CES: Panasonic Unveils 2013 TVs; New Smart TV Interface - Page 8

Originally Posted by craigyboy 

thx means zilch more marketing hype:) thats all, why would it make it better?

Originally Posted by slimoli 

THX is very close to a calibrated set out of the box.

Originally Posted by HLdan 

While I do agree with the majority of people saying that a well calibrated TV doesn't need THX, I would hardly call it marketing hype. While you're at it you might as well call the Viera Connect or the Infinite Black Panel or the Studio Master Panel or the Voice Interaction or the Swipe and Share or the 3D "marketing hype". There's always something for someone. Problem is this forum is full of "Videophiles" which disconnect themselves from reality and reality is people want features. Perfect PQ is not always on top of the average consumer's list. Not everybody gets their TV calibrated or wants to pay for that. There's more to the GT50 over the ST50 than just the THX certified display. If I'm going to pay a calibrator to do the work then why not just get a better TV that has THX, especially if it has other desired features for the money?

Originally Posted by bzal1122 

^ Again guys , the difference between .002 and .0005 are not that great. This years ZT will probably measure .001 (Just a guess) . If Panasonic didn't have to deal with the Government energy ratings you probably would have had it 4 years ago. If you want deep blacks I would just pick up the Sharp Elite 70 inch and call it good. They really are good TV's. if your mad at anyone write congress , they love to regulate ****.

Originally Posted by DavidHir 

Bold - my emphasis. ^

If all someone cares about is PQ and he is going to get his display pro cal'd, why should he pay more for THX when an ST50 and GT50 calibrate the same?

Originally Posted by Semp1 

I can't get over the fact that Panasonice pretty much made the new ZT and VT look physically identical. And it's extremely disappointing Panasonic didn't release a 70in model this year at all. Also it's very clear cost on each television from 2011's VT30 to 2012's VT50 went down and affected the TV's for around $300 less. Panasonic's VT60 will most likely be $300 to $400 less than the VT50. Making it a not so high end price point any more and putting it in between a GT/VT price point. My prediction is the 65ZT60 MSRP is around $4499 to $4999 affectively putting a Panasonic back into a top tier price point again with the 65VT60 MSRP being any where form $2999 to most likely $3299. The VT is still Panasonic's top of the line with their ZT clearly being pushed as their expensive ELITE style model (Reference). It seems as if Panasonic got rid of the GT simply because it didn't sell much and people felt it wasn't worth it over the ST with its minimal improvements . Although it seems Panasonic is still trying to appeal to the VT market.. The same people who wouldn't buy the GT50 wont buy the VT60. people who are interested in VT's will buy them and now for a few hundred dollar less. Panasonic will sell more VT's because of this. Lastly at the same size I still see no reason to upgrade my 65VT30. That ZT would have to do something magical for me to invest in the same size. We'll see.

Originally Posted by VarmintCong 

That doesn't make sense to me, because (1) Panasonic hasn't been to your house, so your THX-enabled TV can't be calibrated for your living room, and (2) THX is just a list of settings, so a TV like the ST50 that has the same control scheme should let you input the same settings and get the same result as THX.

Originally Posted by slimoli 

That's completely wrong. You can't reproduce the THX settings because there are adjustments only possible at the factory. A ST50 will never mirror the THX color on the GT/VT. THX is not only a "certification", it's a set of adjustments that produces a wonderful picture out of the box. A professional calibration can make a ST50 even better than a GT/VT but those guys "on the road" charge 400 bucks or more. If you add this sort of money on a set costing around $1000.00 , you'd better go for a higher-end model. I never said THX is better than a real calibration , it's just a great picture out of the box and worth the extra money.

Originally Posted by DavidHir 

That pricing speculation sounds plausible. Like anything electronic, there is a larger price to pay for an incremental increase in improvement at the higher end line; so it comes down to: is the ZT60 worth the money over a VT60 AND is the VT60 worth it over the ST60 (some would argue it was not worth it in 2012). The insider indicated that there may be a larger gap this year between the ST60 and VT60. Looking forward to the calibration/comparison reports from the traveling calibrators. They cannot come soon enough. IF the 65ZT60 is really all that, I very well may spring for it later in the year if street price is well under $4K.

Originally Posted by davelanger 

I think i will too, I just need to take extra care. I am going to game on my old TV for the first few months just to be safe.

Originally Posted by MacNThorens 

Been following you on this dave as I am in the same boat but I got my TC-P60GT50 last week.........also from BB. Had them deliver it and set it up. The stand really is no big deal. I kinda freaked out when the installers used a power drill to put the screws into the base but all turned out OK. The picture is absolutely beautiful and I love it. I don't hear any buzzing from the set. I too will see how it stacks up in the next few weeks before I make my final decision over the ST60. Would have really liked the built in camera but I guess its not a big deal.

On a side note I called panny CS and was informed that the software for Viera Connect will be able to upgraded to the 2013 platform on the 2012 GT50 with Swipe and Share and MY Home Screen but I am not sure if I believe them. Also I have done some gaming on the GT, not much but was informed by panny that it is OK to do. Ran the set in Standard mode for the first week and now running Cinema mode. Was also told to run the wipe/cleaner program once a week. The BB salesman has a VT30 for 1 1/2 years now and does not have any issues with his TV. Confirmed that with Panny also and they said it was a good thing to do. Not sure of that either but I am new to the Big Screen HD TV arena.

Best of luck with your GT50..........hope you love it as much as I do!!!

Originally Posted by slimoli 

That's completely wrong. You can't reproduce the THX settings because there are adjustments only possible at the factory. A ST50 will never mirror the THX color on the GT/VT. THX is not only a "certification", it's a set of adjustments that produces a wonderful picture out of the box. A professional calibration can make a ST50 even better than a GT/VT but those guys "on the road" charge 400 bucks or more. If you add this sort of money on a set costing around $1000.00 , you'd better go for a higher-end model. I never said THX is better than a real calibration , it's just a great picture out of the box and worth the extra money.

Originally Posted by CruelInventions 

Especially if you need to drop another $400+ every year to year-and-a-half to re-calibrate, as DavidHir states. I'm not that much of a videophile. Give me THX on the GT and I'll live with its reasonably good if compromised, less-than-ideal picture and never bother to get it professionally calibrated in the first place if yearly $400+ maintenance is truly necessary to maintain quality.

Originally Posted by Glashub 

I don't think this is the best picture because the conventional model has the flash right in the screen. I looked closely and if the image can be trusted at all, I see blacker blacks in the Z60 but not Kuto blacks. Your call.

Originally Posted by Glashub 

I don't think this is the best picture because the conventional model has the flash right in the screen. I looked closely and if the image can be trusted at all, I see blacker blacks in the Z60 but not Kuto blacks. Your call.

Originally Posted by RandyWalters 

I'm not up on all the ISF Calibration stuff, but i don't think it's necessary to fully "re-calibrate" the display - i've seen mention that it would only need a little tweaking and that it takes much less time than the initial calibration did, and the calibrator only charges about half the price of the initial calibration. And i don't think it's necessary to tweak it every year or 1.5 years.

Any input about this from the calibrators please?

Originally Posted by CruelInventions 

Especially if you need to drop another $400+ every year to year-and-a-half to re-calibrate, as DavidHir states. I'm not that much of a videophile. Give me THX on the GT and I'll live with its reasonably good if compromised, less-than-ideal picture and never bother to get it professionally calibrated in the first place if yearly $400+ maintenance is truly necessary to maintain quality.

Originally Posted by RandyWalters 

I'm not up on all the ISF Calibration stuff, but i don't think it's necessary to fully "re-calibrate" the display - i've seen mention that it would only need a little tweaking and that it takes much less time than the initial calibration did, and the calibrator only charges about half the price of the initial calibration. And i don't think it's necessary to tweak it every year or 1.5 years.

Any input about this from the calibrators please?

Originally Posted by Glashub 

I don't think this is the best picture because the conventional model has the flash right in the screen. I looked closely and if the image can be trusted at all, I see blacker blacks in the Z60 but not Kuro blacks. Your call.