Panasonic ZT60 (now ZT65)

[Deleted member 2457]

http://www.tps.uk.com/tps/home.html?choice_id=186&tab_id=52

Prices for the new range - quite interesting.

This slightly counters my immediately previous posting, but if you go to gel's link and click on "Plasma TV" rather than on "2013 Plasma" the prices of the outgoing ST50 and VT50 models are pretty reasonable! If I had the spare cash, I would be thinking very seriously of getting last year's model at a bargain price, rather than paying the 30-40% extra that the replacement 2013 models will cost. Don't know what I would do though if my 2012 Panasonic model turned out to have the dirty screen effect ....

To me, your last sentence is crucial for two reasons.

1. In my view the dirty screen effect is a more serious problem on 2012 Panasonic plasma TVs than many acknowledge. I was watching the Liverpool game earlier and, throughout the majority of the match, the right hand side of the screen broke up into lighter and darker lines of colour gradation (almost like tiger stripes in pattern). I don't think the effect is subtle on such content.

2. I think a far greater proportion of sets (ST, GT, and VT) is affected than people realise. I've been through a couple and the effect has been identical on both. Others on this thread have same issue, describe feeling underwhelmed, and actually regret selling their old TV. Many on other forums have been through multiple sets only to see each replacement affected.

As a GT50 owner, I'd advise people to think very carefully before buying now. At the very least, be sure you can get a refund without protest and/or swap the TV for a 2013 model if you're not satisfied.

I do wonder if the newer batches were a lot better than the older ones? The ones sent out for reviews would have been the new batches, all three I had definitely did not have that!

 

[strapped for cash]

Two thirds of contributors to a Hi-Def Junkies poll report that their 2012 Panasonic plasma has problems with vertical banding, while half the contributors to an AVS Forums poll report the same. I appreciate that owners with issues are more likely to participate, but it seems a large proportion of 2012 Pana plasmas are affected.

I highlight this because I understand that buying a 2012 Panasonic plasma TV might seem an appealing proposition right now, but shoppers should go into this with their eyes open and accept that there's a good chance they'll have the same problem. At least potential buyers can make an informed decision this way.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Just found some more bits on the ZT60

http://flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1361272859

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Here is the other one

http://www.insideci.co.uk/articles/panasonic-zt60-plasma-tv-the-new-reference.aspx

 

[Deleted member 2457]

This one is quite good too

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qh1IknpJmuE

 

[strapped for cash]

Are you trying to talk yourself into buying one?

I'd be tempted at three grand, if the ZT60 is clearly a Kuro killer and free from obvious problems.

That means perfect screen uniformity with all content; no 50Hz bug; no obvious dynamic false contouring or other motion issues; no brightness pops or issues with black level over time (how would we know at the point of sale); no IR problems; reference level greyscale tracking and colour accuracy; and an understanding retailer that would look after me throughout the full five year warranty period (I wouldn't want to rely on Panasonic, even after spending that kind of money on a TV).

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I think gel will be making a purchase sometime soon.

Second hand GT50 anyone?

 

[bigboss]

Are you trying to talk yourself into buying one?

I'd be tempted at three grand, if the ZT60 is clearly a Kuro killer and free from obvious problems.

I think if the RRP is £4000, the price will come down to £3000 or thereabouts, although the "limited edition" tag may keep the prices up.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Are you trying to talk yourself into buying one?

I'd be tempted at three grand, if the ZT60 is clearly a Kuro killer and free from obvious problems.

That means perfect screen uniformity with all content; no 50Hz bug; no obvious dynamic false contouring or other motion issues; no brightness pops or issues with black level over time (how would we know at the point of sale); no IR problems; reference level greyscale tracking and colour accuracy; and an understanding retailer that would look after me throughout the full five year warranty period (I wouldn't want to rely on Panasonic, even after spending that kind of money on a TV).

Don't know? :?

At the moment I am rather proud of my GT50 because when I see the ZT60 to me it does not look much better than the VT50, and that would go along with what me and you read, that this years will not be much better. I was going to go and have a serious demo of the Panasonic 55 vt50 but did not get round to it, probably Monday, that will be interesting for me set up right.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I think gel will be making a purchase sometime soon.

Second hand GT50 anyone?

GT50 is staying whatever for sure - I love it! Can't you tell?

Might just get moved into another room - will see. Might see if there are any announcements from Panasonic like we are quitting plasmas then I probably will.

 

[strapped for cash]

I think if the RRP is £4000, the price will come down to £3000 or thereabouts, although the "limited edition" tag may keep the prices up.

I forget where I read this (I'll try to track down the source), but I think the RRP will be £3,750, though prices would still need to come down a fair whack for me to be interested. I'd also need to put the £1,000 spent on the GT50 toward the purchase, which leaves me with a big interim problem (I'd have to get a refund on the GT50 and live with no TV for an indeterminate period). Perhaps a GT60, if free of last year's uniformity problems, would be good enough.

I wouldn't be contemplating any of this if Panasonic had got screen uniformity right on last year's plasmas. I know I keep going on about it, which probably makes tedious reading for other forumites, but it really spoils an otherwise fantastic TV.

 

[strapped for cash]

I think gel will be making a purchase sometime soon.

Second hand GT50 anyone?

GT50 is staying whatever for sure - I love it! Can't you tell?

Might just get moved into another room - will see. Might see if there are any announcements from Panasonic like we are quitting plasmas then I probably will.

If you want to sell me your GT50, subject to suitable audition for screen uniformity problems, and put the money toward a ZT, you'd have my attention!

 

[bigboss]

I think gel will be making a purchase sometime soon.

Second hand GT50 anyone?

GT50 is staying whatever for sure - I love it! Can't you tell?

Might just get moved into another room - will see. Might see if there are any announcements from Panasonic like we are quitting plasmas then I probably will.

If you want to sell me your GT50, subject to suitable audition for screen uniformity problems, and put the money toward a ZT, you'd have my attention!

I was going to suggest that!

 

[bigboss]

You need an avatar, strapped! I've been looking for a suitable picture, befitting your forum name.

How about this?

http://theragblog.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/us-household-worth-takes-nosedive.html

 

[strapped for cash]

You need an avatar, strapped! I've been looking for a suitable picture, befitting your forum name. How about this? http://theragblog.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/us-household-worth-takes-nosedive.html

I think an "anonymous" avatar is more befitting of my sensibilities. I could go with this:

http://www.tropicales.net/images/photoalbum/album_12/guy-fawkes-mask-on-black-background.jpg

For the record, I've never hacked a website of any description.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

You need an avatar, strapped! I've been looking for a suitable picture, befitting your forum name. How about this? http://theragblog.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/us-household-worth-takes-nosedive.html

I think an "anonymous" avatar is more befitting of my sensibilities. I could go with this:

http://www.tropicales.net/images/photoalbum/album_12/guy-fawkes-mask-on-black-background.jpg

For the record, I've never hacked a website of any description.

I've seen that one somewhere. Some on here? A film?

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Watching Sky Atlantic HD at the moment, Attenborough. Picture looks amazing.

 

[strapped for cash]

Watching Sky Atlantic HD at the moment, Attenborough. Picture looks amazing.

Are you happy with the GT50 now? I know you had some regrets about selling the Kuro. Has the dirty screen effect become any less prominent? I can see it clearly on the rugby right now, though it's not as distracting as when watching football (probably because camera pans are slower and less frequent).

For the sake of absolute clarity, I should also add than I'm in no way associated with the Anonymous movement or their activities.

 

[bigboss]

You need an avatar, strapped! I've been looking for a suitable picture, befitting your forum name. How about this? http://theragblog.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/us-household-worth-takes-nosedive.html

I think an "anonymous" avatar is more befitting of my sensibilities. I could go with this:

http://www.tropicales.net/images/photoalbum/album_12/guy-fawkes-mask-on-black-background.jpg

For the record, I've never hacked a website of any description.

Looks good! Go for it! :cheers:

 

[strapped for cash]

You need an avatar, strapped! I've been looking for a suitable picture, befitting your forum name. How about this? http://theragblog.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/us-household-worth-takes-nosedive.html

I think an "anonymous" avatar is more befitting of my sensibilities. I could go with this:

http://www.tropicales.net/images/photoalbum/album_12/guy-fawkes-mask-on-black-background.jpg

For the record, I've never hacked a website of any description.

Looks good! Go for it! :cheers:

The current Draconian government would probably charge me with treason for daring to suggest there's anything wrong with trickle-up economics. Anyway, I won't turn this into a political thread.

I'll contemplate an alternative avatar, perhaps stripes of lighter and darker colour gradation.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Watching Sky Atlantic HD at the moment, Attenborough. Picture looks amazing.

Are you happy with the GT50 now? I know you had some regrets about selling the Kuro. Has the dirty screen effect become any less prominent? I can see it clearly on the rugby right now, though it's not as distracting as when watching football (probably because camera pans are slower and less frequent).

In short. I regret selling the Kuro. I still have highly visible DSE.

Running the tv in until maybe end of March, then returning to some brighter settings. If IR returns, or DSE is still highly visible, JL can deal with my complaints, and I can assure you, there will much complaining.

Nice avatar by the way.

 

[bigboss]

Nice avatar, strapped! :cheers:

 

[strapped for cash]

Watching Sky Atlantic HD at the moment, Attenborough. Picture looks amazing.

Are you happy with the GT50 now? I know you had some regrets about selling the Kuro. Has the dirty screen effect become any less prominent? I can see it clearly on the rugby right now, though it's not as distracting as when watching football (probably because camera pans are slower and less frequent).

In short. I regret selling the Kuro. I still have highly visible DSE.

Running the tv in until maybe end of March, then returning to some brighter settings. If IR returns, or DSE is still highly visible, JL can deal with my complaints, and I can assure you, there will much complaining.

Nice avatar by the way.

Sounds like we're on the same page. I've been meaning to call John Lewis for the last few days so my complaints are on record. My issue isn't with John Lewis, it's with Panasonic thinking it's fine to sell defective TVs, then sweeping legitimate complaints aside with the phrase "within specification."

If the retailer is aware of my position, any future negotiations will hopefully be amicable.

 

[strapped for cash]

Nice avatar, strapped! :cheers:

Cheers BB. I think it works on a number of levels.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Nice avatar, strapped! :cheers:

Cheers BB. I think it works on a number of levels.

8) Nice one!