Panasonic 8-series Flicker concerns?

[stereotypethat]

I got my panny 50PZ800U for myself for christmas and have nothing but good things to say about. However, I just recently got a PS3 and while using it for its bluray player capabilities, I noticed a flicker in the picture.

I was watching Batman The Dark Knight and the flicker occurs in 60Hz mode but only during the portions of the movie where the picture was full screen (the scene where the "sky-hook" grabs batman and Lau out of the skyscraper in China or the beloved scene where the mack truck flips completely over). I assume this changing of aspect ratio has something to do with IMAX, but I do not know. Regardless, during these parts of the movie, I notice that large, solid color areas seem to have a flicker especially during slow pans across scenes (such as the slow pan where the sky hook plan carries batman out of china).

I attempted to change to 48Hz only to find that the issue started appearing not only in the "IMAX" portions of the movie, but also in the rest of the movie, usually in larger brighter portions of the picture.

I know I've read a few things about a firmware update in mid-december that was going to fix this issue, did anything get released that perhaps my TV could've missed getting? Do I need to change some other setting that I don't know about to solve this issue?

Thanks for the help!

[TooBlu]

I have started to notice the same thing going on with Blu rays. I think its just grain... But the 48hz mode is forsure a very bad flicker. I cant watch movies on it, but my friend says not to try and find it..dont pay to much attition to it...If u are lookin for something wrong you will find it...But I notice it..I hope they come up with a solution quick

[lghaze42]

I was wondering if any of you that have both a Panasonic plasma and a Panasonic BD player are having the "flicker" problem in the 24p mode? I just notice that someone had it on his when it was on or off but he is using a PS3.I am curious if using a player matched to the tv helps this problem.

[lghaze42]

Have you tried using the 24p mode on sat or cable?I am asking because I am hoefully getting the 58PZ800U soon.I am curious to see if I have the "flicker" issue when using my Panasonic BD30.It may be a mismatch betwwen the PS3 and the Panny.Since Panasonic used their BD players when setting up the set in the factory it might make a difference.I also read somewhere that 24p does'nt work in the THX mode...is this true?

[stereotypethat]

For some reason while I'm watching cable through my comcast box, the option for 48Hz is no longer available. I'm looking into this.

As far as the THX mode, I was watching in THX mode when I saw this issue. I'll go back and rewatch the same part of the movie out of THX mode and see if that had something to do with it.

Regardless however, even at 60Hz, in those "IMAX" scenes in batman, I could see some flicker in the background still. Again, I was in THX mode and using the PS3 as the player, so I'm not sure.

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by stereotypethat

For some reason while I'm watching cable through my comcast box, the option for 48Hz is no longer available. I'm looking into this.

As far as the THX mode, I was watching in THX mode when I saw this issue. I'll go back and rewatch the same part of the movie out of THX mode and see if that had something to do with it.

Regardless however, even at 60Hz, in those "IMAX" scenes in batman, I could see some flicker in the background still. Again, I was in THX mode and using the PS3 as the player, so I'm not sure.

Thanx...I will see what happens when I get my Panny and watch it running from my Panny BD30 to my Panny SA-BX500.

[crackinhedz]

you can't apply 48Hz to a 60Hz output...cable tv will not use 48Hz mode.

The Bluray player can be set to 24Hz output, which is what the TV's 48Hz mode is used for. If this is unwatchable to you, simply turn off 24Hz output in the BD player.

[seigneur_rayden]

I've been using 24P from the PS3 on my Panny set at 48hz with no problem, no flicker that my eyes can see. The only time I can see it is when I look at the LCD screen of my camera when aiming at the TV. Only my camera lens is able to see it. Thus, I am so surprised that some people say the 48hz mode is unwatchable. I enjoy the 24P feature everyday with no problem whatsoever.

[OH PLASMA]

I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ80U plasma television and a Panasonic DMP-BD30 blue ray player. The combination seems to be working fantastic.

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by OH PLASMA

I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ80U plasma television and a Panasonic DMP-BD30 blue ray player. The combination seems to be working fantastic.

I rest my case.

[Kinsella5]

I have the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U and currently the Pansonic DMP-BD30 player, with 24p on and I haven't noticed any flicker but have heard about some people having this issue. Not sure if it is related to the player, but perhaps a firmware update, if available, may help you. I believe the latest firmware for that player is version 2.6. I don't believe the television needs any firmware update, but I could be wrong as I haven't looked into it.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by OH PLASMA

I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ80U plasma television and a Panasonic DMP-BD30 blue ray player. The combination seems to be working fantastic.

Originally Posted by lghaze42

I rest my case.

Originally Posted by Kinsella5

I have the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U and currently the Pansonic DMP-BD30 player, with 24p on and I haven't noticed any flicker but have heard about some people having this issue. Not sure if it is related to the player, but perhaps a firmware update, if available, may help you. I believe the latest firmware for that player is version 2.6. I don't believe the television needs any firmware update, but I could be wrong as I haven't looked into it.

But I thought the 80u and 85u did not have the 48Hz option on the TV. Therefore, any users with these models would not experience this issue. Only the 800u and 850u sets MAY experience this issue. I say may because some users are reporting that they cannot see it.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

But I thought the 80u and 85u did not have the 48Hz option on the TV. Therefore, any users with these models would not experience this issue. Only the 800u and 850u sets MAY experience this issue. I say may because some users are reporting that they cannot see it.

Correct. It is only an issue on a small percentage of 800U sets. The 80/85U series do not have 48Hz feature. They have the 480Hz sub-field drive, which is something different entirely. And the issue is not affected by which BD player one uses.

Here's another thread on the issue:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=72475

And an excerpt from dobyblue:

There may be some issue with some runs of the TH-50PZ800U in the processing upon further research, but I see NO mention of the "problem" some people notice on any of the 58" 800U models and any of the 50", 58" and 65" -850U models nor is there any consistency with the so-called "unwatchable" flicker on the 50" -800U model.

It is certainly not the epidemic you seem to be making it out to be by making blanket statements that all the -800 and -850 series have some inherent flaw in the 48Hz mode.

[KCLARK]

Originally Posted by OH PLASMA

I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ80U plasma television and a Panasonic DMP-BD30 blue ray player. The combination seems to be working fantastic.

I have a similar set up, using a 42PZ700U with a BD55 and no issues at all. Ive only seen two combos raise the bar in terms of viewing from what i have with no flicker and thats the pioneer 51fd mated to a 151fd, and a sony 350 to a 55xbr8. Never been a believer in staying uniform but the formula seems to be sucessful when done.

[Blu3]

Not sure if it'll help you guys, but my Hitachi flickers on a few dark scenes. I can make it go away by switching the contrast mode to normal, instead of dynamic.

Though I have only noticed the flicker with blus, so I don't know if it's related to the 24fps with dynamic contrast only. Don't watch many dvds.