[spinmar]

Hi all,

it's arrived the time to start this thread

Yesterday I buyed my Panasonic TH-50VX100 and it should arrive in a few days.

I don't see any threads in which we are talking about configuration/calibration /advice about these products.

I suppose that someone has TH-50VX100 or TH-65VX100 so I would start to discuss about it.

Which settings had you choose for BD or satellite tv?

I 'll use my product with azboz hd premium (for satellite) and a bd reader.

Best regards

Marco

 

[John Mason]

Good idea, although suspect there aren't too many of us. Bought a TH-65VX100U several months back because I wanted a screen size similar to a 1080i CRT RPTV that quit after ~10 years of use and couldn't wait until this summer.


Usually run my VX100 in two distinct modes: standard, meaning 1080/60i or 720p video broadcasts (via NYC's TWC and a 8300HD STB); or cinema, meaning 1080i/720p with 24p program material (using 2-3/2-2 pulldown.) Have the 3-2 pulldown option set to ON for both general settings, assuming this means "inverse pulldown"--extracting 24p frames and showing them at 96 fps, as the more-detailed reviews suggest. (Might be all wrong about this; viewed everything interlaced at 1080/60i for about a decade.)


With these broad standard/cinema settings, I'm using about 6 of the memory settings so far for variations, such as a lower color setting and different tint for CSI: Miami or similar 24p strong-color productions.


The equipment-based reviews of VX100s indicate grayscale requires toning down, like most displays, although I haven't done this yet. Also, as noted at the end of my generalized review linked above, the detailed reviews of VX100s stress they're using DCI color gamut rather than standard Rec709; sublinked another thread I started on this. But, AIUI, so aren't some of consumer Panny models arriving this summer. Reviewers, while giving overall favorable comments for VX100 images, were negative about the DCI color gamut. Might eventually hire a calibrator to correct grayscale, or may buy a good meter and learn how to do it myself. I've left all of the specialized menu settings for varying RGB levels at zero.


In the process of setting up a Blu-ray machine (Sony PS3), so haven't set any 1080/24p (non inverse pulldown) parameters yet, or compared with supposedly similar inverse-pulldown 24p bumped to 96 fps.


As mentioned in my review, using YPbPr inputs for cable TV viewing but hooked up my PS3 with HDMI yesterday--still tinkering with a potential Internet PS3 link.


With YPbPr inputs from my cable STB, for standard 1080/60i or 720p only, the PICTURE is 14, BRIGHTNESS 0, COLOR -64, TINT 50>green, SHARPNESS 5, TEMP NORM, COLOR MANAGEMENT OFF.


For Cinema: PICTURE 25, BRIGHTNESS 0, COLOR -37, TINT 39>green, SHARPNESS 0, TEMP WARM. For some 'darker' movies, bumping gamma from 2.2 (both modes) up to 2.7 looks good. -- John

 

[spinmar]

Hi John,

thanks very much for your first suggestion.

I suppose as you that not many people have this monitor: anyway maybe they will increase.

As soon as it arrives, I'll try your suggestion/configuration: I'll use azboz hd to view and upscaling normal satellite/terrestrial channels. I suppose that you are using the inside scaler: have you ever tried to use external scaler to see 1080p images?

Which kind of break-in (first xxx hours of the display's lifespan) did you do for your monitor?

Best regards

 

[John Mason]

Seem to be using a mix of my plasma's internal scaler and the zoom feature in my 8300HD cable STB for enlarging 480i images or filling out the screen with others. Still estimating it, but it looks like the VX100 does the better job, although I often use the 8300HD because it's quicker (only a few button presses, while the VX100 can be set up for ~8 scaling options). My 8300HD is set to output only 1080i. Changing, if it's possible, to output 480i, 720p, and 1080i for VX100 conversion to 1080p might enhance images, although it may also slow down changing channels considerably.


No, haven't used external scaler (other than 8300HD unit). AIUI, that's the only way to 'cure' the DCI-color feature of VX100s. But the scaler needed is priced similar to the 65" VX100! My 'review' linked a writeup about VX100 video processors, claiming the designers selected a special circuit because others available weren't suitable. Perhaps someone has more details about what was used, since the best Gennum processor used in other higher-end displays reportedly minimizes resolution pumping compared to others--although apparently also cuts back on 1080p resolution after deinterlacing.


Never tried break-in using blank patterns/screens/discs, but am still taking care (several months @ about 5 hrs/day) not to run images that don't fill the screen. -- John

 

[spinmar]

Hi John,

sorry for my late answer but I was out of country for holidays.

The monitor arrived and I started my settings and tests.

Actually I'm using HDMI input for DTT and free satellite channels and I'm using Azbox HD premium as receiver set to 1080i. (I see that panasonic scaler does a very good job to transform 1080i to 1080p, even better azbox hd).

Actually I'm not using any memory set and I'm using cinema option.

Following your advice, in the next days I'll try to jump to 2.7 gamma and adjust ame parameters.

In HDMI 2 I connected my HTPC.

Did you try to connect a pc to hdmi input?

I'm having some problems with overscan desktop: my nvidia card (7950 GT) correctly discovers panasonic and shows me the supported resolutions: 1920x1080 24,50,60Hz and so on.

The problem is that if I set 1920x1080 50Hz, I don't see some parts of my desktop. Did you try something similar? From nvidia control panel I reduced overscan but in my opinion there is a method to map 1:1 the panel.

Best regards

 

[spinmar]

Actual Settings on HDMI:


Picture Menu


Picture Menu: Cinema

Picture: 26

Brightness: +4

Color: -2

Tint: +3

Sharpness: +1

Color Temp: Warm

Color Management: Off


Advanced Settings


Black Extension: 0

Input Level: 0

Gamma: 2.2

AGC: Off

W/B High

Red: -14

Green: -1

Blue: +6

W/B Low

Red: +3

Green: -2

Blue: 0


3/2 Pulldown: On

Studio Gain: Off

Noise Reduction: Off

External Scaler Mode: Off

Power Save: Off

Standby Save: On

Power Management: Off

1:1 Pixel Mode: On (in 1080i/p)

 

[John Mason]



Quote:
Originally Posted by spinmar /forum/post/17032356


In HDMI 2 I connected my HTPC.

Did you try to connect a pc to hdmi input?

Not yet. Hooked up new Sony PS3 Blu-ray player to HDMI1 (discs look great), and will network PS3 with my PC eventually...perhaps a separate PC hookup, too, if needed.

Quote:
I'm having some problems with overscan desktop: my nvidia card (7950 GT) correctly discovers panasonic and shows me the supported resolutions: 1920x1080 24,50,60Hz and so on.

The problem is that if I set 1920x1080 50Hz, I don't see some parts of my desktop. Did you try something similar? From nvidia control panel I reduced overscan but in my opinion there is a method to map 1:1 the panel.

Best regards

Not sure here. Unless you're in a 50 Hz country, would think you'd need a 60 Hz PC/VX100 setting. But...folks in the PC home theater section should have better ideas.


Re your settings just above, guess they're all a matter of taste. Tried a blue color filter and color test pattern setup recently, but it seemed wildly inaccurate so I kept original settings. Reviews of VX100s indicate the grayscale settings are too high (shown in graphs), like most displays initially, but that'll require some knowhow and an accurate meter to adjust. Noticed you've tinkered with the advanced RGB settings, usually reserved, AIUI, for meter-based adjustments--although I tried mine briefly to see if odd blues in some broadcasts could be corrected. -- John

 

[spinmar]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John Mason /forum/post/17065129


Not sure here. Unless you're in a 50 Hz country, would think you'd need a 60 Hz PC/VX100 setting. But...folks in the PC home theater section should have better ideas.

PC problem solved installing last nvidia driver. Mapping 1:1 perfect on HDMI 2 input.

I have a techical question: the sub-field drive in the series VX100 should be 480Hz, but how may lines does vx100 solve?


Best regards

 

[John Mason]



Quote:
Originally Posted by spinmar /forum/post/17078170


I have a techical question: the sub-field drive in the series VX100 should be 480Hz, but how may lines does vx100 solve?

Haven't pinned it down in the more-technical reviews, so not sure if our plasmas are 480 or 600 Hz. AIUI, that's the dithering rate, or pulse repetition rate, for each pixel. (Discovered yesterday it's important to use the 1:1-pixel mode for any input signal to ensure you don't see extra aliasing lines from unwanted scaling of 1920X1080 test patterns, which appeared perfect with 1:1 ON but the highest frequencies had periodic aliasing lines with 1:1 OFF. Discussed pattern vs. actual motion-video testing recently.)


And the VX100s have a number of advanced features, such as 14-bit signal processing (quite significant for 'smoother' images contrast-wise), and AIUI a pixel phosphor structure/composition just starting to appear in the newest Panny models. Believe there's a recent/current thread, and older ones, discussing sub-fields. -- John

 

[spinmar]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John Mason /forum/post/17078278


Haven't pinned it down in the more-technical reviews, so not sure if our plasmas are 480 or 600 Hz. AIUI, that's the dithering rate, or pulse repetition rate, for each pixel. (Discovered yesterday it's important to use the 1:1-pixel mode for any input signal to ensure you don't see extra aliasing lines from unwanted scaling of 1920X1080 test patterns, which appeared perfect with 1:1 ON but the highest frequencies had periodic aliasing lines with 1:1 OFF. Discussed pattern vs. actual motion-video testing recently.)

Hi John,

yes the function 1:1 pixel mode is very important: using this the mapping with my htpc is absolutly perfect.

 

[andysb]

Hi Guys,


Before I start asking, I've a bit of history of using Panasonic PW/PH panels before moving onto a Fujitsu 58 series which I still have now, albeit it's suffering from severe doses of the purple snakes.

Anyway, I've been considering a dealer's ex-demo 50' VX100 for a very reasonable price and would just like to ask a few questions for VX100 users before I make up my mind.


How would you compare motion;particularly sport, compared to to your past and present panels?

Is the panel's internal scaler engine any good?

Would an external scaler make a huge difference?

Has anyone noticed any rise in the(MLL) black levels?

Finally, hand on heart guys!

What do you think of it several months down the line?


Thanks in advance.

ASB.

 

[John Mason]



Quote:
Originally Posted by andysb /forum/post/19013908


Before I start asking, I've a bit of history of using Panasonic PW/PH panels before moving onto a Fujitsu 58 series which I still have now, albeit it's suffering from severe doses of the purple snakes.

Anyway, I've been considering a dealer's ex-demo 50' VX100 for a very reasonable price and would just like to ask a few questions for VX100 users before I make up my mind.


How would you compare motion;particularly sport, compared to to your past and present panels?

Is the panel's internal scaler engine any good?

Would an external scaler make a huge difference?

Has anyone noticed any rise in the(MLL) black levels?

Finally, hand on heart guys!

What do you think of it several months down the line?

Invested in a high-end monitor (spring, '09) in hope of avoiding glitches discussed here for plasmas. Motion for sports still appears excellent ~17 months later. Mentioned in a 5/09 review of the 65" VX100 that designers went to a special video processor for VX100s for better results (see sublink ). But, not owning panels previously and not viewing various VP results with suitable test patterns, can't really outline how my VX100 compares. Still glad I got a VX100, although they're apparently not suitable for 3D, as I've nearly concluded after various posts in the 3D AVS sections.


VX100s do have a mode for external VPs but I've dropped any idea of using one, although it was a slight consideration for a color management system that could 'tone down' the extended color (see linked review), mentioned in several pro VX100 reviews. But decided that colors are fine here--perhaps helped by my viewing practice of switching to the standard mode (cooler temp) for non-24-fps viewing and into cinema mode for 24-fps programs (any dramas), since cinema-mode makes reds/greens too intense with 1080i/720p-only capture. No, haven't noticed any black-level changes, and not sure how noticeable it would be with the 65" VX100's supposed 60,000:1 ratio (see review). Blacks are still black, not dark gray. -- John

 

[andysb]

Thankyou John.

 

[spinmar]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John Mason /forum/post/19015865


VX100s do have a mode for external VPs but I've dropped any idea of using one

I'm really sorry .... It's several months I don't write any posts here.

Well 8 months ago I decided to buy the vp Lumagen Radiance xs to couple with my vx100. What to say? Well vx100 is a wonderful monitor with excellent filters and panel: as said from John dark is really dark! But I have to say that with radiance this monitor is, as Liam from progressive av said, actually the best one of the market. I calibrated sd and hd channels gamut and greyscale (11 points): the details you get from the monitor are fantastic.

Anyway I continue to advice it as I'm really happy with it!