[jabolino]

Hey guys, I couldn't find a thread about this model yet so I figured I'd start one.


This model is already available through a couple of best buy stores, I couldn't find any detailed information online. Do any of you guys know how the quality is, is it a step up from the S1 model? I know it has the PDP technology but that's pretty much it.

 

[usaf64]

I've "pre ordered" this unit and it is scheduled to ship on 27 Feb 2010 (I live in Northern CA). I liked what I read abouth this model of Panasonic and its price point. I do know this unit fits in on the lower side of features (and price). However, like you, I am waiting for those more knowledgeable about all this technical stuff to sound off.


The black level issue discussed in other threads did not stop me from purchasing a Panasonic. Everthing mechnical can have problems. Heck, I purchased new, a 2007 Toyota Tundra and it was recalled for that pesky sticking gas petal problem. I would still purchase Toyota vehicles because of their over all construction. I feel the same way about Panasonic.


Well my friend, time will tell and this string should get longer.

 

[rcoyne]

Can anyone explain to me why the S2 is priced 100-200 less than a comparable (size-wise) 2009 S1 on Panny's website?


Makes me want to hold out rather than shelling out now to amazon/6ave for the TCP42S1!

 

[maygit]

Just seen the S2 for the first time and it is definitely worse than last years S1. The blacks looks extremely washed out. It's basically a 1080p X1 from last year with arguably worse blacks and just as much static. I'm sure calibration can fix the static but the black levels cannot be helped much.

 

[scorpio_87]

I saw the S2. Don't expect anything other than a more efficient 2009 neopdp.

 

[scorpio_87]



Quote:
Originally Posted by maygit /forum/post/18174547


Just seen the S2 for the first time and it is definitely worse than last years S1. The blacks looks extremely washed out. It's basically a 1080p X1 from last year with arguably worse blacks and just as much static. I'm sure calibration can fix the static but the black levels cannot be helped much.

I'm surprised you think there is that much of a difference between the S1 and X1. They both use the same AR filter (and so does the new S2) so both will wash out the same. Only the Z1 and 2010 G and V series plasmas don't wash out. And AFAIK, black levels on the 2009 models are basically the same throughout, with the exception of the 58"/65" models that have slightly better blacks. I expect the S2, C2, U2, and X2 to have the same black level as 2009 models.

 

[maygit]

right now i'm walking back and forth between a 42" x1 2009 and on the other end of the department the 50" s2 2010 and the s2 actually looks to have worse black level performance. Store luminance appears equivalent around both tv's, so it isn't that. Although, it doesn't help that the s2 is right next to the Samsung 50" 850 2009 which completely destroys the s2 for PQ in all visible ratings. I will remind u, however, that these are non calibrated comparisons and dealing with in store luminance. I have played around with the settings slightly but i really cant do any justice to the s2.


Scorpio: Idk about that. I recall seeing multiple times the 42" S1 right next to the 42" X1, once again these were non calibrated settings, and the S1 did produce a slightly deeper black levels and had much less static in the picture. The AR filter helps a little but not completely. Ex. the 42" X1 is in a bright area of this store whereas the 50" X1 is in a dark area. Both on the same factory settings and the 50" X1's blacks look black instead of gray like the 42".

 

[cwilliams27]

Letting you guys know that they are being shipped. Saw the 50" S2 at the Best Buy in Burbank, CA, tonight. They had it listed for $1299 (MSRP) Hard to do any real testing when it's set to "vivid". It looked good to me. I like the subtle change in the outer bezel. It has very tiny indents that accent it nicely. Much better than it being completely smooth and extra reflective.

 

[qphillips06]

Panasonic's 2010 S2 Series PDP is pretty similar to last year's S1 Series PDP. The S2 series incorporates Panasonic's NeoPDP technology just like the S1 series did last year. The moving picture resolution is still full 1080 lines of resolution no matter what is playing on the screen. It incorporates an Anti-Reflective filter like last year but the S2 is the first Plasma Series to incorporate an AR filter for 2010. The C2/U2 series PDPs do not include the AR filter. The most obvious difference between the S1 and S2 is the contrast ratio. The S2 series can now achieve a 2,000,000:1 Native contrast compared to the S1's 40,000:1. Some might be skeptical of Panasonic's claims but they have redesigned their PDPs in a couple different ways to achieve a deeper level of black. The S2 series also incorporates what Panasonic is calling a "Clean Touch Bezel" which is essentially a fingerprint-less bezel. The S2 is going to be available in screen sizes 42"-65". What is most interested about the new S2 is it's power consumption. The TC-P42S2 uses less than 100W while in use. It also runs extremely cool. I have had the chance to see the 42S2/50S2 at Sears and these PDPs are cool to the touch all day long. Last year Panasonic focused on the S series now it seems they are shifting focus to the G Series.

 

[curly21029]



Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpio_87 /forum/post/18174872


I'm surprised you think there is that much of a difference between the S1 and X1. They both use the same AR filter (and so does the new S2) so both will wash out the same.

Is the AR filter the same? I was playing around at a local retailer that had the S1 and S2 right next to each other. (I had the remote for the new set... it controlled both!) Turning them both off and inspecting the filters yielded a "lighter" one on the S2. The S1 appeared darker when turned off. Another notable change was the light output in Custom. A 100 Picture setting on the S1 yielded roughly the same light output as a setting of 65 on the S2. Cranking it up to 100 yielded a much brighter picture, comparable to the Sony LCD that was in dynamic mode sitting next to it. (except on a full bright screen... then the Sony edged it out) Of course, all this light output was unnecessary for normal viewing, but it's nice to know that Panasonic is making an attempt at standing out on the LCD-dominated sales floors. As far as the colors were concerned, the S2 appeared a bit less saturated overall than the S1 no matter what I did to the settings. It didn't look bad by any means, and it still beat the Sony in this regard, but it's worth mentioning I suppose. Another difference I noticed was that the S2 seemed to handle motion just slightly better. On some fast moving images the S2 appeared to maintain its sharpness better than the already great looking S1. It wasn't something I was looking for, but rather something I noticed and was a bit surprised. The major S2 problem: grayscale. I was never overly thrilled with the out of the box grayscale of the S1, but I found Warm to be acceptable. On the S2, I just couldn't find a setting I liked as much. Warm definitely tinged more green than it should have (like the X1 from last year) and Normal/Cool were, as always, too blue. If I owned this set I would be on the fence between Warm and Normal, but would definitely be accessing the service menu to change some offsets at some point.


Overall, it looked like a nice performing television. I'm sure posters here will come up with settings that make the PQ look fantastic! Oh, and the bezel wasn't at all what I was expecting from the pictures. It actually looks pretty nice in my opinion! Definitely unique and I like it more than the straight gloss of the S1 and G10 models. Heck, from what I've seen in pictures I even like it more than the G20/G25!

 

[D-Nice]



Quote:
Originally Posted by qphillips06 /forum/post/18207401


Panasonic's 2010 S2 Series PDP is pretty similar to last year's S1 Series PDP.

No it isn't. It has the same core cell structure as the 2010 G and VT series.

Quote:
It incorporates an Anti-Reflective filter like last year but the S2 is the first Plasma Series to incorporate an AR filter for 2010.

The AR coating is completely different than the S1.

Quote:
Some might be skeptical of Panasonic's claims but they have redesigned their PDPs in a couple different ways to achieve a deeper level of black.

From the measurments I have, Panasonic's contrast ratios are completely overblown (like all manufacturers). The real contrast ratio is 11,538:1 without clipping whites.

 

[qphillips06]



Quote:
Originally Posted by D-Nice /forum/post/18207983


No it isn't. It has the same core cell structure as the 2010 G and VT series.


The AR coating is completely different than the S1.


From the measurments I have, Panasonic's contrast ratios are completely overblown (like all manufacturers). The real contrast ratio is 11,538:1 without clipping whites.

I meant the overall feature set of the S2 is similar to the S1. The AR coating is different which I should've specified. From what I have been told the AR coating on the S2 is different than the AR filter on the G/VT series. Contrast ratios are just retarted.

 

[kyotousa]

So you think Panasonic fixed teh blackness level issue with the 2010 S & G models?

 

[Panaman88]

No.

 

[c2483]

I have a 50 inch s2 and black looks pretty black to me

 

[swiftmac]

Just picked up the p50s2 tonight and so far loving the TV. Turned the settings down pretty low, everything is below 50 to take it safe. I put in Eastbouind and Down and notice a lot of static when watching it through my ps3. Anyone else have problem with static in the picture? Is this something that calibration in the future can change?

 

[tubayj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by swiftmac /forum/post/18312485


Just picked up the p50s2 tonight and so far loving the TV. Turned the settings down pretty low, everything is below 50 to take it safe. I put in Eastbouind and Down and notice a lot of static when watching it through my ps3. Anyone else have problem with static in the picture? Is this something that calibration in the future can change?

swiftmac, on your s2 are you experiencing any grainyness in the pq that others seem to be reporting on other threads and how are the black levels and color on the set? I'm assuming that hd is excellent using hdmi. Does the s2 do a better job of upconverting lower quality sd source? Thanks for your input. I'm trying to decide if the pq is good enough on the s2 that I wouldn't have to spend the extra chedda on the V series and instead put the savings to good use on a nice stand, and br player. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[swiftmac]

tubayj, I just got HD set up last night and it does look awesome. The only problems I am having so far are in regards to watching movies through my PS3. I have watched Taken, That's it That's all(snowboard movie), and a few episode of EastBound and Down (HBO series). They all seem to experience grainyness that I can't figure out. I am not sure if it is just the quality of the movie, the tv, or because I have the settings turned way down and the TV isn't broken in fully yet. I was getting ready to talk myself into returning it for the G20 but after watching the HD cable last night I think the S2 is turning around for me. I don't have a very keen eye for PQ and I am not looking for the best blacks out there. For the price I paid, $1250 with tax and shipping from BB I am happy and I don't think I will be returning it and shelling out another 200-300 for the G20.

 

[tubayj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by swiftmac /forum/post/18345736


tubayj, I just got HD set up last night and it does look awesome. The only problems I am having so far are in regards to watching movies through my PS3. I have watched Taken, That's it That's all(snowboard movie), and a few episode of EastBound and Down (HBO series). They all seem to experience grainyness that I can't figure out. I am not sure if it is just the quality of the movie, the tv, or because I have the settings turned way down and the TV isn't broken in fully yet. I was getting ready to talk myself into returning it for the G20 but after watching the HD cable last night I think the S2 is turning around for me. I don't have a very keen eye for PQ and I am not looking for the best blacks out there. For the price I paid, $1250 with tax and shipping from BB I am happy and I don't think I will be returning it and shelling out another 200-300 for the G20.

I appreciate your input and glad your happy with your choice. I'm not a video geek also and just want excellent pq from a new set that won't break the bank. I'm ready to dump my 12 yr old Toshiba 36" Cinema Series and looking to get a 65" to replace the old girl. I'm looking for a good value and the 65S2 will probably be the only option for a large set as the 65V25 would be around $4K I'm guessing. I did happen to see one of the Sammy 3D tvs at BB and felt the 3D thing is a gimmick. I'll wait til the reviews on the 65S2 and 65V25 start appearing before pulling the trigger. Cheers!

 

[LowBudget5.1]

My DLP finally died this week. Replaced it with this. Very pleased thus far. I tested with the out of the box Normal setting using Avatar Blu-ray as my source over HDMI. Looks outstanding. And I certainly am confused as to the comments about the washed out blacks? Blacks are pretty deep on my unit. And it's not even calibrated, yet. Excellent PQ and nice features for a $899 50" Plasma.


My DISH HD channels look great as well, especially HBO HD, HD Net, History HD, and NFL HD Channel.