[navin]

Originally Posted by Cowardly Lion

65VT30 is what you should be aiming for in the absence of the latest Panasonic range. 65VT30 was the greatest last year. Spec wise I'm sure the difference in VT30 and VT50 will not be like comparing CRT and Plasma and moreover viewed on its own 65VT30 will hold its own against everything but the 65VT50.

Odd Panasonic does advertise the 65VT50 and 65ST50 on their Indian website.

How does the 65VT30 fare against Sony, Samsung, LG, etc...

Samsung PS64E80xxxx is a bit dated, Sony 65HX925 is a bit over priced so what about the LG 72LM95xx?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Not quite sure if I followed this. ... My tv runs at 70% contrast levels and it is far from dull at this setting. ...

The menu screen of which you have given screenshots of. Not the main one playing media, but the screens where menu is drawn by the CPU. There was one which had a large white expanse with black/dark blue letters. That looked a bit insipid. And I compared with UT30 and GT50 in the same situation. GT is crisp white, UT is not far behind (side by side comparison), so was ST30 I had seen earlier. E550, though not unacceptable (e.g. if I had not seen the others before), was definitely a tad 'less' white. 'Dull' is not a uniform / standard perception.

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

... I have been fiddling with the picture settings quite a bit and there is improvement. ...

*That*, sir, is the key. Most of us do comparisons, and buy stuff, based on the expectancy that we need not fiddle with the pre-set settings to get a good output. Just as we do a lot of research before buying a car, and we don't think of modifications while selecting the car.

We would fiddle ONLY when there is a personal bias for/against a minor aspect. There are quite a few sites on the 'net, like this one, that propose optimum settings, which are a result of instrumented calibration of the display.

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

... ARC is supported on HDMI IN 2.

Thanks. Wonder why they don't mention it in their specs / literature!

And not having an SD card slot is no deal-breaker, just an inconvenience if one wants to take out the card from a camera and see the pics on TV directly.

Originally Posted by navin

... How does the 65VT30 fare against Sony, Samsung, LG, etc. ...

Gold standard for PQ, I guess. Even when comparing with LCDs and LCDs with LED backlight. Sony's xxHX925 comes the closest, but I have seen only the 55" even in their Brand Shop. The Sony xxEX750 & Samsung 9 series are a close third.

The 65s are slow-moving, so only the Brand Shops might be able to fetch one on demand. Croma, Reliance, etc. don't bother to stock (takes away expensive wall space), but might oblige if you know someone.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

The menu screen of which you have given screenshots of. Not the main one playing media, but the screens where menu is drawn by the CPU.

Need to go home and check on this. I have not paid attention to this.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Just as we do a lot of research before buying a car, and we don't think of modifications while selecting the car.

Easier executed with a tv than a car where you need to spend truck loads of cash to do just about anything with it. I am not a fan of tweaking a car after buying it. I rather buy something that meets my requirements straight out of the factory.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

that propose optimum settings, which are a result of instrumented calibration of the display.

Yeah. We do these things for our office displays. Our HP dream color monitors loose their calibration if they are switched off or even go to stand by. They are never turned off post calibration. If they are turned off by accident, calibration needs to be done all over again. Not so much a headache with a tv.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Thanks. Wonder why they don't mention it in their specs / literature!

The literature provided with the Samsung E550 is a joke. The only valuable advice they have given is on how to avoid image retention, screen burn in, video formats supported and how to get it hooked on wi fi or wired network. The literature talks about nothing in the Picture setting menu, what is available and how to use it. I have yet to check the electronic brochure that is supposed to be stored in the tv. What is nice to note is, when you highlight each picture fine tuning setting, a short description is provided on what the setting does. For a tv costing nearly 90 grand, I was expecting the literature paper quality and even the content to be good. That is not the case.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

And not having an SD card slot is no deal-breaker

I was visioning myself using the SD card input when I buy the 50GT50 Panasonic. That never happened. I don't really miss it though. I have a point and shoot lumix and I am not sure if the pictures out of this camera will look any good on a tv this big.

[devarshi84]

Originally Posted by navin

Odd Panasonic does advertise the 65VT50 and 65ST50 on their Indian website.

How does the 65VT30 fare against Sony, Samsung, LG, etc...

Samsung PS64E80xxxx is a bit dated, Sony 65HX925 is a bit over priced so what about the LG 72LM95xx?

Saw a 65VT30 at Panasonic Brandshop about a month ago. Smoked everything in LED or plasma they had in store.

But For pure white levels at maximum brightness I found Sony's HX925 and HX850 to be pioneers. Nothing came close.

Also I liked the Sharpa Aquos Quattron at Vijay ( 62" IIRC). The brightness was nowhere near Sony's but the image sharpness was much better and the colour were more realistic.

Overall I would stick to VT30 followed by Sony HX or Sharp Quattron depending on the kind of picture you like.

Originally Posted by DWind

Still interested but right now scaling down to 42'. Here is the updated list

50ST50 (92000/-)

devarshi84 Ahmedabad
DerAlte Bangalore
Cowardly Lion New Delhi
Klever Hyderabad

42ST50 (76000/-)

CRV2010 Bangalore
DWind Chennai

How many do we need to go ahead with this group buy process?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

... I have a point and shoot lumix and I am not sure if the pictures out of this camera will look any good on a tv this big.

Considering that most monitors are <= 2MP, should look at least as good on the TV as on computer monitors ( maybe not the type you are using professionally).

[navin]

Originally Posted by devarshi84

Saw a 65VT30 at Panasonic Brandshop about a month ago. Smoked everything in LED or plasma they had in store.

You mean to say the Panasonic Brand store stocked other brands?

[devarshi84]

No, I was comparing them with Panasonic branded products only.

I got to see the Sony and Sharp sets at Vijay Sales.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by Cowardly Lion

This deal is in place for the group buy. ...

Originally Posted by devarshi84

... How many do we need to go ahead with this group buy process?

Anything happening on the Group Buy?

[quadra]

Panasonic website now does not show 42X30D. Looks like we have an upgrade model available TH-P42X50D

Link: TH-P42X50D | Panasonic

[devarshi84]

Enough People don't seem to be interested.

[Familyguy]

Originally Posted by devarshi84

Enough People don't seem to be interested.

Hi, what quote did you get for individual buy( 50ST50)?

[Cowardly Lion]

Originally Posted by devarshi84

Enough People don't seem to be interested.

I'm sorry for not being able to respond earlier. The dealer was supposed to work out the logistics of supplying the TV's at all the locations and collect the payments. Since they don't have a network he was supposed to talk to Panasonic and utilize their offices. Will confirm and get back.

Originally Posted by Familyguy

Hi, what quote did you get for individual buy( 50ST50)?

Will talk and get back... Am including you in the group buy. It is not dead at the moment. Go for the individual option in case the whole house of cards collapses...!

[Familyguy]

I already got the 50ST50 about three weeks back! I mentioned individual quotes I got from different dealers but it seems my posts went unnoticed!!

Just wanted to know if I got a fair price..

[devarshi84]

I am in for a couple of weeks if this falls into place. I will update if this gets delayed and I am going solo.

For now I am in waiting to make the payment to Panasonic.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Initially thought 32" may look BIG for my bedroom, then changed mind. Upgraded my order from 24PB21 to 32HV10

Got 32HV10 delivered last evening. Packing is really good, it took around 30 minutes to open it (wooden packing) Thanks to infibeam