Panasonic TC-P55ST50 picture settings

I am definitely no TV expert, but I can tell you that I don't know what the Amazon reviewer was talking about and that I love this TV. Right now I'm watching game one of the Phili v. Pitt series (in a dark room, and adjusted to CNET's recommended calibration settings) and the ice looks pretty damn good to me. I'm not completely sure what the reviewer was referring to. There is a "C.A.T.S. setting" (which CNET recommends disabling) on this TV that says it "adjusts brightness and gradation according to lighting conditions," but this can easily be turned off through basic picture settings. There is also an "ECO power save" option that limits screen brightness to reduce electricity use, but this can also be turned off. There is a discernible difference when either of these options are enabled in a dark-lit room, and yes, ice looks more gray than white when they are enabled. However, it only takes about 30 seconds to disable them. They might even be off by default, I don't remember. This is definitely the best looking TV I've seen, and blows prior years' comparable Panasonic models out of the wayer. But like I said, not a real expert.

Thanks for the reply nixstyx. I have the amazon.com gift cards ready to go, I just want to make sure I am getting the right tv with them. I appreciate the info.

YardleyFFL.... I was wondering if you ever ended up getting your ST50? If so, how satisfied are you?

FYI, I also notice ABL (or something very similar). It's most annoying when the amount of light in an image changes, e.g. panning across an ice hockey rink and bringing more (dark-clothed) spectators into the image. As the overall luminosity of the image goes down, it looks like more power is put into the whites, and they noticeably change hue from a grey to a white. When there's any fast action going on, it can be very disruptive, because it ends up as flickering

There is also the issue of a full screen of what should be white (some commercials which are a white background with a small amount of text) which ends up grey.

It's very frustrating because the picture quality is otherwise outstanding.

Am just plucking up the courage and willpower to contact Panasonic and go through a lengthy process which will probably result in having to go through the process of researching a new TV. Again.

I purchased the 50" Panasonic. IMO the ABL issue us very annoying and distracting. Any way to fix this?.

I'm also wondering the same question. I get my tv this week and don't have alot of patience, so I'm wondering if it is really worth 'aging' this TV for 100 hours with a color slide show (recommended by 'd-nice' in the high def junkie forums). Do we really need to do this or can we just pop in your settings out of the box.

Interested to get an answer. Thanks.

I'm under the impression that aging the TV for 100 hrs is to allow the sets colors (phosphers) to settle in and avoid as little color drift after calibration. I'm sure you could easily apply Davids settings out of the box but I don't think you'll get the same results as him. I normally recommend to friends and family atleast 200 hrs before calibration.

As with any HDTV, in order to access the 3:2 pulldown, you are going to have to feed your TV an Interlaced source. So that means, either set your Blu-Ray player, Cable Box, or Gaming Console to either 480i or 1080i. The setting should then be able to access. So just remember, 3:2 is only for interlaced sources, not progressive like 480p, 720p, and 1080p.

I just bought the VT50 and am looking for the best out-of-the-box settings to use. I am a total beginner at plasma tv's and struggling to wrap my brain around all these threads. Any basic advice before I try digging into the Pro settings?

The most accurate mode on that set would be the THX mode out of the box. Its gray scale comes closest to accurate. Put it on THX. If you have a calibration disc or any DVD with a THX optimizer, run that to adjust brightness and contrast. Or just have it professionally calibrated.

This thread is regarding the ST50 model....which doesn't have THX. You don't get that until the GT50 series

Diego2thebay...sorry. I just now realized you were responding to the person with the VT model. My mistake.

The ST50 should automatically detect a 24 Hz signal as long as what ever device is connected is outputting at 24 Hz. On your PS3 go to the settings icon and in there go into video settings. About half way down you'll see a the setting set for 1080p 24 Hz output. Best to put that on automatic. Thats really all you have to do. Pop in just about any Blu-ray and it should just work automagically.

I am also having the same issues, but it also happens with playing video games too. The TV cannot read 720p or 1080i signals.

Whether you set those settings now or wait the 100 hours first and then copy those settings will make no difference. 100-200 hour break-in period is what's recommended for a proper calibration... meaning adjusting white balance to their levels for best accuracy using colorimeter and cal software. Since it sounds like you plan on just copying these settings over then it doesn't really matter when you do it. Hope this helps.

They always use HDMI when calibrating and then when testing against other displays they use a high end HDMI splitter. HDMI is going to be your best choice for optimal picture quality.

Thanks for the reply. I've read (on cnet and other sites) that quality/price of HDMI makes no difference. Is this still the case? Is there any benefit for 3D using the more expensive cables (ie Monster 1000HD)?

Most cables on the market are capable of passing through a 3D signal. Try Monoprice.com. great cables for cheap. (Stay away from Monster)