A Fix for Panasonic Black Levels

[bguzman]

Over at AVS there is a thread regarding Panasonic plasma TVs and rising black levels over time. There are many posts regarding a device that a member made that resets black levels to the original level. I recently picked up a PC50G10 and discovered the thread while doing some internet research. I picked up one of these devices and it worked wonders on the set's black levels. I have included a before and after picture below.




Anybody with a Panasonic plasma should definitely check these out further here.

[Gravy4547]

Holy shart!!! Is this for reals!!!!

So it reset your black levels, do your other colors seem off? I thought the idea behind the black level raising was as the plasma starts to decay, it raises the blacks to keep that color popping. Did you have to re-calibrate you levels or do they look the same? (better or worse.)

Is it a totally noticeable difference? I can see the pics, but in real time viewing, were you blown away?

I have noticed my Panny getting a bit lighter in the black areas. If I were able to reset, man...

[bguzman]

Originally Posted by Gravy4547

Holy shart!!! Is this for reals!!!!

So it reset your black levels, do your other colors seem off? I thought the idea behind the black level raising was as the plasma starts to decay, it raises the blacks to keep that color popping. Did you have to re-calibrate you levels or do they look the same? (better or worse.)

Is it a totally noticeable difference? I can see the pics, but in real time viewing, were you blown away?

I have noticed my Panny getting a bit lighter in the black areas. If I were able to reset, man...

As far as I can tell, yes. Colors seem to be the same and there is a very noticeable difference with any dark or nighttime material. Check out the link for more info.

[audiodane]

Hi everyone,

Thanks to bguzman for strating this thread! I'm audiodane, the developer of the PMCv2. I thought I would answer a few up-front questions..

For a little bit of background, over on AVSForum there has been a long-standing thread discussing the Panasonic rising black levels (or MLL, Minimum Luminescence Level). There is a *TON* of discussion on that thread, which is where the original fix was first published by "clktmr" and where "mironto" published his work on a DIY approach to clktmr's solution. I extended mironto's work by developing an automated solution to apply his approach, so that it could be enjoyed by folks without electronic and/or technical knowledge or skill (or time!). I produced an original set of 100pcs, which sold out in 24 days. Learning from the PMCv1, I made some tweaks for easier production and also tweaked the LED feedback (blink codes), called it PMCv2, and produced another 500pcs. Of the second production run, I probably have less than 100pcs remaining (I haven't counted lately). And that brings us up-to-date.

As he mentioned earlier, a LOT of details can be found on my website.. specifically:

PMCv2 product page:
http://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv2/

PMCv2 development history (for the curious):
http://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1-history/

PMCv2 feedback page (for the nervous/unsure)
(with links to PMCv2 discussions on other forums):
http://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1-feedback/

With that said, here's a basic rundown:

• The PMCv2 supports *most* Panasonic Plasma TV's manufactured between 2008-2010. The product page above has an expandable list of models and their currently level of known support. (I only have a 50G10, so I have had to rely on others to test the unit on other models.)
  
• The Gx2x and Vx2x models (in other words, 2010 model year Gxxx and Vxxx models) are pretty touchy in terms of what models are supported or not. I have done my best to accurately represent the information that I know about those special cases.
  
• For the nervous, I have *never* received any feedback (directly or on various forums) of the PMCv2 causing any sort of damage (temporary or permanent) to a TV. Part of the reason for the feedback page is to provide you ample information and links to even more websites where free discussion takes place regarding the PMCv2.
  
• For the "untested" models, as is laid out on the website, I offer a discount program, providing 100% refund of the purchase price if it doesn't work, and 50% refund of the purchase price if it does. A discount either way! Pretty sweet deal, to encourage more models to be tested. Fine print exists for this offer. Read the fine print.
  
• It has been shown by multiple calibration specialists (AVSForum and elsewhere) that the PMCv2 does not affect calibration or color rendition in ANY way. Panasonic did it right here -- the value reset by the PMCv2 device *only* reduces the MLL (minimum luminescence level), returning your overall dynamic range back to factory fresh levels. (in fact, one well-known A/V installer and calibrator recently purchased twenty PMCv2's in order to incorporate the device installation in his list of services!)

I think that covers the most common questions. Since this forum hasn't seen much discussion of the PMCv2 in the past, I welcome and any all questions.

I look forward to serving this blu-ray.com community! I've been a long-time lurker and user of the website (and have been receiving their daily deals emails for several years now) ...

cheers,
..dane

[DangeRuss]

I'm looking forward to purchasing one of your units in the coming weeks

[KcMsterpce]

Very interesting...
I have the ST series, but I am still fascinated by the concept and information!

[audiodane]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

I'm looking forward to purchasing one of your units in the coming weeks

Thanks DangeRuss -- I'm looking forward to reading about your experience with the PMCv2 here on the forums (as I'm sure are others)!

Originally Posted by KcMsterpce

Very interesting...
I have the ST series, but I am still fascinated by the concept and information!

Hmmm, ST series, I think that's around 2012-2013 models, right? I think my brother has an ST60, one of their very last panels. Fantastic panels. Even deeper blacks than a restored 2008-2010 model..

cheers,
..dane

[audiodane]

Just a test post to see if my new signature line is working ... (copied from AVSforum)

EDIT: Interesting, it does not apply the signature to previous posts, only future ones?

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Thanks DangeRuss -- I'm looking forward to reading about your experience with the PMCv2 here on the forums (as I'm sure are others)!

Once I take care of these pressing personal matters, I'll be looking forward to doing business with you

[Gravy4547]

My Miracle Year continues:

First my beloved Cubbies win the World Series.

Then the Cowboys trot out two rookies and win 11 straight games (damn you Giants!!!!)

Now some guy comes around and sells me a device that fixes the black levels of my plasma!

I have a G15 bought way back in 2009, and my black levels we so bad I was more likely than not to go (gulp) LCD by spring. Then I saw bguzman's post here, read audodane's webpage and researched the 100's of posts about the PMCv2 on the AVSForum. Everything looked legit, and I figured I had nothing to lose, so I plunked down 50 bucks and gave it a go.

I will report: the PMCv2 does everything it claims it can do. My wife and I could immediately tell a huge change occurred in the set. The blacks were black again. We watched the Reverent, but I missed the whole movie as I was focused on the black letterbox bars and how dark they were. How the disappeared into the darkness of the room.

Its hard to quantify how big the improvement is. Every dark or night scene was improved. And even Watched a Bulls game and the referee's pants were black. Not dark grey, black. A little touch like that makes a world of difference.

You want your blacks back? Get the part jack. This is a no brainer, every Panny Plasma owner should visit audiodane's website and if Panny Plasma falls into the "supported" group, then consider yourself lucky.

[DangeRuss]

I wanted to bring this thread back to prominence so when I'm ready to order

[audiodane]

Sorry to burst your bubble; all PMCv2's have been sold out. Last one sold about a month ago..

I am still running the site, however. I have only had about two people ask if more are available. If I ever get enough interest to run another batch, I might. But that'll take a lot of interest.. There is a email update you can sign up for on the website, however; if I am considering another run, I'll post an update there...

cheers,
..dane

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Sorry to burst your bubble; all PMCv2's have been sold out. Last one sold about a month ago..

I am still running the site, however. I have only had about two people ask if more are available. If I ever get enough interest to run another batch, I might. But that'll take a lot of interest.. There is a email update you can sign up for on the website, however; if I am considering another run, I'll post an update there...

cheers,
..dane

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say it ain't so .............

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Sorry to burst your bubble; all PMCv2's have been sold out. Last one sold about a month ago..

I am still running the site, however. I have only had about two people ask if more are available. If I ever get enough interest to run another batch, I might. But that'll take a lot of interest.. There is a email update you can sign up for on the website, however; if I am considering another run, I'll post an update there...

cheers,
..dane

I bought one from you on eBay a few months ago, and I just wanted to say thanks. It was easy to set up, and the black levels look good as new.

However, now that the black levels have been restored, I notice the floating blacks again on my 2010 Panny.

[dmollenauer]

I just found out about this and I have 2 TV's (see my sig) that need this badly. I missed out unfortunately. I put my email in the website in case they make more.

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by dmollenauer

I just found out about this and I have 2 TV's (see my sig) that need this badly. I missed out unfortunately. I put my email in the website in case they make more.

I've got my fingers crossed as well

[audiodane]

Hmm... I wonder if it would interest anyone here if I mentioned that I've opened pre-orders for a 2018 run of PMCv2's .. ?

https://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1/pmcv2/

cheers,
..dane

[Kinsella5]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Hmm... I wonder if it would interest anyone here if I mentioned that I've opened pre-orders for a 2018 run of PMCv2's .. ?

https://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1/pmcv2/

cheers,
..dane

I bought a 46" Panasonic back in 2007/2008 (model #TH-46PZ85U) and my folks have the 50" version of the same model. They have both been great televisions, we never had them calibrated, just took out of the box put on some nice Blu-ray reference quality scenes from the Panasonic demo discs and adjusted our colors based on that. I will admit I have no idea how to tell if the black levels are "black" per say or lighter, is there any test that can be done?

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Hmm... I wonder if it would interest anyone here if I mentioned that I've opened pre-orders for a 2018 run of PMCv2's .. ?

https://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1/pmcv2/

cheers,
..dane

Of course ............. I'm very interested

[dmollenauer]

Originally Posted by audiodane

Hmm... I wonder if it would interest anyone here if I mentioned that I've opened pre-orders for a 2018 run of PMCv2's .. ?

https://audiodane.dandk.org/pmcv1/pmcv2/

cheers,
..dane

YEEEES!!! Having trouble checking out on the site for a preorder though. I sent you a PM. Thanks for bringing them back.