Why 24fps is not enough for HDR movies

[Rasmus Larsen]

Let's put money aside for a moment as I'm ready to cough up the extra quid to get the gt50 instead of st60. But is it worth it? I'm in the market for a 42" plasma screen for living room with moderate amounts of daylight, but I'll probably be watching TV in the evenings if ever. I watch sports and movies and play on my ps3 casually. Viewing distance would be roughly 3meters. Should I be concerned with buzzing on either of these screens? I'm a bit sensitive to things producing noises that aren't meant to be, I've returned appliances for this reason in my life. Is this something audible all the time when power is on or in standby, or just if volume is turned down to minimum or muted? This is gonna be the first TV for me, so i feel like a virgin on her wedding night I currently use an asus 22" pc screen for any home video entertainment, so any help will be appreciated

I would say go for the ST60. It's everything the GT50 was - and more. At least when it comes to picture quality. It lacks a few "smart" features in some regions.

Buzzing is the same on both. It seems to vary a lot between TV sampels so fingers crossed. If you have returned kitchen appliances in the past I think you should be cautiuos. All plasma TVs tend to have a little bit of buzzing but some are clearly audible in a silent room (and even with volume turned down). You should probably try to find one in a store to hear for yourself.

[Rasmus Larsen]

Hi

I have one problem with my 50ST60. Everything is great (design, materials, contrast, rich colours, black deep) except one thing...

When I watch mkv movie (pendrive or HDD connected via USB) sometimes video material freeze byt sound is OK.

Then video starts, but is not in-line with sound. I have to forward or rewind movie to align it.

Is it normal? When I watch it via Samsung bluray's USB everything is OK.

Best regards

Michal

It sounds like a codec problem with the video file you are trying to watch from the USB. Can you connect your USB hard drive to the Samsung BLu-ray instead? That might help.

[Nicolas1980]

Great review! I have a little (possibly silly) question, though. The article mentions some minor phosphor trailing in, for example, black and white scenes. And so, I was wondering: if I watch a lot of black and white films, would getting a plasma like the ST60 prove problematic from an image point-of-view? Or would the phosphor trailing not be too much of a distraction? Thank you in advance for your perspective on this!

[Rasmus Larsen]

Great review! I have a little (possibly silly) question, though. The article mentions some minor phosphor trailing in, for example, black and white scenes. And so, I was wondering: if I watch a lot of black and white films, would getting a plasma like the ST60 prove problematic from an image point-of-view? Or would the phosphor trailing not be too much of a distraction? Thank you in advance for your perspective on this!

I personally think it is distracting and I had a hard time playing for example Limbo (an excellent game if you havn't tried it yet) on a plasma TV. Some people tend not to notice but others do. My girlfriend for example did notice it before I pointed it out. After that she complained about it, too.

I think it is one of those things that you'll have a hard time ignoring when you know it is there.

[Nicolas1980]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question! I'll go ahead and pick-up one of your positively reviewed LED TVs then, since it sounds like they might better suit my movie-watching needs.

[Johhhny]

Hi Rasmus,

thanks for the informative Review. As I am looking forward to buy a 65" plasma I dont know what would be the better choice: the ST60 or the last year premium model VT50? I can get both of them for the almost same price.

I mainly watch DVDs and Blu Rays and play PS3 games. The higher input lag of the ST60 speaks a little bit more for the VT50. But what is about the picture quality? Has it improved so much for 2013 in the ST series that it is better then last years VT?

It is a moderate bright living room. Though mostly watching in the evening.


Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Regards
John

[accord09]

Exellent review Rasmus

In your opinion , is the st60 a big improvement over the vt20 ? is it noticeably brighter , blacker , sharper ?

thanks in advance .

[Rasmus Larsen]

Johhhny: Sorry for the late reply. Which one did you end up buying?

accord09: I think it is an improvement in picture quality, yes, but not in terms of build quality and looks. VT20 looks a bit more "high-end". Panasonic seems to basically move performance of the previous year's VT/GT into the new year's ST series.

[argumon]

I now have a 50GT30 and I am looking for a larger screen. As there are not GT's beyond 50'', how will the ST60 compare to my GT30? I am only interested in image quality.
TIA

[Rasmus Larsen]

I think the ST60 is actually a step forward compared to your GT30. It still has most of the same great picture characteristics, but has even deeper blacks. The front filter might not be as good. I can't recall which filter the GT30 used.

[barriwhite]

Rasmus,

Great review. It's also the first I've come across that acknowledges the dithering problem in a detailed and honest way.

I bought a ST60 based on other reviews, without being aware of this being inherent to plasma technology and without spending enough time in store to notice it.

Since I couldn't find anything about it online (it seems many plasma adopters chose to deny dithering even exists!) I was thinking my unit could be defective. Since I can't easily return the tv, being Canadian and having bought it in the US, let's just say I wasn't too happy about the lack of information on the matter.

Now knowing it's probably "normal", I think I'll be able to live with it, especially since it's not visible from my normal 9 feet watching distance.

However, would you have settings to recommend to minimize dithering?

Thanks!

[Rasmus Larsen]

Hi barriwhite

Yeah, I have noticed that, too. Many reviewers seem to just have accepted it, and seems to ignore it. In my opinion it is a significant issue, and oftentimes I also notice it myself when gaming on plasma TVs. I often sit relatively close to the TV when gaming on the PS3

Unfortunately there is no way to really minimize it. It has to be solved on a panel technology level, so it is a job for Panasonic's engineers.

[Whatamada]

Hey Rasmus and a merry christmas!

Since it´s the holidays I´m about looking for a new TV in all of the sales.
I own a Panasonic G30, which actually surprised me since it has great picture for almost nothing in money.

My question to you is if there´s a significant improvement in the ST60 contra my G30?
Or should I just spring for the VT60, it´s still €400 more for the VT.


Best regards,
Ulf