Rebel154
Established Member
I have been lurking in these forums for over a year now, reading everyone's thoughts about the various plasmas as they heave been released. I have been waiting to buy until I finished decorating the lounge (including laying a new laminate floor).
When the PV500 was launched, I thought that's the one and the wife agreed. However, the decorating took longer than anticipated and by the time I was ready to buy the 8 Series panels had been released.
I have actually bought the PHD8 blind - I know, one should always see for oneself before shelling out such a large wad. But I have always liked Panasonic TVs and judging by the views of the forum, I don't think buying blind was too much of a risk in this case.
It took me most of the afternoon to get the panel on the wall (I had a faff with the bracket bolts but it's very secure and ain't going anywhere). I have connected my DVD-R via component to a component board, my Sky+ box via the DVD-R RGB Scart into a RGB to VGA converter and then on to the VGA port on the panel. I have also installed the HDMI blade for future expansion.
With the help of my two teenage sons the panel was soon ready for the big switch on (albeit without sound because I hadn't finished putting everything back together).
Our initial reaction was WOW not too bad - and that was just the terrestial analogue antenna input from the DVD-R tuner via RGB scart. Next came Sky+ and that was even better - not perfect but pretty darn good. This was followed by the DVD-R component output with a DVD playing - and that was awesome.
I can't see any dead/stuck pixels and apart from the initial whoosh from the fan, the panel is completely silent.
I have adjusted the settings to turn off Dynamic mode and reduced the contrast and brightness down to negative numbers - and it still looks awesome. Can't do much more this evening - the wife and no. 2 son are watching a DVD.
Tomorrow, I will set about hiding the cables going up to the panel and tidy up a few other loose ends.
This is what we were watching this morning (32" Panasonic):
And this is what the wife and son are watching now .
Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to share my excitement with the forum and to also thank those that have unknowingly guided me towards my purchase. I am not disappointed and neither is Mrs Rebel.
Thank you all.
When the PV500 was launched, I thought that's the one and the wife agreed. However, the decorating took longer than anticipated and by the time I was ready to buy the 8 Series panels had been released.
I have actually bought the PHD8 blind - I know, one should always see for oneself before shelling out such a large wad. But I have always liked Panasonic TVs and judging by the views of the forum, I don't think buying blind was too much of a risk in this case.
It took me most of the afternoon to get the panel on the wall (I had a faff with the bracket bolts but it's very secure and ain't going anywhere). I have connected my DVD-R via component to a component board, my Sky+ box via the DVD-R RGB Scart into a RGB to VGA converter and then on to the VGA port on the panel. I have also installed the HDMI blade for future expansion.
With the help of my two teenage sons the panel was soon ready for the big switch on (albeit without sound because I hadn't finished putting everything back together).
Our initial reaction was WOW not too bad - and that was just the terrestial analogue antenna input from the DVD-R tuner via RGB scart. Next came Sky+ and that was even better - not perfect but pretty darn good. This was followed by the DVD-R component output with a DVD playing - and that was awesome.
I can't see any dead/stuck pixels and apart from the initial whoosh from the fan, the panel is completely silent.
I have adjusted the settings to turn off Dynamic mode and reduced the contrast and brightness down to negative numbers - and it still looks awesome. Can't do much more this evening - the wife and no. 2 son are watching a DVD.
Tomorrow, I will set about hiding the cables going up to the panel and tidy up a few other loose ends.
This is what we were watching this morning (32" Panasonic):
And this is what the wife and son are watching now .
Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to share my excitement with the forum and to also thank those that have unknowingly guided me towards my purchase. I am not disappointed and neither is Mrs Rebel.
Thank you all.