver membership and it looks like it includes a free calibration. If that's the case, I'll probably go ahead and give it a shot until one of the pros makes it up this way.

Premier Silver members (spend over 2500/yr) members get a free calibration once a year. I believe that all of BB's calibrators are ISF certified as well. The member in the other thread advised me to ask in the VT thread if I should have BB do the calibration and then told me to "duck" after I asked.

Thanks for replying.

I do need to spend more time in the 3D menus to see what I can tweak. I definitely have not done that yet. There is still hope!

More reason to hope that I just need to play with the settings. On my Samsung LED, things literally reached out of the screen. I'm getting none of that from the Panny. I'm not giving up!

Thanks for the information!