Panasonic Viera questions

[blueST]

I should hopefully be collecting a new TX-P42ST30 this evening and have a few questions. It's the first decent tv I've ever had, so want to make the most...

Wifi - Will any wifi dongle work with it, or do I need one specifically for a Viera TV? The official one is about £70, which seems a bit steep. Can someone link to the sort of thing I need.

Webcam - Similar question. If I want to use the skype app, will a regular webcam connect, or do I need the proper Panny one?

Gaming - With it being a plasma, do I need to take any sort of care not to cause screen burn or other damage with a PS3?

And finally...
Is scart the best way to connect my sd Sky box? Anything else I should do to make standard def Sky tv look less bad?

[marcosgt]

blueST said:

I should hopefully be collecting a new TX-P42ST30 this evening and have a few questions. It's the first decent tv I've ever had, so want to make the most...

Wifi - Will any wifi dongle work with it, or do I need one specifically for a Viera TV? The official one is about £70, which seems a bit steep. Can someone link to the sort of thing I need.

Webcam - Similar question. If I want to use the skype app, will a regular webcam connect, or do I need the proper Panny one?

Gaming - With it being a plasma, do I need to take any sort of care not to cause screen burn or other damage with a PS3?

And finally...
Is scart the best way to connect my sd Sky box? Anything else I should do to make standard def Sky tv look less bad?

Blimey - I just watch TV on mine!

Best way to make SD Sky look better? Upgrade to HD (Seriously, the difference is night and day! Well it is with Virgin).

I don't think burn in is really an issue with Plasma TVs any more either.

M.

[AmitG]

blueST said:

Gaming - With it being a plasma, do I need to take any sort of care not to cause screen burn or other damage with a PS3?

This is much less of an issue than it used to be. If your games have any static areas (e.g. logos, control panels) try to ensure that the screen gets a break from displaying them every few hours. This will probably happen as part of your normal gaming routine anyway.

The same applies to Sky TV with its static logos - try to ensure they don't stay on the screen continuously for more than a few hours.

Some people recommend that you keep the brightness slightly lower than normal for the first few days, and then adjust to suit.

But in general don't worry too much about it. The technology is now mature and many of the problems of the early days have gone.

[dave_s13]

Top tip:

When you take it to be regassed put it in the car upside down. It makes it easier to bleed off the old gas as any air pockets move toward the release valve, you get a sharper picture this way.

[blueST]

dave_s13 said:

Top tip:

When you take it to be regassed put it in the car upside down. It makes it easier to bleed off the old gas as any air pockets move toward the release valve, you get a sharper picture this way.

Regassed?

What's that? Sounds expensive?

[HellDiver]

Richer Sounds do it for £49.99, if your screen isn't 10% more colourful then they give you your money back.

[Mark.]

You guys!