Since the owners thread is getting lengthy and in the interest in assisting newbies find the answers to some of the questions that they may have regarding the Panasonic plasma line, I am starting this thread.
I am by no means an expect, since I have only had my TH58PZ700U for two weeks, but welcome more experienced owners imput in helping answer the newer owners questions. If noone likes it, it can always be deleted.
1. What are the complete dimensions of my TV (including the stand and without it)?
Here are the approximate dimensions that you are looking for:
TH-42PZ700U
42.5" x 27.2" x 5.5" without stand
42.5" x 29.8" x 14.6" with stand (stand is 27.2" x 14.6")
TH-50PZ700uU750U
49.9" x 31.6" x 5.5" without stand
49.9" x 33.5" x 14.6" with stand (stand is 28.8" x 14.6")
TH-58PZ700uU750U
57.3" x 36.2" x 5.7" without stand
42.5" x 38.2" x 16.5" with stand (stand is 35.4" x 16.5")
2. Do I have to use a Panasonic wall bracket, or can I use other 3rd party wall mounts?
We (Panasonic) recommend you use the optional mounting brackets manufactured by Panasonic. However, if you choose to use another brand of wall bracket, please be sure it will accommodate the position of the mounting bolt holes on the Panasonic Plasma TV (660mm x 320mm for models up to 58", 1075.2mm x 330mm for 65" models), the thread of the screws (M8 type), and support the weight of the display (consult the Operating Instruction manual for your model).
3. Can I mount the TV over my fireplace?
As long as the plasma TV will not be exposed to smoke or excessive heat, it should be fine. First, take a thermometer and tape it to the area directly above your fireplace -- where the plasma will be. Then build a nice fire and monitor the thermometer for the next hour or so. If the temperature is above 104 degrees F, then the area is too hot for your plasma to be operating. Of course, you could choose to keep your plasma turned off while a fire is burning. In the end, please use common sense. If the area above your fireplace is too warm or exposed to smoke, you probably want to put your plasma TV somewhere else.
4. What is the "break-in" period and what should I do during the break-in period to minimize any risk of image retention?
When your plasma TV is initially installed, the first 100 hours of use is known as the "break-in period." During this time, to minimize any risk of image retention, you should:
- Make sure the plasma TV is in a viewing mode (aspect ratio) that completely fills the screen. The panel is shipped in this condition, in what is called the "Just" mode.
- Turn down the Picture setting (in the Picture menu) to +0.
- Briefly engage the 4:3 mode and confirm the side bars are set to "Mid", or "Bright". This can be adjusted in the Set Up menu.
- Always return the display mode that fills the screen (such as Just, Zoom, Full, or H-FILL).
- Try not to view channels with stationary backgrounds or logos for extended periods of time.
- Avoid extended display of static images (video games, computer images, DVD title screens, etc.).
5. I've heard that plasma TVs can "burn-in" over time. What is "burn-in" exactly, and is it really a concern?"Burn-in," or image retention, is an uneven aging of the phosphors in a display device, can occur on any display that uses phosphors to generate an image, including tube TVs, projection TVs that use CRTs, and plasma TVs. Such uneven aging happens when bright, static images are left onscreen for an extended period of time, which can leave a visible "shadow" effect.
Improvements in panel service life to the new 1/2 life of
100,000 hours
(or about 40 years at 7 hours/day) have minimized the risk of image retention. In addition, screen savers, pixel shifting, and brightness level adjustments can dramatically reduce any chance of image retention.
Use common sense when it comes to your plasma TV; don't pause video games or watch TV stations with station logos onscreen for long periods of time, and use one of the many display calibration DVDs available today for properly setting brightness and contrast.
The rule of thumb: if you don't worry about your traditional tube TV, you don't have to worry about a Panasonic plasma TV.
6. How long can I expect my plasma TV to last?
All displays (TVs, computer monitors, LCD, plasma) lose brightness over time. Believe it or not, that old tube TV you have in the den isn't as bright as it was when you bought it 10 years ago. And displays dim faster if you set the brightness and contrast very high.
Panasonic plasma TVs have a projected life of 60,000 hours before they're only half as bright as when they were new. That's 20+ years at 7 hours a day (which is the average daily viewing time per U.S. household).
7. I need help to get the best picture. Which connection should I use? Panasonic plasma TVs allow a wide selection of video inputs to achieve the best picture quality possible from your video source.[/b]
The best connection from your cable/satellite box, home theater system, or DVD player is HDMI (flat multi-pin connector). If your video source doesn't have HDMI, the next best choice is component (color-coded red, green, and blue jacks), followed by S-Video (round 4-pin jack), then composite (yellow jack).
8. Why does my picture look different than it did in the retail store?
Many retailers use high-definition signals that are designed to optimize the capabilities of the displays. And to get the best picture, you'll want to take advantage of stunning HD programming, as well. So, be sure to upgrade to HD programming. Here's how:
If you're like most people, and already have cable or satellite TV, the easiest thing to do is call your cable or satellite company. They'll hook you up with everything you need to get eye-popping HD programming.
Most Panasonic plasma TVs also have built-in HDTV tuners. So, if you live close to a TV station broadcasting HDTV, you might be able to receive free over-the-air HDTV broadcasts with an antenna.
In order to help you get the best possible picture quality, you also need to make sure all of the components are connected properly. Take a look at our HD Programming set up guide.
(Attached)9. What is HDMI? Is it compatible with DVI?
HDMI, which stands for "High-Definition Multimedia Interface", is the consumer electronic industry's first connection capable of transmitting uncompressed digital audio/video signals. Components featuring HDMI can transmit both digital audio and video over one convenient cable, replacing the tangled mess that resides behind many home theater components. HDMI also offers improved quality over traditional analog connections thanks to all-digital transmission. Digital sources like DVDs and HDTV programming can now be transferred digitally from source to display without analog conversions that can degrade the original signal.
Unlike the HDMI interface, DVI only handles digital video. Through the use of an adapter, a DVI device can be connected to an HDMI device, but only video content can be transmitted. The audio signal would have to be transmitted through other methods such as analog RCA outputs or an optical digital output.
10. I need help with HDMI setup procedures for best picture.
Please connect HDMI cable and set up the "HDMI In" in the "Audio" MENU as follows.
(See first attachment)
Select "Audio" after pressing the "MENU" button.
(See audio setup 1 attachment)
Select "Other Adjust" in the "Audio" MENU.
(See audio setup 2 attachment)
Select "Auto" in the "HDMI In" MENU
Note* If connecting to an equipment that has only a DVI output terminal, connect HDMI-DVI Conversion Cable and an audio cable as shown in the drawing above. Selecting "Analog" in the "HDMI In" MENU may be necessary depending on the equipment you use.
11. I have noticed over-emphasized green tones in the picture. Can it be turned off?
Panasonic plasma TVs have a special circuitry called Color Management. This feature automatically enhances green and blue to achieve a more vivid color reproduction, especially for outdoor scenes. This feature is set On by default, however, it can easily be turned Off from the Picture menu.
12. Can I connect my PC to the TV?
Specific Panasonic plasma TV models (such as TH-42PZ700U, TH-50PZ700U/750U, and TH-58PZ700U/750U) have a dedicated PC input, so you can connect your PC directly to your plasma TV. Please be sure to refer to the Operating Instructions for your particular model to obtain specific details regarding the compatible input signal types. For further information or assistance, please call us at 1-888-843-9788.
13. What does the Aspect button control?
The Aspect button allows you to change the shape of the television image depending on the format of the received signal, and your viewing performance.
For example, standard analog (4:3) images with black side bars can be stretched to fill your TV's wide (16:9) aspect. However, high definition signals (720P/1080i) which originated as 4:3 images with side bars and are up-converted by broadcaster to 16:9 can not be changed on some models.
The models, including TH-42PZ700U, TH-50PZ700U/750U, and TH-58PZ700U/750U employ a new "H-FILL" mode which allows you to change the aspect on high definition signals (720P/1080i).
(see aspect controls attachment)
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Well this is a start, and I welcome questions from newbies and imput from more experienced owners.
Thanks


