Owners' Thread Panasonic Viera Th-p50vt20a

[MLXXX 740]

I am new to the world of plasmas and just got my parents the 58VT20A.

Just wanting to know if there is any sort of burn in programs I should be using, and if so which mode to use them on, Standard, THX, etc???

I don't think it's the usual practice these days to use burn in programs.

Avoiding "dynamic" video mode and otherwise leaving the controls at default ought to be safe for television viewing.

It's a different story using the TV for gaming or as a computer monitor. That is risky. In addition to avoiding "dynamic", best to keep contrast low, and use a screen saver. Temporary image retention can easily occur, and permanent patches of IR (burn-in), are also possible.

I tried AVI file through USB. It plays, but there are no options to turn on 3D. It looks like 3D is only supported through HDMI?

Are there cables that allow me to connect a computer/laptop through HDMI to the TV?

If a side by side (or top and bottom) 3D files plays with the USB stick, you should be able to select side by side (or top and bottom) manually with the remote control button "Viera tools", and changing the 3D setting.

If your pc has an HDMI socket you simply need a high speed HDMI cable. Otherwise your pc needs to have a digital video output (DVI-D), as most do. You can get a cable with an HDMI connector at one end and a DVi connector at the other (e.g. from Jaycar). Another method is to use a standard high speed HDMI cable (HDMI connector at both ends) but with a DVI to HDMI adaptor plugged into the pc. [HDMI Socket to DVI-D Plug adaptors are about $16.95 at Jaycar.]

Edited March 20, 2011 by MLXXX

[comphelp 0]

I tried AVI file through USB. It plays, but there are no options to turn on 3D. It looks like 3D is only supported through HDMI?

I had to do a firmware update on my TV before I could get it to display the menu option to play 3D from a USB device.

[hdpat 0]

I had to do a firmware update on my TV before I could get it to display the menu option to play 3D from a USB device.

Oh that's very interesting!

What version is your firmware? Mine shows 3.401 and when I try to update, it says it is up to date.

I'm going through Menu > Setup > Systems Menu > System Update. I haven't connected the TV through the net and I assume its searching an update through digital tv

[hdpat 0]

I plugged in the LAN cable and updated to 3.602 and it now has 3D options for USB playback.

Thanks guys for your help.

[GP11 0]

I'm looking to replace my old washed out 50V10a with an end of model 50VT20a.

Could any owners comment on "floating blacks, 50hz pal issue, excessive flicker and rising blacks for the 50VT20a" which I've been reading about on the AVS and AVF forums.

I've noted most reviewers haven't raise these as problems.

I've got one on hold for $1325.00 (incl +4yrs warr) At that price it's looks too good to pass up.

I look forward to any owners comments.

Thanks

edit: I also heard these models buzz!!??

Edited March 22, 2011 by GP11

[pietro1503559499 0]

The only negative thing I've noticed on my 65" is banding. The blacks continue to be incredible.

[bern1992 0]

I've never noticed anything wrong with my 50VT20A until I was watching The Social Network on Blu-ray the other night. Everytime it would go from predominantly light to predominantly dark, the letterbox bars at the top and bottom would lighten considerably, and it was a bit distracting. I believe this is floating blacks? Granted, I was watching it in pitch dark, and I was tired so probably taking more notice of it. Has anybody else noticed this with The Social Network? Particularly in the first scene in the bar.

[re-boot 0]

I see floating blacks all the time when watching any episode of Vampire Diaries, Fringe, The Gates, Spooks, Being Human.

Any show with darks scenes in it.

Only at night time or early morning with little, or very low, ambient lighting.

It's ironic that it's at night time that plasma's are meant to be at their best, but I don't like this panel for night time viewing at all because of the floating blacks.

[re-boot 0]

I see floating blacks all the time when watching any episode of Vampire Diaries, Fringe, The Gates, Spooks, Being Human.

Any show with darks scenes in it.

Only at night time or early morning with little, or very low, ambient lighting.

It's ironic that it's at night time that plasma's are meant to be at their best, but I don't like this panel for night time viewing at all because of the floating blacks.

[TonyTD 0]

I just got this TV yesterday. I don't have a blueray player yet, but want to try out the 3D capabilities.

I found a few websites with free 3d content, but I can't get them to work. Seems the playback support of the panasonic is very limited. Free 3D content for download here:

http://www.biohemmet.se/3dtrailers.php

http://3dguy.tv/downloads/

http://3dvision-blog.com

Questions:

1. 3D playback through USB. Has anyone tried this? What file format works? The TV doesn't recognise the files I've tried. .mkv, .mp4, .wmv

2. 3D playback through a laptop. Anyone got this to work? I've connected my laptop through S-video to the TV, but there's no 3D menu on the TV. It seems the 3D menu only appears under certain conditions

I Downloaded some free preview 3D demos from a link on this site around Christmas time all but 1 played on a USB stick

It was of some motor racing at Spa circuit (I think)

I also had to change the Settings to 3D Side by Side, it was ok but not worth the hastle !

All the others were wrong format, dont qoute me but i think they need to be in Mpeg-2, i got fed up with trying to convert them. and Bought some more 3D movies to go with my 3D Avatar Bundle !

[MdMa11 0]

I'm looking to replace my old washed out 50V10a with an end of model 50VT20a.

Could any owners comment on "floating blacks, 50hz pal issue, excessive flicker and rising blacks for the 50VT20a" which I've been reading about on the AVS and AVF forums.

I've noted most reviewers haven't raise these as problems.

I've got one on hold for $1325.00 (incl +4yrs warr) At that price it's looks too good to pass up.

I look forward to any owners comments.

Thanks

edit: I also heard these models buzz!!??

I just got my parents the 58VT20A ($2169 - delivered) last week and have been using this Plasma Break-In CD.

I cannot comment on any of the 50Hz flicker or rising black issues yet, but it does buzz... especially when a pure white image is displayed (Build date is SEP 2010).

Edited March 23, 2011 by MdMa

[GP11 0]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll wait for the VT30 and hope some of these issues are dealt with.

Shame, as the sell out price for 50VT20 is spot on..

[pietro1503559499 0]

Do most of you watch in the dark? I have lighting on the back wall to the level recommended on the DVE set-up Blu-ray. Maybe that's why I haven't seen any floating blacks.

[bern1992 0]

Do most of you watch in the dark? I have lighting on the back wall to the level recommended on the DVE set-up Blu-ray. Maybe that's why I haven't seen any floating blacks.

Like I said, it was pitch dark this one time, and I hardly ever watch the TV in very dark conditions. It's the only time I've ever noticed it. Doesn't mean I love it any less.

[re-boot 0]

Do most of you watch in the dark? I have lighting on the back wall to the level recommended on the DVE set-up Blu-ray. Maybe that's why I haven't seen any floating blacks.

I have a 30 watt lamp behind my tv (which sits in a corner) so it provides a fair amount of lighting as it reflects off the wall.

[TonyTD 0]

I have a 30 watt lamp behind my tv (which sits in a corner) so it provides a fair amount of lighting as it reflects off the wall.

I Also have a small lamp tucked just behind tv at ground level !

Gives a very low amount of light on the wall

[Scott_S 0]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll wait for the VT30 and hope some of these issues are dealt with.

Shame, as the sell out price for 50VT20 is spot on..

You're obviously looking for a perfect PQ - nothing wrong there - but you should be concerned about Panasonic's "dead" pixel policy. It means they will deliver screens with up to 4 multi-coloured randomly flickering pixels within the safe viewing area. I can assure even one of the bastards is intolerable. You have no recourse under the terms of the warranty. I'd be looking closely Samsung who appear to have a better policy, or contract that the retailer agree to replace the screen with even one "dead" pixel, or use a USB with solid colour images (such as the burn-in screens) to carefully test the actual screen you buy before accepting it.

[re-boot 0]

From what I've read, the VT30 may not even address the floating blacks issue.

[GP11 0]

You're obviously looking for a perfect PQ - nothing wrong there - but you should be concerned about Panasonic's "dead" pixel policy. It means they will deliver screens with up to 4 multi-coloured randomly flickering pixels within the safe viewing area. I can assure even one of the bastards is intolerable. You have no recourse under the terms of the warranty. I'd be looking closely Samsung who appear to have a better policy, or contract that the retailer agree to replace the screen with even one "dead" pixel, or use a USB with solid colour images (such as the burn-in screens) to carefully test the actual screen you buy before accepting it.

Yeah.. I'm probably guilty of that but I know it's not possible. Well the Kuro was close .

2 yrs ago I bought a top end Sammy that buzzed so bad the family wouldn't be in the same room.. I had it replaced.. it buzzed worse. JBs where good enough to exchange for Pana 50v10 ( which had the tag from c-net as best TV pre-viewed that year) only to lose its Editors choice and a star rating later that year due to the rising MLL.)

My V10 now looks like a washed out cheap lcd.. with serious IR

So I was asking the question as to VT20 owner opinions re good and bad points... I guess the buzz and judder are the big ones for me.

Scott_S does your VT20 Buzz, flicker excessively, or have blacks that float? or better still, what are the good points. I've only viewed this TV in store.

btw...thanks for the heads up on the pixel policy.

[Scott_S 0]

...

Scott_S does your VT20 Buzz, flicker excessively, or have blacks that float? or better still, what are the good points. I've only viewed this TV in store.

btw...thanks for the heads up on the pixel policy.

Buzz yes but the buzz sound level varies with picture brightness, so it is usually audible only with a quiet scene/program and a full frame white background - it is annoying but only for the time that a white background is present and if the program audio is moderate/loud, no problem. I understand it is an inductor in the power supply, which could vary from unit to unit.

Flicker - no problem for anyone in this family.

Floating blacks - no problem for us, but we came from a Sony CRT that (while an HDTV classic) had terrible float.

Apart from the one flickering pixel, which in my case is intermittent (about 30% of the time, no idea why) and the dodgy USB recording, this is a great TV. Setting it to THX and turning off a few enhancements gives a near perfect PQ (obviously my opinion but based on needing almost no change from defaults with calibration using DVE). The tuner is solid, and the HDMI ARC works well. I paid $2400 and was happy (apart from the pixel), so for the prices I see now it seems like a good buy. I still won't recommend it to anyone due to the pixel policy.

[Ode1 0]

What do you use the HDMI ARC for ?

IS it a passthru for AMPS that dont have 3D support?

[hdpat 0]

My 50" VT20A just died!

Had it for less than a week. Red light flashes for 10 times and won't turn on.

Panasonic said something's broke inside. But both Panasnoic and JB dont' have any more stock so I'm not sure what they will do. I think they will try fixing it.

[Scott_S 0]

What do you use the HDMI ARC for ?

IS it a passthru for AMPS that dont have 3D support?

No.

Audio Return Channel

[Fatbeer 0]

My 50" VT20A just died!

Had it for less than a week. Red light flashes for 10 times and won't turn on.

Panasonic said something's broke inside. But both Panasnoic and JB dont' have any more stock so I'm not sure what they will do. I think they will try fixing it.

Mine lasted almost two months before developing a faulty line on the screen. It then took Pana and their contractors two months to tell me it was unfixable and to get me a replace set under warranty, unbelivable. For a while they had the TV longer than I had had it for.

My V seires from last year (2009) hasn't skipped a beat, however.

[hdpat 0]

Mine lasted almost two months before developing a faulty line on the screen. It then took Pana and their contractors two months to tell me it was unfixable and to get me a replace set under warranty, unbelivable. For a while they had the TV longer than I had had it for.

My V seires from last year (2009) hasn't skipped a beat, however.

2 months to fix! Did you ask for any compensation?

It probably would have cost them a lot of money too trying to fix it. Was it through AWA?

[ph3ng 4]

hi guys, i need some help if possible. I will try to keep it as simple as possible as there are various things unique to my situation.

My in-laws just moved to a smaller placed and got the BTT775 and the VT50. The previous owner had pre existing connections. To make it 'easier' - which is turning out to be further from the truth - we decided to use these connections.

Anyway, I've got the following questions:

1. Is there a way to set up the sound such that when it's on digital TV uses the TV speakers and when playing DVD it uses the BT775 speakers?

I can't get ARC to work with the current setup because:

a. the preexisting HDMI wired in the walls is probably not 1.4 - when I connect the BT775 directly to the TV the ARC works well but when I use the existing connections, HDMI2 shows up fuzzy - noise basically.

2. I need to change the plug head for the Subwoofer to RCA plug. But every time I try to test a movie, it 'trips' the player turning it off. Any ideas what might be the issue?

Some DIY here because of the nature of the place so yeah. Thanks again for your help.

[hdpat 0]

My 50" VT20A just died!

Had it for less than a week. Red light flashes for 10 times and won't turn on.

Panasonic said something's broke inside. But both Panasnoic and JB dont' have any more stock so I'm not sure what they will do. I think they will try fixing it.

After 2 weeks, I finally got my 4th replacement (long story!) and the issue sorted.

JB Macquaire were great to deal with. They really tried their best, even for things that are not entirely their fault. I'll happily buy from them again.

Panasonic on the other hand, were not very helpful at all. Their 'in charge' person was very rude and really needs to learn a thing or two about customer service.

[Fatbeer 0]

Panasonic on the other hand, were not very helpful at all. Their 'in charge' person was very rude and really needs to learn a thing or two about customer service.

I concur.

[Scott_S 0]

Hi,

What external USB HDD are people using successfully with the VT20A ? I have ongoing problems with the Buffalo drive recommended by Panasonic.

It would be helpful if you could list the brand, model and size. Thanks.

FYI I have a Buffalo HD-CEU2 Drivestation. Its 2TB, but we only get to about 20% used capacity before it throws USB errors which requires reformatting to recover from. I have tested the drive using a laptop and it checks out ok.

Thanks.

[andys 0]

Spam reported.

[MLXXX 740]

See notations in red. Test results are at Shutter Glasses Alternation Rate Of 50" Panasonic Vt-20 Plasma.

Off the top of my head:

...

I assume 3D 48Hz if selected for a 24p 3D source involves no interpolated frames. Each original Left Frame would be displayed twice. Each original Right Frame would be displayed twice. In an alternating pattern LRLR (i.e. L

₁

R

₁

L

₁

R

₁

, L

₂

R

₂

L

₂

R

₂

, L

₃

R

₃

L

₃

R

₃

, ...).

TEST RESULTS OF 13 AUG 2011 ARE CONSISTENT WITH THIS

I assume that 3D 60Hz if selected for a 60p 3D source (the Panasonic demo disc with the Blu-ray player includes some 720p60) involves no interpolated frames. Each original Left Frame would be displayed twice. Each original Right Frame would be displayed twice in an alternating pattern: LRLR.

NOT CONFIRMED: TEST RESULTS OF 13 AUG 2011 SUGGEST THAT THE PATTERN IS SIMPLY LR

With side by side 50i (e.g. the 3D test transmissions in Australia of Australian football and World Cup soccer), you need to select side by side manually. There is then no menu selection available for display frame rate. I assume each Left side deinterlaced frame (and there are 50 unique Left frames per second using 50i) and each Right side deinterlaced frame is displayed twice in an alternating pattern: LRLR.

NOT CONFIRMED: TEST RESULTS OF 13 AUG 2011 SUGGEST THAT THE PATTERN IS SIMPLY LR

Edited August 21, 2011 by MLXXX

[nic.nyfiken 0]

I'm using a 2 year old 250gb 2.5" Seagate drive as a PVR drive with no issues. It's powered by the port too.

I´m too but I´v got timer text problem -it shows the program before the recording...!!! anyone that can help out ???

[diesel 1]

I´m too but I´v got timer text problem -it shows the program before the recording...!!! anyone that can help out ???

Is your EPG showing the correct times?? Do you have your TV's clock on auto or manual?

Try manual and see if that fixes your timing issues.

[Grahameh 0]

The ads for the new panasonics show ABC iview. My VT20 still doesn't have it although I check for updates regularly. Does anyone knoow whether we will get it? It should just be a software update.

[re-boot 0]

The ads for the new panasonics show ABC iview. My VT20 still doesn't have it although I check for updates regularly. Does anyone knoow whether we will get it? It should just be a software update.

I got mine, although a little later than announced.

If you press your Viera Tools button, it should inform you of an update.

[Grahameh 0]

I got mine, although a little later than announced.

If you press your Viera Tools button, it should inform you of an update.

Thanks for that, it worked fine. Pity that it counts against download quota (normally my ISP, Internode, wouldn't count ABC iView). Still, I would only use it for things I forgot to record.)

[atlas01 0]

My in-laws recently had their 50VT20A replaced under the last 5 days of warranty by JB. Couple of months ago it would take 5-10 minutes to boot up, and then it would sometimes display a white screen. Panasonic fixed it by replacing the 'A' board. Then last week the speakers started distorting at certain frequencies.

JB Chadstone were great to deal with, and offered to replace the TV. I suggested the 55" GT30 but they decided they didn't want anything made in Japan so went the 55" LGW6500

[MLXXX 740]

I was pleased to discover my TH-P50VT20A can display 1920x1080i29.97 frame-packed 3D from a Sony Full HD 3D camcorder. More details at post #1 of Displaying Interlaced Frame-Packed 1920X1080 3D, As Output By Full Hd 3D Camcorders.