FAQ & RULES LINKS_ Plasma & Panasonic Plasma FAQ - Read First! - Page 14

It's based on the incoming signal. Panasonic will not allow changes to aspect ratios with HD signals (720p or 1080i). If you set a STB to deliver SD pictures to the TV upconverted to 720p or 1080i, you cannot change the TV's aspect ratio either (although it might be possible on the STB itself).

So let me get this straight...

If I want to be able to switch between Comcast channel 720 (HBO HD) and Comedy Central (SD, justified stretch mode), I have to have a specific macro set up on my remote for each channel that...

1) Changes the output mode from the set-top-box from 1080i to SD, then
2) change the channel.

or

1) Changes the monitor input from the component input to the s-video or composite input
2) changes the channel

For EVERY channel change!?!

Since the Comcast HD box doesn't switch modes via remote (requires a off/menu bounce), this is totally INSANE.

Please tell me I'm misunderstanding. This kind of procedure would make the purchase a no-go. I simply can't believe that the monitor is not able to look at the signal coming in through the component or dvi input and allow stretching if its SD and not if its HD.

My apologies if I'm being dense, but I'm just going off the the behavior of my current monitor, on which I don't care about sidebar burn in.

Thanks!

and thanks for the PM's on Cdn vendors, ChrisM

Apparently Dell still sells Panny Plasma, as does a local vendor - EvisionPlasma

Most viewing will be done from 10' for DVD's and up to 20' if I am in the kichen with the hockey game in the background.

I saw the consumer 42 at a local Big Box store and had no issue with the PQ at those distances. I imagine both units will have noticable SDE at just 5' (wife's preferred chair)

Is the larger viewing area of the 42 over the 37 that noticable? I can't seem to find a dealer with that size on display.

And.... is it worth the effort of using the sawzall to make the 42 fit... ?

GQB: I have satellite, so I don't know much about cable boxes, but I understand some of them have a "pass though" mode which automatically sends the TV a 1080i, 720p, or 480i signal as broadcast by the originating channel. If you have that, your problem is solved.

Otherwise you may have to settle for "full" mode from the box which doesn't look radically different to me from the "just" mode, at least from my D* receiver (which lacks a pass through mode). Or go through the convolutions you describe, as I must if I want to zoom a letter-boxed SD program to fill the screen.

Thanks Macfan...
I'm finally piecing the story together, (found an online manual for the Comcast DCT box) and you are correct. Looking forward to ordering my panny!

BTW... as a personal 'first', I've decided to intentionally go 'smaller' on an AV component.
Even tho' I figure out a way to make the 42" fit in our antique armoir, I had to decide that teh 37" just fit better aesthetically. The 42 would have either been sidetrimmed by the armoir's front moldings, or would have stood out in front of the beautiful antique on its articularing arm like wierd genetic engineering experiment.

Sometimes the overall design look is more important than the 'wow' factor.

I have the 37". I could have probably used the 42", especially if it were HD... but I love the size I have. It doesn't overpower the room which is also a library... and it fits right into a bookshelf on an articulating arm. I'm very happy with it. I hope you enjoy yours too.

msboc...

Know what you mean. If the room is a dedicated 'home theatre', then it makes sense to have the screen overwhelm the room. But this is a living room where, believe it or not, we want the young 'uns to occasionally do other things (like maybe converse.) Even when off, a huge screen screams "WATCH ME !!". We want to be able to hide the screen back in the armoir with out filing a flight plan.

The 42 would also have put me back into the ED vs HD debate. Looking forward to getting my 37".

I am a new Panasonic Plasma owner. My set came with the standard 1 yr warranty. Should I extend the warranty for 2 additional yrs at $350? I have 30 days to take the extended warranty. Any thoughts?

Need advice guys between the 500U and the 50U. I like the extra features of the 500U, but I have to order online and now I find that it really isnt a true PIP from the same source. The speakers would be a downgrade, but I would get a new surround system in the next moth after the shock of this wore off. I like the CPU connectivity, but it is not a neccessity since I have a nice LCD flat panel for that. My biggest fear is the amount of connections. Is that enough if I want to connect a game system, a DVD player and my HD satellite box? I can also go pick up the 50U from CC, so that is a plus. Any help on what I should do would be great! Thanks!!!

You also have a #3.. which is what you should use.

With Component output:

Comcast uses the Motorola cable box.
in the set-up of this box, you set the output as YrPb (Component)
Then you set the Output as 720P or 1080i (your choice)
Then you set the SD Override to 480i or 480p (again your choice) don't use "Stretch" or "Off", as you will have not have aspect control of the monitor if you do.

Here's what will happen:

On HD channels, you will have no aspect controls (monitor will lock at "Full".)
On SD channels, the "Override" function of the cablebox takes over, and sends the signal you selected (480i or 480p). The Panny Panel will allow you full control of the aspect of the monitor (Full, Zoom, Just, and 4:3 w/ sidebars).

I have a 7UY, and this same senario works also with the DVI input, although, I can not select 480i on the override... no signal. DVI requires a progressive signal, I also assume this would be the case via HDMI with the new Moto 6412 that has forgone the DVI for HDMI.

Not sure this is the right thread... but

I'm about to buy a 42PWD8UK, and I need either a DVI or HDMI blade. I'd prefer the HMDI, but I'm having trouble finding one. I was told they are on "national back order". Does anyone have a clue where and when I could get one?

Or should I just settle for a DVI? I'm using it for my OPPO, and I'm considering getting a Gefen switch to add TWC digital cable.

Has anyone who owns a Panasonic noticed an audible buzzing or humming? I'm at high altitude (Denver which is a mile hi). Their website doesn't say it's tested for high altitude, but does say it's manufactured for elevations around 7,000 feet. Please advise asap.

xandypx... Thanks! That confirms what I thought I found by digging around in the menu. I think my concern was based on the fact that my Samsung is pretty stupid... it just totally disables internal stretch/zoom and a lot of other things for anything physically coming in on the component ins.
I'm sure the panny is smarter.

When using pass-through from the moto to the panny, should I use interlaced or progressive?

Before my DVI blade showed up, I was connected to the 7UY through component. IMHO, I found 480P to look far superior to 480i on the digital non-HD channels. With non-Digital channels, if I recall correctly, neither setting made those channels look any good... kind of like how they still look over DVI...

I'm at 5600 ft. in Arizona, and my 7UY makes no noise whatsoever.

BruZZi,
Would you do the Avia calabration after the 100 hours of during the 100 hours of break in? What is your opinion on letting a DVD loop to speed up the 100 hour break in. I don't watch much TV except at night and worry that it will take forever to break in. Thanks!

Thanks for your input. I will order Avia tommorrow. Take care!

BruZZi,
One more quick question please if I can. Is it also ok to run a VCR during the break in period. I assume it's safe like running a DVD correct? My wife still has VHS workout tapes so she needs her VCR. Thanks for the help again, You have helped me alot.

Hello everyone,
I've tried searching and posting a couple of times for the default service menu settings on a 42px500u to no avail. I think I might have changed something on mine by accident. I'm posting what my settings are currently in the hopes of finding someone kind enough with a 42px500u to verify my settings. If anybody needs help on navigating the service menu, Please let me know. I have the service manual. Here are the settings that I can see on my set's service menu. If anybody has different values or extra settings please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Jules.


pct-adj Picture
AGC
OFF
Gain
200
YMAX
000


COLOR
30
TINT
05
S-BRT
80-A
RFAGC1
74
AGC-ADJ1
FIX
RFAGC2
74
AGC-ADJ2
FIX

OPTION BOOT-ROM
0000:00
MN102H90MTZ1: --
---------- (count info omitted)
---------- (eeprom version omitted)
---------- (checksum info omitted)

RM-SET CODE
A

STB-CAS

i hope someone on here can help me with this.
i am hoping to buy my first plasma, and the panny hd is my first choice but i am unsure which to go for.can someone explain to me what is the benefit of having the 50 inch over the 42inch .

i believe it might be a bit bigger

So, I'm considering ordering my 42" HD 8UK soon, but I wonder...once I take it out of the box...then what?

What should I tweak? Here's what I understand so far...

1) Picture Menu: set to "Standard" (doesn't it come factory set to "Dynamic"?)
2) Brightness: set to level 0 or lower during first 100 hours

Below are things I'd think would be good to set...can someone confirm or comment on these items? These are based on what I've read in the Panasonic manual.

1) Setup screensaver -- white bar scroll?
2) Set "Wobbling" to "On"

Thanks! I'm just prepping for this purchase in the next week or two, and want to have a laundry list of things I should set once it's out of the box and running.

Maybe this would be something good to add to the FAQ? A set of guidelines to follow during the first 100 hours? It'd be nice to refer to something like that once my panel is sitting here running.