First Time Plasma Owner - Blu-ray Forum

ngkf7 · 12-28-2010, 09:29 PM

Hello fellow members,

Over the past few weeks i have solicited advice regarding a variety of plasmas and i am pleased to say I bought the Panasonic 50VT25 today and cannot wait to set it up tomorrow. This is my first big purchase since my DLP back in Feb of 09 and obviously a nice improvement.

With this model I plan on doing the break in slides for the first 100 hours but am curious as to any recommended settings during and thereafter.

Also, if i want to watch a movie or play a game or something within the first 100 hours, is that something that is advised against? If not, what do i change my settings to if I want to do that?

I cannot tell you how excited i am. I am so glad i am going plasma!

crackinhedz · 12-28-2010, 09:40 PM

Pick one of these up:

Disney WOW

ngkf7 · 12-28-2010, 09:54 PM

Any place to start with general recommended settings for the specific tv instead of ordering a disc?

fairchild · 12-28-2010, 10:21 PM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1232441

This thread was done by a well known calibrator from the AVS forums. It is his recommended settings for most of the 2010 Panny sets. The first post are his recommended steps for performing the 100 hour break-in with a certain set of aging images.

As for the break-in, you can either use "torch mode" settings (I wouldn't especially if you plan to do 100 hours straight), or more relaxed settings such as with low contrast/brightness (say like 40 or 50).

Here is another good link although a bit dated, with info and links to download a plasma break-in disc.

http://www.eaprogramming.com/downloa...nload_main.htm

You really should limit watching any letterboxed movies or content by stretching it (using zoom) during the first few hundred hours if possible. There is differing opinions on this. As for watching other content between break-in, it probably won't matter too much.

Some reference settings for your set are the following, done by D-Nice, widely used on the AVS forums:

North American TC-PxxVT20/25 Reference Settings

Picture:
Picture Mode: THX
Contrast: 66
Brightness: 50
Color: 45
Tint: -1
Sharpness: 10
Color Temp: Warm2
Color Management: Off
x.v. Color: Off
Photo Enhancement: Off
C.A.T.S: Off
Video NR: Off
Blur Reduction: Off

Advance Options
Block NR: Off
Mosquito NR: Off
Black Level: Light
3:2 Pulldown: On

Service Menu Offsets

WB-ADJ MENU
R-DRV: -1
G-DRV: -11
B-DRV: +4
R-CUT: +1
G-CUT: 0
B-CUT: -3

Note: These offsets must be entered for both Color matrixes. You access the different matrixes by using a 1080i/p signal for the HD matrix and 480i/p signal for the SD matrix.

Picture:
Picture Mode: Custom
Contrast: 90
Brightness: 57
Color: 39
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 11
Color Temp: Warm2
Color Management: Off
x.v. Color: Off
Photo Enhancement: Off
C.A.T.S: Off
Video NR: Off
Blur Reduction: Off

Pro Settings:
W/B High R: 0
W/B High B: -1
W/B Low R: 0
W/B Low B: 0
Red Hue: 0 (VT25)
Green Hue: 0 (VT25)
Blue Hue: 0 (VT25)
Red Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Blue Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Green Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Black Extension: 0
Gamma Adjustment: 2.2
Panel Brightness: Mid
Contour Emphasis: Off
AGC: 0

Advance Options
Block NR: Off
Mosquito NR: Off
Black Level: Light
3:2 Pulldown: On

3D
Picture Mode: Custom
Contrast: 90
Brightness: 57
Color: 35
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 11
Color Temp: Warm2
Color Management: Off
x.v. Color: Off
Photo Enhancement: Off
C.A.T.S: Off
Video NR: Off
Blur Reduction: Off

Pro Settings:
W/B High R: -1
W/B High B: -5
W/B Low R: +8
W/B Low B: -2
(VT25)
Red Hue: 0 (VT25)
Green Hue: 0 (VT25)
Blue Hue: 0 (VT25)
Red Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Blue Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Green Saturation: 0 (VT25)
Black Extension: 0
Gamma Adjustment: 2.2
Panel Brightness: Mid
Contour Emphasis: Off
AGC: 0

Advance Options
Block NR: Off
Mosquito NR: Off
Black Level: Light
3:2 Pulldown: On

Note: These settings must be used with the offsets listed for THX mode!!!!

Zen_Amako · 12-28-2010, 10:47 PM

I just got the 50VT20 myself. The first full-length movie I watched was Scott Pilgrim (with its changing aspect ratio) and that looked superb on this TV. I watched about half of Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D last night before becoming paranoid about watching a letterboxed movie on the brand new plasma. Hopefully, watching an occasional letterboxed movie won't have adverse effects (I'm not planning on doing it constantly). I'm also a little worried about the rising blacks everyone talks about since I love the inky blacks it has now. That's why I'm not sure if I want to waste the first 100 hours of the set on running break-in slides. I have noticed some image retention (usually from the PS3 XMB), but it always goes away after a few minutes.

ngkf7 · 12-28-2010, 11:10 PM

I'll probably do the slides for the first 5 days nonstop then just hit the ground running in THX mode.

Those settings, what mode are they for or does it not matter?

DavePS3 · 12-28-2010, 11:16 PM

There are no adverse effects from watching letterboxed movies right away! We run Pannys in the store constantly with Letterboxed films right out of the box for days at a time. If there were any problems, believe me... I'd notice! Plasmas are NOT the problem quirky 'gotta be careful' sets like they used to be!

fairchild · 12-28-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngkf7

I'll probably do the slides for the first 5 days nonstop then just hit the ground running in THX mode.

Those settings, what mode are they for or does it not matter?

The picture modes are listed in the settings I posted.

DavePS3 · 12-28-2010, 11:18 PM

...well, to be fair, I've seen some cheap-arse plasmas have issues but those are there thoughout the life of those panels. You get what you pay for!

ngkf7 · 12-29-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairchild

The picture modes are listed in the settings I posted.

Hahaha woops. Missed that one.

ngkf7 · 12-29-2010, 02:26 PM

Sorry if I keep sounding so uneducated. This is somewhat new to me and i am not a beginner haha.

Question though, i want to watch TV or a blu today after i get it within the first 100 hours, interrupting any slides that i may be doing. What should I change settings down to? Just lower the brightness and contrast and fill the whole screen?

Thanks again!

Blu-Benny · 12-29-2010, 02:38 PM

i picked up a plasma on black friday and just lowered the brightness and contrast down to 50 each and zoomed it in so there was no letterbox or 4:3 bars on the top/bottom/sides.

i've just been playing movies on it whenever i'm in the basement working and am about 60 hours so far....haven't noticed anything w/mine yet.

slaughinghouse · 12-29-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngkf7

Sorry if I keep sounding so uneducated. This is somewhat new to me and i am not a beginner haha.

Question though, i want to watch TV or a blu today after i get it within the first 100 hours, interrupting any slides that i may be doing. What should I change settings down to? Just lower the brightness and contrast and fill the whole screen?

Thanks again!

Take it out of Torch Mode (aka Vivid) and watch on another setting that is comfortable to you. When you go back to the slides, be sure to put it back in Torch mode with the settings as D-Nice has indicated.

ngkf7 · 12-29-2010, 09:54 PM

Does the contrast/brightness matter when I'm not in torch mode?

I'm not going to have any sports or video games on, just random TV I guess. And it will only be for a few hours out of the first 100.

slaughinghouse · 12-29-2010, 10:01 PM

goto Fairchilds AVS link that was supplied above and follow D-Nice's recommendations. When you switch to a mode other than Vivid, it should have some settings already locked in. ANYTHING is better than Torch mode settings. I broke my S1 in straight in 5 days and then started watching tv. Course I had another tv to watch during the break-in process....

make sure you read several pages of the link. Most of your questions should be answered within the first 10 pages or so. Read as much of it as you can tho.

ngkf7 · 12-29-2010, 10:37 PM

Ok so now I'm an idiot...

Why are none of my HDMI inputs working?

ngkf7 · 12-30-2010, 12:12 AM

Ok I just called Panasonic. My 5 hour old TVs HDMI ports are broken. Component works just fine. Technician coming out Monday and if he cant figure it out then back to Best Buy it goes. I'm absolutely FURIOUS

Any ideas? I've tried multiple devices on every port and the devices were working 10 hours ago on my Samsung DLP. Dammit!

eric oc · 12-30-2010, 12:24 AM

I would take it back to best buy and get a new tv. Why should you have to wait on a tech and have him possibly fix it right. Maybe it's just me but i would rather have the tv work as it should from the start.

slaughinghouse · 12-30-2010, 12:26 AM

Ouch! I agree with Eric.

Hey PM me your PS3 ID. We'll meet up on the track!

ngkf7 · 12-30-2010, 01:48 AM

Now the big question is do I return to Best Buy and wait a week for my new one because i bought the last VT25 in Maryland, or do I downgrade to the VT20 for $100 less?

I feel like i can wait, but my level of fury can't be contained.

12-28-2010, 09:29 PM	#1
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	First Time Plasma Owner Hello fellow members, Over the past few weeks i have solicited advice regarding a variety of plasmas and i am pleased to say I bought the Panasonic 50VT25 today and cannot wait to set it up tomorrow. This is my first big purchase since my DLP back in Feb of 09 and obviously a nice improvement. With this model I plan on doing the break in slides for the first 100 hours but am curious as to any recommended settings during and thereafter. Also, if i want to watch a movie or play a game or something within the first 100 hours, is that something that is advised against? If not, what do i change my settings to if I want to do that? I cannot tell you how excited i am. I am so glad i am going plasma! Last edited by ngkf7; 12-28-2010 at 09:35 PM.

12-30-2010, 12:24 AM	#18
eric oc Active Member Member since:Nov 2009 Blu-ray collection:83	I would take it back to best buy and get a new tv. Why should you have to wait on a tech and have him possibly fix it right. Maybe it's just me but i would rather have the tv work as it should from the start. Last edited by eric oc; 12-30-2010 at 12:34 AM.

12-30-2010, 12:26 AM	#19
slaughinghouse Special Member Member since:Nov 2010 Blu-ray collection:318 Trading Score:2	Ouch! I agree with Eric. Hey PM me your PS3 ID. We'll meet up on the track! Last edited by slaughinghouse; 12-31-2010 at 05:10 PM.

12-28-2010, 09:40 PM	#2
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	Pick one of these up: Disney WOW

12-28-2010, 09:54 PM	#3
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Any place to start with general recommended settings for the specific tv instead of ordering a disc?

12-28-2010, 10:21 PM	#4
fairchild Active Member Member since:Sep 2010 Location:Northern NJ Blu-ray collection:191	http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1232441 This thread was done by a well known calibrator from the AVS forums. It is his recommended settings for most of the 2010 Panny sets. The first post are his recommended steps for performing the 100 hour break-in with a certain set of aging images. As for the break-in, you can either use "torch mode" settings (I wouldn't especially if you plan to do 100 hours straight), or more relaxed settings such as with low contrast/brightness (say like 40 or 50). Here is another good link although a bit dated, with info and links to download a plasma break-in disc. http://www.eaprogramming.com/downloa...nload_main.htm You really should limit watching any letterboxed movies or content by stretching it (using zoom) during the first few hundred hours if possible. There is differing opinions on this. As for watching other content between break-in, it probably won't matter too much. Some reference settings for your set are the following, done by D-Nice, widely used on the AVS forums: North American TC-PxxVT20/25 Reference Settings Picture: Picture Mode: THX Contrast: 66 Brightness: 50 Color: 45 Tint: -1 Sharpness: 10 Color Temp: Warm2 Color Management: Off x.v. Color: Off Photo Enhancement: Off C.A.T.S: Off Video NR: Off Blur Reduction: Off Advance Options Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: On Service Menu Offsets WB-ADJ MENU R-DRV: -1 G-DRV: -11 B-DRV: +4 R-CUT: +1 G-CUT: 0 B-CUT: -3 Note: These offsets must be entered for both Color matrixes. You access the different matrixes by using a 1080i/p signal for the HD matrix and 480i/p signal for the SD matrix. Picture: Picture Mode: Custom Contrast: 90 Brightness: 57 Color: 39 Tint: 0 Sharpness: 11 Color Temp: Warm2 Color Management: Off x.v. Color: Off Photo Enhancement: Off C.A.T.S: Off Video NR: Off Blur Reduction: Off Pro Settings: W/B High R: 0 W/B High B: -1 W/B Low R: 0 W/B Low B: 0 Red Hue: 0 (VT25) Green Hue: 0 (VT25) Blue Hue: 0 (VT25) Red Saturation: 0 (VT25) Blue Saturation: 0 (VT25) Green Saturation: 0 (VT25) Black Extension: 0 Gamma Adjustment: 2.2 Panel Brightness: Mid Contour Emphasis: Off AGC: 0 Advance Options Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: On 3D Picture Mode: Custom Contrast: 90 Brightness: 57 Color: 35 Tint: 0 Sharpness: 11 Color Temp: Warm2 Color Management: Off x.v. Color: Off Photo Enhancement: Off C.A.T.S: Off Video NR: Off Blur Reduction: Off Pro Settings: W/B High R: -1 W/B High B: -5 W/B Low R: +8 W/B Low B: -2 (VT25) Red Hue: 0 (VT25) Green Hue: 0 (VT25) Blue Hue: 0 (VT25) Red Saturation: 0 (VT25) Blue Saturation: 0 (VT25) Green Saturation: 0 (VT25) Black Extension: 0 Gamma Adjustment: 2.2 Panel Brightness: Mid Contour Emphasis: Off AGC: 0 Advance Options Block NR: Off Mosquito NR: Off Black Level: Light 3:2 Pulldown: On Note: These settings must be used with the offsets listed for THX mode!!!!

12-28-2010, 10:47 PM	#5
Zen_Amako Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Northern VA, USA 4K collection:255 Blu-ray collection:659 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:13	I just got the 50VT20 myself. The first full-length movie I watched was Scott Pilgrim (with its changing aspect ratio) and that looked superb on this TV. I watched about half of Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D last night before becoming paranoid about watching a letterboxed movie on the brand new plasma. Hopefully, watching an occasional letterboxed movie won't have adverse effects (I'm not planning on doing it constantly). I'm also a little worried about the rising blacks everyone talks about since I love the inky blacks it has now. That's why I'm not sure if I want to waste the first 100 hours of the set on running break-in slides. I have noticed some image retention (usually from the PS3 XMB), but it always goes away after a few minutes.

12-28-2010, 11:10 PM	#6
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	I'll probably do the slides for the first 5 days nonstop then just hit the ground running in THX mode. Those settings, what mode are they for or does it not matter?

12-28-2010, 11:16 PM	#7
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	There are no adverse effects from watching letterboxed movies right away! We run Pannys in the store constantly with Letterboxed films right out of the box for days at a time. If there were any problems, believe me... I'd notice! Plasmas are NOT the problem quirky 'gotta be careful' sets like they used to be!

12-28-2010, 11:18 PM	#9
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	...well, to be fair, I've seen some cheap-arse plasmas have issues but those are there thoughout the life of those panels. You get what you pay for!

12-29-2010, 02:26 PM	#11
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Sorry if I keep sounding so uneducated. This is somewhat new to me and i am not a beginner haha. Question though, i want to watch TV or a blu today after i get it within the first 100 hours, interrupting any slides that i may be doing. What should I change settings down to? Just lower the brightness and contrast and fill the whole screen? Thanks again!

12-29-2010, 02:38 PM	#12
Blu-Benny Michael Bay's #1 Fan Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Wisconsin Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:552 DVD collection:108 Trading Score:138	i picked up a plasma on black friday and just lowered the brightness and contrast down to 50 each and zoomed it in so there was no letterbox or 4:3 bars on the top/bottom/sides. i've just been playing movies on it whenever i'm in the basement working and am about 60 hours so far....haven't noticed anything w/mine yet.

12-29-2010, 09:54 PM	#14
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Does the contrast/brightness matter when I'm not in torch mode? I'm not going to have any sports or video games on, just random TV I guess. And it will only be for a few hours out of the first 100.

12-29-2010, 10:01 PM	#15
slaughinghouse Special Member Member since:Nov 2010 Blu-ray collection:318 Trading Score:2	goto Fairchilds AVS link that was supplied above and follow D-Nice's recommendations. When you switch to a mode other than Vivid, it should have some settings already locked in. ANYTHING is better than Torch mode settings. I broke my S1 in straight in 5 days and then started watching tv. Course I had another tv to watch during the break-in process.... make sure you read several pages of the link. Most of your questions should be answered within the first 10 pages or so. Read as much of it as you can tho.

12-29-2010, 10:37 PM	#16
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Ok so now I'm an idiot... Why are none of my HDMI inputs working?

12-30-2010, 12:12 AM	#17
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Ok I just called Panasonic. My 5 hour old TVs HDMI ports are broken. Component works just fine. Technician coming out Monday and if he cant figure it out then back to Best Buy it goes. I'm absolutely FURIOUS Any ideas? I've tried multiple devices on every port and the devices were working 10 hours ago on my Samsung DLP. Dammit!

12-30-2010, 01:48 AM	#20
ngkf7 Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Baltimore, MD 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:161 MA collection:104 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 54	Now the big question is do I return to Best Buy and wait a week for my new one because i bought the last VT25 in Maryland, or do I downgrade to the VT20 for $100 less? I feel like i can wait, but my level of fury can't be contained.

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