HDTV Forum

Hello, I'm new here and I'm also new to Plasma TV's. For the past 4 years I've had a Samsung 40" LCD 60hz that I absolutely LOVED until we were getting vertical thick lines showing and burned in images were showing for hours. Luckily I spent extra money on the 5 year plan through Circuit City. Got a check in the mail a month ago for what my TV was worth now (just enough to buy a Plasma actually).

So, I purchased a 42" Panasonic Plasma 1080p TC-P42S2 600hz. So far, I like it a lot however I am still playing with my settings. I need help. I actually just want to know what everyone sets their TV's at for each setting (Cinema, Vivid, Normal, Custom, etc.). Right now, I like it on Cinema for every input.

Too me, it seems more natural in color. I compare it to my Samsung, which I have in another room and too me, the Samsung has a better picture. The Panasonic just seems kinda dark. Cinema setting has a yellowish tint to it. I put it on any other setting and it's just way way too dark or way way too vivid and looks horrible. The skin color could be good, but the t-shirt or something in the background is just way too bright or vivid.

I'm happy with movies on Cinema, it's more watching cable I guess. I hate having to change the settings for every channel, but it seems like I have too. I was just wondering what #'s people set their TV's under each setting (brightness, color, contrast, etc.). I just want to experiment. I put it on "custom" but I had to put the color all the way down to like 35, just so it's not so vivid.

I like the TV, just need some help. Another thing I noticed is a slight bluriness or green flash (it's slight) when it changes frames or scene's sometimes on cable channels. Does anyone else notice that? Just wondering.

Thanks

Right now, I like it on Cinema for every input.

That gets you ball parked and is not the usual choice most make.

I compare it to my Samsung, which I have in another room and too me, the Samsung has a better picture.

Without an ISF calibration you can't fairly compare them. I'll throw out that when you select movie or cinema mode on a display many will significantly reduce the contrast when it should not. Try using the contrast setting from standard for cinema.

In the end the three choices to ball park any display are standard, cinema/movie. You typically have to make further adjustment within any of those settings. Manufacturers do not normally provide calibrated displays. When they do it comes with a person with test equipment to inspect what everybody is expecting in your home, in your environment and with your source products.

You could try using a calibration disc to make the adjustments - highly recommended
viewtopic.php?t=5143

You should know that no matter what you do not all channels will be correct in appearance.

An ISF calibration could minimize that but there is also the chance afterwards that you still feel you need to constantly adjust. It is difficult to recommend calibration in that case as you will likely question the benefit.
viewtopic.php?t=4450