Are you perfectly happy with your Panasonic VT30?

[Digger]

Obviously I have spent too much time in the Plasma TV section of AV Forums and felt sympathy with those apparently suffering from various image issues with these screens. I don't doubt that some are experiencing these problems but I also don't doubt that many are more than happy with their recent purchases.

There may not be many owners here but thought it might be interesting as to how you are getting on? I'm guessing most of you are more than happy, and don't feel the need to 'look' for any of these known problems?

Over to you

[Lostprophet]

From what I have read many are not happy.

I was looking at upgrading from my ph42p500 to the 55vt30 but I think I will wait for next year and the replacement to the vt30.

The owner reviews are too damming.

[Rgee]

Oh no! I've looked at a couple of 55VT30s playing Cloudy and the Meatballs and Transformers 2. I thought the detail, fluidity and colors were superb to the point where I'm thinking of sending back my Samsung P59D6900 for one. I find that the Sammy picture is flat and uninspiring compared to the VT30.

[SlimJ]

Funny, I was considering the VT30 55" but couldn't justify the price compared with the P59D6900. All the problems I had read about on AVForums was enough to put me off, these problems shouldn't exist on a TV costing £2500+. The Samsung is £1000 cheaper, 4" bigger, with comparable (in my eyes) picture quality especially once the settings have been adjusted to a calibrated setting.

I looked at both the Panny and Sammy, and opted for the Samsung. It's being delivered tomorrow.

[Digger]

You see Slim, that's where I think we've both got it wrong and allowed AVF to colour our thinking? Maybe? Partly why I put this unscientific poll up. there's one particularly annoying individual over there who has got it into his head that every single VT30 sold will have at least some issues. What he cannot comprehend is the blissfulness of ignorance. I may yet have words!

[headcase]

What do they supposedly suffer from? none that I am aware of have passed through our workshop with picture quality issues just the normal dead screen issues.

[tdm34ds]

Digger said:

Obviously I have spent too much time in the Plasma TV section of AV Forums and felt sympathy with those apparently suffering from various image issues with these screens. I don't doubt that some are experiencing these problems but I also don't doubt that many are more than happy with their recent purchases.

There may not be many owners here but thought it might be interesting as to how you are getting on? I'm guessing most of you are more than happy, and don't feel the need to 'look' for any of these known problems?

Over to you

Digger, have you actually stood in front of a properly calibrated VT30? My guess is you haven't
whilst I haven't personally seen every VT30 in existence, the ones that have passed through my hands
have been truly stunning when set up properly.

Most problems with picture quality are directly down to people not setting them up properly and
nothing more.

Judder caused by a BD player not being set to 24p (24HZ) the set being left in its out of box
Dynamic mode another common issue, other things like poor quality interconnects and stuff like that.

I'm an AVF member but stopped posting a long time ago as it seems to be degenerating into
LED fanboy central.

The only advise I can honestly give you, is ignore everything you've read, and get to a dealer
who knows what he's doing with a properly set up VT30.

Mate looking at your PH info you certainly have a phenominal car, which I would imagine
was bought after you personally got in and drove for an hour or two, my guess is your decision
wasn't based on some bedroom dwelling, anorak wearing forumeer who wouldn't know a decent car if it
fell on him.

PM me your number if you want chapter and verse on probably the greatest range of TVs ever offered for sale.

[T84]

FBr has been fixed with firmware...

[T84]

Also, I have a 55ST30 and it's stunning.

[Digger]

T84 said:

FBr has been fixed with firmware...

That doesn't appear to be the case to be fair. Peeps with different firmware versions 'appear' to still be afflicted. From what I can tell one dutchlander had a board swapout by an engineer and he's happy.

Tdm34ds. to be fair there is a very strong case that owners should not need to spend £100's extra on calibration when they should be able to stick it in PRO or THX modes and with a bit of self-tweakery get the quality they crave!? Pro Calibration is a luxury some don't mind paying out for. If I can get a satisfactory picture from a VT30 and an Oppo BD player (a popular choice) then I will fork out for calibration once the pros have sussed out the VT which they have yet to afaiui. These things take time and it's a new screen etc.

I'll make sure that I purchase from an amenable dealer (just in case) who is willing to work with me should any eventuality arise.

Off to raid the piggy bank!

Edited by Digger on Monday 22 August 19:38

[T84]

I suggest you read this: http://www.highdefjunkies.com/showthread.php?9631-...

There is definately a firmware fix that's unofficially being propped to people who ask for it.

[Digger]

Thanks, I think I read that thread a few weeks back, will catch up on it later tonite. I'll hazard a guess that those with firmware fixes, and/or board swap outs are not based in the UK.

[tdm34ds]

Digger said:

T84 said:

FBr has been fixed with firmware...

That doesn't appear to be the case to be fair. Peeps with different firmware versions 'appear' to still be afflicted. From what I can tell one dutchlander had a board swapout by an engineer and he's happy.

Tdm34ds. to be fair there is a very strong case that owners should not need to spend £100's extra on calibration when they should be able to stick it in PRO or THX modes and with a bit of self-tweakery get the quality they crave!? Pro Calibration is a luxury some don't mind paying out for. If I can get a satisfactory picture from a VT30 and an Oppo BD player (a popular choice) then I will fork out for calibration once the pros have sussed out the VT which they have yet to afaiui. These things take time and it's a new screen etc.

I'll make sure that I purchase from an amenable dealer (just in case) who is willing to work with me should any eventuality arise.

Off to raid the piggy bank!

Edited by Digger on Monday 22 August 19:38

Digger i'm no pro calibrator mate, just an enthusiastic amateur, i've sold in excess of 75 VT30s and not had a single return
there are several easy ways of getting it looking good, as you mentioned the THX mode gives you 95% of what the set's capable of.
But one very important thing is to set the set bed in on low settings for 10-14 days use before doing any calibration work.

[T84]

Digger said:

Thanks, I think I read that thread a few weeks back, will catch up on it later tonite. I'll hazard a guess that those with firmware fixes, and/or board swap outs are not based in the UK.

Yeah, but if someone pushes on AVForums then it will get sorted, it's the only reason it's been sorted in the US. I think it's been fixed in Europe as well.

I'm in Canada so I'm looking to get my ST30 fixed, although it's totally a non issue that's been blown out of proportion 99% of the time. I've seen in once in about 2 months worth of viewing.

[JustinP1]

SlimJ said:

Funny, I was considering the VT30 55" but couldn't justify the price compared with the P59D6900. All the problems I had read about on AVForums was enough to put me off, these problems shouldn't exist on a TV costing £2500+. The Samsung is £1000 cheaper, 4" bigger, with comparable (in my eyes) picture quality especially once the settings have been adjusted to a calibrated setting.

I looked at both the Panny and Sammy, and opted for the Samsung. It's being delivered tomorrow.

I've got the Samsung.

I had the D550 first of all and sent it back as the reflections on it were silly, like totally unacceptable. However, the D6900 for £150 was a hell of a difference. Also the internet access etc is surprisingly useful, not least for having an endless supply of 'In the Night Garden' on iPlayer which is only literally about half a dozen button presses away.

After discounts and Quidco etc. the Samsung was about £1350.

I think in a blind test with the Samsung and the Panny set up optimally, although there might be a difference, the bottom line for me was that for a 4 inch smaller screen and £1000 more the difference would be night and day - and when the brand names were hidden, I don't think it would be as easy.