CES: Panasonic Unveils 2013 TVs; New Smart TV Interface - Page 3

Yes... people need to get the VT replaces GT series idea out of their heads. The VT60 is still very much the same, but with THX certification removed, so that will probably bring the price down a bit, but still higher than what the GT50 was priced at.

I wouldn't get too excited about the numbers. I expect Panasonic to improve gradations, but going from the ST50 to the GT50/VT50 made little to no difference in that respect.

All Panasonic did was add a high end priced TV back into the mix since production prices are dropping. They clearly want a 4k+ set and they lacked that last year with the VT50 MSRP dropping to $3699 from the year before with the VT30 being $3999. So they're going to fill that hole now with the ZT. You can't possibly all think they're going to push the VT as top of the line since production pricing dropped any more but didn't want to replace it with another "affordable" set, and probably figured they would make all the complainers who say the GT is not worth it over the ST happy. Now there's a huge jump from the ST. Question is, is the ZT going to be worth it.

I have a 65VT50 on its way. Now the question is whether the new 65ST65 will be better since they are both in the same price range.

Well I wouldn't say huge, but that remains to be seen. My guess is the difference between the VT60 and ST60 will be about the same as this year, which I wouldn't consider huge by any stretch. The VT60 still has ISFccc and the ST60 will probably still just have a 2pt white balance (so reference color for the VT60, and very good color for the ST60). Unless they screw up the color decoding on the ST60 where it was working just fine in 2012, I don't see the jump to be huge, but considerable.

Between the ZT60 and the VT60/ST60, the insider at the other forum said that the ZT60 uses a new panel and the other models use the same base panel as the 2012 models. I'm guessing they will have slightly better black levels (among other improvements/tweaks), and the ZT60 will have considerably better black levels.

This is all specifically speaking in terms of performance.

theyre not in the same price range. The specs on the ST60 will be closer to the VT50 than the ST50 is but the VT50 will still be a better set. I'll almost guarantee that.

What will be better the ST60 or is the GT50 better?

From where did you hear that the VT60 did not have THX certification? This is what hdguru states (http://hdguru.com/panasonic-2013-plasma-hdtvs-revealed/9777/):

There are three models in the series, TC-P55VT60, TC-P60VT60, and the TC-P65VT60. All have built-in cameras, Infinite Black Ultra panels, 3000 Focused-Field Drive, and are THX Certified.

Well, I am still within the Jan 31 return window for the 55ST50 I purchased over the holidays. Mine has moderately loud buzzing, some line bleed, slight vertical streaks noticeable when camera pans across soccer pitch, and some uniformity issues (light pink hue in the corners, noticeable on white/gray slides). I'm still running it through it's paces, testing with various content to see if I will keep it. As far as the line bleed and uniformity issue I wonder if more hours and/or tweaking the settings will yield improvement.

What do you guys think the chances are that the ST60 will address some of these issues? I also heard rumors that Panasonic was looking into toning down the louvre filter for the 2013 models, as it might be the culprit behind the vertical lines that are most noticeable when the camera pans across a football or soccer field.

The ST60 and VT60 share the same panel as the 2012s, so I would not expect huge differences.

Considering the ST50 and GT50 are almost the same, my money would be on the ST60, but not by much.
http://panasonic.net/avc/viera/us2013_plasma/index.html

Might vary from region to region.

edit: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P65VT60/
You're right... it appears to be THX certified as well. Not that it matters much.
I agree.
Edited by rahzel - 1/7/13 at 5:42pm

This is probably confusing to a number of you, but the majority of Kuro owners use their TVs for watching not as an asset class. The idea that they are holding onto them for some sort of payday is a little odd.

Clearly, they are not appreciating in value at this point.

So I thought good and hard about it and decided today to go for the 55 ST50 at Paul's for $1150 with SAVE50 coupon, free shipping, no sales tax.
Tonight I was this close to ordering and I check Panasonic.com one last time and lo and behold, there is the 55 ST60 which can be had for $1105($1179 with tax) EPP pricing and free shipping. What to do, what to do?
The ST50 is a "better buy" since it's more deeply discounted but it is only $29 less. The ST50 is a year old model and one would think the ST60 is improved performance wise but no guarantees.It seems Panasonic invested more in apps and features (that I don't care about) rather than improving performance. The ST50 has some issues but they are known issues. In other words, no surprises. The ST60 is an unknown quantity and could be a whole new set of issues. And of course it will be even cheaper in the fall..... I know I am not stating anything everyone does not know but this is what goes on in my head. I am a newbie when it comes to this so I am asking people with experience in this area every spring, which way to go?

ok so im better off keeping the GT50 since it has the THX setting?

I do have two months since I am a best buy silver member to return the TV, so I guess I can just try it out for two months and if the ST60 seems to be a better TV later, I can always swap them i guess.
I just wish I waited now lol
Edited by davelanger - 1/7/13 at 5:56pm

The ST50 and GT50 calibrate about the same; however, the GT50 can get brighter.

Actually, the ST50 and GT50 can be calibrated to the same brightness. They are essentially the same performing TVs once calibrated. THX mode is a little more accurate out of the box without calibration, though.

Damn I dont know what to do now LOL
I did pay best buy to set up the TV because i didnt want to mess with the GT50 stand. I heard its a PITA to put together and very easy to strip the screws.

When you say fixes, could it mean like the IR issues?

I guess ill just see what is said about the ST 60 tomorrow.

No idea, but I doubt it. Until they're released, no one really knows how they will perform or what issues will stick or have been resolved from the 50 series. Seeing as how they use the same panel, I don't expect any big changes.

The insider at another forum said the ST50 discounted is a better value than an ST60 if PQ is all you care about. Of course, that doesn't mean the ST60 won't be very slightly better via software enhancements.

As far as IR issues, the 2011s had the same problem and that was a different panel and phosphors, so I would not expect a change there for the ST60/VT60 but I am just speculating, but the 2012 and 2013 are the same panel.

Hmmm, I could have sworn one of the traveling calibrators said the GT50 THX Bright Room gave more light output than an ST50.

Ok thanks, guess ill just keep the GT, I got the 5 year plan as well. Ill just use the THX settings for no logo and full screen mode and use the custom for lower contrast and when i have logos on the screen

Yeah, if you're happy with it, I would keep it.

I was in the same dilemma last year; I bought a 65ST30 at a good price knowing the ST50s would be better, but I could not stand the PQ deterioration on my SXRD. My blacks were turning blue despite grayscale calibration. The picture was becoming awful. I have been very happy with my 65ST30, but am yearning for an upgrade, so if the ZT is all that it's being built up to be, I will upgrade to it. I will also weigh the price increase vs the actual PQ improvement over a VT60 as that is also an option for me.

It's a typo, that's the price for the 50" ST60 most likely.

Its being delivered on Wednesday so I dont have it yet. That is why im on the fence.

Gotcha. I think you will be very happy with it!

I don't think I've seen any of the calibrators say that. In Chad's GT50 review, he says Custom and THX BR are some of the brightest pictures he has ever seen on a plasma. I don't see anyone needing more than what Custom mode offers anyway.

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.

What is your current set?

I had Chad out a few weeks ago for my ST30 and I could have sworn he told me the GT50 was brighter which is why he didn't buy the ST50 and got the GT instead.