Panasonic TH-50PM50U arrived today - Page 5  

Digitalson, what is a HDMI switcher? Is that like an A/B switch?

Thanks,
Roy

HDMI Switch is like an A/B switch. Here is the description from monoprice.

"The HDMI Switcher allows access to multiple HDMI devices, such as DVD players and Satellite set-top boxes to one HDMI display.
It's a best choice for home theater systems and dual computer users.
No more hassles of manually plugging in different HDMI connectors to view different HDMI sources.

- Easy switching of multiple HDMI sources(e.g. DVD, cable/satellite receiver) using remote control or the switch button on the switcher.
- Individual LED Display of video source channels.
- Supports 480i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolution.
- Maintains highest HDMI single link video resolution.
- Supports DDWG standard for HDMI compliant monitors.
- HDCP Compliant.
- Low cost solution for home theater integration.
- Plug-and-play. No software installation. Installs in seconds."

I picked up my PM50 last week at Costco and had it mounted since then with no way to watch it. D*TV came out Saturday to upgrade me to an L3 dish, HD Tivo, and an OTA antenna and all I can say is **Wow!!** This is set up in our bedroom and the picture is unbelievable! The unit is mounted to the wall with a Peerless mount and for the moment our Tivo is on a snack table in front of it (yes, I know it's tacky but...!) I'm reseaching the DVD players and will order the HDMI switch this week. Pics to follow...

Does anyone know if there is a way to change the input labels ..?

I have not been able to find that option. My family is having a hard time deciding which input is for the DVD, X-box, the DRV and cable. It would be nice if I can change the labels to something closer than HDMI, Video1, Video2, etc

Hello everyone,

I just purchased the 50PM50U. I have DirectTV HD package H20 Receiver hooked up to the TV with HDMI. The picture is Great. On some of the HD broadcasts I notice some pixelation but this is only due to the signal that the TV is being sent, how they filmed the piece, the equipment that was used etc, not the TV. When the TV is getting a good HD Signal, it is Amazing! I was very surprised how good the SD Picture looked also.

So I can say that I am very happy with this TV.

Now, something happened yesterday and then today. I was watching TV when all of a sudden the Picture and sound just shut down. it was off for about two seconds and then came back on. I don't think the tv shut down. HDMI popped up on the Screen when the picture came back. The TV is working fine and it hasn't happen in the past 30 min.

Not sure if it's the H20 or the TV. It seems that people that are having problems with this TV also have the H20.

If this happens again or I figure it out I will let you all know.

Again, very nice TV.

I do not have the H20, and I have not experienced that problem.

Regarding the pixelation, have you experienced it in all your inputs,..? I have noticed it on my HDMI input connected to a Dish 921 DVR box. I think that problem is in the box and not the TV, I do not get pixelation off my component or my S-video inputs. The S-video is connected to my DVD and my component is connected to a cable box

Somebody posted a reply to my question about the pixelation problem and I made the changes and it went away. The picture setting has to be taken off of Vivid. On vivid there is pixelation and if you look closely the faces of people look like they are made out of clay. Putting the setting on normal fixed the problem, but some of that brightness is lost.

Roy

Roy is right on target. Once you take the setting off of vivid, the picture does not pixelate as much, and the clay faces do go away. I did this fix before my last post. I do still notice on occasion pixelation on certain hd channels but it is not bad. It seems to happen alot on the outdoor scenes and only when there is a lot of motion. I do have it set on 1080i output from the h20. I will try 720p for a while and see what happens.

I am also going to try and switch to Component to see if that helps.

Like I said before, when the signal is good, the picture is GREAT!!!

Hi All:

I've been lurking for sometime and have been impressed with everyone's depth of knowledge.

I was hoping to get some advice - I just purchased the TH50PM50u from Costco - which from my research appears to be the same as the TH50PX50u minus the tuner. Not sure where the imaging circuitry is the same as the PX or the 8UK but I'd guess it's the same as the PX. I've got it hooked into a Dish HD box using an HDMI connection through a Pioneer 72 receiver that has HD switching using HDMI.

I was curious (and haven't had a chance to test this yet using a test disc and will post results when I do) about whether those on this forum had any views on the following:

1) Should I set my STB output setting to 720 or 1080i? It appears that both settings require decoding by the screen. Frankly, without a test disc, it's been difficult for me to see any difference between the various STB HD settings (even 480).

2) Any thoughts on whether HDMI offers better PQ with this type of set up vs. component video? I haven't gotten an extra set to compare. I think I can set up my receiver to feed component to the set when watching DVD (I have an older DVD player with no digital out) and feed HDMI when watching TV.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Mike

Hi All:

I've been lurking for sometime and have been impressed with everyone's depth of knowledge.

I was hoping to get some advice - I just purchased the TH50PM50u from Costco - which from my research appears to be the same as the TH50PX50u minus the tuner. Not sure where the imaging circuitry is the same as the PX or the 8UK but I'd guess it's the same as the PX. I've got it hooked into a Dish HD box using an HDMI connection through a Pioneer 72 receiver that has HD switching using HDMI.

I was curious (and haven't had a chance to test this yet using a test disc and will post results when I do) about whether those on this forum had any views on the following:

1) Should I set my STB output setting to 720 or 1080i? It appears that both settings require decoding by the screen. Frankly, without a test disc, it's been difficult for me to see any difference between the various STB HD settings (even 480).

2) Any thoughts on whether HDMI offers better PQ with this type of set up vs. component video? I haven't gotten an extra set to compare. I think I can set up my receiver to feed component to the set when watching DVD (I have an older DVD player with no digital out) and feed HDMI when watching TV.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Mike

Strangely enough, with my Comcast 6412 HD STB, I get a better picture when the box is set to 1080i; at least CBS/NBC/INHD etc (those that are output in 1080i). The stations that broadcast in 720p (ABC/ESPN/Fox) look great either way.

Others have reported this as well, although the PM50u has a native res of 720.

I have both HDMI and Component hooked up. I really can't see a difference. Both look great.

Enjoy

Ken

Two questions for the TH-50M50U owners:

1. Is there a way to get into the Service Menu? Is it worth doing so?
2. What is the best way to do ISF calibration for this Plasma?

Appreciate the input!

Hold down the volume button on the display and hit the recall button on the remote 3 times.

Anyone know how to view the hours used?

I recently brought the TH-50M50U and would like to know if anyone knows of a good website I can purchase a HDTV Turner or HD Receiver? I am planning to go with Comcast but do not want to use their rental box.

Why not? It's $7 a month.

I am not sure, but you may find the answer on this append

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=407154

If the only difference is the tuner....get the one without the tuner...it is a waist of money.

That's the way to do it??? (Never had a chance to try it myself ;) )


Can you 42/50PM50U owners confirm that please??? :)

__________________________________
BruZZi's Panasonic Plasma FAQ — bruzzi.ws
Lots of info for all Plasmas in general.

I tied it and it works, it gets you into the service panel. Not sure how to use it, but there it was, I could not figure out how to get out of it, so I powered the TV off and it worked

Agreed. I have the TH-50PM50U. I too got into the service menu and did not know what to do once I got there! Had to power off to exit. Does anyone have a novices guide to the service menus options?

Thanks!

Ok that's the same sequence as the Commercial Models.

Is the menu the same as the Commercial showing the CAT???


http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6...catmenu0tb.jpg


__________________________________
BruZZi's Panasonic Plasma FAQ — bruzzi.ws
Lots of info for all Plasmas in general.

No..... mine looked different I will try to post it when I get home. It starts with options such as video, audio, etc.

Socceteer, I got the info from Moebius vis PM.

It's basically the same as for the other Consumer models except (since the 42/50PM50U remotes don't have key buttons...) you must use the cursor keys to select the "OPTION" menu.

Thanks anyway. :) :) :)

Here's how to do it:

• ..Hold Down the " Volume (-) " button ON THE PLASMA
• ..Press the "RECALL" button on the Remote Control 3 times
• ..Using the direction buttons (v ^) to select "OPTION".
• ..Press and hold the MUTE key on the remote for 3 seconds.
  
  ..TIME ...= Hours of Operation (Hex Numbers)
  ..COUNT = How many times the Plasma was powered on
  
  
• ..Switch off the power to exit the service menu.

Quick tip by jasonbanks to covert the hours in hex to numbers:
In Windows, open CALC (calculator). Click View, and set it to Scientific mode.
Select Hex, enter the number then click Dec.
It will convert it to a number for you.
__________________________________
BruZZi's Panasonic Plasma FAQ — bruzzi.ws
Lots of info for all Plasmas in general.

Excellent...Thanks for the information...!

Which HD option to choose on the Panny? I have a Dish 811 receiver and it gives me 3 HD options

1. 1080i
2. 720P
3. 480 P

From what I observed, the 1080i looks crystal clear for the HD channels. But I thought 1080i is only 540P so should'nt the 720P give better resolution?? Is there any other setting I need to tweak if I select 720 or 480P?

Please advice!

Hi all

Does any one know how to adjust the screen location. I am not sure if it is my TV or my Dish Network HD DVR. It looks like the screen is not centered it is noticeable during some of the none HD shows I can see some lines on the top of the screen. I used a a calibration CD and it shows a little off also. But I do not know how to adjust it..!

I could use some help..!

Thanks