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Official Panasonic S60 Series Discussion Thread

post #1 of 1666
3/2/13 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 
Looks like the new S60 series is beginning to hit store shelves the first week of March.....

TC-P42S60 $729 (still $729) http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P42S60

TC-P50S60 $899 (now $829) http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P50S60

TC-P55S60 $1,099 (now $999) http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P55S60

TC-P60S60 $1,299 (still $1,299) http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60S60

TC-P65S60 $1,899 (now $1,699) http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P65S60



S60 Owner's Manual (contains line drawings with dimensions): http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/TCP42S60.PDF

S60 E-Help Manual (that's built into the TV): http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/E-HELP_S60.PDF



Edit: There is also a limited-run Costco/Sams Club version of the S60 called the S64 series but adds the Anti-Reflective Louver Filter from the higher-end ST60 model, available in 50" and 65" screen sizes:

S64 Owner's Manual (dimensions but NO line drawings):http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/TC50PS64.PDF

S64 E-Help Manual (that's built into the TV): http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/E-HELP_PS64.PDF


Some Owner Settings:

Fairchild99: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1461177/official-panasonic-s60-series-discussion-thread/1290#post_23290695

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Edited by RandyWalters - 5/13/13 at 6:26pm
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post #2 of 1666
3/2/13 at 9:39am
Thread Starter 
Scanning the manual it looks like the S60 has a lot more features than the U50 that it replaced:

Has Pro Settings Menu in Custom and also in Cinema mode

Copy Settings function to copy your Custom or Cinema settings to another input or all inputs

Has a new Home Theater picture mode - provides a soft film-like picture for watching movies in a dark room

24p Direct In

1080p Pixel Direct - Enables 1080p 24/60 4:4:4 signal

Has HDMI/DVI RGB range Auto/Standard/Non-Standard adjustment (standard RGB 16-235 or non-compliance 0-255)

Overscan On/Off setting (looks like it replaces HDMI Size 1 and HDMI Size 2)

Has more stretch modes, and adds vertical size adjustment to the Just mode

Screen Display On/Off (useful when listening to sound without watching the screen - press any key and picture returns)

Screen Wipe (Scrolling Bar) doesn't mention being timed out after 15 minutes like before, pressing any key cancels it

Built-In Wireless

Does not have an Anti-Reflective Filter (according to AVJ)

42" Warranty is Carry In, but 50" and larger is still In-Home
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post #3 of 1666
3/2/13 at 9:52am
For the money, it looks like an excellent choice.
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post #4 of 1666
3/2/13 at 8:25pm
I seen the 50s60 today at my job (best buy) the only down side for me is the silver trim around the bezel
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post #5 of 1666
3/3/13 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

Scanning the manual it looks like the S60 has a lot more features than the U50 that it replaced:

Does not have an Anti-Reflective Filter (according to AVJ)

You mean it's just a bare sheet of glass with no coating of any kind?
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post #6 of 1666
3/3/13 at 7:07am
Finally, some nice picture adjustment options..
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post #7 of 1666
3/3/13 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

You mean it's just a bare sheet of glass with no coating of any kind?

Yes, presumably just like it was on the 2012 U50. There is no AR Filter on the outer glass so it will be pretty reflective.
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post #8 of 1666
3/3/13 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

Yes, presumably just like it was on the 2012 U50. There is no AR Filter on the outer glass so it will be pretty reflective.

That's great. I hate AR filters, as they dramatically reduce the depth and clarity of the image. Do you know if the panel itself is the same as the ST60? Specifically, is the only difference in black level that which is the result of the AR filter and not the pixels themselves?
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post #9 of 1666
3/4/13 at 6:43am
There's amazing value with this series. If it performs similarly to last year's UT50s, it'll be a great bargain- especially the 60" panels and this is before any drop or EPP.

If you're looking for a quality set and don't care too much about calibration, looks like you can't go wrong.
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post #10 of 1666
3/4/13 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

That's great. I hate AR filters, as they dramatically reduce the depth and clarity of the image. Do you know if the panel itself is the same as the ST60? Specifically, is the only difference in black level that which is the result of the AR filter and not the pixels themselves?

The U models had blacks that were just as good as the ST/GT. Under bright lighting blacks washed out due to the lack of a filter.
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post #11 of 1666
3/4/13 at 10:54pm
Not seeing an option in the manual to disable TV speakers... Has to be an oversight, right?
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post #12 of 1666
3/5/13 at 6:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sawfish View Post

Not seeing an option in the manual to disable TV speakers... Has to be an oversight, right?

It has been under advanced audio options the last few years.
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post #13 of 1666
3/5/13 at 6:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chunon View Post

It has been under advanced audio options the last few years.

Hmmm, apparently it's not in that section this year. It looks like they might have moved it to to the Viera Link HDAVI Control menu (Speaker Output - Select Home Theater or TV) but i don't know if that kills the speakers when you're not using the Viera Link feature. I don't use Viera Link, and i just turn my TV volume all the way down when i'm using my Surround Sound system.
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post #14 of 1666
3/5/13 at 6:56am
Good point randy not sure if it disables them or not
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post #15 of 1666
3/5/13 at 9:59am
Thanks for the heads-up, Randy. In a word: IMPRESSIVE. The 65" variant for $1700 is an amazing, amazing deal.

I'm glad I have not bought the 65VT50 that was on sale for $2500. I was THIS close last night at Best Buy, where they only had one left. But they were asking for $180 for the delivery/installation, so I passed. In all honesty, after paying a small fortune for a 65V10 back in 2010 and then being burned with the dreaded black level rise, I don't think I'll go back to spending a large amount for a supposedly "premium" product ever again. I saw the VT50 at Best Buy last night, and it looked great, BUT it had TERRIBLE burn-in. I do realize the deplorable conditions these sets are used in at the showrooms (conditions I would never reproduce at home, of course), but at this point IR and Burn-in should not be an issue in a premium TV that used to retail for close to $4K. Ironically, my V10 NEVER had any burn-in nor even image retention issues. It has been great in that sense. It seems that you can never win with these expensive sets, and if it's not one problem it is another. The ST60 sounds like the deal of the year. Lots of things I really wanted (24 fps, no overscan, pro-mode, etc) and many I don't need at all (3D). I even like the design of the more traditional bezel and stand. The rest of the sets in the higher-up series look flimsy, cheap and I hate all that shiny silver... If black levels in the S60 models are anywhere near the previous GT/VT50, I think I'm in. I would feel much better minimizing my expense in the event that a new set of issues arise. Not to mention, with so many new technologies and formats, etc. shaping up to once again change the entire TV landscape soon, I'd rather spend as little as possible for something that may or may not perform as advertised for a few years...
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post #16 of 1666
3/5/13 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban Medaglia View Post

Thanks for the heads-up, Randy. In a word: IMPRESSIVE. The 65" variant for $1700 is an amazing, amazing deal.

I'm glad I have not bought the 65VT50 that was on sale for $2500. I was THIS close last night at Best Buy, where they only had one left. But they were asking for $180 for the delivery/installation, so I passed. In all honesty, after paying a small fortune for a 65V10 back in 2010 and then being burned with the dreaded black level rise, I don't think I'll go back to spending a large amount for a supposedly "premium" product ever again. I saw the VT50 at Best Buy last night, and it looked great, BUT it had TERRIBLE burn-in. I do realize the deplorable conditions these sets are used in at the showrooms (conditions I would never reproduce at home, of course), but at this point IR and Burn-in should not be an issue in a premium TV that used to retail for close to $4K. Ironically, my V10 NEVER had any burn-in nor even image retention issues. It has been great in that sense. It seems that you can never win with these expensive sets, and if it's not one problem it is another. The ST60 sounds like the deal of the year. Lots of things I really wanted (24 fps, no overscan, pro-mode, etc) and many I don't need at all (3D). I even like the design of the more traditional bezel and stand. The rest of the sets in the higher-up series look flimsy, cheap and I hate all that shiny silver... If black levels in the S60 models are anywhere near the previous GT/VT50, I think I'm in. I would feel much better minimizing my expense in the event that a new set of issues arise. Not to mention, with so many new technologies and formats, etc. shaping up to once again change the entire TV landscape soon, I'd rather spend as little as possible for something that may or may not perform as advertised for a few years...

Just to clarify the S60 series has no 3d the ST60 does, IR was a sporadic issue on all 2012 panasonic models not just the Vt50
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post #17 of 1666
3/6/13 at 7:28am
Sorry for the cross post. Asked some questions about the S60 on this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1456523/any-guesses-for-when-panasonic-s60s-start-shipping

Any thoughts much appreciated.
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post #18 of 1666
3/7/13 at 8:26am
When the 50" can be had for $600, I'm buying.
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post #19 of 1666
3/8/13 at 1:39pm
Posted on the other thread for when s60s start shipping, figured I should post here instead.

Looking at the eHelp pdf posted above. According to wikipedia, Panasonic calls it's motion interpolation "Intelligent Frame Creation (IFC)" but I don't see any reference to that in the s60 eHelp.

I see under advanced picture you can select 24p Direct, which I suppose works if watching Bluray films but what about DVD or non hi-def TV/movies?
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post #20 of 1666
3/8/13 at 2:13pm
Sweet! I need a 42" for the bedroom.smile.gif
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post #21 of 1666
3/8/13 at 2:44pm
Just picked up my 50S from Bestbuy about an hour ago....TV is nice better than my ST from last year which I have sitting right beside it...Got it from best buy for 729.....Any questions lemme know....
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post #22 of 1666
3/8/13 at 4:35pm
Lestat, does your S60 have a pair of analog audio output jacks? Analog output would be useful to me, and I don't think Panasonic plasmas had that last year. According to the Future Shop site (a division of Canada BestBuy) it has a "stereo audio output" plus an optical digital audio output, and no headphone output. But the FS specs might be wrong. Also the manual PDF link that Randy posted doesn't show analog audio output jacks.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/panasonic-panasonic-viera-50-1080p-600hz-plasma-smart-tv-tcp50s60-tcp50s60/10241751.aspx?path=44f5b737dcb5ede66a7a984aa7527bfcen02

BestBuy USA site just says one audio output but no details.
Edited by thousandaire - 3/8/13 at 4:43pm
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post #23 of 1666
3/8/13 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thousandaire View Post

Lestat, does your S60 have a pair of analog audio output jacks? Analog output would be useful to me, and I don't think Panasonic plasmas had that last year.

Panasonics haven't had an analog audio output since 2005, and maybe 2006 at the latest (my 2005 has one but my 2007, 2009, and 2012 models do not). Everything since then has been line-level digital optical out only.
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post #24 of 1666
3/8/13 at 5:28pm
Hoping for some accurate input lag results on this set.

If it's as good as the ST50, I may have just found my next TV.
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post #25 of 1666
3/8/13 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SonGohanX View Post

Hoping for some accurate input lag results on this set.

If it's as good as the ST50, I may have just found my next TV.

Nobody's had the opportunity to test this FP as they just shipped. That being said my local BBY has the 50" version already. I'd keep an eye out for it though rather soon.

Check the Input Lag wars thread on the LCD FP display section here at AVS or check displaylag.com
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post #26 of 1666
3/8/13 at 7:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SonGohanX View Post

Hoping for some accurate input lag results on this set.

If it's as good as the ST50, I may have just found my next TV.

I don't see why it would be all that different, but do you mean is it as good as 16ms or 40-50ms?
Edited by JSpectre88 - 3/8/13 at 7:28pm
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post #27 of 1666
3/8/13 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lestat Phoenix View Post

Just picked up my 50S from Bestbuy about an hour ago....TV is nice better than my ST from last year which I have sitting right beside it...Got it from best buy for 729.....Any questions lemme know....

Lestat, you the man!
how's the blacks and color accuracy compared to your ST50 and is it in a lighted or dark environment?
It did look surprisingly good at our local BB and could be an excellent value for those who want just a nice HD picture.
I can't wait for all the reviews between the S60 and ST60.
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post #28 of 1666
3/8/13 at 10:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lestat Phoenix View Post

Just picked up my 50S from Bestbuy about an hour ago....TV is nice better than my ST from last year which I have sitting right beside it...Got it from best buy for 729.....Any questions lemme know....

In what ways is it better than the ST50? Is the ST50 still better in any area's (brightroom performance)?
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post #29 of 1666
3/9/13 at 1:48am
I happened to be at my local Best Buy returning a few things and they had just unboxed a 50S60 and hung it up for display. Obviously plasmas never look all that great on display in the store but something seemed off about it. I have no idea what setting it was on, but compared to both a UT and ST from last year that were still on display, it just seemed less crisp and off. I'm sure with some tweaking it would look pretty good though and a 50" at $830 is a hell of a price, that 65" price is amazing. Wouldn't trade my GT for it just because of the better panel but the 50" S60 would sure look nice in a bedroom.
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post #30 of 1666
3/9/13 at 4:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SonGohanX View Post

Hoping for some accurate input lag results on this set.

If it's as good as the ST50, I may have just found my next TV.

I'm betting it's going to be just as bad(As in 3 frames) as last years X5(which I previously owned) and UT50 that i played around with.
If by some miracle, the S60 can do one frame LIKE the S30(when using component cables) i'll sell my S30(damn red push & effed up gamma) and go for a 55"
or 60" S60 in a heart beat! XP If the S60 dissapoints, then I'm just going to get my S30 proffesionally calibrated, by getting the gamma normalized in custom mode and fixing the
red push. ;p
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