Got home the P42GT20D!

[pannags]

Hello All,

After weeks (read months) of research and discussions, I'd shortlisted the following:

Sony 40EX720
LG 42LW6500
Panasonic 42GT20/42ST30

then began the endless demoing, weekend after weekend ...

and finally I booked and brought home the Panasonic 42GT20D hyeah:

The GT20 is available only in a few brandshops - 3 new sets in Banashankari (from where I bought), all of which and the display unit got picked over the weekend! Wanted one for a cousin-in-law, but they'd run out of stocks and promised to revert if they can source any.

BTW, I got a model imported in Feb 2011, with the following freebies:

Logitec Wireless K/B
2 Pairs of 3D glasses (Feb 2011)
Scratch Card - not delivered yet - all parties forgot about it!

The set fits perfectly in our entertainment desk in the living room.

The Panny guy who came for installation seemed to be in a great hurry, much unlike the sales guys at Brandshop - he quickly set the TV in table top mode, and made some settings leaving the box running in high contrast and brightness.

I tweaked the settings to arrive at a more softer and slightly warmer picture.

And now, I'm not sure if I should even run the TV for long, thanks to the confusion with burn-in!?

Is it OK to run the TV in low brightness and switch channels frequently, before I really run those god-sent slides?

And yes! Many thanks to Kittu, manu_blr, sridublr, BLASTO, satan (sorry if I missed someone)... for their direct or indirect help or their valuable posts.

On whether the Sony Center guy will reimburse my advance is another story, but for now, I'm happy I joined the Panny plasma league

Cheers,
Pannags

PS: About the price, a very guessable deal - nothing outright unbelievable - I call it the "half way mark".

 

[madhavk8]

Whats the price? 50k??

 

[vikcoolboy4u]

wats the price pannaq plz i also want this plasma if they r hvng it plz temme...did u buy it frm devi intrntional or sumwhere else?

 

[manu_blr]

Congratulations Pannags.. Hope you have a wonderful time with the TV.

 

[pannags]

Thanks Manu and I hope you are happy with your set as well.

BTW, I tried the 2D-3D conversion while watching Jurassic Park, and it was a very good experience - yes the effects are nowhere close to watching real 3D content, but gives a good perception of depth.
Also updated cast to connect and played a few HD videos on YouTUBE - PQ was quite decent I must say. However, I could not view the 3D content posted on YouTUBE! The side-side option disappeared when I flipped 3D options while watching youTUBE on Connect. Any clues or tips from anyone who has succeeded in playing 3D through connect is welcome.

EDIT: For some reason, SD content watched in 2D-3D feels kind of upscaled. Basically, I could feel that the resolution has improved by leaps and bounds. Wonder if this is normal?

 

[manu_blr]

Thanks Manu and I hope you are happy with your set as well.

BTW, I tried the 2D-3D conversion while watching Jurassic Park, and it was a very good experience - yes the effects are nowhere close to watching real 3D content, but gives a good perception of depth.
Also updated cast to connect and played a few HD videos on YouTUBE - PQ was quite decent I must say. However, I could not view the 3D content posted on YouTUBE! The side-side option disappeared when I flipped 3D options while watching youTUBE on Connect. Any clues or tips from anyone who has succeeded in playing 3D through connect is welcome.

EDIT: For some reason, SD content watched in 2D-3D feels kind of upscaled. Basically, I could feel that the resolution has improved by leaps and bounds. Wonder if this is normal?

Great to see your feedback.. I have not tried the 2D-3D after the initial exploration phase. But some of the imax 3d SBS videos on youtube (played from laptop) were really stunning.

BTW what settings are you on? I am still working the trial and error way to adjust the picture.

 

[pannags]

Great to see your feedback.. I have not tried the 2D-3D after the initial exploration phase. But some of the imax 3d SBS videos on youtube (played from laptop) were really stunning.

BTW what settings are you on? I am still working the trial and error way to adjust the picture.

Good to hear that! I have downloaded a few random 3D demo clips, but haven't tried playing them on my TV.
BTW, are you using a HDMi connection from your PC to the GT20? or is it something else?

And about my settings, here are a few details:

Please note that I only have a DEN networks provided STB, which is capable of handling SD only - waiting for their HD box which is due this month or may opt for an HD DTH.

Mode: Normal
Brightness: 0
Contrast: 40
Colour: 40
Sharpness: 0
Eco mode: On
Panel: Off

I find the really dimly shot scenes a bit dark, but kind of getting used to it lately.

I also had the first 100 hours period in mind while I chose these settings, but have not run any slides or special procedures whatsoever. Touch-wood, there is no sign of any IR or floating blacks so far.

One thing is that some channels appear to have washed out colours, but I also believe that is more due to bad transmission quality, rather than anything else. I also noticed quite a lot of motion judder, particularly in those channels.

Looking forward to hear about your settings.

 

[Arbit]

Thanks Manu and I hope you are happy with your set as well.

BTW, I tried the 2D-3D conversion while watching Jurassic Park, and it was a very good experience - yes the effects are nowhere close to watching real 3D content, but gives a good perception of depth.
Also updated cast to connect and played a few HD videos on YouTUBE - PQ was quite decent I must say. However, I could not view the 3D content posted on YouTUBE! The side-side option disappeared when I flipped 3D options while watching youTUBE on Connect. Any clues or tips from anyone who has succeeded in playing 3D through connect is welcome.

EDIT: For some reason, SD content watched in 2D-3D feels kind of upscaled. Basically, I could feel that the resolution has improved by leaps and bounds. Wonder if this is normal?

The conversion happens in the TV or you used a player that does the conversion?
What does the panel (off/on) setting do?

 

[BLASTO]

What does the panel (off/on) setting do?

It is for switching off the panel if you are hearing only music from players like WDTV.

 

[Arbit]

It is for switching off the panel if you are hearing only music from players like WDTV.

I know, that is why I asked why he keeps the panel 'off' for the break-in period.

 

[pannags]

The conversion happens in the TV or you used a player that does the conversion?
What does the panel (off/on) setting do?

The GT20 does the 2D-3D conversion, which means that I can use this feature for all sources.
And yes, I've been toying around with a few settings lately, Panel and Eco mode being regular candidates - at the moment panel is set to OFF.
What does this translate to?

 

[Arbit]

The GT20 does the 2D-3D conversion, which means that I can use this feature for all sources.
And yes, I've been toying around with a few settings lately, Panel and Eco mode being regular candidates - at the moment panel is set to OFF.
What does this translate to?

I was wondering how you can see any video/TV in panel off mode.

 

[pannags]

I was wondering how you can see any video/TV in panel off mode.

Well! Puzzles me equally. The setting's been running close to a week now. Have to check if there is any noticeable change in the display when I set it to ON.

 

[BLASTO]

Well! Puzzles me equally. The setting's been running close to a week now. Have to check if there is any noticeable change in the display when I set it to ON.

When the panel is set to off. It is like switching off any video. Only audio should come.
Check with service personal if it is not the case.

 

[pannags]

When the panel is set to off. It is like switching off any video. Only audio should come.
Check with service personal if it is not the case.

Oh OK! I wondering as much. Clearly, I am able to view video content in spite of switching the panel setting to OFF.
From what you are suggesting, it should be like the "Pure Audio" setting on Onkyo receivers!
Anyway, will try to get in touch with Panny service ASAP.

 

[pannags]

Oh OK! I wondering as much. Clearly, I am able to view video content in spite of switching the panel setting to OFF.
From what you are suggesting, it should be like the "Pure Audio" setting on Onkyo receivers!
Anyway, will try to get in touch with Panny service ASAP.

Here's what exactly happened. As soon as I switched Panel setting to "OFF", the display went blank! Yes it indeed did and I'm really not sure how I missed noticing that

However, as soon as I pressed any button on the remote, the display turned on again. When I checked the Panel setting, it had changed to "ON" - without having changed it.

That solves the mystery, but still can't believe I missed noticing it earlier

 

[pannags]

I noticed that "You Tube" on Viera Connect cannot play 3D-SBS content - at least it does not seem to support that option currently.

In the meanwhile, I downloaded some 3D-SBS content from the internet and will soon try playing it on my TV through my Laptop - can only use the VGA, no HDMi!

Any insight on playing 3D demos is appreciated.

 

[BLASTO]

BTW, How is 2D->3D of GT20??
How often do you use it??

My 3D chapter ended with a hour or 2.. But thats me..

 

[pannags]

BTW, How is 2D->3D of GT20??
How often do you use it??

My 3D chapter ended with a hour or 2.. But thats me..

The great thing about the 2D->3D in the Panasonic is that its fatigue free, unlike with LG (passive) or Sony (Active). At least I haven't noticed any discomfort even with a 30 minute uninterrupted viewing session. This is particularly true with 2D->3D, and not sure about real 3D.

Coming to usage, I'm finding myself using the feature more often than I'd imagined, and particularly when only 1 or 2 of us are viewing.

I'm particularly impressed with infotainment channels, animated content and certain movies as well. Interestingly, the depth perception varies with the channel (not the content). Somehow, sports channels do not appear as good as the the earlier ones I listed, but the clarity improves significantly when I switch 2D->3D on.

The sliver lining to Panasonic's active shutter glasses (2011 Feb - rechargeable) is that the glasses run for a really long time before the need for a recharge.