Official Panasonic PX75U / PX77U Owners Thread *NO PRICE TALK* - Page 3

I noticed today that it was roughly the same on both panels - and if anything, the Panny had slightly less glare. This could have been from the positioning of the panel with regard to the overhead lighting (or it could have been b/c I bought one ) - but either way, they were very similar in that you could see glare, but it wasn't overpowering and didn't drastically effect the picture quality.

Well, I can answer my own question. Being a new set, I've been adding peripherals . . . and in the process, I loosened one of the component video connections to the point where it WASN'T connected. The red one, no less.

I seated it properly, turned on the TV, and POW! WHAM! SHAZAM! the picture is as pretty as could be. Plenty of bright red.

I am an idiot. Forgot to check the most obvious thing.

Now the picture quality is phenomenal. Fooling around with the settings changes it somewhat but its always great. For now, I'm going with the CNet settings (but moving sharpness closer to 0 than the -30 they suggest).

Sometimes the problem is the most obvious one . . . operator error. (Sigh)

Hello. How would you guys compare picture quality (colors and contrast) of PH9UK and 75/77U? 75U seems to have 29 billions color in contrast to about 4 for 9UK - is that an obvious difference?

Has anyone had a chance to compare the 50PX77U (or 75U) to the NEC 50XR6? The NEC is about $500 more.

If I make the settings identical on all 3 of these (i.e. same contrast, brightness, color, tint etc)...and then toggle across them...I can see that the picture nonetheless changes. Why would that be? Is there another setting hidden somewhere?

Has any one used Digital Video Essentials or MONSTER CALIBRATION DVD to do calibration?

this makes a lot of sense thanks. I saw some things about "service menu" in these threads but didn't know what it meant (in the CNET review also). How does one access this menu? Is it user friendly at all?

There are instructions in the Calibration forum for getting to the service menu. It is usually a series of button presses on the remote.

However, from what I read in that forum you want to be careful about what you do to your screen. Also, there is some warnings about accessing the service menu voiding your warrenty.

jerry

If you don't know what you're doing in the service menu then stay the heck out of it as you can very easily change a setting and ruin your TV, and many people here have done just that. This menu is for qualified service personnel only and is not intended to be accessed by the owner. There is no factory reset if you screw something up.

This should really be discussed in the Display Calibration forum, not here.

The service menu is not "user friendly" at all, and I highly recommend that you do not access it. It is very easy to mess up your picture if you're not VERY careful, and often there is no way to recover without calling for service. As mentioned, you will also void your warranty if Panasonic determines that you have accessed the menu.

The service menu is intended for use by service and calibration professionals, however, many home theater "enthusiasts" also use it to fine-tune their settings. If you wish to try service menu adjustments, you should thoroughly study and understand its navigation and settings beforehand.

Regards,
Steve

Hi,

On my set (600U), cinema, standard, and vivid each have a slightly different internal contrast (gamma) that you can't change (even in the service menu). Might be the same for this model. Cinema and standard are really pretty close but vivid has much higher contrast between the midtone grays and each end of the gray scale, that's what causes it's grainy appearance.

many thanks for the service menu warnings! I will stay away.

re: TH-50PX77U - is this a 1080p set?

What would make you think that? Have you not looked at the specs for this TV on any websites at all ?

PS: It's not 1080p . . . . .

Well, I was confused by the line in the specs:

"Resolution Capabilities 480p/720p/1080i/1080p

I see now it is 1366 x 768 native resolution. What does the 1080p above mean? Thanks.

It means it can accept a 1080p signal, but it will always display any signal scaled to its native resolution of 1366 x 768.

am thinking of getting the PZ700U line of 1080P sets but also beginning to think of the 77U line as well.

My question is has anyone compared 1080P performance of 77U (768p) vs the 1080P Panny models?

Curious to know if anyone can clearly see differences.

The difference depends on the content, and the distance your eyes will be from the screen. If you're far enough away from the screen, you will not be able to resolve the difference in resolution.

There are several discussion around anti-glare on these Pannys but I have not read anything directly comparing the 50px75u to the 50px77u. Reading through the strings it appears everyone loves the 50px77u antiglare and CNET review confirms that it works well. I am ready to purchase a 50" panny; I have been to several stores and they all only carry the 50px75u but a couple said they could order in the 77U. Not a big fan of ordering the 77U sight unseen.

Has anyone seen these two side by side that can comment on the antiglare differences between the 2 models? I also read somewhere that the panels are identical that the anti-glare is just not marketed on the 75U, but I can't find that string now.

Some stores don't know their facts... ie. "the 50px75 has an anti-glare coating". Um no it doesn't...

Anyway, I already looked up the answer to this question, but just want to confirm;
the 50px75 is basically last years 50px60u with a black bezel (rather than silver) and minor changes? In other words, its not worth a $700 price premium?

I went to BB and took a look at the 50PX75U, and purchased the 77U from Panny Direct sight unseen - and I am very much glad did!!! FWIW

I had a busy weekend, but I am through the break-in period on my 50PX77U. I also finally got around to hanging it on the wall last night. The first HD for it to see was Dancing with the Stars (far from my favorite show) but let me you - they may as well have been dancing in the family room. My 2 year old Sony XBR 40 inch has a great picture too, though - just smaller.

I am unable to do a glare vs. anti-glare side by side comparison with the 75U & 77U, however, you will be very pleased with the 77U if you buy it. We have a 2 story family room, with lots of scattered light - glare is no longer an issue. Simply amazing picture. I'm using the setting from a previous post for my calibration.

post # 29

Picture Mode: Standard
Picture: +18
Brightness: +6
Sharpness: -7
Color: -3
Tint: +3
Color Temp: Normal
Color Management: Off
Video NR: On
3D Y/C filter: On
MPEG NR: On

I bought a 77U last week. At the store, I saw the 75U and 77U right next to each other. Talked to the sales guy and he pointed out the difference between the two regarding anti-glare. Once he did, it was very easy to see that the 77U had anti-glare and the 75U didn't.

Now that I've had the 77U at home, I'm really glad I got the 77U with its anti-glare. Aside from a problem I created myself (see above post) the set has been wonderful and the picture amazing. The anti-glare works. It's hard to describe but if you look carefully and fixate on it, you can discern a slight diffuse light whereas otherwise it'd be a noticeable glare. (My basis of comparison is the standard TV I used to have in the same spot . . . alot of glare . . . but now none to speak of.)

Thanks for the feedback on anti-glare of the 75u vs 77u. I also like the look better with the side mounted speakers. So I called back Best Buy and now they tell me that they are not able to order the 77u and only have the 75u but they are willing to give me a great deal(surprise.. surprise)!

Does anyone know if you can buy the 77u in Canada or is it only a US model?

Also looking to buy the 77u in Canada in the Ontario region. Anyone know where I may be able to find one? I am going to check with the local Future shop and see what they say. Everywhere I look I can only find the 75u and since my room is really bright I need the anti glare of the 77u.

According to Panasonic Canada the 42PX77U is supposed to hit Future Shop this week .
I understand the 77 line is going to be a FS/BB exclusive.
Don't know when the 50 is due to hit. I would like to check it out.

So...are you 5075/77 owners happy with your purchase so far?
Rob

Other than the anti-glare and side speakers in the 77, are the electronics in the 77 the same as the 75??

Is the sound quality worth a hoot on either of these tvs?

Compared to say the 600U?

(I have the 50PX77U)

I was very worried about the sound quality (and nobody was posting about it - I though I was the only one).

This is my second Panny (the first was a tube). The speakers on my first Panny from 10 years ago were so horrible I bought a Klipsch KV-1 center channel speaker. The 77U replaces a 2 year old Sony XBR800 - the 40 inch tube. It is a 1080i flat screen CRT and produces the best HD I have ever seen, it's downfall is that is weighs 300 pounds and only produces a 37 in HD picture. However, it is also the best sounding TV I have ever owned, it even has a subwoofer tucked under the CRT in the back...so, I didn't want to take a step backwards on sound with the new 77U plasma.

Anyway, my concerns were put to a rest after listening to some HD broadcasts and a few DVD's. There are no problems with the speakers in this plasma tv. I think they sound fine. They do not have the depth of the Sony XBR, but that is understandable, the sound is crystal clear with plenty of punch, though.

Something else I want to mention. I have my DirecTV HR20-700 DVR hooked up to the 77U via HDMI & TosLink to the Sony ES receiver. (many probably already know about this) When watching and listening to HD broadcasts over HDMI there is a very slight delay in the audio synch with the picture...very slight. I have to really pay attention to notice it.

Well, I fired up the Sony ES last night to watch LOST to listen to the new Klipsch RC-52 Center channel (man, it sounds awesome - huge improvement over the old KV-1). I kept the 77U speakers up for a moment to listen for the mis-synch. Sure enough - there it was. The optical feed Sony ES and Klipsch kept up with the HDMI pictures - perfectly in synch. But the HDMI audio falls behind slightly. The delay is very slight, but it's there.

The HDMI commies say that HDMI 1.3 fixes this - well, is that a software push? Or is that hardware?

I'm sure there is an entire discussion on this somewhere, you would think the brain-surgeons over at HDMI could get this right the first time! - or even the second time!!