Panasonic Group Buy, Owners Showoff Thread.

[brumby1503560467 0]

Aesthetics alone are worth going for the 700a imo

Ok, so we have as advantages for the 700A

1. Superior aesthetics - not a biggie for me but there's always SWMBO
   
2. Made in Japan vs Made in China
   
3. Better sound - might be worth it for watching sports
   
4. Anti glare - probably not a biggie but it can't hurt
   

Is that worth the difference? Probably, it's not that big a difference.

Just hope I can get it. Don't know how much longer my present set (Loewe CRT) is gonna last.

[pksw 0]

As one of the many still in limbo on the GB , I'm still finding this thread interesting. If the PiP function on the 700A is compromised due to poor analogue reception, and if I don't need a third HDMI port (which I don't), and I'll be running the sound of everything except FTA TV (which I don't watch much of anyway) through the stereo, I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off with the 70A. Does the anti-glare coating on the 700A really make a big difference? - that's about the only other improvement it offers.

Comments anyone?

You have to go and see the antiglare for yourself to work out if you think it is worth $400-500 extra. I think you are spot on - most of us are using our receivers for sound, and won't need extra HDMI ports. So it really comes down to whether you value having PiP and the antiglare. The CATS feature isn't anything to write about.

The PiP is ok - it does use the analog tuner if you are using the digital tuner at the same time, but my analog reception is ok. I've posted an image of the HD broadcast alongside the analog broadcast using PaP mode (picture and picture). If you use the PiP mode, the image is so small in the bottom right corner of the TV that I don't think it matters whether the signal is digital or analog.

PaP mode - digital image on left, analog on right

You can also show a DVD and a digital channel at the same time, which gives two pretty good images. Sorry for the blurry photos:

PaP Mode - DVD on left, digital tuner on right

PiP mode - full screen DVD, digital tuner within image

The TV has a few annoyances:

Example of Ghost line problem on TV:

Ghost line problem

There is a thread about the ghost line problem on this forum. It seems to occur in both the 70a and 700a, and is not dependant on the tuner source. When I watch Deal or No Deal via Foxtel, analog, digital SD or digital HD I still get the ghost lines in the middle box. Simple solution is NOT to watch the show!

The TV also crackles during some shows (not from the speakers, but the actual screen). It's a strange problem - I recorded something on my HDD recorder and played it back. Even with the sound muted on the TV, and the receiver off - the actual screen makes a crackling noise (a bit like static electricity discharging). This happened during one of the cartoons in the morning - where explosions with flashing black and white were on the screen. Everytime I play back the segment the TV crackles. I can burn it on a disc, or upload it if someone else with a 700a wants to see if this happens for them too.

Edited August 16, 2007 by pksw

[Ice_Magik 0]

The TV also crackles during some shows (not from the speakers, but the actual screen). It's a strange problem - I recorded something on my HDD recorder and played it back. Even with the sound muted on the TV, and the receiver off - the actual screen makes a crackling noise (a bit like static electricity discharging). This happened during one of the cartoons in the morning - where explosions with flashing black and white were on the screen. Everytime I play back the segment the TV crackles. I can burn it on a disc, or upload it if someone else with a 700a wants to see if this happens for them too.

Personally mate, i'd be getting onto Panasonic about this ASAP....pardon the pun, but it doesnt sound right!

Also, how do you find the Anti-glare screen in a dark room ?

seems you've got all the lights off there in the pics, still as bright as ever ?

Edited August 16, 2007 by Ice_Magik

[brumby1503560467 0]

Thanks very much for the great response and the pics, pksw.

I might go and have a sticky at both side by side. What about the Made in Japan for the 700A? I suppose that the extended warranty would partially ameliorate any differences.

Apologies for going OT a bit here, but I've been contemplating the Pioneer 507 too. I don't care at all about 1080P since I don't plan to go into Blu Ray/HD-DVD anytime soon (no selection unless you like recent action movies, which I don't). The prices are good with the new models coming in and INCLUDE 5 yr warranty and delivery/setup. Only problem is that they're a bit hard to find.

Edited August 16, 2007 by brumby

[davc88 0]

The TV has a few annoyances:

Example of Ghost line problem on TV:

Ghost line problem

There is a thread about the ghost line problem on this forum. It seems to occur in both the 70a and 700a, and is not dependant on the tuner source. When I watch Deal or No Deal via Foxtel, analog, digital SD or digital HD I still get the ghost lines in the middle box. Simple solution is NOT to watch the show!

The TV also crackles during some shows (not from the speakers, but the actual screen). It's a strange problem - I recorded something on my HDD recorder and played it back. Even with the sound muted on the TV, and the receiver off - the actual screen makes a crackling noise (a bit like static electricity discharging). This happened during one of the cartoons in the morning - where explosions with flashing black and white were on the screen. Everytime I play back the segment the TV crackles. I can burn it on a disc, or upload it if someone else with a 700a wants to see if this happens for them too.

dont forget the SD card reader makes life easier if you want to show photos from your camera.

yes the ghost line problem is a pain. imo its a major fault with the 70a 700a units. i never gotten any sound problems with the 700a...watched channel 10 for hrs and never heard any crackling or distortions.

[pksw 0]

Thanks very much for the great response and the pics, pksw.

I might go and have a sticky at both side by side. What about the Made in Japan for the 700A? I suppose that the extended warranty would partially ameliorate any differences.

Apologies for going OT a bit here, but I've been contemplating the Pioneer 507 too. I don't care at all about 1080P since I don't plan to go into Blu Ray/HD-DVD anytime soon (no selection unless you like recent action movies, which I don't). The prices are good with the new models coming in and INCLUDE 5 yr warranty and delivery/setup. Only problem is that they're a bit hard to find.

Yes, forgot that the newer stock of 70a are likely to be made in China. Is there any objective evidence that the Chinese TVs break down more often than the Japanese? I think when it comes to the cheap TVs that may be the case, but when it's a brand name product, I really don't think it makes a big difference.

As for going OT, - just ask as many questions as you like - that's what the forum is for!

I was orginally going to get a 42" 70a, but when our salesman showed me the 50" 700a I felt it was worth the extra money. I've always liked PiP (I'm a habitual channel changer), and the antiglare was very effective in the store.

At home, I tend to have all the lights off when I watch a movie, or just one small light on - so the antiglare probably doesn't do a thing! But I am likely to move in the next 12 months, and am hoping to put the TV in an open plan style lounge room, where there are plenty of windows, natural light, and reflections off the polished floorboards.

Ice - the antiglare in a dark room is fine - I don't find the TV too dark. I watched my first DVD movie last night on the TV - Star Wars Episode III, and the colours and detail were incredible (of course I'm comparing it to my 68cm CRT). Especially the opening scene where there are a lot of action shots, which probably simulates live sport. Can't wait to watch the footy on the TV.

I'm pretty sure Panasonic may just say the crackling noise is due to the broadcast. It was one of those epileptic inducing, flashing black and white cartoon images. I don't watch the cartoons - just had the TV on whilst I was having breakfast and noticed it. No other shows (so far) have had this problem.

[Serpeant 8]

So anyone have problems tuning in with the analogue tuner?

[noclip 0]

How are the 42" 70a with xbox 360s or playstation 3s.

just a bit concerned how it looks with the rest of 1024x768

[Kazz 857]

How are the 42" 70a with xbox 360s or playstation 3s.

just a bit concerned how it looks with the rest of 1024x768

I have the 42" 70a and the Xbox 360, looks fantastic, the picture does not look stretched at all.

Cheers,

Karen.

[A sTa* 0]

Got the 70A from HN for $3300(with 5y Warranty). They didn't have the 700A & thought I it didn't matter with the Anti-glare etc. The Aesthetics of the 70A are Great.

Pics of the ever updating setup

Pix 70A / Setup

Guys do you know of some settings to get the best PQ.

[SA000584 0]

Thanks Ice, the 50 Inch plasma is great.

The antiglare screen is well worth having. The PIP and sound works much better than the 600 series.

I am thinking about getting a notebook with a HDMI out port on it. Play movies from the notebook on the plasma.

I would be able to connect the notebook to the plasma using a HDMI cable, but does anyone know if I hook up the optical out with a toslink cable on the plasma to my receiver, would it pass through dolby digital sound track, so I can quality sound as well ??

[Zacspeed 0]

Got the 70A from HN for $3300(with 5y Warranty). They didn't have the 700A & thought I it didn't matter with the Anti-glare etc. The Aesthetics of the 70A are Great.

Pics of the ever updating setup

Pix 70A / Setup

Guys do you know of some settings to get the best PQ.

Re getting settings for the best PQ. When it comes to the 70/700 series its like pulling teeth getting anyone to reveal them.

But some posts back I posted the settings that worked very well for the 500a (8th Gen), 60/600 (9th gen) so I cant see why they wont work with the latestet generation.

Let us know how you go, and hopefully people will reveal the settings that works best for them.

One issue perhaps, and I dont know why but Panasonic no longer use numbers on the settings. But the thread explains how you can overcome that also.

Here tis:-

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&...st&p=747658

Edited August 19, 2007 by Zacspeed

[Zacspeed 0]

A fair few people now have received their panels.

Whats the latest on them. Anyone had any issues at all? Ie defective, dead pixels?

Seems the going is going real good, which is very pleasing to hear (or not hear)

[pksw 0]

A fair few people now have received their panels.

Whats the latest on them. Anyone had any issues at all? Ie defective, dead pixels?

Seems the going is going real good, which is very pleasing to hear (or not hear)

Happy with my TV. Had it for a week now (700a). It's my first plasma, so there is still the novelty factor of having a big TV and digital reception. I've already posted about the "ghost line" problem in that thread and posted a photo too. It's not a major issue to me.

The other problem is the "sound" problem with a picture that rapidly flashes from black and white. The actual screen makes a crackling noise when that image is full screen. If I reduce the size of the image, or play it in a PiP window there is none of that "static" noise. I will burn it to DVD and try it on another TV in a store to see if the problem is still there.

Otherwise, everything else has been ok, and these are really quite minor issues to me.

[Neddles 0]

Happy with my TV. Had it for a week now (700a). It's my first plasma, so there is still the novelty factor of having a big TV and digital reception. I've already posted about the "ghost line" problem in that thread and posted a photo too. It's not a major issue to me.

The other problem is the "sound" problem with a picture that rapidly flashes from black and white. The actual screen makes a crackling noise when that image is full screen. If I reduce the size of the image, or play it in a PiP window there is none of that "static" noise. I will burn it to DVD and try it on another TV in a store to see if the problem is still there.

Otherwise, everything else has been ok, and these are really quite minor issues to me.

Try turning your noise reduction up to high maybe ?

Edited August 20, 2007 by Neddles

[Ice_Magik 0]

I'll get some pics up this weekend once i've put it all together again..

Got into abit of a dusting / cleaning frenzy pulling all cables out of received, 360, dvd.....

Then the tv arrived, needless to say, all the cables were left where they were......

Hopefully hd-player and pvr arrive soon......why does Home Entertainment have to be soo addictive and expensive ?

[hdpat 0]

I'm getting my tv tomorrow. Can't wait!

How are you guys running it in? I heard the first 100 hours are important..

What about connecting a laptop to it and running a screensaver or windows media player with those spectrum effects? Would that do any good?

[Zacspeed 0]

I'm getting my tv tomorrow. Can't wait!

How are you guys running it in? I heard the first 100 hours are important..

What about connecting a laptop to it and running a screensaver or windows media player with those spectrum effects? Would that do any good?

Apparently a good way to run the screen in is to display the HD loop channels on the screen. That way you wont get any static images etc.

[Ice_Magik 0]

Maybe some1 needs to call panasonic...

Too many mixed reports in regards to 'running in' the screens..

From what i've heard, the Glass has already been 'run in' before we even get it, with some sort of procedure they do.

Apparently the screen is exposed to the process which is much more hardcore than anything a consumer could throw at it!

This is all speculation though, i'll be calling pana later to clarify for peace of mind.

[50mxe20 2]

I'm not sure if this applicable to Pana's but for my Pio I was instructed by AVICAL to run it in as per normal for 100+ hours before getting it calibrated. He advised that if I turned down the setting I would need to wait 200+ hours for the calibration. This suggests to me that modern plasmas should not have a burn-in issue if normal care is given. ie, Don't do something stupid like leave the same static image on the screen for 30+ hours. Normal channel switching should prevent it as well. That being said I have read of a case (on this forum) where someone watched the same channel for an extended period of time and got burn-in of the logo (or was it image retention).

I think it is the older gen plasma's that have a problem, not the current crop.

I am willing to stand corrected tho!

[Ice_Magik 0]

Have spoken with Panasonic Customer Care.

They said each panel has already been run in for 200 hrs.

I said i'll need it in writing, and he said it will be emailed to me shortly !

Hi Nathan, as per our conversation the TH-50PX700A is tested for 200

hours in the factory before release

Andrew

Panasonic Customer Care

Panasonic Australia Pty Ltd

Edited August 21, 2007 by Ice_Magik

[bushwacked 0]

I received the 2 700a's yesterday. Have set up the first, and it was straightforward. Man these are heavy though. Need 2 strong people to lift onto the pedestal.

Plumbing seemed much easier than my old 42 Panasonic. Probably because no set top box. It tuned in very easily. The only thing which took me time to work out was the PIP button. I finally worked out it was in a hidden panel at the bottom of the remote. Generally the remote is much better than the older set.

The only adjustment I made to settings so far is to change colour from cool to normal. Looked better to me. Not sure if they wanted it set to cool for some period in addition to the factory burn in??

Saw some signs, I think, of the horizontal line ghosting reported by others - this was during The Bill last night. Was a scene where there were venetian blinds in the background and the lines extended across the character in the foreground. If I were not looking for it, I would have thought it was caused by the lighting, but more likely it is the ghosting. I met a Panasonic technician at their roadshow at Southland at the weekend. He claimed to be unaware of any ghosting problem. Does anyone know if it has it been taken up with Panasonic at all?

Anyway, very happy now, thanks to Ice. We very much appreciate your efforts.

BW

[Zacspeed 0]

Excellent work Bushwacked,

Put up some pics if you can.

The reviews are all good to read and it'll be good if we can get peoples preferred settings, reviews etc.

It'll enhance the use and enjoyment of the screens for all of us.

Im still waiting for mine, apparently its incoming.

Re the picture settings, I read somewhere that Cinema Mode and warm is the closest to D6500K and good for movies etc, Some have said that its a bit too dark so from Cinema switch to Normal mode.

Just quickly, how much hum or buzz etc is normal to come from the back of the TV? Is there any at all?

Edited August 22, 2007 by Zacspeed

[Stu W 0]

Hi Folks,

FYI I picked up my TH50PV70 here in NZ today (Not part of the group buy )- only difference to the Australian model is no digital tuner. Of note, it was manufactured in July 07 and all the settings have a number scheme showing which runs from 0-100. This surprised me as everyone here indicated that the Panny menus had no numbers.

So I have either misunderstood previous posts, or there has been some sort of change to the firmware recently.

[stahc 0]

Hi Folks,

FYI I picked up my TH50PV70 here in NZ today (Not part of the group buy )- only difference to the Australian model is no digital tuner. Of note, it was manufactured in July 07 and all the settings have a number scheme showing which runs from 0-100. This surprised me as everyone here indicated that the Panny menus had no numbers.

So I have either misunderstood previous posts, or there has been some sort of change to the firmware recently.

you're not that stu w are you?????????? enemy of wallabies everywhere