Official Panasonic 37", 42", 50", 58" & 65" (60, 600, etc)- Questions, Sightings, Etc - Page 9

Does Panasonic offer any extended warranties with in home service? If so, what are the cost of the plans?

This may not be "answerable" yet, but does anyone know if the two HDMI ports on the PX60/PX600 are equivalent to the 7 series or the 8 series blade for the commercial panels? The difference in the two blades turns out to be more significant than just the PAL resolutions that are supported in the 8 series. It has been revealed that the 8 series produces higher resolution in the way that it handles 1080i (I think) and perhaps the 720p as well. Gary Merson's article indicated that the PX50/PX500's were only showing half of the resolution of the 720 signal, and half of the 1080i as well????? I probably have this wrong and am too tired to chase down the details, but I know that you guys understand what I am referring to and can set me straight, and perhaps shed some light on the new consumer sets and the possibility that their HDMI inputs will produce 16-bit processing, or, whatever.

Anyone know the what the largest EDTV Panasonic makes is? Also, does anyone know if the new 600u is going to allow you to stretch a non-HD signal to full screen to avoid the black bars?

Based on the call I just made, the answer is yes. Didn't get the exact price, but the guy said about $100 a year for each of years 2 to 5.

Also, I got denied on the order of a 42px60u. The guy said maybe tomorrow. But he confirmed the 10% discount and free shipping.

Lucky for you...

Any chance that you can use the 10% club panasonic discount from the employee website and get an even better price? I am interested in the 50" 60U, and that would be great to get it for a REALLY good price. Has anybody tried this?

Lots of posts on 60u being available now/shortly. Why is there such a delay in the 600u's availability?

I knew about the FHD1, but I heard that they were going to start phasing out their presence in the market.. Didnt make a ton of sense to me either, except that they represent a small chunk of the market as far as I know. Perhaps that source of info was wrong.

They didnt announce an update to the 4360 at CES, and it isnt that new, is it?

Anyway, I can still get a pio, I am just leaning towards the 42 60u at this point.
One B&M in the nyc area had the pio for[EDIT], but they are out of stock. Everywhere else I have seen it from a reputable place was for approx.[EDIT].

After reading about pixel isssues and bad customer service for something so expensive, I want to make sure that the set I get is great, but the place I purchase from has to be really good as well.

Anticipation is killing me.
Does BB pricematch Panasonic online?

The 8UK doesn't have a tuner so I think I can use in Europe/Asia/RoW if I just get a local tuner (PAL, secam). Assume I can't take 60U/600U with me?

Can someone answer tomboyter's questions. I had also read the article about Panny's losing resolution. I would be really pi**ed if I owned 50/500 model. I want to make sure that the 600s do not have the same problem before I buy it. How can we be sure because we don't have the test equipments to measure the resolution.

You can buy extended warranties from outsides sources. It doesn't have to be from the dealer you bought from - be it car or plasma. And, remeember, many credit cards (platinum or gold type) double the mfr. warranty. If Panny gives a year, you wind up w. a two year warranty. Cleveland Plasma (sponsor here) will sell you one. My personal opinion is they are all a waste of money.

...mike

Why, did somebody tell you the 50/500's look bad?

Yes. Panasonic offers extended one, two, and three year plans. Go here to read and fill out a form:

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp...=null&modelNo=

sorry about that.

Does anyone know when Costco will be getting these?
{already ducking from anticipated flames}
I know that they will aparently be available on the panny website soon, does that mean that they will be released at stores simultaneously?
Thanks.

I was not pushing. I mentioned several days ago in this thread about being able to buy from Panny direct at 10% of MSRP and free shipping. Of course there would be sales tax to pay. I didn't buy from them, either. I have "pushed" Visual Apex because over the years I have bought at least two sets from them - altho not the latest because they don't carry consumer models. I have sometimes rec. TV Authority here w. the disclaimer that I can't (rather don't) buy from them because they are in my same state.
IF I hadn't already made my deal w. BB earlier in the day, maybe would have bought from Cleveland Plasma since the price was approx. the same and I would have been supporting a sponsor.

...mike

Thanks, I just came across a source who has a bunch of TH-42PX500U's available .... do you think I'd be giving up very much staying with the '05 model vs 06' model (500 vs 600)? Something the "ordinary" TV watcher would really notice? They also had the HP versions available as well.

The home theatre magazine had an article that said that 42px500 were only showing 380p for 720p. I was seriously considering buying one of those but could not because they were not available at the time. I also emailed the author of that article and he said that the 720p picture did look soft using component. Do you own one of those panels? What is your experience?

This is now up to you. Can you wait for the 600U's (~2 months)?? which I think would be cheaper than the 500U and with 9th Gen panel specs. The 600U also has 2 HMDI slots, which may be more meaningful in the next couple years. I know the "feeling" to buy can be great but think it through. If not, it's still a Panasonic

Hideph

The resolution on the 42 inch panasonic is 1080 by 768; this means that it cannot resolve every single line of 720p format (1280 by 720) - only about 70 percent. The 50 inch has a resolution of 1366 x 768 which means that it fully supports 720p; but not 1080p.

No, I am planning on a 600u very soon I hope. I have only seen the 500's and 50's here and there. I looked at them vs the pioneer elites and others and it was not like the panasonics had anything to worry about (considering price)
Sometimes specs on paper don't always tell the whole story

First and foremost, thank you do everyone for the great info here...I've been nosing around for the past several weeks on the forum, hotly anticipating the 2006 Panny displays...trying to decide between the 42 and 50, etc etc...and the information I've learned from everyone has been great.

My first post here is to give a little bit back. After the tip that Panasonic was taking phone orders today, I called in to order my 42" 60U. Much to my surprise, the lovely young woman taking my order also offered the 42" 600U. That threw me for a loop since everyone has been saying it would be a few more months for those. MSRP on the 60U is 2799.95 and the 600U MSRP is $3199.95. I sprung for the 600U...cleaner bezel and the fun of the split screen.

Should have the 600U in my hands in a week...they have a limited number of the 600U's (she said 120 in total to sell). FYI - she also mentioned that they would be able to sell the 50" on or about March 22.

Can somebody help me out here? It is clear that I am beating a dead horse, but I have read conflicting reports on this and I'm hoping one of you knowledgable people can give me a straight answer:

Are the 2006 Panasonic 60U 42"ers HD sets? I've read that the resolution is technically not the standard put forth by ATSC, but at this screen size the difference is irrelevant. Is this the case? How about on a 37" 60U set?

These technical details are enough to make someone back off of HD sets altogether; it's kind of hard to digest. Anyway, I'm all set to buy one of these guys and I just am very confused about the whole thing.

Thanks very much for any help you can give me,
Lando

babylando -- in the HD world, a 42" screen is a tiny postage stamp size. It would require you to sit a few feet away from the screen to get the full effect. Think of a home theater screen, or even a movie theater screen -- now we're talking HD, 2k, 4k.

Hence, the 42" Panasonic screen is not the full HD, but within typical viewing distances it is the maximum resolution that the human eye can resolve.

[quote=Chitown]
My first post here is to give a little bit back. After the tip that Panasonic was taking phone orders today, I called in to order my 42" 60U. Much to my surprise, the lovely young woman taking my order also offered the 42" 600U. That threw me for a loop since everyone has been saying it would be a few more months for those. MSRP on the 60U is 2799.95 and the 600U MSRP is $3199.95. I sprung for the 600U...cleaner bezel and the fun of the split screen.

QUOTE]

First, someone said phone order price was $2499 then $2699 and now $2799?

I was wondering if any of the few lucky first owners of the 42PX60U could measure something for me...what height does the screen begin at? (as measured from the surface of whatever the plasma is placed on) I ask because I may need to place my center channel speaker in front of the plasma, and I don't want to block the screen at all (not an ideal solution, but it may have to do for now).

Since a picture is worth 1000 words (original pic taken from BruZZi's great site):

Been following this thread and its fore-runner for a few weeks. Picking up my son's this weekend.
Maybe I missed it, but has anyone mentioned what picture settings they are using? I know only a few here have theirs up and running.

Thanks.

...mike

Hey, its not spring yet and people are already getting some. Not all models are out, but hey thumbs up to early release.