Panasonic tx-50ex700b problem

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I'll take a look at that again.

It's certainly worth trying.

It's also worth trying a couple of trailers that are high-res to see if you're getting the same issues. If you are and they're okay when you play them through your TV's USB it might be an issue with the Panasonic's HDMI board. If the problem was through all the inputs, I would imagine it's a fault with the entire TV.

The only problem with trailers is that unless they're massive they're going to exhibit some kind of compression artifacts.

[Markgway]

I checked the media type and nothing.

Might try the trailer thing tomorrow.

Know a good source of 1080p trailers?

I don't remember the last time I watched a trailer that wasn't linked to on this forum.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Downloaded an WMV file of the MOWGLI trailer (quite dark).

I tried the QT trailer first, but my TV doesn't recognise MOV files.

Anyways, results same as BD and UHD.

Artefacts in the black bars, but the picture seems fine. No obvious macroblocking or banding that I noticed.

That suggests to me that at least some of those faults are with the cable TV source (even on HD channels).

But I still can't explain the black bars?!

You might have to change the file extension with the .mov files. If you change it to .mp4 it should be okay to play.

I'll try the Mowgli trailer on my TV downstairs later, but on my 32'' there isn't anything in the letterboxing.

You will get artifacts with broadcasts, as they compress their signals quite a bit, so I'd put a pin in that for the time being.

If you're getting issues with your UHDs, BDs and the trailers (from USB) with your player, but not when you're watching files through your TV's USB. It might be a HDMI issue.

Are your picture settings the same with the TV's USB output and your TV box and UHD BD player?

I know it's a pain, but it might be worth downloading the test patterns and putting them on a DVD if you can (your player might be able to play the .iso file off a stick, so try that first). Then go through basically everything and see if you see anything. I'd bump your brightness up a few notches so you see 14-16 and above (it should be 17 and above) with the Basic Settings.

If you're getting the same results with each picture setting and each device, it could be a colour management issue, but I would have thought that you'd see posterization and not huge clumps of gunk. For example if there was a issue with red, you'd see strange anomalies on a persons lips.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

If you're getting issues with your UHDs, BDs and the trailers (from USB) with your player, but not when you're watching files through your TV's USB. It might be a HDMI issue.

I watched the trailer thru TV's USB.

Same black bar issues as with the BD and UHD.

None of the issues that come with Cable TV (which I'm guessing must be down to lesser quality source or at least my TV's tolerance for it).

Are your picture settings the same with the TV's USB output and your TV box and UHD BD player?

Trailer is the first thing I watched thru USB. I don't think I've touched the settings.

I know it's a pain, but it might be worth downloading the test patterns and putting them on a DVD if you can (your player might be able to play the .iso file off a stick, so try that first).

EDIT: I should explain. I have a Blu-ray player and a UHD player (the latter for Region B). BOTH show similar artefacts.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I should explain. I have a Blu-ray player and a UHD player (the latter for Region B). BOTH show similar artefacts.

I get you, but if you can manage to get those test patterns to work on your players and don't see the gunk, we'll be getting more information.

[Markgway]

Took another look at a couple of BDs on my Blu-ray player and sure enough those macroblocking and banding issues are present on dark scenes.

I think the discs I checked before weren't suitably dark and I also made the mistake of checking during the day when artefacting is less apparent.

So, it's not the source. It has to be the TV.

Cable, Blu, UHD, USB... all flawed.

I've run out of ideas and settings to play with.

You mentioned colour management, but would that cause these issues?

I'll try the USB pattern thing again and post back.

[Markgway]

OK. Managed to get the USB to work on the UHD player.

Same deal.

Mowgli trailer exhibited artefacts.

Patterns seemed normal.

I'm stuck.

[chip75]

If the patterns are clean of artifacts (you went through the near black slides?). Then I would hope you might be able calibrate your way out of the issue.

I know it's a pain but can you post your all your TV's picture settings? and anything to do with the inputs. What's plugged in where and what device it is.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

If the patterns are clean of artifacts (you went through the near black slides?). Then I would hope you might be able calibrate your way out of the issue.

That's what I hoped... but... it's not looking good.

I know it's a pain but can you post your all your TV's picture settings? and anything to do with the inputs. What's plugged in where and what device it is.

All of them? Depends on source (and I haven't quite finished tweaking the UHD settings)

Viewing mode: True Cinema (cable) or Normal (UHD)
Backlight: 75 (cable)/100 (UHD)
Contrast: 85 (cable)/100 (UHD)
Brightness: 0
Colour: 40
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 0
Colour Temp: Normal
Vivid Colour: Off
Adaptive Backlight Control: Min
Ambient Sensor: Off
Noise Reduction: Off
MPEG remaster: Off
Intelligent Frame Creation: Min
Clear Motion: Off
Game Mode: Off
HDMI content type: HLG (cable)/PQ (UHD)
RGB range: Full
16:9 overscan: Off
Screen Display: On
Contrast Control: Off
Gamma: 2:4
Input Signal level: 100 IRE

The white balance and colour settings I left at default or 0.

[chip75]

I wouldn't use anything apart from True Cinema for Blu-ray and UHD BD playback, but there isn't anything there to suggest anything that would affect the issue.

To be honest, Markgway, I'd take the set back as fast as you can. From what I can find on-line there seems to be an issue with the picture processing with this model. It's either there out-of-the-box or it develops over time.

It's about £500 from somewhere like Argos and that's a lot of money for these results, I'd expect better from a TV half the price from Tesco. Pop into the store (or email) the place you got it from and tell them it's a known fault with the set and you'd like a refund or a different model TV.

There are a couple of things you can try, first try these settings:

Picture
Profile True Cinema
Backlight 35
Contrast 90
Brightness 0
Sharpness 0
Color 50
Tint 0
Color temp Warm2
Vivid color Off
Adaptive Backlight Control Off
Ambient sensor On/Off
Noise reduction Off
MPEG Remaster Off
Resolution Remaster Off
Dynamic Range Remaster Off
Intelligent Frame Control Off
Clear Motion On/Off
Advanced
Contrast Control Off
Color Gamut Normal
Screen Settings
16:9 Overscan Off

I'd like you to try these with your BD player and night. Switch off all your lights and get the room as dark as possible and play a Blu-ray you're familiar with, something with dark scenes, but a mixture. After it's up and running turn down the backlight to 0. Then begin raising it a few notches over the next few minutes. You probably won't be able to see if there's any issues at 0, but when you get high enough keep an eye out for them being introduced or becoming visible.

Is there a backlight number when you can't see them, but one notch later they're visible?

[Markgway]

To be honest, Markgway, I'd take the set back as fast as you can. From what I can find on-line there seems to be an issue with the picture processing with this model. It's either there out-of-the-box or it develops over time. It's about £500 from somewhere like Argos and that's a lot of money for these results, I'd expect better from a TV half the price from Tesco. Pop into the store (or email) the place you got it from and tell them it's a known fault with the set and you'd like a refund or a different model TV.

I had a feeling we would end up here...

But I appreciate your trying to help.

I did get the TV from Argos.

Are they likely to offer a replacement or a different model do you think?

I don't want to end up with a refund and no TV!

Also, any recommendations for a suitable replacement about the same price?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I had a feeling we would end up here...

But I appreciate your trying to help.

I did get the TV from Argos.

Are they likely to offer a replacement or a different model do you think?

I don't want to end up with a refund and no TV!

Also, any recommendations for a suitable replacement about the same price?

I had a job with Argos with my Sony, they wouldn't take it back without Sony coming out to see it first (it had a flaw with the screen and the tuner kept changing the order of channels), I got a replacement for the flaw but the tuner was still the same. I went through live-chat and was given a returns code (which didn't mean anything), we eventually returned the TV and only got a refund because of the manager's discretion, as the returns code was useless and he was fed up with the whole thing as well!

Did you try the backlight suggestion? If it's like I suspect you can say it's not fit for purpose, as there's no way you can use the HDR mode without the brightness all the way up and not get the issues you've described.

You want to go in and basically tell them it's not fit for purpose and Panasonic are aware of the fault from other customers. I'd try live-chat first. But I'm afraid you might have to go through Argos, then Panasonic, then back to Argos ...

What kind of TV are you after? Something that gives you high brightness for UHD BDs around 50''?

[Markgway]

I had a job with Argos with my Sony, they wouldn't take it back without Sony coming out to see it first (it had a flaw with the screen and the tuner kept changing the order of channels), I got a replacement for the flaw but the tuner was still the same. I went through live-chat and was given a returns code (which didn't mean anything), we eventually returned the TV and only got a refund because of the manager's discretion, as the returns code was useless and he was fed up with the whole thing as well!

That doesn't sound good!

I checked the Panasonic site and they said contact your local specialist (which is hardly local being 64 miles away).

I did and even sent them photos of the screen . They said it was normal for LCD TVs. I explained it wasn't. And they've blanked me since.

Did you try the backlight suggestion? If it's like I suspect you can say it's not fit for purpose, as there's no way you can use the HDR mode without the brightness all the way up and not get the issues you've described.

I think I did on cable, but not Blu-ray.

I'll try it again in case I'm mistaken.

What kind of TV are you after? Something that gives you high brightness for UHD BDs around 50''?

Yes.

Here's a few thinks I need.

- HDR: HDR10 (for UHD) and HLG (for cable)
- wi-fi (for On Demand)
- HDMI x 3 (2:2 for cable and UHD)
- headphone jack

There's probably more but I can't remember right now.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I think I did on cable, but not Blu-ray.

I'll try it again in case I'm mistaken.

Try it with a decent Blu-ray, you won't get the feedback with broadcast as it might have those issues anyway.

[Markgway]

Hi,

Tried adjusting the backlight on a Blu-ray and it makes no difference.

The artefacts are still there no matter how low it goes.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Hi,

Tried adjusting the backlight on a Blu-ray and it makes no difference.

The artefacts are still there no matter how low it goes.

It sounds knackered, mate.

I did have a look at some TVs. TCL have a 55'' which is a bit more expensive from Amazon, but there's huge differences between the US and UK models, you get the formats with the UK one, but the US version has a Roku operating system and ours isn't very good.

Super bright TV though, well over 1,000 nits with the US version.

Good thing with Amazon is they'll come and get it if you don't like it!

[Markgway]

Never heard of them.

Our last TV was a Sony and that never gave us any problems.

I wish there was a Sony at a similar price as the Panasonic that did everything I need.

Think it's worth having another go at the repair company?

If the Panasonic can be repaired I'd be happy with that.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Think it's worth having another go at the repair company?

If the Panasonic can be repaired I'd be happy with that.

It's worth a try, but you're up against "it's within manufacturing tolerances ..." excuses for an obvious fault.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chip75

It's worth a try, but you're up against "it's within manufacturing tolerances ..." excuses for an obvious fault.

Yeah, I had that crap already.

I've sent another message telling them to either send someone or at least confirm the fault so I can consider my options.

Who knows if they'll get back to me?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Yeah, I had that crap already.

I've sent another message telling them to either send someone or at least confirm the fault so I can consider my options.

Who knows if they'll get back to me?

I'd go on Argos's live-chat and ask them very nicely if they'll issue you a returns authorization number. Say it's a known fault and Panasonic have stopped responding to your emails.