Panasonic ZT60 (now ZT65)

[strapped for cash]

It makes a bloody big difference to the image - and if 2 sets are equally calibrated to similar standards then and only then can you see if is better than the other and by how much.

If you fancy popping round to calibrate my VT65, you'll get a good sense of how the two compare.

You'd be doing a service to the videophile community. (Any benefits from my end would be entirely incidental.)

 

[ellisdj]

Where in the world do you live?

I would do it to see the VT65 going if its not too far away

 

[strapped for cash]

Where in the world do you live?

I would do it to see the VT65 going if its not too far away

North East Midlands. Admittance is only granted with a colorimeter and Calman in hand!

 

[bigboss]

I'm sure Strapped will be more than happy to pay for your train tickets.

 

[strapped for cash]

I'm sure Strapped will be more than happy to pay for your train tickets.

Only if you can do 3D calibration, too! I'll even throw in some beers, to be consumed after my TV has ruler flat greyscale and delta errors below three.*

* I honestly wouldn't ask someone to calibrate my TV for free. Even I'm not that cheeky!

 

[ellisdj]

I'm sure Strapped will be more than happy to pay for your train tickets.

Only if you can do 3D calibration, too! I'll even throw in some beers, to be consumed after my TV has ruler flat greyscale and delta errors below three.*

* I honestly wouldn't ask someone to calibrate my TV for free. Even I'm not that cheeky!

I have never done a 3D calibration before, but it cant be that hard - sure I could work it out / look it up.

I would probs drive as well - depending on things - to get a flat greyscale with DE below 3 - well thats a given - all my delta errors are below 1 - my averagre is 0.6

Colour DE are all below 3 as well - more challenging is getting a flat gamma curve but that should be nearly possible on the VT is amazingly flat on the ZT thats tested in that review - mine is close to that though

Have a look

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/6195/calibrationresults1gamm.jpg

 

[strapped for cash]

Those results are very nice indeed!

I recall you posting charts on other threads, which is why I flippantly suggested you should pop round. It sounds like you want to do it, though!

 

[ellisdj]

I would do it for you no problems, It would be great the see a VT65 going properly and see what its made of.

I am no calibration expert but can do the basics - I have never cal'd a Panasonic before so its a case of learning to navigate the menus - an hour tops.

Its the distance that would be the main issue and travel time and costs - so let talks again when you have the set and have given it some hours run in.

What size are you buying I assume the 55"

The reason I say about calibrations making a difference is because once both sets are calibrated simialrly then its a level playing field / standard to compare. If they are both calibrated the same / showing the same standards of image then its purely the display quality you are seeing - that make sense

 

[strapped for cash]

I would do it for you no problems, It would be great the see a VT65 going properly and see what its made of.

I am no calibration expert but can do the basics - I have never cal'd a Panasonic before so its a case of learning to navigate the menus - an hour tops.

Its the distance that would be the main issue and travel time and costs - so let talks again when you have the set and have given it some hours run in.

What size are you buying I assume the 55"

The reason I say about calibrations making a difference is because once both sets are calibrated simialrly then its a level playing field / standard to compare. If they are both calibrated the same / showing the same standards of image then its purely the display quality you are seeing - that make sense

Well that's extremely generous. Thanks very much! There's no way I'd ask you to do this without compensation for your time, travel costs, etc.

I agree about calibration and a level playing field.

I have the TV already (50VT65), though I've only clocked up 50 hours. How far would you have to travel? I'm very familiar with Panasonic menus, so could give you a quick walk through. (They're not complicated.) ISF modes are engaged and there are lots of useless processing options that I've turned off and you'd obviously just ignore.

As Mark Hodgkinson pointed out in his review, he had to calibrate the TV using the 10pt white balance controls, leaving 2pt adjustments alone. It may therefore prove a trickier calibration that your Pioneer.

 

[ellisdj]

I would do it for you no problems, It would be great the see a VT65 going properly and see what its made of.

I am no calibration expert but can do the basics - I have never cal'd a Panasonic before so its a case of learning to navigate the menus - an hour tops.

Its the distance that would be the main issue and travel time and costs - so let talks again when you have the set and have given it some hours run in.

What size are you buying I assume the 55"

The reason I say about calibrations making a difference is because once both sets are calibrated simialrly then its a level playing field / standard to compare. If they are both calibrated the same / showing the same standards of image then its purely the display quality you are seeing - that make sense

Well that's extremely generous. Thanks very much! There's no way I'd ask you to do this without compensation for your time, travel costs, etc.

I agree about calibration and a level playing field.

I have the TV already (50VT65), though I've only clocked up 50 hours. How far would you have to travel? I'm very familiar with Panasonic menus, so could give you a quick walk through. (They're not complicated.) ISF modes are engaged and there are lots of useless processing options that I've turned off and you'd obviously just ignore.

As Mark Hodgkinson pointed out in his review, he had to calibrate the TV using the 10pt white balance controls, leaving 2pt adjustments alone. It may therefore prove a trickier calibration that your Pioneer.

I didnt know they were out to buy yet the new models - wow interesting - I assume its good

I have never used 10 point white balance you only get standard 2 point with the LX Pioneers which makes my results even better - but its the same process just more thorough so I am sure I could do it no problems and get as good as I can.

Calman 5 has a section for 10 point white balance that I use to test my 2 point greyscale results before moving on so I am familiar with the process. I live in Essex so how far from you am I ?

 

[strapped for cash]

I live in Essex so how far from you am I ?

About 130 miles! :O

This is already sounding like a huge inconvenience on your part. :shifty:

 

[strapped for cash]

I assume its good

I'm delighted with it. (See various threads on here for details of my frustrations with last year's Panasonics.)

A friend of mine owns a 5090 (uncalibrated), though I haven't seen him in a while. Trying to compare from memory isn't easy.

 

[ellisdj]

Which side of the Midlands are you - Loughborough / Notts or Birm / Staffs

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi EllisDJ,

I'm Loughborough/Notts. Hope you understand my not wanting to be too specific on the forum. We'd have to figure out a way of communicating off-forum if you fancy heading up. (I'm sure WHF would oblige.)

Thanks again.

 

[ellisdj]

I am active on a couple of other forums with private messaging - I dont know if you are on any of them

Graham Slee, AVF and Meridian Unplugged.

 

[BenLaw]

Hope you understand my not wanting to be too specific on the forum.

Yep, the mad commie vigilantes would be out... :silenced:

 

[strapped for cash]

Yep, the mad commie vigilantes would be out... :silenced:

I thought I was one of those. Surely you mean the ultra-right wing syntactically challenged antagonists!

 

[bigboss]

If you email Andrew / JD, they'll be more than happy to pass on email ids to both of you.

 

[strapped for cash]

I am active on a couple of other forums with private messaging - I dont know if you are on any of them

Graham Slee, AVF and Meridian Unplugged.

Hi EllisDJ. You got mail.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

I can already see ZT65 retailing for £3499. If there are no more ZT65s left, then I'll go for VT65.

The reason for me to hold is not due to current prices. I see no point in installing a new TV and changing cabling etc. in my current house when I'm planning to sell it in a few months time. Also, I do not want to risk transporting a relatively new TV when moving house.

Apart from strappedforcash's cautionary note about relative peak ANSI brightness, with only 53 cd/m2 for the ZT65 but 92 cd/m2 for the VT65, size may also dictate which TV you buy, as it will for me. In late 2012 I wanted a 65" set so the only choices were the ST50 and the VT50. The GT 50 maximised at 50", I think. Now in 2013, the ZT65 is available in the UK in only 60", whereas the VT65 comes in 55" and 65". So if you definitely want one particular large size, you have a choice of only one set! For me, I want a 65", so I'll be getting the 65VT65.

 

[bigboss]

Yes, you're right. TV size is dependent on the size of the lounge / home cinema room in the new house.

 

[BenLaw]

Yep, the mad commie vigilantes would be out... :silenced:

I thought I was one of those. Surely you mean the ultra-right wing syntactically challenged antagonists!

Sorry, I've expressed it wrong, I meant the vigilantes who wanted to pillage the mad commies. Please forgive me, BL junior (?) was up at 5 (and 11, 12, 1.30 and 4), as therefore was I :help:

 

[strapped for cash]

Please forgive me, BL junior (?) was up at 5 (and 11, 12, 1.30 and 4), as therefore was I :help:

I simply can't forgive an error of that magnitude, Ben; and blaming your infant son is dastardly indeed!

On an entirely different subject, did you ever get round to watching Berberian?

 

[mr malarky]

Have just bitten the bullet and put down a 10% deposit on a ZT65.

Estimated delivery date sometime in the third week of May.

Now have a 14 day 'cooling off' period in which I can change my mind and get the deposit refunded.

Will be interesting to see if my nerve holds out...

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Have just bitten the bullet and put down a 10% deposit on a ZT65.

Estimated delivery date sometime in the third week of May.

Now have a 14 day 'cooling off' period in which I can change my mind and get the deposit refunded.

Will be interesting to see if my nerve holds out...

Wow - nice one!