Official Panasonic VT50 owners thread - Page 334

i currently hve an Elite but am thonking of exchanging for a vt50 because of some of the Elite inherent problems (eg off-axis issues, lack of screen uniformity - banding and some greenish spots).

based on the two most common complaints i have seen about th vt50:

can the IR on the vt50 be easily seen when watching normal content? how loud/distracting are the fan issues?

anyone have generl/overall impressions of the pq of the elit vs vt50? do love the crisp, vividness of the elite, even in thx mode.

Absolutely, if under warranty and it 'needed' to be shipped for service. It's not that difficult, really. Or, what if you're forced to or decide to move?

Update to my previous DNLA streaming post (#9976)....

PS3 Media Server (PMS)
I was able to adjust some settings in the PMS GUI and some configuration files, and it now looks as if all my files will play. The downside is that some of my mkv files will not play the audio portion, with a message displaying "Audio format not supported" or something along those lines (sorry, at work trying to remember exact wording). These files that are not working I believe are DTS and AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio formats. If I play the same files through my PS3 instead of the Panny DNLA menu, I receive the audio and all is good. I believe this is because my PS3 passes the audio to my Denon 3312CI to process the audio, whereas playing from the Panny DNLA the internal codecs cannot process the audio. I'm going to head over to the PMS support forums to see if I can dig anything up. I have a feeling that since I'm using the PMS to send the file directly to the Panny without transcoding, this may be the root of my issue...

UPDATE: I may have answered my own question. If I were to force transcoding for specific files (via the 'transcode' folder in PMS DNLA server), then the audio support may be compatible. Will check back in tomorrow with my results.

Windows 8 DNLA services
So I also tried setting up my Windows 8 DNLA services (sharing files via homegroup). While I thought this option would be better as to cut out the 'middle man' (PMS) and stream directly, things did not result to what I was expecting. In Windows 8, I had to add all my structured directories that I have created across multiple hard drives into some sort of "Public Shared" list. OK, not hard, just a little time consuming. Then when accessing the DNLA server on the Panny....chaos. All directory structures were ignored, and all the directories (also containing subdirectories, i.e. TV --> New and Unwatched --> Show Name) and files were intermixed, so I had my movies, TV shows, home movies, kids shows and movies, photos, music all mixed together, making for an unorganized, hard to navigate mess. Seeing this, I did not even attempt to play any files as I knew this was not going to work for me. I like structure and organization.


So now I'm back to the drawing board to play around some more and figure this out. I like what the PMS option offers, but would like to stream natively and take the PS3 out of the equation if possible. But I don't know what the Panasonic VT50 can process on its own in terms of audio and video codecs.

Does anyone else utilize the streaming features with the VT50? If so what do you use (software, hardware), what problems/limitations have you encountered (if any), etc.
Edited by Dru the Fu - 2/6/13 at 8:49am

46" sets and bigger, yes for on site repair. At least Panasonic. I just think there are many more reasons to keep the original box, etc. than tossing it. Unless space is an absolute reason. Boxes for 60"+ TV's are A LOT smaller than they used to be, that's for sure. My (now sold) Sony 720p Grand Wega from 8 years ago could house a family of three!!!

I thought about this point, however if the set craps out, BB will need to deliver a new one and can use that box for the return. I normally keep all boxes for my gear however, this box is sooooo big it would not fit in my attic and thus no real place to keep it. In Texas we do not have basements.

If I am forced to move, I have much bigger problems than the missing TV box.

I certainly understand that point. Fortunately, I have plenty of space. To give you an idea, I have two Panny boxes side by side in a spare basement bedroom.
One from a 65" VT and one from a 65" GT. I kid you not, I could fit BOTH inside the box from my (now sold) Sony 60" Grand Wega from 8 years ago!

LOL, indeed. Let's hope that NEVER happens!

I absolutely love the pq of my 65vt50! Currently using d-nice settings until he calibrates this Sunday. Wide viewing angle is such an advantage IMO. The only time I can see a hint of ir is when using the scrolling white bar, even then it is barely there and goes away by the time it finishes. I have never once heard any fan noise. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with its pq. The upcoming zt60 will almost certainly surpass it if you are willing to wait and pay more.

.
Edited by oinchats - 2/6/13 at 11:09am

I am concerned about reflection. The set is used during the day and night with no Blu Ray. Just used for cable TV.

After looking at the pictures of the room in which the set will be I would really appreciate any comments as to whether or not reflections will be distracting?

I apologize for the duplicate postings.

Thanks


THIS IS A VIEW FROM ONE SEATING POSITION
.


THIS IS A VIEW FROM BEHIND THE TV LOOKING AT THE ROOM




THIS IS A VEW FROM ANOTHER SEATING POSITION.




THIS IS A VEW OF THE WHOLE ROOM AND FROM BEHIND SOME OTHER CHAIRS THAT VIEW THE TV.

Edited by oinchats - 2/6/13 at 11:08am

In general, TVs are terrible media players. Since you already have a good media player, you are far better off using your PS3 to play the media, and output the audio to your AVR while the video ends up at the TV.

In addition to the audio issue you have seen, TVs almost never handle subtitles correctly, and are much pickier about container formats and encoding settings than general media players. When you can get respectable media players for less than $100, or roll your own using a tiny HTPC for about $300, it's silly to live with all the shortcomings of the TV when playing media.

oinchats - it'll work fine. What I really think is that you'd be wasting your money on a vt50 for what you want to use it for. In fact, you may not even need plasma pq quality. I'd say get the costco LCD special of the week and call it a day and know you saved a couple K.

Why would you buy a VT50 if you don't watch tons of blu-ray content? The VT50 is a poor value for those who don't engage in "serious" viewing (blu-ray in near cave dark). I don't see the point.

Go with a GT50 (or ST50) if you care at least a little bit about picture quality. But I'd hope you would watch a ton of blu-ray even on those models.

I doubt that LCD will perform any better with respect to reflection in a room with the sun pouring in. I'd definitely close the blinds to watch TV anyhow.

I have 55vt50 and 65vt50 neither have fan noise or IR issue. Only time I've notice IR on my 55" was when I popped in my old high school graduation DVD lol. But went away quickly but with HD content I don't get IR at all even when gaming. You'll love the VT50, especially after 100/200 hour break in PQ gets better.

Thanks for your helpful opinons. I appreciate it.

My reason was that the picture quality was rated the best on CNET. I had found a price ($2499 including tax and white glove delivery) that was actually less then a Costco 65 inch Samsung or Sharp because Costco charges tax plus I think a delivery charge.

I would close the blinds too but the windowslook out onto a great view of the canal waterway, boats, etc. If it was a backyard there would be no problem closing the blinds.

Get the 65VT50, you won't regret it!

Sounds nice. With the back of the tv facing the windows you should have no problems.

Hello,

I am getting a TC-P65VT50 and would like suggestions on a good wall mount for this TV. I'd like full motion for easy of moving and flexibility so tips, suggestions, and places to buy suggested units would be appreciated.

I have to agree with this. Aside from gaming and watching blu-rays, I find comparable LCD's to actually look better. My VT50 doesn't look so great when watching Netflix even when I use my Xbox so I can have full control of the settings. That said, the color accuracy when watching blu-rays is phenomenal.

That bar on the very right side is on all the panels. It will eventually fade to the point where you can barely see it even on a an all white screen. If one appeared in the middle than that must be some image retention. The best way to cure that is to use shades of all white screens like 100% 95% and 90%.

Loving my 65VT50 with definitive technology audio setup. Never going to the movies ever again lol

Gaming on the vt50 is pure bliss. LCDs cant touch this tv for gaming.

I would avoid using GAME mode.

Nice set up.

Why is 3:2 Pulldown:grayed out...even when I stopped my blu-ray player mid-movie.

Overall the Elite has better picture. But I still feel the VT is the better choice of the two. I'm yet to see an LCD/LED match the motion of a plasma. You don't realize how well the motion is until you've used plasma for so long, then try to go back top LED. Although I will say this. Based on those pictures you posted. If your primary viewing is in that room nice and bright like that. The elite would be the smarter choice for you. Yes. The VT does have an awesome filter. But it's nothing compared to even an average LED. especially matte.

That's more like it

I'm cutting my cable. Does the North American/Canadian VT50 have a HD Tuner I can use with an antennae or is that only in the UK model?