Panasonic Plasmas...need some SERIOUS help

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by v_squared123

Hey Zen Amako! Nice tv! But i wanted to know how many hours did you have on your set before you noticed the floating blacks?

It's been nearly a year since I posted that. I'm not sure how many hours were on my set when I first noticed the floating blacks, but it couldn't have been a lot.

The floating blacks are really noticeable now. Whenever I watch a movie in a dark room, I shine an LCD flashlight into the eco-sensor on the front of the TV, and that mostly prevents the floating blacks. The flashlight tricks the set into thinking it is in a bright room and it doesn't keep adjusting the blacks. The picture is still very good, but it is annoying to have to do that with such an expensive TV. They really needed to include an option to turn that "feature" off.

Just to clarify, the floating blacks are not only noticeable in the black bars of a letterboxed movie. It typically happens when a movie cuts from a dark shot to a lighter shot; about 1 sec. into the new shot, you'll see a "flash" when the set adjusts the blacks. A dark film like The Last of the Mohicans is almost unwatchable without the LCD light trick. But in a bright movie like something from Pixar or Disney, you might never notice it.

[v_squared123]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

It's been nearly a year since I posted that. I'm not sure how many hours were on my set when I first noticed the floating blacks, but it couldn't have been a lot.

The floating blacks are really noticeable now. Whenever I watch a movie in a dark room, I shine an LCD flashlight into the eco-sensor on the front of the TV, and that mostly prevents the floating blacks. The flashlight tricks the set into thinking it is in a bright room and it doesn't keep adjusting the blacks. The picture is still very good, but it is annoying to have to do that with such an expensive TV. They really needed to include an option to turn that "feature" off.

Just to clarify, the floating blacks are not only noticeable in the black bars of a letterboxed movie. It typically happens when a movie cuts from a dark shot to a lighter shot; about 1 sec. into the new shot, you'll see a "flash" when the set adjusts the blacks. A dark film like The Last of the Mohicans is almost unwatchable without the LCD light trick. But in a bright movie like something from Pixar or Disney, you might never notice it.

Sorry to hear that man, i know waht you mean though, this type of set we should not have to do these things for it work normally. But glad you think its still a great set over all! One thing i want to ask is what size is your set? I heard the larger sets have less problems?

[Zen_Amako]

I have the 50" VT20 from Best Buy.

I would say the set is really great except for the floating blacks. I wonder if others are watching Blu-rays/DVDs in a completely dark room, because that's when you will really notice. The LCD light over the sensor trick works pretty well, but on another forum someone said that that no longer worked with their set. So I'm a little worried that it may only be a temporary fix.

[Mrbrownst0ne]

well i m from canada, and i got a 55inch gt30. Its the best tv ever. picture quality will blow most people's mind. My brother has a samsung d-8000, which is also a good tv, but most people who come over and watch both tv's like my gt30 alot better..... and when watching cable or satelite... THX mode helps big time... so i would highly recommend gt30 over st30.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

I have the 50" VT20 from Best Buy.

I would say the set is really great except for the floating blacks. I wonder if others are watching Blu-rays/DVDs in a completely dark room, because that's when you will really notice. The LCD light over the sensor trick works pretty well, but on another forum someone said that that no longer worked with their set. So I'm a little worried that it may only be a temporary fix.

I have an S2 and notice the floating blacks all the time, but I'm very sensitive to picture anomalies.

Looking forward to upgrading to a VT50 hopefully 65" towards Christmas this year.

[ObiWanShinobi]

Originally Posted by Mrbrownst0ne

well i m from canada, and i got a 55inch gt30. Its the best tv ever. picture quality will blow most people's mind. My brother has a samsung d-8000, which is also a good tv, but most people who come over and watch both tv's like my gt30 alot better..... and when watching cable or satelite... THX mode helps big time... so i would highly recommend gt30 over st30.

I've the same set and I love it. The picture quality on this TV has me appreciating the Blu-Ray format all over again.

I went from a 50" Samsung DLP with LED engine to this and the difference is night and day. I've started re-watching all my Blu-Rays because of this TV.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Can someone assist me with the settings on my Panasonic TC-P42GT25?

I've had the tv for almost a year but I don't think the picture settings are accurate.

The current settings are:

1. Picture mode: THX
2. Contrast: +50
3. Brightness: +50
4. Color: +50
5. Tint: 0
6. Sharpness: +75
7. Color Temp: Warm 2
8. Color mgmt: On
9. C.A.T.S.: On
10. Video NR: Medium
11. Blur Reduction: On
12. Advanced Picture: Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: Auto
13. Aspect adjustments: Screen format: Full HD Size: Size 2


I cannot afford a professional calibration and I would like a better picture when watching tv and blu-ray movies. Panny owners, what adjustments are recommended from the list to get a better picture?

[Mrbrownst0ne]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

Can someone assist me with the settings on my Panasonic TC-P42GT25?

I've had the tv for almost a year but I don't think the picture settings are accurate.

The current settings are:

1. Picture mode: THX
2. Contrast: +50
3. Brightness: +50
4. Color: +50
5. Tint: 0
6. Sharpness: +75
7. Color Temp: Warm 2
8. Color mgmt: On
9. C.A.T.S.: On
10. Video NR: Medium
11. Blur Reduction: On
12. Advanced Picture: Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: Auto
13. Aspect adjustments: Screen format: Full HD Size: Size 2


I cannot afford a professional calibration and I would like a better picture when watching tv and blu-ray movies. Panny owners, what adjustments are recommended from the list to get a better picture?

I've had my gt30 since december 2011. Usually somebody is always watching is. tv runs about 13 hours a day. I can give u the best settings in the world but in the end its all going to come down to the lighting of your room and ofcourse the quality of the content. I've learned an awesome trick that chages the picture quality dramatically without me messing with a whole bunch of things. I finally have my favorite THX settings... i can share them with u if u want.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mrbrownst0ne

I've had my gt30 since december 2011. Usually somebody is always watching is. tv runs about 13 hours a day. I can give u the best settings in the world but in the end its all going to come down to the lighting of your room and ofcourse the quality of the content. I've learned an awesome trick that chages the picture quality dramatically without me messing with a whole bunch of things. I finally have my favorite THX settings... i can share them with u if u want.

Well, what are you waiting for? Share them please.

[Mrbrownst0ne]

I am at a friend's house, i will do it for u when i go back home.

[Mrbrownst0ne]

gt25 did not come in 55`inches i believe?

[Mrbrownst0ne]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

Well, what are you waiting for? Share them please.

sent u a PVT message, since this is not a settings thread.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mrbrownst0ne

gt25 did not come in 55`inches i believe?

I'm not sure.

[giosipiano]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

Can someone assist me with the settings on my Panasonic TC-P42GT25?

I've had the tv for almost a year but I don't think the picture settings are accurate.

The current settings are:

1. Picture mode: THX
2. Contrast: +50
3. Brightness: +50
4. Color: +50
5. Tint: 0
6. Sharpness: +75
7. Color Temp: Warm 2
8. Color mgmt: On
9. C.A.T.S.: On
10. Video NR: Medium
11. Blur Reduction: On
12. Advanced Picture: Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: Auto
13. Aspect adjustments: Screen format: Full HD Size: Size 2


I cannot afford a professional calibration and I would like a better picture when watching tv and blu-ray movies. Panny owners, what adjustments are recommended from the list to get a better picture?

The first thing I'd suggest is to turn Sharpness back down to 50 (or whichever setting is equal to '+0'), and turn off Contrast Auto Tracking System, Video NR and Blur Reduction.

Hope this helps

[Semp1]

I think I put sharpness to 10. You really have to use a calibration disc for that. The brightness I set a little lower because it was clearly set for bright room watch. Other wise THX on my VT30 seems spot on.

[giosipiano]

Originally Posted by Semp1

I think I put sharpness to 10. You really have to use a calibration disc for that. The brightness I set a little lower because it was clearly set for bright room watch. Other wise THX on my VT30 seems spot on.

Same here - THX mode looks excellent on my VT20

[v_squared123]

My 58VT25 went through a black level rise at 300-400ish hours. I just bought the tv back in April of this year and I can already see a lighter shade of black in the bars with widescreen movies. Am I seeing something else or is this possible?

[smeesmay]

there is a 60" ST50 at my walmart brand new on clearance for $700. Worth it?

[Pantallicarox]

The ST50 is one the best tvs on the market.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...topProds;prod0

[jbig31]

Just bought a TC-P60ST50.

Freaking. Sweet. Tv.