| 54" Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive |
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 Amazing 1080p picture so far, setting help, black level issues |
| Review Date: February 6, 2010 |
| Reviewer: P. Parker, Connecticut, U.S. |
We purchased our Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P54S1 from Sears during a Black Friday sales event for under $1,000.00, limited to inventory on hand and refundable shipping and installation (not yet received). The S1 will soon be replaced with the S2. For someone who grew up with CRT televisions, the picture is nothing less than amazing, and if in theory theaters have a potential resolution of 4000p or 4k, most experiences I've had, with poor prints and indifferent projection and screen design and set-up do not live up to that potential. In fact, I recall seeing the first X-Files Movie with such poor projection and print quality, including a hair that was stuck, that it was inferior to then Phillips 27 inch CRT we had.
We are using these settings, calibration to D6500K (perfect gray) modified according to the specific Blu-ray if necessary, provided by Jack Burden from [...]:
Picture Mode Custom Color Mgmt: OFF
Color Temp Warm2 x.v.Color: OFF
Brightness +74 C.A.T.S.: OFF
Contrast +75 Video NR: Weak
Color +45 Block NR: Off
Tint -2 Mosquito NR: Off
Sharpness +15
Black Level: Light
3:2 Pulldown: Off
HD Size: 2
Sharpness is usually set higher, and brightness in our darkened viewing environment is lower, sometimes in the 50s. However, personally, I am not obsessive compulsive about such settings. Remember that your home is not lit like a store showroom. For instance, the brightness must be set higher for a shot through dirty ditch water film such as the new Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (+ BD-Live) [Blu-ray] which of course is an exception. On the other end of the spectrum, District 9 [Blu-ray] was washed out, and brightness had to be reduced and color increased; then the picture was exceptional. I am using the Samsung BDP-1500 Blu-ray player with the latest firm ware update Samsung BD-P1500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player; on its menu, choosing 24fps, and answering yes to retain current resolution (choose 1080p from the player menu) results in a picture of exceptional clarity. I am sensitive to flicker on computer monitors; I do not observe flicker, but the highest end Panasonics with the 96fps menu choice supposedly correct any problems. Try the unit yourself first at these settings before purchasing.
Right now, the picture quality is exceptional. An LED LCD HD TV, which would have inferior off angle viewing, would have sold for three times the price we paid. I wish the remote were illuminated; it should be for the list price. The sound is adequate, but for most films, the output from the Blu-ray player goes to the stereo system. Interestingly, the zoom feature on the Panasonic is inferior in flexibility to the Vizio 720P plasma that this replaces.
Remarkable quality is apparent on the several films; even "bad movies" look amazing on the Panasonic. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Two-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray] I'd also recommend as both great films and for picture quality these Blu-rays:
The New World (The Extended Cut) [Blu-ray]The Last Emperor - Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] (Of course, for 2001, a 54" screen is not Cinerama, but the quality is outstanding.) Howards End (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] Moon [Blu-ray] The black levels on Moon are remarkable, the picture quality is superb.
However, there have been recent concerns about changing black levels on Panasonic Plasma televisions; the unit does not have over 500 hours viewing time. I will amend this review if I note any deterioration in black levels.
I would give this television my highest recommendation but I have the following caveat, unless you can find the television for under $1,000 and are willing to take a chance. David Katzmaier has written on his CNET blog regarding Panasonic's reply to his e-mail on the Black Level issue:
"A quote included in my original report accords perfectly with much of Panasonic's eventual statement, enforcing that belief. In it a respected calibrator who goes by the screen name D-Nice, citing sources within the company, called the too-aggressive voltage increase a "goof" on the part of Panasonic engineering. The closest Panasonic has come to admitting as much is contained in its reference to an improved, more gradual change in new models."
He wrote in conclusion on CNET in the above post, which was dated February 4:
"My main job at CNET is to provide buying advice regarding TVs, and Panasonic plasmas were one of my go-to recommendations. The 50-inch G10 was the most popular TV on CNET during 2009, and the V10 series earned the only Editors' Choice award I handed out to any flat-panel TV last year. In fact, after I reviewed the 2009 models, my dad bought a TC-P42X1, two of my colleagues at CNET, Matthew Moskovciak and John Falcone, bought TC-P50G10s and another, David Carnoy, bought a TC-P65S1 (we're keeping tabs on the black levels of those sets, too). It's safe to say that many readers of this Web site did the same thing dad, John, Matt and David did: buy a solid-to-excellent HDTV for a good price, and be perfectly happy with the picture quality. Judging from reader reaction, that happiness may be in jeopardy.
"Nothing halts a shopper's reach for his wallet better than doubt, so I believe it's in Panasonic's best interest to answer those lingering questions. Until that happens, it's going to be hard for me to recommend the company's TVs without a degree of uncertainty."
Therefore, in the interim, I advise caution on purchasing current production units. Google "David Katzmaier Panasonic black levels" for his recent post to CNET and future updates.
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Panasonic TV
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| Review Date: February 4, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Linda E. Kramer, Minnesota, USA |
| We like the tv so far but time will tell, we were burned by our last purchase of a tv. |
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November 14th, 2009 | 
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Less-accurate primary colors and color temperature; skimpy picture controls; uses more power than comparable LCDs
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