Panasonic 50PHD8UK Picture Settings Thread

[jonjones]

Ok, now that all the 50PHD8UK orders are just about filled let's figure out what everyone has decided on settings calibration. I've done a quick and dirty manual calibration while I'm waiting for my self-calibration disc and HDMI board to show up, so I'll go first even though it's likely not my final configuration.

I think it's also beneficial to know what light level is in your room and the type of connection you're using, so I'll put that down as well. If someone else thinks of another variable that should be accounted for, please feel free to add it to the mix.

Here goes:

Calibration (self swag, self with calibration disc, or professional calibration such as ISF):
Self swag

Light level (low, medium, bright):
Medium (living room with two windows)

Connection (HDMI, DVI, Svideo, Composite, etc.):
Composite (waiting for HDMI board)

Settings:
1. Picture: 25
2. Brightness: -7
3. Color: 4
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: 5

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: 0
9. W/B High B: 0
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: S Curve
13: AGC: Off

If I were replying to this it would look something like:
"Self-swag
Medium Light
Composite
25
-7
4
0
5
Advanced settings: Off"

That should do it!

- JonJ

[drivie]

Let me start off by saying that this is a great idea. I can't believe we haven't seen a thread like this for the 8UK's until now. I like the idea of seeing what everyone thinks works best for them. EDIT: I've added Pic Type: (Cinema, Standard, Dynamic) and Color Temp: (Warm, Normal, Cool).

Calibration: Video Essentials (the old old version)

Light level: Low to Medium (shutters on window)

Connection: Component (switched through HK AVR-635)

Settings:
Pic Type: Cinema
1. Picture: -12
2. Brightness: 0
3. Color: -5
4. Tint: -3
5. Sharpness: -7
Color Temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 1
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: 0
9. W/B High B: 0
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: 2.2
13: AGC: Off

No settings changed within the Service Menu.

Drivie

[chisox]

I did a lot of searching and I'm very surprised that this is the only thread around that talks about settings on the 50phd8uk. I'm even more surprised that only two people have posted....

[zachaller]

I have the 42PHD8UK

Self based of a calibration DVD but tweaked to likeings


Pic Type: Standard
1. Picture: 1
2. Brightness: -1
3. Color: 1
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: 0
Color Temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0 - Undicided between 0 or 1
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: 0
9. W/B High B: 0
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: 2.2
13: AGC: Off

[dgoss]

Great thread. Mine arrives next week, I'll be sure and post when it's setup.

d.

[nailzer]

Self swag

Normal setting all

High Definition: Component Cable
Picture - 0
Brightness - 0
Color - 1
Tint - 2
Sharpness - 4
Color Temp - normal
Color Management - off
Advanced Settings - on
Black Extension - 5
Input Level - 0
W/B High R - 0
W/B High B - 0
W/B Low R - 0
W/B Low B - 0
Gamma - 2.2
AGC - off

Standard Definition: S-video Cable
Picture - 0
Brightness - 0
Color - 1
Tint - 0
Sharpness - 2
Color Temp - normal
Color Management - off
Advanced Settings - on
Black Extension - 5
Input Level - 0
W/B High R - 0
W/B High B - 0
W/B Low R - 0
W/B Low B - 0
Gamma - 2.2
AGC - off

[cell911]

bump

[DEFman]

There is another thread started that also focuses on settings.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=610525
Can we merge these? Or make a sticky?

DEFman

[cell911]

bump

[cell911]

Come on guys....lets hear those settings. Alot of people r buying these units and would like to hear from people who have had time to tinker with these sets.
Has anyone had ISF calibration done to any ????? Please post

[MD_TIVO]

Just got mine on Tuesday, so not much time to tinker. Here is where I am at the moment.

Directivo using S-video
Standard
Picture: 16
Brightness: -11
Color: 2
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 5

Samsung HDTV tuner using component
Standard
Picture: 12
Brightness: 0
Color: 0
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 5

[djufo]

bump

[cell911]

lets keep this thread going...I know alot of people are getting this model so lets hear those inputs

[Wasabi Shiba]

Calibration: AVIA with a lot of self swag for HDTV via HDMI

Light level: Low (black-out curtains during the day)

Connection: HDMI from SA 8300 HDPVR

HDTV Settings:
1. Picture: 10
2. Brightness: -5
3. Color: 0 (disabled due to HDMI)
4. Tint: 0 (disabled due to HDMI)
5. Sharpness: -5

Advanced Settings:
6: Colour Temp: Normal
7. Black Extension: 2
8. Input Level: 0
9. W/B High R: 0
10. W/B High B: 0
11. W/B Low R: 0
12: W/B Low B: 0
13. Gamma: 2.2
13: AGC: ON

Colour Management: Off

Setup Setting:
Wobbling: ON
Peak Limit: ON

Now, if someone can tell me how I can get my Colour and Tint settings enabled when using HDMI, I'd greatly appreciate it because it is oversaturated. I can imagine adjusting the colour down to -5 or even -10.

[slimjim7]

Since apparently there are NO more 500 U's out there, is this a TV I could use as a replacement?

Are the video specs the same? If I buy the HDMI board, does that get me where I need to be? I don't need speakers.

(PIP would be nice, though)

[boyce89976]

I have a 42PHD8UK. I added color temp and settings for both current inputs. The DVI signal from my cable box disables color and tint and is WAY oversaturated. I need to get into the service menu and adjust the color saturation there.

Calibration: THX Optimizer (waiting on my AVIA disk) on Component, A LOT of swag on DVI/HDMI

Light level (low, medium, bright): Low (one window, with 2" plantation blinds)

Connection (HDMI, DVI, Svideo, Composite, etc.): DVI to HDMI from MOTO HD/DVR box, Component to BNC from Denon 1920

HD/DVR Settings:
Picture Type: Cinema
1. Picture: -25
2. Brightness: -12
3. Color: 0 (disabled due to DVI)
4. Tint: 0 (disabled due to DVI)
5. Sharpness: 0
6. Color Temp: Normal (would prefer warm, but there's too much red push as it is through the DVI)

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: 0
9. W/B High B: 0
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: 2.2
13: AGC: Off

Colour Management: Off

Setup Setting:
Wobbling: Off
Peak Limit: Off

DVD Component Settings:
Picture Type: Cinema
1. Picture: -12
2. Brightness: -12
3. Color: -10
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: 0
6. Color Temp: Warm

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: 0
9. W/B High B: 0
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: 2.5
13: AGC: Off

Colour Management: Off

Setup Setting:
Wobbling: Off
Peak Limit: Off

[cell911]

let's hear more

[Whippski]

Panasonic 50PHD8UK. Motorola HD/DVR via component. Samsung 850 DVD Player via VGA to component.


Light level: low (no direct sunlight)

DVD settings (w/ Avia calibration)
Cinema
1. Picture: 0
2. Brightness: -1
3. Color: 5
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: -5

Color temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 2

HDTV settings (self swag calibration)
Cinema
1. Picture: 0
2. Brightness: -8
3. Color: -1
4. Tint: 1
5. Sharpness: -1

Color temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 2


It's not too hard to get a great looking picture on this set!

[lipcrkr]

Is it me or is everyone (so far) have their brightness and picture turned way down? How do you see the damn picture?

[Xayd]

[QUOTE=Whippski]


It's not too hard to get a great looking picture on this set![/QUOTE]

I think that's why this thread never really came up, heh.

When I got mine, all I had to do was plug it in, turn power saving off, and it just looked great. I tinkered a bit but couldn't make it look better than the cinema preset with power-saving off.

I could see why people turn the brightness down a bit, lipcrkr, the default (again once you turn off all the power saving options) picture is a bit hot, actually, but i've got a bit more light in my room due to excess light from the kitchen so it's just about right for me.

[kyle454]

10 day old Panasonic 50PHD8UK. DirecTV HD/DVR via HDMI. Zenith DVB 318 DVD Player via component.


Light level: low (no direct sunlight)

DVD settings (w/ Avia calibration)
Cinema
1. Picture: -10
2. Brightness: -10
3. Color: 5
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: -2

Color temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 3

HDTV settings (HD Net calibration)
Standard
1. Picture: -5
2. Brightness: -5
3. Color: 0
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: -2

Color temp: Normal

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0


this set kicks a**! :D :eek: :D

[SolarWind]

I have a quick question - after looking at all these settings from deferent people I can't see any similarities - they ALL are different - some use cinema, sone standard, even if both used the same settings would still be different.

so the question is does it mean EVERY SINGLE SET of 50phd8UK HAS to be calibrated individually or they're more or less the same & so I could use some settings posted here? Coz is the answer is no then what's the point of even sharing these settings with outhers as they wouldn't be useful for them anyways?

[Merconium]

[QUOTE=SolarWind]I have a quick question - after looking at all these settings from deferent people I can't see any similarities - they ALL are different - some use cinema, sone standard, even if both used the same settings would still be different.

so the question is does it mean EVERY SINGLE SET of 50phd8UK HAS to be calibrated individually or they're more or less the same & so I could use some settings posted here? Coz is the answer is no then what's the point of even sharing these settings with outhers as they wouldn't be useful for them anyways?[/QUOTE]

I do not believe these settings will transfer across sets--each will need individual calibration--at least to be close to accurate.

[ojready]

[QUOTE=SolarWind]I have a quick question - after looking at all these settings from deferent people I can't see any similarities - they ALL are different - some use cinema, sone standard, even if both used the same settings would still be different.

so the question is does it mean EVERY SINGLE SET of 50phd8UK HAS to be calibrated individually or they're more or less the same & so I could use some settings posted here? Coz is the answer is no then what's the point of even sharing these settings with outhers as they wouldn't be useful for them anyways?[/QUOTE]

mine arrives tomorrow and I'm worried that if I use certain settings from above that I will somehow skip the "avoid burn-in" part and end up with some image stuck on there from day one. anyone know if, say, kyle454's settings will result in early day burn in? I've got the AVIA dvd but I'm worried, I won't be able to use it correctly (that's a good feeling)

[Wasabi Shiba]

Kyle454's settings was for a 10-day old PDP, so no. But the main thing is to STOP FREAKING OUT ABOUT BURN-IN. As long as you turn down your settings to reasonable levels, burn-in is something you will never have to worry about. Panasonic Plasma Contrast and Brightnes settings have a maximum setting of +30, so settings of -10 are very low.

STOP WORRYING ABOUT BURN-IN. JUST ENJOY YOUR TV.

[ojready]

I don't even see the "color" or "tint" for my settings? where do I access these? help a brother out.

It just goes.....picture, brightness, sharpness.....

[Hackashaq]

Color and tint are not available with DVI and most HDMI connections (RGB).

[fourtrack]

I would pay big bucks for a 8UK FOR IDIOTS. Including a glossary explaining what all the cap terms stand for. Just bought one and the manual is extremely vague and the Forum, while very informative to those informed, is a real challenge to us IDIOTS. The 50" is really nice, but not sure where to go from here. I feel like the Indian Chief from Oklahoma, who sold his land to the oil drillers for big bucks, bought a Rolls Royce and hooked it to his mule team, and rode around town not knowing how to really use what he has. Where can an Okie go to get some basics?

[ojready]

[QUOTE=Hackashaq]Color and tint are not available with DVI and most HDMI connections (RGB).[/QUOTE]


thanks. so far everything is amazing. I've tried a few of the settings here and some work better than others. when the HD channel shine, others don't as much. the combo I'm working with now works well with HD and regular channels. I didn't realize I'd need bnc adapters for my component cables.....although I don't need it at the moment anyway.

[Wasabi Shiba]

[QUOTE=fourtrack]I would pay big bucks for a 8UK FOR IDIOTS. Where can an Okie go to get some basics?[/QUOTE]

Read Bruzzi's Plasma FAQ (sticky on this forum). It will tell you everything you need to know.

[theueck]

Great post fourtrack, I'm still laughing...keep reading, disgard half and enjoy your set.

The Panny plasma's are hard to find right now, so enjoy it.

Your post made my day, thanks!

[ojready]

bump. I've gone through all the settings (some are better than others, but I'm not 100% happy with the overall feel.) I'm still in the break in phase so things are pretty dark. Anyone have their settings that haven't been added? I'd be curious to see what a professional calibrator would place the settings as (I think this thread only has self settings).

[fourtrack]

Thanks gang for the insight. Bruzzis' site was very helpful, Wasabi , and I'm glad theueck found some humor for the day. This Forum has been a lifeaver for someone wanting to move into the 21st century,although kicking and screaming a bit, and not being at the mercy of the retail marketeers, promoting what they have in inventory at that moment. The 25 year old technogeeks at my office, with their playstations,ipods, and Bose systems, are laughing their tails off that I ,at 59,bought a 50" monitor to watch the Super Bowl on.They still go to BB and VO(think thats right) for quality advice, and buy their monster cables from whereever.
Anyway, Thanks again. Still learning but very happy.

[cthood]

i got the 50phd8uk and it looks great for dvd using the hdmi connection.

the component connection on the other hand is looking rather bad.

i sit about 7-8 feet away and on sd tivo connected with an s-video going into the denon 4806 :mad: the reciever up converts the signal to go out my ccompenent.

any way the the picture seems foggy and the image isn't sharp.

i tried some of the setting posted but nothing really changed it.

i am waiting to get the new d* hd dvr reciever but is there anything i can do in the mean time.

I know the monitor is great because i want to watch my whole dvd collection over just cause the picture is so amazing.

I just hope it will be the same with the new hd reciver.

[sixdonuts]

cthood,
Be patient and wait for your HD box. I personally don't even bother w/ SD programming.

HD TV's are designed for an HD signal and cannot make a SD signal look better. In fact they usually make them look worse if scaling is applied. Garbage in Garbage out.

SD digital signals should look ok but generally SD analog is IMHO un-watchable.

sixdonuts

[joetoronto]

i just got mine 2 days ago and i have a hard time walking away from this thing, it's THAT impressive.

once in a while, i'll put it on "dynamic" with factory settings and everybody in the house just sits there, stunned. :D

i'm surprised nobody has mentioned the dynamic setting here yet. i don't keep it on this setting for very long, due to the break in period, just once in a while to remember how good it can look.

i'm going to buy another one, i'm that impressed. :)



edit: i went to bruzzi's info page on panasonic plasmas, in the "tweaks" section, to find out how to get into the advanced picture settings.

this is what it says.....

..8UK Models

* ..Hold Down the " VOLUME (-) " Button ON THE PLASMA DISPLAY.
* ..Press the Status Button (The one above Set Up Button) 3 times on the Remote.
* ..The Computer Aided Test menu (Service Menu) appears on.

i've tried this a million times and i don't get anything at all happening.

has anybody had any luck with this?

[BruZZi]

[QUOTE=joetoronto]
edit: i went to bruzzi's info page on panasonic plasmas, in the "tweaks" section, to find out how to get into the advanced picture settings.
this is what it says.....
..8UK Models
* ..Hold Down the " VOLUME (-) " Button ON THE PLASMA DISPLAY.
* ..Press the Status Button (The one above Set Up Button) 3 times on the Remote.
* ..The Computer Aided Test menu (Service Menu) appears on.
i've tried this a million times and i don't get anything at all happening.
has anybody had any luck with this?[/QUOTE]


That's how to access the SERVICE MENU.

To access the Advanced Picture Settings:

Using the remote press "PICTURE"
Scroll down to the second page.
Set "Advanced Settings" to "On"
Scroll down to the third page which is the Advanced Picture Settings Menu. :)


You should set Gamma to 2.2 and then re-calibrate your TV


[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE]

[joetoronto]

i'm actually trying to find out how many hours i'm at for the break in period, BruZZi.

like i said, i tried what you posted many times but i can't get the service menu screen to pop up.

thanks for your help! ;)

[BruZZi]

Gotcha. :D

Press and hold the Volume minus button on the PLASMA TV
(It will not work if you press the V- on the remote)

Then press the status button 3x on the REMOTE CONTROL.

Make sure to point the remote control straight to the sensor on the TV.

If it doesn't work, Press and hold the Volume minus button again and then keep pressing the status button. The Service Menu will eventually appears on. :D


[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE]

[joetoronto]

[QUOTE=BruZZi]Gotcha. :D

Press and hold the Volume minus button on the PLASMA TV
(It will not work if you press the V- on the remote)

Then press the status button 3x on the REMOTE CONTROL.

Make sure to point the remote control straight to the sensor on the TV.

If it doesn't work, Press and hold the Volume minus button again and then keep pressing the status button. The Service Menu will eventually appears on. :D


[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

that's what i was doing but i'll try again, be back soon.

thanks again

[joetoronto]

ah, the key was holding the remote close to the sensor. :)

so the number of times the display has been turned on is on the left and the amount of hours is on the right, correct?

also, what's the "A" -"B" selection for the remote mean that i see on the screen below?

crap, i'm only at 17 hours if it's on the right, a long way from 100.

thanks again, BruZZi

[fasTLane]

A-B
No touchy!

[BruZZi]

[QUOTE=joetoronto]ah, the key was holding the remote close to the sensor. :) [/quote]
Yup, the remote control range sucks !!! ;)

so the number of times the display has been turned on is on the left and the amount of hours is on the right, correct?
Yup.

also, what's the "A" -"B" selection for the remote mean that i see on the screen below?
That's to set up ID to use the remote control.
Don't change it or you'll lock your remote. ;)


crap, i'm only at 17 hours if it's on the right, a long way from 100.
You can speed up the hours by leaving your Display on overnight playing TV programming. But make sure to use a source that uses full screen (or set the aspect to zoom) and doesn't show logos for long period of time.


thanks again, BruZZi
You're Welcome :)


[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE]

[joetoronto]

[QUOTE=BruZZi]Yup, the remote control range sucks !!! ;)


Yup.


That's to set up ID to use the remote control.
Don't change it or you'll lock your remote. ;)



You can speed up the hours by leaving your Display on overnight playing TV programming. But make sure to use a source that uses full screen and doesn't show logos for long period of time.



You're Welcome :)


[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]


you've been great, BruZZi

[drivie]

Question for Bruzzi,

I noticed in your FAQ that you have a work-around for the shifting black levels on the 7UY. Does this work-around also apply to the 8UK? I have a 508UK and can see it occasionally.

Thanks,

Drivie

[BruZZi]

It does but I'm still wainting for a confirmation if the codes are the same for the "8UK" Models. But you can try changing the settings to "CO" to see if there's an improvement.


_______________________________________________________

[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE]

[wolla]

Whats "wobling" and "peak limit" ?

[BruZZi]

[QUOTE=wolla]Whats "wobling" and "peak limit" ?[/QUOTE]


Wobbling = Shift the whole picture UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGTH

Peak Limit = Lowers the peak brightness


_______________________________________________________

[size=1]ATTENTION: The New Domain for BruZZi's Plasma FAQ is www.bruzzi.ws
If you have a direct link to the site please uptade to the new Domain Name.
[/SIZE]

[joetoronto]

[QUOTE=drivie]Question for Bruzzi,

I noticed in your FAQ that you have a work-around for the shifting black levels on the 7UY. Does this work-around also apply to the 8UK? I have a 508UK and can see it occasionally.

Thanks,

Drivie[/QUOTE]


what do you mean by "shifting black levels", drivie?

[Merconium]

[QUOTE=BruZZi]It does but I'm still wainting for a confirmation if the codes are the same for the "8UK" Models. But you can try changing the settings to "CO" to see if there's an improvement.
[/QUOTE]

Any word yet?

[BruZZi]

[QUOTE=Merconium]Any word yet?[/QUOTE]

Not yet. :(




[size=1]BruZZi's Panasonic Plasma FAQ - bruzzi.ws
Lots of info for all Plasmas in general.[/size]

[ianchan1970]

Self-calibrated with Monaco Optix XR to 6500K.
Calibrated via VGA input, but watching TV through HDMI.

Warm color temp was 5780K and standard was 7700K, so I had to change the W/B Hi B to compensate (am I the only one with such a large correction?).
Brightness was set to the point just below where black became visible noise.

Settings:
1. Picture: -4
2. Brightness: +3
3. Color: 0
4. Tint: 0
5. Sharpness: -16 (for SD sake; otherwise 0 looks great for HD)
6. Color Temp: Warm

Advanced Settings:
6. Black Extension: 0
7. Input Level: 0
8. W/B High R: +2
9. W/B High B: +13
10. W/B Low R: 0
11: W/B Low B: 0
12. Gamma: 2.2
13: AGC: Off

[jryanvt]

Does anyone have settings for their Xbox 360 hooked up to the Panny via VGA?

[cosmos5861]

anyone have settings for directv via hdmi?