ST50 Owners' Thread - First impressions, Reviews, Tweaks, etc.

[skay]

Hi All,

Just got my Pana 42ST50 this past Sunday and installed on Monday. I've posted prices, etc in the 'Price' Thread. Am quite happy with the deal(82,500) and service from the Pana showroom on Dickenson Rd.
See Price Thread

First impressions:
Checked the Service Menu ~1.5hrs/4 turn ons. Picture is amazing! Reduced/turned off a few of the settings for the initial break in. I used a few threads from this forum and HDTVTest

Ran for a bunch of hours today with some full-frame content. I want to get to 100hrs fast

I'm actually only hooked up to a HT setup as a source for now. So no HD or SD source TV for now. I'm using a MacMini(Late2009) as my primary source. Works great! Only issue is that my version doesn't carry sound over the HDMI cable, so I needed to use the AV2 Analog inputs (2010 onwards changed this). Getting that to work took some time -- while it's clearly marked on the back, I couldn't seem to enable it. Silly me -- this can be changed in the 'Menu->Sound' settings quite easily. Some TV's just disable and don't allow you to switch only the source/sound from a digital input to an analog one. Getting that to work was my big hurdle.

Source wise, I've been sampling lots of 1080p/720p content. Looks absolutely amazing. Been playing with FrontRow, Plex, QT, VLC to access the content.

3D is awesome! I have downloaded about 5 movies and have been sporadically 30 min at one stretch) watching bits to get an idea how it works. I changed the setting to automatically switch the screen to 3D instead of prompting -- takes some of the delay and confusion out of the process. Other than that, the image is great and I've experience no eye fatigue with :30 of watching.

This forum has been a real help in both narrowing down my choice to the ST50 and also tweaking it.

Thanks!

I got is for 87K yesterday from koramangala brand shop.. I should have checked this thread before anyway 1st experience of vieweing 42ST50 is truely pleasure..

 

[just4kix]

All plasma oweners should be careful of TataSky HD logo. While the TS SD logo is fainter and semi transparent, the HD logo is more intense and can cause IR.

 

[Josh!]

Yes j4K,
Basically I have read on many other blogs of Sat. TV operators, where they were claiming that AirTel is much better for popular SD channels than Tata Sky.
So I thought if you are resident of Baner then you can just check if you feel the SD channel looks better with AirTel. It is my wishful thinking, if it hurts then sorry for that.

Josh

What is it that you wish to test? Samsung plasma or Airtel HD?

Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk 2

 

[just4kix]

Yes j4K,
Basically I have read on many other blogs of Sat. TV operators, where they were claiming that AirTel is much better for popular SD channels than Tata Sky.
So I thought if you are resident of Baner then you can just check if you feel the SD channel looks better with AirTel. It is my wishful thinking, if it hurts then sorry for that.

Josh

I stay next to College of Agriculture. It is no great trouble to check. But I will say that it is difficult to judge when there is no side-by-side test as you will only remember from memory. Besides the test must be done on the same TV.

When it comes to choosing TV, to check PQ, select the worst source possible and check on multiple TVs. Then choose the TV where the (worst) source appears to be best.

 

[Josh!]

That's good Idea.
I will collect couple of small movies of different bit rate on a Pendrive just to compare the 51E550 Vs 50UT50 Vs 50ST50. Offcourse all three I cant get side by side but will rem some feature to check.

Thanks !

I stay next to College of Agriculture. It is no great trouble to check. But I will say that it is difficult to judge when there is no side-by-side test as you will only remember from memory. Besides the test must be done on the same TV.

When it comes to choosing TV, to check PQ, select the worst source possible and check on multiple TVs. Then choose the TV where the (worst) source appears to be best.

 

[just4kix]

Fine. If you need my help and support, I will be glad to help.

 

[abhi0202]

Hi all

As I mentioned in my earlier post, my st50 has the airtel logo stuck on it for the last 5 days. I have tried to remove it by running the scrolling bar for 2 hours or so but the stubborn logo didn't budge. And I have been careful enough not to see any channel with the logo at the same place. I have only been watching star cricket HD which has the airtel logo a little higher up than usual. But I am not able to get rid of it! Could this be burn in? Anyone has any idea how else can I try to remove it? Or should I contact Panasonic customer care??

 

[just4kix]

Hi all

As I mentioned in my earlier post, my st50 has the airtel logo stuck on it for the last 5 days. I have tried to remove it by running the scrolling bar for 2 hours or so but the stubborn logo didn't budge. And I have been careful enough not to see any channel with the logo at the same place. I have only been watching star cricket HD which has the airtel logo a little higher up than usual. But I am not able to get rid of it! Could this be burn in? Anyone has any idea how else can I try to remove it? Or should I contact Panasonic customer care??

Is the logo visible when playing non-DTH source such as DVD, BD, rips, photographs via pen drive, etc.? If yes, then it looks like a case of burn-in. Please contact Panasonic customer care. But note that IR/BI issues are not covered under warranty.

I also suggest that you complain to Airtel and report the issue. I would recommend that you terminate the airtel connection and switch to cable.

 

[abhi0202]

It's only visible when I look for it, that too against solid white background. Basically its pretty faint not prominent while watching normally. Having said that, its very distracting coz I keep looking at the bottom right of the screen trying to spot it, and this defeats the entire purpose of watching TV.

Terminating airtel connection is not the solution is it! I'm just plain disappointed that after paying more than a lac, taking all the precautions, I am having to live with this problem and everytime I switch on the tv, i will look at that corner hoping I don't see the airtel logo this time! I think i will try my luck with the Panasonic service..will keep you all posted.

 

[almondnine]

If you may have noticed the Airtel logo on HD channels is fairly transparent and you can clearly watch movement behind the logo. If you could alternate between the sports HD channels where the logo is at bottom right corner to a news channel like Times Now where the airtel logo is at the top left corner during run-in period then the problem could be circumvented is my guess.

 

[just4kix]

Terminating Airtel connection is definitely not a solution - it is more like cutting off the limb. But when gangrene sets in, what choice does one have?

BTW, as an interim (or permanent) remedy, you should run the white scroll bar or the break-in slides everyday without fail for one hour. But this will add to your power bill.

 

[thegr8anand]

Any news on the 65' ST50? I still haven't bought any of my 3 TVs yet.

I am going to US this week for 10 days. It is feasible and worth the hassle to bring anything from there?

 

[just4kix]

Bringing TV from USA is a big hassle - at least that is my personal opinion.

 

[abhi0202]

Hi all

Just an update on my IR problem, I am right now sitting in front of the TV with the scrolling bar on..hoping with every swipe that it will go this time!! But no joy for me so far..I have requested for a call back from their technical team. Lets see what they have to say...

 

[VMJ]

Hello VMJ,

Please update me as well. I am planning to buy 50UT50 or E550. I am also staying at Baner.

Josh!

Hi Josh,

Had been quite busy last few weeks, couldn't visit this site. I had got demo piece from kasba Peth dealer, had returned it back and got my money back.
Right now I have postponed the plan

 

[srinathr]

1K difference is not that significant but nice to have it anyway (on the lower side of course). But ST50 with HT is a better offer than ST50 with a printer.

Please post your impressions when you receive delivery and get it installed. Do not forget to check usage hours.

I got my deliver of 50ST50 on 21st of September. But the installtion was done only on 24th as the dealer had given me a wall bracket of 32" TV.
Also one of the 3d glasses was found defective (on/off switch). however, the dealer got a replacement the next day.

The first impression was really good. Picture quality is amazing. Din't do any break in procedures... Its been more than 10 days, not noticed any IR or burn in.
The only problem I have been facing is with the wifi connection. For some strange reason, the panel is not recognising my wifi connection.:sad:

When the TV was installed for the first time, it recognised my wifi router. But when the TV is switched off and on, it is not recognising the router.

The technical guy has made three visits till now and is clueless about the problem. The router is recognised when the TV is reset to factory settings. But once the TV is switched off and on, the problem persist.

Finally now they are saying they will replace a board in the TV.

I am asking them to give me a replacement but they havn't agreed till now.

I am totally disappointed with the Panasonic quality Check. First the 3d glases was diffective and now the panel. :annoyed:

 

[cooldude8888]

This thread is such an eye opener for prospective plasma buyers. When the top of the line plasma can cause burn in [ sorry to disappoint you just4kix but it looks like a burn in cos IR goe of in a couple of hours and does not linger on for days. As i have said the last thing i want to do when i buy a tv by spending a lakh rupees is to tell my family members is to how to use it and a long list of precautions to follow. Image-retention and burn will always coexist with plasma technology and especially now with plasma research having nearly hit a standstill one needs to be careful before investing a bomb on a tv which is going to be used not just by but your entire family as well. I was looking seriously at the st30 model and looks like i have to settle with the led-lcd option after all.

 

[just4kix]

^^^ The modern engineers don't know everything - any problem and the standard answer is, "we will replace the pcb". And when they do, it isn't a new pcb but a refurbished one. Do not fall for that trap. It is a software issue. Try connecting with ethernet and update the firmware.

Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk 2

 

[srinathr]

^^^ The modern engineers don't know everything - any problem and the standard answer is, "we will replace the pcb". And when they do, it isn't a new pcb but a refurbished one. Do not fall for that trap. It is a software issue. Try connecting with ethernet and update the firmware.

Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk 2

I have already updated the frimware, when it got conected for the first time.

 

[just4kix]

Re: ST50 Owners' Thread - Power Usage

So after three months of usage at approximately 7 hours every day, I am looking at the electricity bills.

June, 2012: 118 units (note that AC was being used heavily during the first half of the month)
July, 2012: 92 units (TV was purchased on 22nd and installed on 25th)
Aug, 2012: 99 units
Sep, 2012: 91 units

The comparison with last year for the same months:

June, 2011: 178 units (note that AC was being used heavily during the first half of the month)
July, 2011: 72 units
Aug, 2011: 79 units
Sep, 2011: 122 units
Oct, 2011: 113 units
Nov, 2011: 84 units
Dec, 2011: 72 units

Conclusions:
I confess that I cannot make much out of this. July, Aug, Sep of this year (2012) showed no change of pattern. The old 21" BPL CRT was replaced by 50ST50. Does this mean that 21" CRT was consuming the same power as the 50" monster?

Comparing this over last years figures shows an increase of 20 units on an average. I guess, Sep, 2011 was high because AC use started again.

Figures are open to speculation.