Panasonic tx-50ex700b problem

[Markgway]

I've just noticed - which either means it's just happened or I've been hitherto unobservant - that my 4K TV has terrible pixelation in black areas. I first noticed it in the black bars of a UHD I was watching. I happened to be close to the TV in the dark and caught sight of it. I checked a cable TV recording - to make sure it wasn't my UHD disc or player - and the blacks were crazy messed up with it. It's definitely the TV. I thoroughly checked the settings to the best of my knowledge and nothing fixed it.

An example of what I'm talking about can be found in this thread here:

https://www.avforums.com/threads/pix...-rays.2140400/

Obviously I'm not the first, but that thread has no explanations or solutions, and I rather not have get a new TV if I don't have to (this one is only weeks old!)

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I've just noticed - which either means it's just happened or I've been hitherto unobservant - that my 4K TV has terrible pixelation in black areas. I first noticed it in the black bars of a UHD I was watching. I happened to be close to the TV in the dark and caught sight of it. I checked a cable TV recording - to make sure it wasn't my UHD disc or player - and the blacks were crazy messed up with it. It's definitely the TV. I thoroughly checked the settings to the best of my knowledge and nothing fixed it.

An example of what I'm talking about can be found in this thread here:

https://www.avforums.com/threads/pix...-rays.2140400/

Obviously I'm not the first, but that thread has no explanations or solutions, and I rather not have get a new TV if I don't have to (this one is only weeks old!)

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Hey Mark,

I don't own your Panasonic TV (in fact, I don't even think Panasonic 4K UHD TVs are available in the U.S., where I'm located) but I was looking at what some of your cohorts over at AVForum were saying based on that link you provided, and I tend to agree that many of the issues you're seeing may be due to some control parameters not being set -- indeed, I'm in the same boat as I just bought a Samsung NU8000 65" set and it seems many of the default Standard picture settings are causing contrast blowouts and grainy/pixelated blacks on the discs I play. My previous display, which was replaced by this Samsung, was a Sony SXRD rear projection set, and I had adjusted all paramters -- color, sharpness, etc. -- of that screen via setup discs.

I haven't gotten around to adjusting the new TV yet, and I suspect it's why you and I are having some PQ issues (just a thought). At any rate, I hope you get the issue worked out.

[Markgway]

Hi, I went through all the settings one-buy-one, changing to each option to see if it made a difference, and it didn't. Unless I've missed something crucial? But I can't think what. The fact that every input (cable, BD, UHD) shows problems tells me it's definitely the TV. I see some of the AV Forums members gave up (after replacement and repair attempts) and opted for refunds. A. That's a pain in the arse. B. I no longer have the box. C. Part of the attraction of the set was that it was much cheaper than the better spec sets. I hope you have better luck with yours.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Hi, I went through all the settings one-buy-one, changing to each option to see if it made a difference, and it didn't. Unless I've missed something crucial? But I can't think what. The fact that every input (cable, BD, UHD) shows problems tells me it's definitely the TV. I see some of the AV Forums members gave up (after replacement and repair attempts) and opted for refunds. A. That's a pain in the arse. B. I no longer have the box. C. Part of the attraction of the set was that it was much cheaper than the better spec sets. I hope you have better luck with yours.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this; I wish I could help but as I said I don't even think the Panny 4K sets are available in the States.

You will get it worked out, I am sure; I thank you for your wishes of luck with me and my set...I will keep you informed, as I am still playing with it.

[Markgway]

Here are some (crappy) photos I took of my TV's problems.

Any comments/advice appreciated.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Here are some (crappy) photos I took of my TV's problems.

Any comments/advice appreciated.

Funny enough, I'm getting issues like that with my new Samsung LCD using it in Standard mode...

I hope someone can chime in and possiby assist the OP here.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I've just noticed - which either means it's just happened or I've been hitherto unobservant - that my 4K TV has terrible pixelation in black areas. I first noticed it in the black bars of a UHD I was watching. I happened to be close to the TV in the dark and caught sight of it. I checked a cable TV recording - to make sure it wasn't my UHD disc or player - and the blacks were crazy messed up with it. It's definitely the TV. I thoroughly checked the settings to the best of my knowledge and nothing fixed it.

They look like source compression artifacts to me, especially the broadcast sources. A couple of UHDs have some funky stuff going on too, but it can be player/TV combination dependent.

If you can jot down your picture settings, but make sure all your picture processing options are off.

[IntelliVolume]

I would listen to Chip; he has been assisting me with issues I'm having with my new Samsung display.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

They look like source compression artifacts to me, especially the broadcast sources. A couple of UHDs have some funky stuff going on too, but it can be player/TV combination dependent.

If you can jot down your picture settings, but make sure all your picture processing options are off.

Thanks for looking.

It's true that Cable TV looks worse than Blu-ray or UHD, and the on-screen issues are primarily on cable. But both BD and UHD still have weird shit going on in the black bars, pixels, dots, etc. If I sit as far back as possible I can get away with it... but should I have to? If it's not a fault then there's nothing I can do, I guess. I just don't want to settle for a TV that's faulty (especially given it's only two months old).

I know my settings off by heart so ask me anything.

Oh, and all the processing options are off or minimum.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Thanks for looking.

It's true that Cable TV looks worse than Blu-ray or UHD, and the on-screen issues are primarily on cable. But both BD and UHD still have weird shit going on in the black bars, pixels, dots, etc. If I sit as far back as possible I can get away with it... but should I have to? If it's not a fault then there's nothing I can do, I guess. I just don't want to settle for a TV that's faulty (especially given it's only two months old).

I know my settings off by heart so ask me anything.

Oh, and all the processing options are off or minimum.

My first thoughts were that the issues were down to compression artifacts relating to the broadcast source, they're quite common to see. You mentioned UHD BDs and I know a few titles have compression issues, but your Blu-rays too? It's unlikely, especially if it's everything you're watching. The other issue is that the set might have a poor near-black performance, but that's something that affects OLEDs, not LEDs.

If you're able to download the calibration tools and test patterns from AVForums, and go through them, check to see if you're experiencing any banding on the smooth gradients and the artifacts on patterns. You can go through most of them, but ColourHCFR Windows (Near Black) will show you if anything funky is going on (as the slides don't contain any artifacts). If they're free of gunk, you might have to look at your colour management settings as it maybe creating some posterisation.

If your display is showing the same symptoms with the test patterns, then I'm afraid to say it's more than likely it's a bad panel (or TV). It's also worth checking for any updates that could resolve the problems.

[Markgway]

Not to be a pain, but could you provide a link to the AVForums tools and patterns I need, just so I download the right thing.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Not to be a pain, but could you provide a link to the AVForums tools and patterns I need, just so I download the right thing.

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/139-d...libration.html

I just use the .MP4 files and pop them on a stick. It's worth trying them from your player and your TV's USB connection.

[Markgway]

OK. I downloaded MP4(.7z)

Don't have a clue what I'm doing... but I'll get back to you with the results... or something...

[Markgway]

OK. Bare in mind that I didn't have much of a clue what I was doing and there weren't any instructions or explanations for what all the pretty patterns meant... I didn't see anything untoward. The dark tones didn't show any artefacts or banding and all the lines on boxes seemed straight. What should I check next with regards to colour management settings? And would that cause weird patterns (circles, flashing pixels,etc) in the black bars (only noticeable really on scope films or pillar-boxed oldies)? Thanx.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

OK. Bare in mind that I didn't have much of a clue what I was doing and there weren't any instructions or explanations for what all the pretty patterns meant... I didn't see anything untoward. The dark tones didn't show any artefacts or banding and all the lines on boxes seemed straight. What should I check next with regards to colour management settings? And would that cause weird patterns (circles, flashing pixels,etc) in the black bars (only noticeable really on scope films or pillar-boxed oldies)? Thanx.

When you do the tests they're from your player or TV's USB? or both?

Can you run Misc Patterns/A-Additional, are the gradients smooth or jagged.

Your broadcast signals are coming from a set-top box or through the TV's tuner?

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

When you do the tests they're from your player or TV's USB? or both?

TV only.

I connected the USB to my Blu-ray but couldn't open it.

Can you run Misc Patterns/A-Additional, are the gradients smooth or jagged.

I remember them being smooth, although I didn't press my face to the screen for that bit. Nothing looked jagged to me.

Your broadcast signals are coming from a set-top box or through the TV's tuner?

Tivo box. I don't have an aerial.

[chip75]

What was the issue with the USB and your player? It didn't recognize the .mp4 files?

When you're watching Apps through your TV, are you getting the same issues?

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

What was the issue with the USB and your player? It didn't recognize the .mp4 files?

It recognised that there was a USB attached, but nothing came up to open.

No problems thru TV.

When you're watching Apps through your TV, are you getting the same issues?

I don't watch Apps.

I know, I'm so 20th century.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

It recognised that there was a USB attached, but nothing came up to open.

You probably tried, but do you have to select the different type of media (video, music, pictures)? Have you used the USB stick with player to watch video files before?

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

You probably tried, but do you have to select the different type of media (video, music, pictures)?

I'll take a look at that again.

Have you used the USB stick with player to watch video files before?

No. I'm a pretty basic old-school kind of guy. I don't even stream!