mxlaser

And of what utter crap relevance is that? As he will be buying from RETAIL and they obviously wont sell at a loss, what use is it to know the manufacturers make money... I mean, knowing a Golf GTI costs VW less than $8,000 to manufacture doesnt mean the dealship will knock $35k off of the price does it! HN and DSE cost is $3100-3200 on these units, so the chance of one, at $3k inc 5 years, is IMPOSSIBLE today. In 8 weeks, possibly as a run out to make way for the 9th gen (if its here by then, i doubt it though) From nearly all official/unofficial reports a US/Europe launch is set for May'ish due to world cup which likely means, August'ish for us in Oz. Also, apparently there won't be a 9th Gen SD plasma from Panasonic. HD only... not 100% though, but it would make sense.

Personally i'd go the Pana SC17. I have one, all speakers have good stands (makes it easier with rears) great sound for a HTIB. Came tops of nearly all HTIB face offs i'd read/seen. Best thing about it, it also does component switching (not usualy found on a reciever under $600) and has all the opticals you needed. Can be had for around $750 most places, or about $800 for the model the same, but with built in dvd player. I didnt bother with that though. You simply won't get a better HTIB setup than the pana currently, other than a specialist setup like Denon's or Missions. The advice here is right, in that a component setup would offer a longer life span, but if like me, you wanted something that sounded great (for a HTIB) was loud, great bass and heaps of features (component video switching, optical, 4xstands) then its the best you'll get. Also looks great with plasma's too. As i got mine for similar reasons to you, and needed what you did, it was great i could also connect the STB and Xbox via component into it and use one remote to do everything (in case you dont have an all in one) an have the reciever amp switch the plasma on/off. That way, select one input on the plasma, and never mess with it again. couldnt be easier.

Plenty of places will let you take your own DVD player to test screens, just tell them you want to buy one. Maybe give that a go? look as my mate said, it could also be a HDCP/DVI-I/DVI-D issue as well, where the signal from an NTSC disc isnt being decoded properly with HDCP and the DVI-D port. It "should" all be fine, but then again, so "ahould" a HDMI-DVI-D converter but it isnt. It seems the set is VERY picky about HDCP and how/what/where it comes from.

Hey, was waiting for the update for you. Just got off the phone to my mate at Teac (Vic sales manager) he 100% (after phyiscally checking and also speaking with tech guys too) agrees the panel is 100% NTSC compatable over ANY of its sources. He's shocked someone told you otherwise, i don't suppose you have that guys name? also was it the vic branch you called or another state one? He's confident that its the player at fault. As i said, i used NTSC discs on my own, however i can't remeber which connection i was using before mine went back. What he said was, basically that the connections won't affect what the panel can dislpay other than it not working. So, if you put a pal disc into the DVD player and it plays on DVI, and i assume you get the menu screen without any disc in there, theres no reason you wouldnt get a NTSC disc playing. Especially if you upscale the NTSC to say 720p, because then both the PAL and NTSC discs will be outputting exactly the same image, inc Hz as well, which then would negate it being the panel at fault, and resting on the players shoulders. Obviously having a look through the Teac thread, and some posts elsewhere on here, the Sammy upscaler does seem somewhat, tempermental. Maybe buy another one from DSE powerhouse (they have a 14 day money back on anything, for any reason) and try that one. I know the LG one works (also a good thread on these forums about it, unlocking it etc etc) or i had an Oppo and Pana that all worked fine on it. Sorry for bad news about the DVD player, but its better than bad news about the $2k plasma IMO.

For a start, the DVI port is 100% HDCP compatable. However, for a very select source though, as was shown throughout the large Teac thread i'd started. The player needs to have a DVI-D port with HDCP. Anything outside that (DVI-I and HDMI-DVI conversions) seems not to work. As for NTSC, i can't see how that is as i had played NTSC discs on it through DVI.... At least i do recal doing so... I'll try to look into it more for you with Teac HO. Will let you know.

Not really!!! You dont buy ( i realise your being somewhat sarcastic) a top end 1080p plasma then call 720p from the X360 HD BRD and PS3 will make it shine though.

The lateness of my reply went somewhat to not being as thorough as i'd want... Basically, all summed up, the OP is disucssing things he has "now". Yes, understand with technology, and time that digital will prevail and become the only real connection source. I too hope that some digital connection, offering all it can will be the standard, seen on any TV replacing a composite connection thats common now. Also, i'd worry about your future for the PC and thinking they'll have HDMI, they won't. They've already set, and agreed upon SDI as the new connection type, and its unsure (althought the beleive it will) be compatable with HDMI. Time will tell.

So your argument that its better is that, in extreme, very paticular circumstances, HDMI shows that its clearly better... How can you seriously argue that out. Take REAL world, currently, in peoples homes thats COMMON as thats real world and what people here will see, not "when using a top end PC, playing top quality, rare 1080p native highest BS resolution material, and playing it over DVI (which is technically inferior to HDMI, Oh my gosh you may spot a difference!!!) to a HDMI connection, is better than the VERY new HDTV via component support offered by high end new vid cards.. thats not exactly a fair or even just comparison, nor something that anyone actually gives two craps about) Now, think outside your closed experiment, to the real world. Dave the DVD buyer, goes and buys a spanking new LG/Samsung/Sony/Oppo/Maya dvd player with HDMI. His TV accepts HDMI. Now, he connects both HDMI and Component. Based on which DVD player he picked, and which screen he has, one will show a better image than the other, and its as random as the twitching on an epileptic. I mean, yes, in a perfect pure HD source fed digital connection, it will be better, currently you don't have that, nor will you for 12+ months either. (im talking readily available not some very niche thing) so why use it as a reason of why HDMI shows a better connection when its not even relevant.

For $2500 he'll get at a sensable price, the best SD plasma available, being the Panasonic 50a (link in sig). He'd get into an LG or a Samsung, but both don't hold a matchstick to the pana in terms of PQ, you'll see a massive following of them here and on AVS. With hard barganing you'll get it for $2500. A lot fo places still have it ticketed at $3000. Cost at most retailers is actually $2220 now (give or take a little) so $2500 should be easy to get now.

I agree with you, whole heartedly. All this HDMI is best crap annoys me, as i said above, techniclally yes, but thats not the case when its practically applied

Yeah, more clarification on the viewing distance... Personally, your two choices, for best BFB would be either: Panasonic 42" SD Plasma AWA 37" HD LCD. The pana will crap all over the LCD in terms of PQ, colours, refresh, black levels and contrast/brightness. The LCD will give you HD, which past 3m's is impossible to see at all, no matter who you are, especially at 37". It does have its other advantages (far far kess chance of burn in, better/clearer text for PC)

Nice roundup Good point though, its like those that argue $400 HDMI cables are better than $50 ones, when you consider that internally theres probably 0.5mm wire connecting things, plus everything you've listed above :s

Yes, but even digital is passed through and processed, not to the extent of anologue though. It is a prefernce thing, but more than anything its far more a component/TV choice. Some plasma's look far better, noticable by most over component, and vice versa with digital.

You forget a lot though, most recordings are done anologue as well... So then converted to digital, then again etc etc. Also, just because its digital means nothing. If the internal DACS are better at handling anologue over digital then it will look better.

Yeah, also the commonwealth games as well... as well as F1 and all the footie this season too... Pretty much 7 and 9 NEVER get watched on mine. Any TV series are on the xbox its only sport thats an issue, but i'l avoid them if they don't sort out the logos. Not that i've ever had an issue, its just more principle than anything else.

Well, its good enough for braodcasting and movie studios to use still... I agree somewhat it does offer "on paper" benifits, whether the user sees that is another thing

As can be seen from the link in my sig comparing all the connections, digital is NOT always best and doesnt always show the best PQ either. A lot comes down to the components used, and the DAC's on board that component. I have a Maya 601 and a Oppo DVD player, both look good over DVI, however, IMO my Pana S29 looks better than them (NOT UPSCALED) over Component. Try the other two on component, and its not a compitition, but then the Maya and Oppo are designed to use digital and also upscale the image, whereas the Pana S29 is purely component and therfore looks better. Also i have found the screen also plays a part in it too, as using the Teac 4220SD the PQ was better with my Teac HDSTB over DVI, yet on the Soniq it was better over component (all extensive tweaking and calibrating done on both) Just use what in YOUR OWN OPINION looks best. In the end, some people prefer a slitghly "smudgy" image compared to an overly sharp one, as it doesn thighlight faulst as much. others want to purest rawest image and its sharpness as well. Its too personal for anyone to ever say one is wholey better than the other. Hence why i went for a panel that only has component and no digital after 4 panels before it all with digital

Still LG panel? Still DCDi scaler? maybe this is the newer version thats due (although stock was due to run out after feb) Or maybe all the same still currently and just built elsewhere for cost cutting.

Doesnt consumer law offer the CONSUMER the option for repair, replacement or refund? take the refund? From memory i believe by law there is to be a "reasonable" time frame to repair something, and i think it countless court cases, they deem 2-3 weeks as reasonable. 6 weeks is WELL beyond reasonable. Hell i got my 2 1/2 month old Soniq plasma refunded with a lipsync fault from JB, and also a 1 week old Teac one as well, due to pixel shifting again, from JB, so it shouldnt be an issue with this one... They were $2k, but thats not that much a difference. Then again, they refused to refund a friends Fuji 50" ($6000) when the screen went entirely green when switched on, and would only repair it, which took Fuji 8 days all up, as they obviously replaced it. Get hold of you state consumer affairs, ands get the correct forms from them. Then fill out, and lofdge a written complaint and consumer forms to JB. They will back down and either replace it and bear the hassles of chasing up Soniq themselves, or refund you.

It shoudnt matter, as you should NEVER use the built in POS tuner! you dont spend $100,000 on a BMW and put a Hyundai Getz 1.6 litre engine in it! you sure as S**T don't pay $2k for a plasma and use the cheapest, crappest POS internal tuner

Im so glad, other than sports, 7 and 9 never even get a look in. Honestly, the ten logo has gotten it right, half the time, you don't notice it there... At least they care about there viewers, and by that i'll support them back and watch them. Far as im concerned 7 and 9 are dickheads that shouldnt be watched... Slack, failing channels that in a desperate bid to be reconised brand themselves to the point they want to burn their logos onto your screens so you see it on wahtever channel you watch

Go back to your retailer (GG's wasnt it?) and demand a new unit, after explaining the situation. Also kindly point out, as is your statutory right, you agreed to a repair, not a replacment. They lied and also replaced with a faulty, second hand unit. Without pursuing it further, you are willing for them to swap it with a brand new unit, or a refund. (Both you are completely legally entitled too, especially in this situation now) If they say take it up with Teac, ignore them and point out they are the legally responsable party, and you contract of sale is with them. If you want the replacement push that one, if you want a refund (maybe a chance to grab that Pana ) puch that option, either way, you are the one with the rights behind you, and the ability to create far more hassle than its worth to them, you just need to be VERY strong and particular about it. Upon calling, also have what your requesting typed up, then fx and send them the letter, along with a copy to trading standards for your state.

Mayber im missing something? I said they'd replace it. Regardless what some dick temp tech head will tell you, there was no way they would repair it, so surely getting a "new" unit would of been better anyway? Also, i can't see the exact same fault being there on a new unit? So, whats the deal?

I was thinking the samw thing... I've gotten a few US shows online that have had the logo removed and end up with a very unoticable blure that pretty much matches the screen. Obviously easy to do once recorded, would buy a STB instantly if they made it do it on the fly. You'd have to program in the size and position for the blurring to occur for each channel, so when you switch channels it also switches where the block should be... Would love one of them

well, thats a very specific and not common issue. Your taking the few here over the tens of thousands that own one. That said, i'd prefer an image that lasted a few hours of the continous bad PQ compared to any other LCD on the market right now, thats a fact. I don't think the problem will go away with SED either as its based on CRT technology and a few reports so far from that CES have said concern over its burn in features and whether it will be the "be all end all" solution so many are expecting. As for retention, i watched nearly every match of the tennis, with my contrast set whats considered very high (74) and never, not even for 2 mins did i experience any retention... So is it reasonable to have a plasma that exhibits no retention at all with far greater PQ than any current LCD... i think its reasonable...