Official LG plasma thread - Page 12

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I am not a gamer, but I did want to ask a question. Since the LG has special burn-in protection settings, like orbiter, is it safe to play video games on it. I have a 42PC3D and don't really see myself playing any games on it. But I have installed a few of these for customers who asked to run a cable for their various game systems. Typically with any plasma I just let them know it is not advised, but I was wondering if these settings make it safer with these sets.

I have finished about 200 hours of break in, and play NCAA 07 on my xbox and 42" plasma, with no side effects. The slight IR that does come about because of the score and time goes away within 5 mins. Oh, and it looks great!

I used this forum a fair bit when trying to nail down a decision on what to buy (about 6 months of hair pulling) and figure it's about time to give a little back.

There's only thing I like better than this TV, and that's the sound I hear when someone walks into the room and their jaw hits the floor !

I'm not a technophile, so can only give you a regular viewers review, but for those noobs (like me) this should be somewhat helpful. The TV is on a stand in a corner of a rectangular room, main floor, just beside a very large picture window... think LOTS of light in this room. My main Lazy Boy sits to the left, at about a 30 degree angle and about 10 feet eyeball to screen distance away. The couch is to the right, less angle (15-20) and 10-12 feet away depending on your seat. The all-black exterior, with only the single blue (on) / red (off) light visible is beautiful. The aesthetics (sp?) of the system turned OFF is what sold my wife originally (although she now watches more tv than me )

The PICTURE: My Cable provider is Shaw and I use their PVR (6818-III I think) hooked up via HDMI Cable. My DVD Player is a cheap Citizen, upconverting and HDMI connected as well (I bought 5 DVD Players one weekend, and this $60 box - with HDMI cable included - played my burnt DVD's the best, hands down!).
HD Channels - Simply Amazing. Better than anything I saw in a store and I still shake my head at how good it looks. Everything from Discovery to Sports to Standard viewing (ie LOST). That said, some HD is better than others... TSN Hockey is much sharper than CBC. And NBC leaves a little to be desired as well... but everything is still much, much better than...
SD Channels - Arguably, a little worse picture than what I had before on my 36" CRT, but with the extra screen size, to be expected and for the amount I watch, more than acceptible.
DVD- With my little Citizen (way outperforms my $250 Panny which is now just a glorified CD player) pictures are sharp, crisp, no lag, pixilation, shadows or anything else to detract from the experience. Boofull.

Regardless of time of day, glare/reflextion is at worst, minimal... and only after having it this long do i notice the tiny amout that may be there when lights/sun is on (I'm getting spoiled!)

I have not played too much with the video or 'temperature' controls. I love the handy 4 different 'lighting' systems the remote offers, and have been more than happy with that. Admittedly, I did nothing special regarding a break-in time, just kinda kept an idea in the back of my mind as to not watch too much SD with the black bars (not a prob after seeing HD). Mind you, outside of a movie or hockey/football game, we only watch 3-4 shows a week. TV is probably used less than 20 hours a week.

The SOUND: I do not have this set up to a home theatre / surround sound system (kids go to bed too early still) and find the TV speakers more than adequate. I really love the extra wattage this set includes. Another GREAT feature is the handy selection of automatic audio settings (ie. Stadium, Theatre) which dramatically enhances the experience. However, once I get this into the basement, from the main floor, I will be going surround.

The remote is very handy, but not used much as I have a backlit Universal that does a semi decent job. I have a Harmony 880 on order, and hope that gives me more of the functions the regular remote provides (any one else have this remote?).

Sorry, with the Cable Box/PVR I don't use the built in one at all, so I can't help much there... The TV Guide works great, but again, I don't use it much.

The ONLY problem I have had (any help out there?) is that when switching inputs (ie PVR to DVD) I lose the sound. I have to turn the TV off and then back on to fix it...? Dunno, and not enuf of a prob that I've contacted LG yet.

I was very happy with the 2 year warranty and used my credit card to 'double the length'. This saved a fair chunk of cash over the store bought warranty.

Not much more I can say, extremely satisfied, and my wife is much happier than she ever would have imagined with a purchase of this size. I'll check in from time to time to see if there are any questions I can help answer, but I'm not prepared to get too technical... just not my forte

I have had my PC503D for nearly a month now and share the same sentiments nearly to the letter.
My cable provider is Comcast and we are in a hill billy area of NY so the channel signals can vary widely lol.
Generally HD is amazing but as netreg says it depends on the channel/signal.
SD is the biggest roll of the dice. Some channels, more than likely digital signal, look nearly like HD while others are "eh" so so but still very watchable.
I am using component cable from the cable box to the tv, saving the hdmi for my dvd player.
DVD's look sharp and close to HD on my cheapo Philips player I got for $80 at BB.

I scaled my settings down to the 50% range using the DVE calibration dvd to set it up.
Once I have gotten through 100 hours I will recalibrate. I do find the range of settings to be too high on the contrast side.

I use a Harmony 659 to control everything and it does just that with the push of one button much to my wife's delight.
I have some Santa bucks burning a hole in my pocket and am looking at buying the 880. It is one sweet remote.

Good luck and enjoy your tv you lucky LG owners.

Where did you get those end stands? I love them!

Wal Mart of all places for a mere $85 bucks each. There is also a matching tv stand that is pretty decent too.

There is a gaming setting in the menu, pretty sure. Many folks I know who have bought that set play games with no problems. Main thing with any PDP is to be sensible - not playing games 24/7 or leaving a static image on the screen for an extended period of time.
Panny say it also helps to age the pixels with a good break in at 50% settings - which I am following on my 42PC1DA.

The response for getting into the expert setting did not work. Please can someone tell me how to get in to the expert tuning with the factory remote and TV. Thanks.

I have the 42PC1DA and I did about 200 hours of break in. I have had some slight IR (my wife left a DVD menu on for about 4 hours), but it disappeared in 15 minutes or so. At first I was scared to play games, but I have been playing NCAA Football 07 on my XBOX for a while now, and the static scores, etc. have not caused a problem. I wouldn't play for 4 or five hours in a row though...break it up with something else.

Has anyone accessed the service menu on the 42pc1da? I need to find the default values for the set.

I searched the forum for the answer to the above question, but did not find it.

I know the 50PC1DRA has two HDMI ports and a built in DVR compared with NO DVR and one HDMI port other than that are they the same set??

I don't need the DVR getting a Direct TV model.

thanks, steve

Hold menu on the panel and on the remote for a few seconds.

I think the higher end model also has PIP and more displayable colors (higher bit rate).

Robert

I would I notice any difference in the picture quality between the LG 50PC3D & 50PC1DRA with the 14 bit processsor. I don't need the DVR nor PIP (since I ditching cable for Direct TV)

thanks, Steve

I just received my replacement 50PC3D ( the first one would not power one ) so they replaced it with a new one.

The first thing I noticed when hooking it up is that the new one has 2 hdmi ports and the old one I had bought a week before had 1 hdmi port. So I am definatly happy with that one.

Then when connected I ran through a quick Avia calibration and let the plasma break in DVD play for a while. So far I must say that certain HD channels are far better than other HD Channels. Even when they are both showing actual HD.

I will also say that the xbox 360 looks amazing on this TV.

I also have the 360 HD-DVD addon and have watched the following HD-DVD movies:

Chrinocles of Riddick
Mission Impossible III
2 Fast 2 Furious
Phantom of the Opera
16 Blocks
Superman Returns

All look HD-DVD's so far look great with no problems.

Normal TV looks well like normal TV on almost any 50" HDTV... not so hot but watchable and if you sit far enough back respectable.

I have also watched the following normal DVD's

Cars
Monsters Inc

I must say they look amazing.

As far as 14 bit processing I am sure there will be a difference but for me that 50PC3D was in my budget and I am happy with it. I did not need the DVR or PIP either. As my local Hi Fi (not big box) store put it... are there better 50" TV's out there yes do they cost more absolutely. So for the money I would say that the 50PC3D is a great TV as is the one with the PVR so spend within your budget or get the 50PC3D and an HD-DVD player or the one with the PVR. I have only had mine for about 1 week so you can take or leave my commments.

Thanks,

Quick question for the experts around here. I use a Denon 1930 upscalling DVD player, attached to my LG 42PC1DRA via HDMI. How do I know if the DVD player is doing the upscaling or if it's the TV? Is there a way for the LG to just take the signal and display it, not upscaling or doing anything with it?

Very nice setup Kai Winters...check out mine below. I've had it for about 2 months and so far I really like it. Just mounted it on the wall about 2 weeks ago using one of the Monoprice mounts...very good quality, can't beat it for the price.

Here are the pics....




One more thing....Can anybody post their settings? I'm just passed the break in period and I think mine is close to perfect but something seems a little off.

Ok, I just picked up a 42PC1DA last night, and I am very happy with this set. If anyone could give me there settings for this TV, it would be great, also if they are ISF certified or not.

Also one thing I noticed was that the model at the sales floor had 2 expert settings and when I got home there was none? Is that enabeled in the service menu?

Also if there are any precautionary settings for the first 100hrs of burn in time?

Thanks again!

I've been looking for one in the DC./Baltimore Area? I ordered online but they keep telling me its backordered. Any Advise?

PM Sent

Here are the settings I am using for dvd playback and tv.
I used the DVE calbration dvd.
My tv has just passed its' 100+ hours of breakin so I will likely be recalibrating it, more because it is fun but to see if there is a change.

Contrast 45
Brightness 37
Color 49
Sharpness 50
Tint -2
Temp Medium

Thanks for the info, my TV also just passed its 100+ hours break-in period. Are your settings using HDMI or component input?
I used AVIA to calibrate mine for my Oppo 970 DVD over HDMI and then discovered that my component settings that I had set (via eye) myself actually showed blacks better than my HDMI setting (done with AVIA) when I tried a "hack" firmware that allows upconversion over component for the Oppo. I will borrow the AVIA DVD and try calibrating it again, for both the HDMI and the component inputs and compare.

I did mine via HDMI and had higher contrast and color settings (65 and 68 respectively). I also used DVE. This setting was for my denon 1930 DVD player, so I assume all devices will be different. Love the TV though...just passed 300 hours and have little IR...not really worried about it anymore, that's the best part!

wow those are some nice pictures. That is a nice plasma television. Does it come in black color?
That sucks that it only has HDMI input. What sort of calibration settings are available on the television. Can you adjust the red green and blue settings individually? I find this helps me to get a very natural color if the settings are available.

I'm thinking about purchasing this television for my parents. From what I understand the standard definition programming appears quite well on this television. Did most of you get it from Best Buy?

Has anyone used a colorimeter to see how accurate the colors on this television are?

Also, are all these televisions available with a cable card?

Thanks in advance

Finally took the plunge and bought a 60PC1D! Thanks to all of you for the great info on this forum. I was originally going to settle for an DLP but when I saw this TV and learned that the 60PC1D now has three rebates (January rebate $500, Big Game rebate $300 and install/furniture $200) I couldn't resist. (They are probably doing this to clear out for upcoming newer (1080P) models). Delivery is scheduled for Monday...can't wait!

That is the same model that I went with. You will be very happy!!!! I got mine in late Nov. and it has been awesome. I also got a very sweet deal. It is to bad that more people don't look at LG because for the money you cant beat them.

With the LG42PC3D is there any way to tell what signal you are receiving? With my Toshiba LCD when I switch inputs the screen will show 480i or 1080i or 720p for example. Is there any way to get my LG to do this? Thanks.

The expert setting meant that someone at the store went into the service menu and created that picture setting.

I do not recommend that everybody goes into the service menu unless they know what they are doing and feel comfortable making the adjustments.

The expert setting as a picture preference allows you to change the color setting, greyscale adjustments, cenering of each input. That is a very nice feature.

I have found that on the LG Lcd & Plasma then to push a green bias. This can easily be corrected in the service menu.

I have a LG 42PX4D and 37LC2D used my dve and displayed a greyscale pic and adjusted the color temp cool, normal and warm. Much better than factory.

On the plasma Normal setting I reduced the B(blue) drive by 6 points. The factory picture tends to be too blue(cool) and also reduced the G drv by 3 points and G cut from 64 to 62. Reduced the G cut from 64 to 62 in warm color temp setting.

Ended up with
Contrast at 45
Brightness at 35 for dvd and hdtv ota 40 all other 37
Color at 50
Tint -2
Sharpness 0
Nomal color temp for most viewing and warm for dvd.

Installed a small back light behind the tv not 6500'K so the colors in the photo is not exact, even better looking at it. This is in my study.

I love the tv guide feature. I rearrange the guide that it displays the same order as cable.

I even added the ota HD antenna guide.