Panasonic PD50

[PUD the Ancient]

Any owners out there, if so what is it like with SKY. Also is the geometry ok and do you have any other problems with the tv.Thinking about one of these as I require progressive scan but cannot seem to find a shop near me that stocks it.

[The Pink]

I got my PD50 for xmas, the picture is stunning and sky is awesome. The geometry is ok slightly noticeable. The only niggle with the set is the constant switching between aspects its like its not sure what its trying to achieve. Getting sky+ soon can't wait!

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by The Pink

The only niggle with the set is the constant switching between aspects its like its not sure what its trying to achieve.

Since that was one of the main complaints with the previous PD30 series, it's a pity it wasn't addressed.

Still, as more widescreen programmes are broadcast, the problem will gradually disappear.

[The Pink]

T.G. I'm new to this widescreen game, as my previous panasonic has just given in the will to live after 8 years of loyal trouble free service.I bought my old set at about the same time the widescreen TV's were becoming all the rage, surely by now everything should be broadcast in this format. Do you know of any fixes that worked on the PD30 series that may apply to the PD50 or is it a case of just having to live with it for now. I can understand it switching the picture size between programs or when you change channels but not during a program!

[PUD the Ancient]

Have you contacted your supplier about this as the tv should only switch aspects when the broadcast changes aspect ?

[RohanM]

if your set your STB to output in widescreen, and set the Panny to 16:9 (instead of Auto), then it shouldn't be a problem... Well, it's not on my PD30! (with ntl STB)

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by RohanM

if you set your STB to output in widescreen, and set the Panny to 16:9 (instead of Auto), then it shouldn't be a problem... Well, it's not on my PD30! (with ntl STB)

RohanM,

This has been discussed ad infinitum, but if you lock the TV to widescreen then non-widescreen pictures are distorted.

Whether you prefer that to the switching is, of course, down to personal preference.

The Pink,

It's going to take a long time before all programmes are broadcast widescreen.

(Just think about colour, which has been available for more than 35 years. Sgt Bilko is still in black & white!)

I've found the main problem is when the programme is widescreen but the adverts are not. With some of the Sky cricket broadcasts you get switching every few minutes.

[PUD the Ancient]

Surely the auto switching should work correctly and if it does not it is a unacceptable fault and should be fixed by panasonic ?

[zlatan-italian]

I'M italian, what's the problem, i don't' understand the english language very good, but i would like to buy this tv or toshiba or Jvc for to see sky, dvd and play with consolle actually and future (ps3 -xbox2) in progressive scan?
Do you explain in italian the problems of this tv, please? Thank you.

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by pauldarrington

Surely the auto switching should work correctly and if it does not it is a unacceptable fault and should be fixed by panasonic ?

The auto-switching is working correctly, or to be more precise, it's working as it was designed to do.

It's the EFFECT of the auto-switching which some people find disturbing.

[dAVefaulkner]

The Pink:I'm curious as to why yours is constantly switching between aspect ratios - is it because you've got the Aspect ratio switched to "Panasonic Auto"? My PD30 works fine. Try chaning it to 4:3 (as long as you're on a 4:3 channel). This assumes that you have a Sky digibox connected via a SCART lead:
Try switching to a 4:3 channel, e.g. Sky News. Change the setting of aspect ration to 4:3. Now select a 16:9 channel, e.g. BBC News 24 and it should still auto-switch (due to the fact that status pin 8 on the SCART plug changes voltage)

[James M]

Originally Posted by Tight Git

RohanM,

This has been discussed ad infinitum, but if you lock the TV to widescreen then non-widescreen pictures are distorted.

I haven't noticed any loss of quality on my PD30 and I have it set to wide not auto.

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by James M

I haven't noticed any loss of quality on my PD30 and I have it set to wide not auto.

Just to clarify, James.

Locking the aspect ratio to "wide" will, of course, produce the correct display of a widescreen broadcast.

It's watching a 4:3 broadcast when locked to "wide" that causes distortion, with everybody short and fat, since the whole picture is stretched to fill the screen.

With the aspect ratio set to "auto", widescreen is correct and 4:3 slightly stretched each side (which most people find an acceptable compromise).

However, the height tends to jump up and down with picture content, which some people find very disturbing.

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but am interested in upgrading my existing TV (JVC AV28WFT1EKS) where do they think these damn models names up!
to the Panasonic TX-32PD50.
The main reason is that it has (I think) Component inputs (for the DVDR). Anyone know how much better this looks than an RGB signal? I was wondering whether to wait for HDTV to take off and buy a 720p set, but that could be ages, and v. pricey.
Having said all this, I think the picture on my 'old' JVC is pretty good, but only has 1 RGB scart input.
Are there any other decent alternatives out there for about £800-£900 that I should look at?
Cheers

[Steve_P]

Originally Posted by MarkGixer6

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but am interested in upgrading my existing TV (JVC AV28WFT1EKS) where do they think these damn models names up!
to the Panasonic TX-32PD50.
The main reason is that it has (I think) Component inputs (for the DVDR). Anyone know how much better this looks than an RGB signal? I was wondering whether to wait for HDTV to take off and buy a 720p set, but that could be ages, and v. pricey.
Having said all this, I think the picture on my 'old' JVC is pretty good, but only has 1 RGB scart input.
Are there any other decent alternatives out there for about £800-£900 that I should look at?
Cheers

Although not a true HDTV (e.g. no HDMI or DVI), the tube on the PD50 has 833 lines as opposed to the PAL standard of 625.

S.