Panasonic PS20 32" Problem - grey lines in picture

EDIT 2. PROBLEM SOLVED!

I recently bought Pana PS20 and at first I was very impressed. But soon I realized that it had 2 straight vertical grey lines in left side of the screen. Then I went to local tv-shop to compare other Panasonic models from 36" to 28" and in all of them those grey lines were visible. They were on left side also, even the dealer admitted that grey lines were there. I´m pretty sure that its not the moire -effect but something else

Have any other users noticed this or in other wors, do I have hope in fixing this problem ?

EDIT 1. UPDATE TO THE PROBLEM

I visited again in this dealer and they had adressed the "problem". It seems that Panasonic is quite sensitive to bad cables. They changed all the cables (scart, tv-cable) to better ones and it was very hard to notice those grey lines anymore. I watched also one Pana which picture was flawless. The signal was coming from digi-box. Damn, after I saw that digi-picture I was speechless. Picture quality was astonishing.

Before I bought this tv, I compared Sony 32FX66 and LS60. Pana was best in every aspect and FX66 was second. I dont know but the picture quality in LS60 was terrible. I know that LS60 is sensible to bad signal, it makes it even worse.

I try to test this "cable" -theory in practise today. I´ll post my findings soon

EDIT 2. Well, I bought interference protected tv-cable and Puuf! problem solved. In local dealer they seem to had same problem and the change truly cured the problem and overall picture quality is now even better!

I´m so happy that it only cost 11 € (cable).

I advise all Panasonic buyers just to check that you have decent cables, dont buy cables which are not interference protected (ferrite protection)

I have thinking of getting one of the new PS models, the 28 PS1/5, hoping that the vertical line bending problem a la PL1 had been resolved ,which spoilt a really good picture, has this been resolved on yours? How noticble are the grey lines,what sort of size etc are they. Cheers for any info

First of all those vertical lines are not bend they are totally straight starting from bottom of the screen and ending up to the top of the screen. I have not noticed any moire effect on this TV, so we are talking about different problem.

I have a hunch what this problem is all about. Normally when you are using Panasonic auto or 16:9 picture format, TV is widening the picture from both sides and the picture in the middle is in normal "size". I think that those grey lines (2 of them) sized about ½ centimeters wide are somekind of "borders" where the TV is starting to bend the picture to 16:9 format if the actual picture format is 4:3. Just a guess

I have noticed that problem can be lowered if you take all unnessesary picture enhancements off, but its not totally disappeared after those measures.

Bad thing was that this phenomena was noticeable in all 4 Panasonic TV:s when I was checking other Pana´s in local dealer

Hi Again Frankie.

Yes I understood the problem with the grey lines is a different one to that I was refering to, and I proberbly did't explain it properly, I actualy meant the inward curveture, at the sides of the screen, of any straight verticles,ie, buildings,window frames,lamposts etc,etc. Is this evident on the PS model? Cheers.
ps, how distracting are the grey lines? I live in the MEDWAY KENT area, I don't know of a local stockist to see myself.

Originally posted by tobydog
Hi Again Frankie.

Yes I understood the problem with the grey lines is a different one to that I was refering to, and I proberbly did't explain it properly, I actualy meant the inward curveture, at the sides of the screen, of any straight verticles,ie, buildings,window frames,lamposts etc,etc. Is this evident on the PS model? Cheers.
ps, how distracting are the grey lines? I live in the MEDWAY KENT area, I don't know of a local stockist to see myself.

Hi again!

Well, I had to go and looked after those curves but did not noticed any. Actually in one channel was documentary about buildings so reference material was good

How noticeble, well even the dealer havent notived them before. My wife have not notived anything, so its not very visible but after you notice them...then you know its there. But after turning off those unnessesary gadgets its not very noticeble at all.

Best way to check them is against white or grey backround

[Doogy]

Hi Frankie.........did you look at the PS1 or PS5 at all? Like Tobydog I cannot find anywhere that has them on display nearby (Southampton biggest area I have tried).Was about to buy a discounted PS4 but then found out about the new PS range.

Anyway are you happy with the TV otherwise?

Are these vertical lines only present when watching terrestrial TV or are they present on DVD playback also?

Originally posted by Doogy
Hi Frankie.........did you look at the PS1 or PS5 at all? Like Tobydog I cannot find anywhere that has them on display nearby (Southampton biggest area I have tried).Was about to buy a discounted PS4 but then found out about the new PS range.

Anyway are you happy with the TV otherwise?

Are these vertical lines only present when watching terrestrial TV or are they present on DVD playback also?

Well, I´m extremely satisfied with my TV if you dont take into account that grey line -thingy. Nice txt-tv and fast, picture quality is great. We have satellite which is divided to other houses ( I live in terraced house) so in picture I can spot little shadows, meaning that the satellite is not anymore correctly adjusted. Funny thing is that I dont have DVD But I have watched lot of Divx films. I have used my laptop to watch DVD´s and dont remember if those lines existed then...

Anyhow, I´m pleased with my Pana. Btw sound quality is very good if you compare it to other tv´s or especially to PL1

Hi Again Frankie.

I can't see a 32 PS20 on Panny website,is it a 100hz or 50hz?

I fancy the 50hz 28PS5 as I like the Dolby Pro-Logic ,but the 100hz 28PS12 (nicam)is available for around the same price.

I have seen posts advising to go for the best quality picture 100hz? and add a seperate sound system, but I'm not that interested in DVD's

I had a Goodmans Pro-Logic and it seemed ok for my uses

Would you say the picture quality is as good as the PL1 or even better? and of course no bendy lines! Cheers.

[Doogy]

Many Thanks for the info Frankie.......am going to try and find somewhere I can see a PS5 then try John Lewis for price.

Tobydog........I believe the PS5 is not just Pro Logic but also Dolby Digital too. Please let me know if you manage to see one in the flesh and what you think of it.

Doogy.

Will let you know if I see one, I e.mailed John Lewis ref PS5, they had 10% off up till yesterday ,No reply as yet.

If you check pricerunner.com? Robertsons have it at £509 inc delivery, they have an 0800 contact number as well e.mail contact.

Empire Direct also had a 10% off, again up till yesterday and it was £499.99 inc, but there are so many bad reviews about their service I would'nt risk them, also they give no e.mail address to contact them? Cheers. ps. Post if you see one ok

[Doogy]

Will let you know tobydog. Think I'll definitely try to get it from John Lewis as their customer service is very good and a 5 yr guarantee comes with it. Had to return a couple of JVC TVs to Debenhams and it was extremely stressful............not helped by Endeva, the people they use for their technical support.Good luck.

Hi again!

Yes, the PS20 is 100Mhz tv and it uses all the latest picture enhancements that Panasonic has to offer. Nice bonus is 3 rgb scarts and Progressive Scan, it really makes the difference in picture when watching ie. Divx -movies.

UPDATE TO PROBLEM:

I visited again in this dealer and they had adressed the "problem". It seems that Panasonic is quite sensitive to bad cables. They changed all the cables (scart, tv-cable) to better ones and it was very hard to notice those grey lines anymore. I watched also one Pana which picture was flawless. The signal was coming from digi-box. Damn, after I saw that digi-picture I was speechless. Picture quality was astonishing.

Before I bought this tv, I compared Sony 32FX66 and LS60. Pana was best in every aspect and FX66 was second. I dont know but the picture quality in LS60 was terrible. I know that LS60 is sensible to bad signal, it makes it even worse.

I try to test this "cable" -theory in practise today. I´ll post my findings soon

Wheewww, I´m happy now and fixing the problem cost only 11 €

[Doogy]

Good news on getting your problems sorted Frankie..........makes me wish even more I can find a local stockist for the PS range.

Tobydog............emailed J Lewis (the .com part) and they advised email to local branch. Have sent 2 so far but no news.........think I'll go in and see customer services within the next week so may be able to let you know more by then.

UPDATE for Tobydog:

Went to local J Lewis today and they now have PS1 and PS12 in stock.
Both looked excellent as can be, given the source that these shops use.PS1 was £549 and PS12 was £649.Spoke to their head office on pricematching and they say take it up with the local branch AV section.Seems they will then complete a form with details of the shops you want them to match and they will look into it and get back to you.There are a few threads on here that mention this.Think it takes them a few days to check things out but it may save you £100's and get you a 5 year guarantee.

Unfortunately they are not stocking the PS5 at present according to their purchasing dept at HQ.Was told to try in a few weeks time...............they had however had a fair number of enquiries about this particular model.

Update on 27/5...........J Lewis can do the PS5 for £650 but pricematch unavailable as it is not classed as one of their stock items.