Official Panasonic 37", 42", 50", 58" & 65" (60, 600, etc)- Questions, Sightings, Etc - Page 22

Another newbie here. Just got off the phone with Panasonic and the guy told me the 60U would be available next week and the 600U would be available in late April or early May. I asked the difference between the two (I read as much of this thread as possible to find the answer to this question) and he said the 60U does not have a CableCard slot (I probably wouldn't use this anyway since I want PPV option), less speakers (won't use those either since I'll be going thru my HT receiver), no front/side jacks (won't use those as all cables will be run from the back). Am I missing something else? Other than what is listed, are these identical TV's? I'd just as soon save the extra $500 and get the 60U.

Another newbie too. Thanks for useful information. Great forums and members!

tulinoc, can you order thru Panasonic Direct? I was going to order this morning but didn't do it because Beto3645 mentioned that they won't accept the phone order.

I didn't ask since I was still evaluating between the 2 (as well as other brands). The guy seemed less than enamored with talking to me. He couldn't give me any info on the 600U other than the ship timeframe. That's why I thought I'd ask here.

I am logged into my company EPP website for Panasonic right now, the 42PX60U is there, free shipping and a 17% discount off list price. so you are saying its actually not orderable?

I guess you cannot stack the EPP discount, plus the club panasonic 10%? that would be too good to be true.

the 60U does not have picture-in-picture (PIP), the 600U does.

600's also have PC input. You could get around that if you still wanted to hook up a PC, but I think it's a less optimal arrangement. This could all change with the new UDI standard recently introduced by Intel and Apple (if it flies). As I understand it, the UDI is completely compatible with HDMI, but TV makers don't have to pay a royalty fee to the HDMI licensing agency, which makes it cheaper to implement. Eventually, PCs will be plugged into HDMI/UDI ports, so content providers can maintain copy protection while users get full HD.

The PC input is what keeps me from getting the 60. I just want the flexibility to add in a computer if and when it becomes a more useful input device. Then again, if this new UDI standard comes out, could make it all happen with another HDMI input. But then I will need 3 inputs, not just 2!

I ordered yesterday evening using my company's EPP discount. I actually called and did it over the phone. Tell them the company you work for and they will honor the discount.

I asked the salesman if it was possible to add the club panasonic discount on top of the EPP discount...not surprisingly, no. Hey, never hurts to ask.

Thanks. PIP and PC connectivity aren't important to me either. Right now it looks like the 60U is winning.

I ordered from Panny Direct on 3/10, got a confirmation call today 3/14 to verify the CC order, was told that shipment would not be until around 3/24 or so on the 42PX60Us as they sold out of their previous batch. Kind of PO'd frankly, if they'd processed the order immediately it would've gone out immediately. Still, can't fault Panasonic, they don't actually charge your card until the TV ships so sounds like a fair policy all round.

Did you check your invoice on Panasonic's website. Mine says date shipped 3/14 but no tracking information is available. I wonder if yours says the same even though they told you it wouldn't ship until 3/24

I purchased the TH-42PX60u and installed it yesterday. It is a superioir set in all ways to the 50U except for the lack of cable card. I am disappointed that the remote does not light up like the old one though....

The discount used to be roughly 30% - where did our other 13% go Panasonic?

Panasonic readily admitted that their online tracking system was broken - mine says nothing, just this:

Any details as far as picture quality?

I'm curious where you'd seen the 50U for comparison?

I think mine actually might have gone through more quickly because of what I thought was a hassle at the time. I ended up having to setup a 3-way call with my bank's customer service and the panasonic salesman(john) due to a fraud prevention cap on my card. Seemed to have the side affect of having the transaction pushed through immediately instead of the usualy 2 or 3 days of processing.

If you go under Print Your invoice it will show more detail. I used to have the same thing under order status but now I have the details of my order along with the price and the status is 'In Process'

thanks. I figured that club panasonic 10% wouldn't be stackable.

Ok... I am still looking for this info, but I am beginning to wonder if I was dreaming.

Can anyone help me with the whole "integrated" vs "built in" tuner issue? The terminology used for the 600 series is different than what is used for the 60 series.

Enclosed? Like fronts and backs too? Aren't you concerned about the components overheating?

Just wondered.

yb

Anxiously waiting for my 50px60u on April 6th.

I'm thinking of the same setup with the DishNetwork VIP 622 HD DVR.

I'm assuming you're using HDMI. Do you have any handshake issues?

Do you guys that are waiting on the 600 just for PC connectivity know that pretty much any new aftermarket video card will output component? So unless your computer has no available slots you could probably upgrade it for around $50 to allow component video out.

I'm going enclosed too. They're vented, so nothing overheats.

Not to mention with Vista and HD-DVD, you'll be needing a video card that can support HDMI - so DVI or HDMI out, but most likely the latter.

Fastest moving thread ever?

Pretty much.


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

True, but my PC is no where near my TV. I was planning on using my laptop with the 600u, hence the VGA. Personally, I think he 600u looks nicer (even less silver). I'm really considering, painting or masking off the silver (electrical tape maybe) when I get it. I also want the cable card so I don't need a set top box. I'm not intrested in PPV channels but do want HD.

I wouldn't count your chickens yet. The cable companies have already won one of the major HTPC battles. At least to start with, you will be forced to buy retail CableCard compatible unit. Don't expect to buy a PCI device that will function as a CableCard, at least not initially and not legally. This will bleed over to other areas of the home theater PC.

Also don't forget about HDCP. I would bet that if you asked Panny if the 60 series panels are HDCP compliant, you probably won't get a straight answer. You probably aren't paying for the PC input itself.

Anyway, I think the details about the differences in tuners on the 60 and 600 series may be worthy. I just can't figure out what those differences are. Also, how is the PIP going to work (ie with sources)?

Even more will output DVI. Can't get more simple or nice looking than just running a DVI->HDMI cable to your set.

Well, here are the specs from Panasonic through my EPP website. It shows there are speakers and front inputs in 42PX60U model!!!

 

42PX60U specs.doc 95k . file

I also just confirmed with tech support of Panasonic that it has speakers and front inputs.