REVIEWS of PANASONIC 600U by people that actually own them!! No sightings, pricing,

I would have thought someone would at least have some first impressions by now.

Mine is coming on Thursday. I will hopefully have some impressions within a week or so.

My 600U arrived on Friday. I originally ordered the 500U directly from Panasonic back in the fall, so I was one of the first to be offered a chance to buy the 600U.

I'm still breaking it in, but my first impressions are VERY positive. PQ is great even with the settings turned down during the break-in period. I've been watching a lot of Discovery HD since it has no logos and I've been thrilled with the picture.

I had some trouble with the initial setup because the Component 1 input didn't appear to be working. I called customer support, but I could tell the guy I talked to had never taken a call for the 600U and was looking through the same documentation I had in front of me. I'm hoping that there is an option in the service menu somewhere to enable that port. Component 2 worked fine and since I'm using my receiver for component video switching, that's fine with me right now. If anyone knows how to enable/disable the component inputs, I'd appreciate the pointer.

Since I'm only half way through the break-in period, I don't have a lot of detailed opinions to offer yet. I'd be happy to field any questions, though.

Here's my setup

Motorola 6412 III HD DVR (component out - toslink out)
Panasonic Progressive Scan DVD Player (component out - toslink out)
Panasonic AVR (HT-3xx I think - about 3 years old)
Belkin PureAV PF31

Once you get past the break in I would be very interested to know if you see any difference in PQ between the 500U and 600U.

Unfortunately, I never received the 500U. They stopped shipping right before I was scheduled to get mine, and since all the B&M's I've been to only carried the 50U series, I haven't been able to compare. Since each series is supposed to have the same panel and only differ by options and appearance, I should be able to compare it to the 50Us I saw. So far my 600U blows the 50Us I've seen away. This is most likely due to the quality of the source material, however. Since I don't have the ability to do a truly controlled test, you'll have to rely on my completely subjective opinion.

Bottom line, after 7+ months of anticipation, I have not been the least bit disappointed.

I've had my 50" 600U for about a week. At this time I only have a progressive Sony DV DVD player hooked up to component and Radio Shack's top end HDTV indoor antenna that lets me see a few HD and digital TV channels.

I ran the break-in DVD for a few days 24/7 (when I wasn't watching anything) just to play safe.

I haven't got to the last nth in picture tweaking but after using my dated DVE calibration DVD, I generally find that color and tint at 0 are most accurate. Standard mode seems best. Picture is at +20 and Brightness pleasing at +10. Sharpness way down or I see noise. Color Temp at Normal or Warm. Black level at Dark. These will probably change but suit DVDs for the most part.

The HD I've seen is impressive. Hard to find fault there but the jury is out until I get the DISH HD receiver installed.

Some say the new Panasonics have taken a step backward in build quality and PQ. Build quality is a notch down. Especially the remote feels cheaper and is quite weak in communicating with the TV. I think thats inexcusable for any TV, regardless of price but is a sore spot on an item of this ticket.

Several learned members of the forums have judged PQ not as smooth as the previous 500U series. Even Consumer Reports noted picture noise that can't be remedied with any of the settings. I do see something of the like in DVD but not in HD.....yet. I remember being very impressed with the 50U / 500U series in stores. But didn't have the opportunity for a side by side with the 60 / 600Us. Nevertheless, the 60U's I saw were the Belle of the Ball compared to other brands like LG, Samsung, Phillips, Vizo, Maxent, and so on.

The only serious competition comes from NEC and Pioneer at this point. The new Pioneers, such as the 5070 are due about now. Supposedly, price has come down to the Panny point and the've gone a new generation that on paper holds much promise. No one's actually seen or evaluated one. People may hand it the crown or comment that it was better last year.

So, I have 30 days since I bought the set to decide if its a keeper. Ummmm, now its 3 weeks.

Please send a 600u so I can evaluate

All kidding aside, it would be good if someone could do a serious and controlled comparison. I'm still waiting for a professional review, even on a 60U.

Panasonic claims its their best PQ yet though I do agree they cut a few corners in build quality to get the price down. Lord knows materials aren't getting cheaper year after year.

That brightness and contrast ratios are improved plus 29B colors vs. the 8, makes me wonder if early impressions aren't taking in the new dynamic ranges without eliminating all of the sizzel. Just going to Standard mode may not be enough when in the store. I may need to pick up the AVI disc. Like most in the forums, I want a natural picture over a hot rodded one.

Why not as you have one of the first 600u's. Run AVIA on it and post some screenshots please.
It's your AVS duty, after all.

Point taken. I just wish there was a disc that really addressed flat panel TVs instead of "kind of" like the VE and AVIA. VE is particulary frustrating with all the CRT stuff and lame navigation.

Posting screenshots are of limited value given the prevailing online resolution.

But good point. I will continue to post observations as they come up. Since AVIA is the only other game in town, I may resort to that.

There's a lot of expectation on the new Pioneers and many people on the forums give Pioneer the nod I'm starting to see. No complaints on black levels with Panasonic though.

Under the resolution patterns, try the 'Resolution 200' pattern and post it at both 720p and 1080i..
Screenshots do show more than you think. (HInt: Plazman..hehe)

Thanks!

I picked up my 42PX600U today! It looks fantastic. My current break-in settings are:
Picture = 0
Brightness = 0
Color = -6
Tint = +3
Does anyone think I should go lower for my break in settings (negative numbers)?

I still need to find a reasonable DVD player. I don't want to go over $150-200, so its between the OPPO 971 or 970, Panasonic S97, S52, or the Sony NS75. Any opinions (I know there is a sub forum for DVD players)

The local off air HDTV looks great, even with all my settings turned down for the break in period. Until I get a DVD player (I currently dont have one at all), it will be a few weeks before I reach the 100hr break in since I travel during the week. My intial impressions are great. I almost bought the 60U, but I am happy with paying a bit more for the 600U.

Is anyone using a CableCARD with their 600U?

This is where it stops making sense to me. How do you give the nod to a product that hasn't been released yet? There isn't even a demo that you can use to confirm this.

The attitude (of some not many) seems to be, it's better because it's a pioneer, so shut-up. It may well be the case. But I'd like to verify after the product is released, not assume what it is before.

If I am called a panny fan-boy for just saying that (verify rather than assume) then I have no further argument to make

Yeah....and they say we are the troublemakers....LOL.

I just got my 600U and have a question about break in settings. Can I just set it to cinema mode and forget about it, or do I need to lower the numbers even more?

Verify rather than assume? How about this from another thread:


I didn't think Howe was even referring to the new Pioneers when he said many people give Pioneers the nod. (Yes, I know he referred to them earlier in the sentence.)

Anyway, I came here to see reviews on the 600U.

This was referring to a thread where someone was trying to decide between the Panasonic 58" vs. the soon to be released 60" new generation Pioneer. Most were saying it was a no-brainer, go for the Pioneer if the price was close. Then, in general, a lot of posters piped in about the superiority of Pioneer over Panasonic and how Panasonic was losing it with the new generation. For the record, I am not convinced, per se, against what is currently available from Pioneer. However, the new Pioneers appear to be a major change this generation based on the specs and published details. So, the jury is out since there is none in the showrooms yet. Sorry if my post wasn't clear enough.

How about a review first. Set it the way you like it so you can give us feedback and then you can tone it down for 100 hours - all we want is feedback from real life use. Hold the settings hostage to a feedback first folks.

Question for any one of you folks that have taken delivery on the 600 --- I was in line for one of the 500U's thru an employee partner program last Dec. and I happened to see one at Tweeter - I did not like the gloss black finish on the 500 comparing it to the 50U - seemed to create an annoying reflection - was a mute point anyway since my order was cancalled --- I've received notice that they are again available and notice a change of style -- hopefully they have also changed the gloss finish - can one of you please confirm - also if it is still a gloss frame, does it have an annoying effect. ---

thx - c

My 600U has about a half inch of black glass that you could call "glossy" around the edge of the picture, but it helps to create a smooth, eye pleasing border for the picture. The black glass is then surrounded by a more matte black border all the way around. I think this outer border gives a different effect depending on your angle. With the TV off and from an angled view, the outer border appears more glossy and blends perfectly with the glass. From straight on, especially when the TV is on, it appears more matte and frames the screen well. I think the two types of black create a good transition from the screen to the edge and frame the image much better than if the screen went right to the matte black border. From an aesthetic point of view, I think the 600U looks great on OR off.

This weekend I put together a rather unique setup. I took the 600U off the stand and, using the mounting plate that forms the top part of the stand, I mounted the TV directly to the top of my mantle in the living room. This created a beautiful look because the bottom is now flush with the mantle. I'll try to remember to take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow.

The World Cup games look amazing, as do the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Both have bright, vivid, sharp colors and the 600U represents them extremely well without looking cartoonish. I still have my settings rather low as I'm only around the 125 hour mark, and am expecting my Avia disk soon.

Its not glossy. I got mine this weekend, but I am out of town for the week, but I dont remember any weird reflections this past weekend when I was watching it. It looks great by the way...even with the break in settings.

Thanks for the info - I'm looking forward to receiving mu 600U - I'll be ref: avs as this is my first experience with a plasma tv

wow, thats insane to me, to wait more than half a year on a waiting list

no offense to you but i just dont have the patience for that.. i only wait months for price drops, but i am extremely stingy with my money. I do understand that people here have steady income and once they set their eyes on a TV they are not really worried about the price... but man, half a year! after a month i would put my money elsewhere no doubt

there are my useless 2 cents for the day

are you insane!?!?! we need pictures too

I am should come close to the 100hr mark on my 600 later this weekend. I borrowed Avia from a friend of mine, but what tests on the disc DON'T apply to Plasma's? I was reading another thread here and someone said the Blooming test only applies to CRT. I dont wanna spend time calibrating or running a test pattern than doesnt apply to me.

After researching the EPP price and why it didn't change from last year (actually went up a little), supposedly the panel cost just as much to make as last years model. Although they may have cut corners in certain areas and may have improved on others, the price cut of $500 isn't due to lower manufacturing costs but more of a corporate strategy to retain and/or improve upon market share at the cost of profit.

OK my review of the 600U (pics to follow this aftrenoon).

What: Panasonic 50 inch 600U

Replaced: Sony 34 Wide CRT HD Wega

Periphs: HD Tivo box via HDMI from direct TV, Prog Scan Sony HTIB DVD/Surround sound via component, PS2 slim via component, OTA HD will be hooked up this week when I get my indoor antenna.

Vendor:Panny Direct

Mount: Chief Pro Tilt ordered from Shentech

Breakin settings: Standard and Everything 0.

SD - I am really suprised at how this set handles SD. I was expecting the worse because well SD never looked that great on my SONY. Even with the settings dialed back SD is more than exceptable from a distance of about 12 feet or so. SD does look a bit noisy from close range but I think that has more to do with the panel size than the panels ability. Of course SD does vary per channel. I wasnt expecting much but I am pleasantly suprised. I also feel the noise is being reduced over time (panel is breaking in) or my eye is getting used to it I cannot tell. SD looks on par with my sisters 60u, better than my SONY CRT and better than my buddies 61 inch samsung DLP (by a large amount).

HD - The limited HD programming that DTV provides looks crystal clear (even in its compressed form) . Especially live programs such as World Cup or NHRA Drag racing. The colors are extremely crisp and bright even with the settings tuned down. HD moves are extremely clear. I am not a videophile by any means but I bought the SONY 3 years ago and it was tops for PQ and I must say the Panny has it beat hands down which really suprises me. Its hard to compare HD between my set and my sisters 60U since they have TW cable but honestly I see little differnce in the PQ.

OTA HD - Review not yet available

PS2 - Wanted to try Grand Turismo in 1080i but havent yet gotten a chance to.

PC - Havent tried this yet either, I built a MAME (multiple arcade machine emulator) on one of my old PCS and I cannot wait to check out 2 on 2 50 inch NBA Jams this weekend. It currently runs to a 27 inch jvc so I am interested to see how it looks. This PC inputs was another selling feature of the 600U for me.

DVD - WOW!And I mean WOW. The wife and I have been rewatching the star wars series and the visuals on this panel even with my SONY HTIB prog scan DVD have been simply outstanding. A ps3 is in my future (fall 06) so no HD-DVD for me at this time. What gets me the most is the colors, an unbelievable amount of colors in some of the episode I and II scenes have literlally left me sitting there mouth open. Not sure of the differrence in the amount of colors in my CRT to this but its definately noticeable. We wtahc ALOT of movies and I could not be happier with the performance of the 600u.

Remote - Meh hasnt changed much from last year and honestly I programmed by Tivo remote to do vloume, power, input, mute so it wont see much action until football season and the PIP functions.

PIP - Very easy to use, alot of choices (side by side, 2 4:3 images or 2 16:9 images or one of each) bigger, smaller, flip sides etc its all there. This was a huge selling point for me and will get alot of use this September for NFL viewing.

What else can I say I had my heart set on the Panny 500U when I saw it last fall, I am very pleased I waited the 8 months. At this price point I still think Panny is king. I hope to have the pics up this afternoon I tried to take them last night with our crappy camera and was get getting flash glare (our family room is very dark).

Great review Dagg, thanks! My 50-inch 600U is being delivered this Saturday and I am SO EXCITED!!! King Kong will be the first DVD that night. I'll post my impressions as well after delivery.