I am loosing sleep over this

[Vancouver]

Some of you may remember meposting about my Panasonic HDTV 42 plasma(TH-42PX20). You may also remember that I was upset to read in the manual AFTER buying it that is only accepts 480p, 480i and 1080i NOT 720p.


I was doing some research on the panasonic site and found the following information.

True High-Definition Images (TH-42PX20/TH-50PX20)
Panasonic Plasma Displays set the standard for high-definition viewing. HD panels with approximately 1,050,000 (1366 x 768) pixels and 790,000 (1024 x 768) pixels capture all the beauty of HDTV broadcasts and other HD image sources. They support all major HDTV and EDTV standards, including 1080i, 720p and 480p, and fully reproduce high-definition pictures from 720p HDTV signals.

Its says right there 720p!!! but I have done a test with my XBOX and it doesnt work. What woul dyou do if you were me?

 

[Mudcat]

Initiate a class action lawsuit.

email em and ask whassssssssssss up.

 

[mfabien]

Some of you may remember meposting about my Panasonic HDTV 42 plasma(TH-42PX20). You may also remember that I was upset to read in the manual AFTER buying it that is only accepts 480p, 480i and 1080i NOT 720p.


I was doing some research on the panasonic site and found the following information.

True High-Definition Images (TH-42PX20/TH-50PX20)
Panasonic Plasma Displays set the standard for high-definition viewing. HD panels with approximately 1,050,000 (1366 x 768) pixels and 790,000 (1024 x 768) pixels capture all the beauty of HDTV broadcasts and other HD image sources. They support all major HDTV and EDTV standards, including 1080i, 720p and 480p, and fully reproduce high-definition pictures from 720p HDTV signals.

Its says right there 720p!!! but I have done a test with my XBOX and it doesnt work. What woul dyou do if you were me?

You can have your STB or your XBOX use 1080i and your TV will convert to native resolution and will display in 720p. The TV does this efficiently.

 

[rgriffin25]

I wouldn't get wrapped up in specification numbers. Now if you bought the TV expecting HD and you found out it was an EDTV set then you would have something to complain about. Most video sources allow you to set your resolution in the set-up menu. Which means if you set the HD source to 1080i anything HD going into the box including 720p will be sent out as a 1080i signal.

My HDTV is 3 years old and only supports 1080i and 480p. After I configured my HD cable box I can watch 720p programing too.

Stop worrying and start enjoying.

 

[hopjohn]

Vancouver, just curious, was the game you were attempting to view/play a 720p game? The reason I ask is that there aren't very many 720p games out there. The only one I own is X-Men Legends. If not, then it won't work from the xbox. The xbox will only send out the highest res available for the game you are playing (look on the back of the case) assuming it is properly configured. This is unlike many STBs which will send out the res they are set to irregardless of the ED/HD res of the source.

From the literature it SEEMS as if your tv is a native 720p set.

Just as a side note about the Xbox packaging. I've seen many, many games that say HDTV 480p, which of course is a misnomer. HD starts at 720p, 480p is EDTV.

 

[BMXTRIX]

His TV, I believe, is 1024x768 or 1365x768. 768p.

The issue is that nothing at all about the TV accepts 720p. 720p is one of the 4 standard ATSC formats that any ATSC compliant television is required to accept. If it is advertised as accepting 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i, then I definitely would be pissed that the manufacturer flat out lied to say their product did more than it actually does. As a note: Almost every other plasma I have seen on the market DOES accept all 4 formats, especially from major manufacturers.

Because Panasonic is not up front about their non-ATSC compliant sets and acts very monsterous in their business practices with these sets with false advertising, I would personally not give them a second look no matter how nice the image is on their sets. If you have an advertisement from them, then I would call them up and find out how you send the set 720p since it isn't listed as being supported on any input.

If I were you I would be up in arms and ready to demand my money back if it was a feature I expected and it wasn't included.

Pretty sure you paid more than 2 grand for this set as well and you expected an all around quality plasma instead of one that misses the mark so wide.

 

[Vancouver]

Vancouver, just curious, was the game you were attempting to view/play a 720p game? The reason I ask is that there aren't very many 720p games out there. The only one I own is X-Men Legends.QUOTE]

The Game I tried was X-Men Legends and when I started the game the screen went black and waves of white lines when everything. Took the game out and adjusted the dashboard and turned off the "accepts 720p" put the game back in and it worked.

 

[Mort Corey]

It's really odd that Panasonic does have 720p support on their commercial versions of this display (6Uy and 7UY). Go figure.

Mort

 

[Vancouver]

I called Panasonic and right off they the bat the lady said my model of TV DOES accept 720p. I then refered her to page 17 in my product manual and showed it that clearly it says "this model supports the follow formats 480i, 480p, 1080i." with nothing said about 720p. I then refered to her to the area on the panasonic website ( http://panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/plasma/features.asp ) where it clearly says that my model does accept 720p.
she said that she would have to talk to some people and call me back.

I need to know a definition from one of you please. They may come back and say "well it does accpet 720p via pc input". What concerns me is that on the site it says that it accepts all HDTV formats including 720p. because it says TV is that not a different thiing then PC? or does the term television include personal computers too? TO me if it accepts HDTV 720p then that would have to mean via a component connection.

Thank you and I will keep you posted as this progresses

 

[mfabien]

Reading your manual at:
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/TH42PX20U.PDF

it appears that your HD signal is 1080i only. Therefore, set your STB and XBOX at 1080i.

 

[Vancouver]

Reading your manual at:
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/TH42PX20U.PDF

it appears that your HD signal is 1080i only. Therefore, set your STB and XBOX at 1080i.

I understand that part, but the panasonic website says different about the same product. I am less concerned about the xbox but with HD DVD just around the corner I want my TV to do exactly what the advertisements says it does and on there site it clearly says 720p.

How much better is 1080i over 480p anway?

 

[mfabien]

1080i is High Definition.

480p is Standard Definition and, as a progressive image, is also referred to as EDTV (enhanced definition).

When HD DVD comes out, it may have 1080i or even 1080p picture format. In your case, your Plasma will use 1080i as a picture format.

 

[Vancouver]

and 720p? isnt that better then 1080i? How do you know that HD DVD wont be be 720p also?

Can someone tell me when you would normally use 720p since it seems that 480p and 1080i are most common?

 

[BMXTRIX]

480p is what you will see spit out of a DVD player in progressive scan mode.

720p or 1080i are the two HD standards. You see 1080i, when the original source material was shot at 1080i and you see 720p when the original source material was shot at 720p. It is almost always better to allow the original source material to come through native (720p or 1080i) to your display. Obviously, your display can't handle native 720p material to come through at 720p.

Many people consider 720p to be superior to 1080i - and I agree with them.

 

[rgriffin25]

480p is what you will see spit out of a DVD player in progressive scan mode.

720p or 1080i are the two HD standards. You see 1080i, when the original source material was shot at 1080i and you see 720p when the original source material was shot at 720p. It is almost always better to allow the original source material to come through native (720p or 1080i) to your display. Obviously, your display can't handle native 720p material to come through at 720p.

Many people consider 720p to be superior to 1080i - and I agree with them.

Your telling me you can tell the difference? Oh my! I can't believe we are even comparing the two. I guess I will try to enjoy my lowly 1080i.

Vancouver,

Do you like the TV? If you didn't know about not accepting 720p would you even consider getting rid of it? I don't think it should be something you worry about. Enjoy the TV and be happy that you have HD.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I most definitely can tell the difference when I am looking at native 720p material and it goes through my display it comes through with much cleaner motion and needs less processing to fit my display. 1080i almost never looks as good and artifacting always seems to be an issue. 720p is severely affected when it gets processed to 1080i prior to being processed back to the native display of the display device as well.

Does that mean 1080i sucks? Not at all! In order of quality from worse to best: 480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p. Heck, 480p doesn't look bad, good 480i doesn't even look bad. 1080i blows them both away, and 720p looks a little bit better.

I would be pissed as hell if my $4,000+ display didn't accept one STANDARD format. It's piss-poor engineering work on Panny's end and is poorly advertised.

 

[Vancouver]

BMXTRIX

I couldnt agree with you more. I feel had, and to answer someone else question: I would not have bought the plasma if I new it did nor accept 720p. I paid 7,500 CDN for it and could have bought something like a Hitachi HDTV plasma which accepts everything and cost only $5,000.

They didnt call me back yesturday like they promised they would, so they are going to hear an earful from me Monday. We are not talking a $100 article here. This is near 8k. Imagine if you bought a car that promised 225 Horse power from its advertisment, then after you bought it you found it only has 190 HP. What would you do when you found out? This issue with my plasma is no different.

I am seeking my money back if they can't make me happy.

 

[Vancouver]

GUYS!!! LOOK AT THIS!!!

for those of you that went to the link I posted yesturday showing that it clearly said my plasma CAN accept 720p signals, they have now changed the wording!! I am speachless. Lucky for me I saved the site and all content of that page before they updated that in case they try and say that it always read this way.

http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/plasma/features.asp

 

[Vancouver]

Panasonic is a nightmare. They are doing nothing to help me even though they admit misrepresenting their product. I have taken tth issue to my Lawyer and will keep you posted on the progress, if you anyone is interested.

Until then they recomend I use a RGB to PC Input cable in order to get 720p. I am sure that if I dont get anywhere after one letter from my lawyer I will just drop the issue because I can not take on a big company especially over an $8,000 TV. IF that happens I will need to get a RGB to PC input cable and plug it into the front of my tv any time I want to watch a 720p signal. Can someone tell me what RGB is? Is it the component cables that I use for my xbox or DVD player? I am buying a DVDO friday does anyone know if the DVDO will convert a 720p input via component and output it to a PC output?

Thanks

 

[WADDISME]

Vancouver -

Where are you now with your tv? Did Panasonic do anything? I have added them to my list of co's to avoid (along with Onkyo or anything Sony except tv's). When co's make a mistake and do their best to fix it, or try to deny or cover them up, either way says alot about the company!!! Thank you for informing us.