[Rasmus Larsen]

Hi guys,

many thanks for this quite interesting test!
How does the anti-reflection compares with the Philips IPS panels from the old 7404 or 8404 range eg ?

The 9704H deals with reflections quite well but it's a bit different. The G20 has a glossy panel. 9704H has a matte panel. If you're very concerned about reflections I believe that the matte panel will serve you better. But in terms of picture quality I like G20 better. And because of the new panel that reduces reflections I think that it's actually fine for daytime viewing (the old G10 had some issues).

Also another question: what is the delay introduced by the IFC frame calculation?
I tested this on the Philips DNM and it introduces a delay that makes the sound coming from the DVD Optical outs, much before the actual HDMI image is displayed ...
I was hoping to use the Optical out on the TV, but it does not handle DTS on the Philips, only AC3.
I guess the Panasonic Optical out will have the same limitations, only AC3, no DTS pass through from HDMI ? (although in the datasheet it says: Dolby Digital Plus/dts Out/CoNEQ (not sure what coneq is?)
ARC on HDMI 1.4 might be a solution for later on newer Surround amplifiers?

The input lag introduced by the Philips DNM and Hz circuits is quite bad in my opinion.

Panasonic's IFC has much less input lag in games and most of the time you wont even feel it in practical use. I don't see any issues with IFC and gaming.

I'm not sure about the audio thing. I didn't play too much with the audio outputs.

[Rasmus Larsen]

Hi guys,

awesome test! Love the new G20!! I will buy the 50" for EU (i think its the same for US). I have one question - that calibration from test will be best also for 50" G20? Or you can recommend me another one?

Sure, you should be able to copy settings on the 50" without trouble. Panasonic has very similar panels in their different inch classes.
It's a different story with LCD manufacturers that often use different LCD panel technologies depending on the size of the TV. For example the Sony W5500.

[Rasmus Larsen]

Thanks for the review, but does the ISFccc allow adjustment of the tint/hue controls for PAL as well as the RGB cuts/boosts?

Yep, the G20 has RGB gain, RGB cut, RGB hue and RGB saturation.

It also has different gamma steps.

You need to activate the ISFccc in the "setup" sub-menu, though.

[Rasmus Larsen]

The previous models were known for not doing well with 24p material. Maybe I missed it, you mentioned that the ISF(?) should be turned off for this mode, but you didn't say how the tv did when ISF was off and 24p was being delivered by the blu-ray...ie flicker and artifacts.

I was going to get a V model because of 24p performance, but maybe I can get a G instead.

The G10 had two kind of problems. In the states it had flickering (which was not a problem in the EU because of a higher frequency output) and juddering in the EU because the 24 Hz implementation was faulty (this was not a problem in the states, but corrected later on in EU because we forced Panasonic to do so through our Danish site FlatpanelsDK).

G20 has proper 1080p24 support without juddering (except from the minor judder that is intended with 24 Hz) and without flickering if you turn of the IFC.
If you turn on IFC frame, interpolation will be added to the 1080p24 signals. This means that you will not experience the "cinematic"-feeling that most people enjoy in the cinemas and with 1080p24 but a smoother and softer picture like with the 100/200 Hz LCD-TVs.

[Rasmus Larsen]

hi,
is the difference betwenn g20 and v20 worth to be paid??

It's hard to say. I have seen the V20 a few times now and expererienced very deep blacks. But I need to wait until V20 has arrived here to conclude anything.

And yeah, we plan to review both V20 and VT20

[Crunchie]

Will adjusting the RGB Hue controls on the G20 with a PAL signal have the same effect as adjusting the Tint slider when watching Blu-Ray's and NTSC discs? Should I move each R, G and B slider equally to emulate the Tint control function?

[tlicas]

Hi guys
Good review. Can you confirm if the g20 read mkv files with usb/lan and if is a gigalan.
Thanks
Tlicas

[alibiy]

i dont understand the strategi of panasonic.
i was intresested in V10. But this model has been sold out in germany since december.
the g10 models currently is in sale.
now the g20 will arrieve in 1-2weeks. and the older generaion is still in sale.
the v20 models will arrive not till then the end of mai.
what a kind of strategi is that?

now primarely im interessted in v20 but its too long time to wait for it. and i need a tv.
because of this im thinking to buy a g20. and thats the reason because i need to know whether there are major differences.

the only differences i not are:
infitie black pro, which is a better filter in front of the tv. for deeper blacks. how much deeper?

slimmer design - that would be nice, but not too bad

surround audio pro - not soo important for me

digital cinema color- essential?


it would be more senseful if the v20 would start to be sold at first.

[youbecha]

While I am here...do any of these TVs pass surround through the digital ouput?

My current pana only outputs stereo, no matter what the source material is, OTA/Digital/HDMI.

[Harri]

And yeah, we plan to review both V20 and VT20

Nice review first of all , but do you have any idea when you will get a V20?

Apparently nordic release dates are 7th (42") / 12th (46" & 50") March for G20 and 2nd April for V20, and I'm also really torn between G20 and V20. Right now I'm looking at either a 46" G20 or a 42" V20. I'm sure I can appreciate V20s deeper blacks, but I'm also wondering if the difference is worth the extra cost.

[joro_abv]

Hi,
first of all - thanks for the in-depth review. I'm looking forward for the V20 review as the G20 doesn't seem to be something to crave for and I hope V20 will worth it more.
Anyway, there is one absolutely major aspect that need to be considered now, when it comes to Panasonic plasmas - the black levels/automatic voltage adjustment problem of the 2009 range. Obviously it's too early for any observations, but do you have any trustful information on that matter from Panasonic or any other source ?
I'm on a hunt for a new TV and I have big doubts which technology to choose - LCD or plasma. Both of them have something that I really like and some points I really hate, so it definitely a 50-50 right now.
Actually, it looks like the fight for me will go straight between the Sony's NX800 LCD and the Panasonic's V20. I was almost convinced to go for the plasma, before I learned about the problem with the black levels. So, for me it is very important what is the information and what are the expectations on this for the Panasonic 2010 line.
Oh yes ... also looking forward for the NX800 review

[migube_]

Thanks for your answer to my previous questions.
I called Panasonic Belgium to ask about the DTS, and about the Belgian model, with or without DVB-S tuner ... waiting for their answer.

Yet another question:
How would you rate the new IFC, compared to Sony's MotionFlow (100HZz/200Hz) or Philips DNM (100Hz/200Hz) ?
I have seen a V10 next to a Z5500 (200Hz) , and was most impressed with the Sony motion, than the V10 IFC.

Thanks
migube

[cdlg7]

I have a dilema. I curently own a pioneer kuro elite 1150hd (720p model) and I absolutely love it, but it has a slight problem. On the lower right hand corner of the t.v., there is a; what I would describe brown spot, maybe about an inch by and inch that you can see when the panel displays a white background. It is very subtle to the point where you can hardly notice it, but I am always drawn to it when there is a white background. Now, I bought the pioneer through best buy with a 4 year warranty on it and they have already sent to tech to see it, and he determined it was the panel. The problem is Pioneer declined their request for a new panel so the best they can do is give me an exchange. Of course the problem is that they have no more pioneers for sale. My question is, should I return it for a Panasonic G20? Am I going to be disapointed with the difference in picture quality?

[brian_p]

Rasmus,

It seems strange that the G20's black level measured as high as .04 cd/m2. An American pro calibrator just measured the initial minimum luminance of an S2 at .02 cd/m2. (As we now know is typical of Panasonic plasmas, the mll has increased in the hours since that measurement was taken.) What equipment was used to get that measurement of .04 cd/m2? Do you know how many hours the G20 had been on when you measured?

[Crunchie]

Can any G20 owners please confirm if the three HUE controls are accessible within the ISFccc section with a PAL signal? I've just played around with this set here in the UK and I couldn't see this feature at all in the Picture menus, just the RGB drives and cuts, no Hues or White Balance. I can see the Hue sliders on the German trade show video, but can someone please confirm for me if they work for PAL signals such as live TV and regular DVD's?