pixelengine Posted June 27, 2010 Posted June 27, 2010 Hi all, Simple question really... I'm deciding between the Panasonic 50" 50G10A (2009 model) for $1477 or the 50" 50U20A (2010 model) for around $1500 and I'd like some advice as to which would be the better purchase. My first inclination was to go with the newer U series model, but a bit of online reading seemed to suggest that the panel in the older model is superior, especially with blacks (the G10A uses a neo panel). Aesthetically I do prefer the look of the 50G10A, although ultimately I'll go with the product that provides the best image quality. If I were to buy the U20A I'd get a free Panasonic bluray player (which I don't need), and a copy of Avatar on bluray (which I already have). Normally I'd spend extra and go with a premium set but this is actually going to be used as a second tv in another lounge so I want something below a budget of $1500. Any thoughts? Cheers
Guest bhot Posted June 27, 2010 Posted June 27, 2010 Hi all,Simple question really... I'm deciding between the Panasonic 50" 50G10A (2009 model) for $1477 or the 50" 50U20A (2010 model) for around $1500 and I'd like some advice as to which would be the better purchase. My first inclination was to go with the newer U series model, but a bit of online reading seemed to suggest that the panel in the older model is superior, especially with blacks (the G10A uses a neo panel). Aesthetically I do prefer the look of the 50G10A, although ultimately I'll go with the product that provides the best image quality. If I were to buy the U20A I'd get a free Panasonic bluray player (which I don't need), and a copy of Avatar on bluray (which I already have). Normally I'd spend extra and go with a premium set but this is actually going to be used as a second tv in another lounge so I want something below a budget of $1500. Any thoughts? Cheers You should be able to get a good price on the G10A. About six weeks ago I managed $1270 for it for my brother from JB Hi Fi. It is a very good TV!! Cheers brad
pneu Posted June 28, 2010 Posted June 28, 2010 I wouldn't buy a 2009 model as they are a flawed design. You will lose black level, contrast ratio and get increased image retention over the first 400 hours of usage (I've experienced this first hand, as have a great number of other owners). From what I've been told by a service tech, the 2010 models have fixed this behaviour. The U20 is the replacement for the S10, so it is a step down from the G10 in terms of features. The S20 is the replacement for the G10.
ger Posted June 28, 2010 Posted June 28, 2010 I wouldn't buy a 2009 model as they are a flawed design. You will lose black level, contrast ratio and get increased image retention over the first 400 hours of usage (I've experienced this first hand, as have a great number of other owners). From what I've been told by a service tech, the 2010 models have fixed this behaviour. The U20 is the replacement for the S10, so it is a step down from the G10 in terms of features. The S20 is the replacement for the G10. I have this TV (50G10A) for nearly a year My mum has the 46G10A the blacks are still as black as day one use about 5- hours a day great TV i would recomend it
pneu Posted June 28, 2010 Posted June 28, 2010 (edited) the blacks are still as black as day one I can guarantee you they aren't. I would suggest the possibility that the change has been gradual and you have gotten used to it. If you view a blank input screen at night with the lights off you should see that it glows quite brightly - much moreso than when new. Forget that, Panasonic has admitted the black level increases, that's all there is to it. Edited June 28, 2010 by pneu
pixelengine Posted June 28, 2010 Author Posted June 28, 2010 Bought myself the 50G10A today... very happy with it. Well aware of the rising black issues and it's not something that'll phase me over time (this isn't my primary tv). I was under the impression that the 2010 models aren't immune to the issue anyway.
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 I wouldn't buy a 2009 model as they are a flawed design. You will lose black level, contrast ratio and get increased image retention over the first 400 hours of usage (I've experienced this first hand, as have a great number of other owners). From what I've been told by a service tech, the 2010 models have fixed this behaviour. The U20 is the replacement for the S10, so it is a step down from the G10 in terms of features. The S20 is the replacement for the G10. Problem is the 2010 model has the same black level problem and likely has a floating black issue on top of it.
SiddoInOz Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Problem is the 2010 model has the same black level problem and likely has a floating black issue on top of it. Is this fact or opinion?
50mxe20 Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Is this fact or opinion?I believe you can trust Owen to have it right.
SiddoInOz Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 I believe you can trust Owen to have it right. Wow that is bad news! I was going to buy into the Pana Plasma's at some point this year...
Godzilla Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Wow that is bad news! I was going to buy into the Pana Plasma's at some point this year... as a few other people have said, if its not noticeable...its not a problem!
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 If the rising black level is the only thing putting you off the Panasonic's you should reconsider, they are still very worth sets and black wont get worse than the Samsung Plasmas. Panasonic are using dynamic contrast this year and on lower models it cant be disabled hence the floating blacks. I believe on more expensive models it can so you are left with no disadvantages over the equivalent 2009 model.
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 If the rising black level is the only thing putting you off the Panasonic's you should reconsider, they are still very worth sets and black wont get worse than the Samsung Plasmas. Panasonic are using dynamic contrast this year and on lower models it cant be disabled hence the floating blacks. I believe on more expensive models it can so you are left with no disadvantages over the equivalent 2009 model.
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 If the rising black level is the only thing putting you off the Panasonic's you should reconsider, they are still very worth sets and black wont get worse than the Samsung Plasmas. Panasonic are using dynamic contrast this year and on lower models it cant be disabled hence the floating blacks. I believe on more expensive models it can so you are left with no disadvantages over the equivalent 2009 model.
pneu Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Problem is the 2010 model has the same black level problem and likely has a floating black issue on top of it. I'm not 100% sure on that. The info I've got from a very reliable source is that the 2010 models don't have the MLL rise problem at all. There are some owners on avs with 650 and 1000 hours reporting no MLL rise (yet). Perhaps they received April manufactured units which have the MLL rise spaced out further, we just don't know. The floating black issue, I will have to see this for myself whether it manifests itself in Cinema mode. I've read some posts saying it only occurs in certain picture modes, depending on the model. I will be receiving a 2010 model in the coming weeks and will be checking all of this.
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) Panasonic have already admitted black levels will rise on 2010 models just like 2009, it will just be done in smaller less obvious steps. Those that have no way of measuring black level will not be sure its happening. Plenty of 2009 model owners swear they see no rise in blacks when we know for sure it is occurring on every set as its there by design. Edited June 29, 2010 by Owen
pneu Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Panasonic have already admitted black levels will rise on 2010 models just like 2009, it will just be done in smaller less obvious steps. I'm not sure who to trust - Panasonic's statement or the service technician I spoke with. I should mention this service tech is very knowledgeable and understands the root cause of the MLL rise on 2009 models and is even able to restore the original MLL via a firmware reset, although only temporarily.
Volunteer Kazz Posted June 29, 2010 Volunteer Posted June 29, 2010 Panasonic are using dynamic contrast this year and on lower models it cant be disabled hence the floating blacks. I believe on more expensive models it can so you are left with no disadvantages over the equivalent 2009 model. Owen, any idea which models are able to disable the dynamic contrast?
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) Owen, any idea which models are able to disable the dynamic contrast? Sorry no, have a look in the menu on the various models for a dynamic contrast setting. We are both obviously cat people. Edited June 29, 2010 by Owen
Guest JSH Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Sorry no, have a look in the menu on the various models for a dynamic contrast setting.We are both obviously cat people. Is a Panasonic THP58V10A 58' a good buy at $2999 plus bonus Blu Ray Home Theatre?
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) Is a Panasonic THP58V10A 58' a good buy at $2999 plus bonus Blu Ray Home Theatre? When you can buy the 63” Samsung for less than $500 more with bonus pack I'm not sure. Edited June 29, 2010 by Owen
Volunteer Kazz Posted June 29, 2010 Volunteer Posted June 29, 2010 Sorry no, have a look in the menu on the various models for a dynamic contrast setting.We are both obviously cat people. Ok thanks, I'll check them out before I decide which to buy. Yep definitely a cat person, I have four little furries.
Owen Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Is a Panasonic THP58V10A 58' a good buy at $2999 plus bonus Blu Ray Home Theatre? Considering you can buy a 63” Samsung with bonus pack for $500 more maybe not.
Guest JSH Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 Considering you can buy a 63” Samsung with bonus pack for $500 more maybe not. I decided to go ahead and purchase this baby. Can't compare Samsung to Fully Japanese made Panasonic. Also qualify's for Blu Ray Home Theatre System...Bonus !!!! Salesman said they have 10 more to sell. Melton Retravision in Melbourne's West if anyone is interested
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