LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[Lyris]

We got our hands on the first of the new Panasonic 2011 Plasmas, a TX-P42GT30. It was proper bo and performed very nicely with games, too.

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42gt30b-p42gt30-201103281070.htm

[k0pp0]

Samsung 40 inch C580 should be delivered to my hovel this week - yay!

Couldn't quite convince my missus to go for the panny G20. Gutted. I did try.

*update* oh my word. HD channels look fantastic. Gaming is lovely too. Shame that you can't record to USB - but everything else is there.

[Salsa Party Animal]

So for the guy who went to Panasonic conference. What the new model do compared to V10. V20 have 3D Graphics but with glasses.

Just interested to know what new features are ? I am not upgrading for a decade.

[Lyris]

The new ones have better screen filters, so you don't have to turn the lights out to see the best blacks. Also, short-stroke phosphor material which results in slightly sharper motion with less green/yellow trails.

3D is the biggest change.

['Press Start']

So the GT30 is the same as the G30 but 3D? The G series is equal to last years V? This years S is equal to last years G? This years V is equal to Pioneer's Kuro? :P

[Lyris]

As luck would have it, I have the G30 here now. Even if you discount the 3D, the GT30 has a better screen filter, the blacks appear that bit more deep.

There is something of a waterfall effect going on, so that description is roughly correct. Last year's high-end features are trickling down to the mid-range.

As for the Pioneer Kuros, the Panasonics will always look different (in my opinion, they're better in a few ways, and worse in a few others - but they are also a hell of a lot cheaper).

[Mad Gear]

Was tinkering around with a G30 yesterday and i really want one. Even the missus was impressed. Only problem is i would need to change my amp (which is a pain) and i'd want a new TV stand.
Bit disapointed that the glasses are extra (kinda misleading really).

[bash]

why do you need to change your amp? is there a new HDMI standard to get around again?

[Mad Gear]

Would'nt i need a 1.4 3D enabled amp?

['Press Start']

Nope. Not if you don't want 3D.

1.4:-
3D @ 1080p (PS3 cannot do this)
Audio Return (The HDMI to your TV from the amp returns audio, which is pointless if you watch all your TV through a seperate tuner box)
A TV that is 4000p

[bash]

Sorry, does that mean that a 3d signal from your ps3 can pass thru a non 3d 1.4 amp to a 3d hdtv?

[Lyris]

Even when I had my amp (2008 model Onkyo TX-SR876) hooked up to a 3D TV, the PS3 refused to output 3D. It had to be connected directly. PITA.

[Mad Gear]

You guys are hurting my brain!!
So i would use the optical out to the amp for sound instead of the HDMI?

['Press Start']

BASH - Sorry, does that mean that a 3d signal from your ps3 can pass thru a non 3d 1.4 amp to a 3d hdtv?

Yes. HDMI 1.3 can pass through a 720P 3D image. HDMI 1.3 has the bandwith to do it, customers of mine have done it through our 1.3 amps. (Sky HD and PS3)

Even if you have a HDMI 1.4 blu ray you can drop the res to 720p for a 1.3 amp. Not sure why Lyris's amp was not passing through the image. Video processing on amp all switched off? 1.3 cable used?

['Press Start']

Mad Gear,

Yeah, but if you have a 1.3 amp try dropping the PS3 to 720p first and see if your amp passes it through. It should, just turn any video processing by the amp off.

Also if you use an optical cable you loose Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio on Blu Ray's. Only HDMI 1.3 and above can transfer those sound formats. Optical will take you down to Dolby 5.1 and DTS. Some people can't hear the difference but it does depend on your speaker set up. Better speakers bigger difference!