Panasonic TC-P50VT25 Viera 50" 3D monitor

[Alex Hastings]

Talked with tech support, I am now the proud owner of a $2500 paper weight.

Awesome, I love Panasonic, long live giving away my money!

 

[Ray Tragesser]

Can anyone suggest a good vendor to purchase a Panasonic TC-P50VT25 or TC-P65VT25 from at a competitive rate?

Thanks
Ray

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Hey Ray,

Got your PM, but I'm responding here anyway.. I bought mine from Cleveland Plasma -- paid just under $2500 back in May of last year for the 50" and that included delivery. I liked the shipper they used. I don't know if everyone's experience would be the same, but the driver was cool and helped me unbox the TV and plug it in to make sure all was well before I signed for it.

In the past I've also had good luck with OneCall and B&H for the more common varieties of plasma or HDTV displays and the Panny pro plasmas. Prices on the VT25's seem to be mostly the same everywhere. Also watch the big box stores too. A friend of mine bought the 65" VT25 from BestBuy / Magnolia during their Labor Day event. Pretty darn good price and they threw in a 3D Blu-Ray player and 3 extra shutter glasses (making 4 total as the TV comes with one).

 

[Jody Neckles]

Can anyone comment on the s3d capabilities of this monitor? I tested the new JVC 26" Broadcast 3D monitor and was shocked by the incredibly poor *vertical* viewing angle which is probably less than 5%.

For example if situp in my chair or slightly slough the L and R eyes will SWITCH OVER!!!! I was like 'this cannot be true' but the JVC rep said it was a real issue which cannot be solved due to combination of the small pixel size and the thickness of the screen glass. They are waiting on display manufacturer to come up with some new glass tech.

I was told this is not an issue on the JVC 46" because the pixels are much bigger.....

I was left very very disappointed particularly as the monitor had some great features like dual SDI input, Dual waveform and scopes, Adjustable guides to measure separation in pixels and percentage etc.

So i'm hoping the Panny plasma is better?

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

JVC uses polarizing to achieve 3D effect, Panasonic uses active shutter, the advantage of which is no viewing angle issues.

What is "better" depends on personal preference because active shutter also has drawbacks, such as the effect of sequential strobing between left and right eye.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

The small 3D LCD monitors from JVC, Panasonic and others have terrible vertical viewing angles due to how they work. They alternately polarize each row of pixels on the display, so when you're in 3D mode, you wear polarized glasses and are treated with interlaced 3D. These are acceptable for an on-set monitor or a desktop monitor in cases where the interlacing isn't of critical concern. The larger LCD displays that work the same way, like the 46" JVC and Hyundai. Personally, I've found that to be a rather nice LCD with good color, easy to calibrate, etc.. But I find the interlaced 3D approach to be a problem for critical color and FX work. And my eyes are good enough that I have to be at good 20 feet or more in order to start not seeing it so much. The vertical viewing angle is not an issue on the 46" as you view it from a greater distance and yes, the pixels being 3X as big also increases their output angles. But if you're too close, you will still have vertical viewing issues.

Active shutter glasses have issues of their own. They cause more eye strain in a shorter time period due to the sequential electronic shutter action as Hrvoje points out. All current solutions are bulky, heavy glasses. The Panasonic glasses were seemingly designed to fit some non-human lifeform as they don't fit even as well as $8 sunglasses from Wal-Mart. The Samsung/Sony glasses are nicer in some ways, but have plenty of flaws themselves.

All 3D displays lose much of their 3D effect as you move farther away from center of viewing. You can see it on the big screen if you sit in the outer-most seats. You can most definitely see it on smaller displays.

 

[Dave Blackham]

For our use we are using the TV Logic 15 inch 3D display which is shuttered for location use. The Nvidia glasses that its set up for are dark though. I hoping Bernard Mendiburu has a new glasses product that may be better with this display. Its a great display which ever, no viewing angle issues. We are using a TX P50VT20B which is working well for post. it does need careful line up though, the glassses design are very strange, I thought it was just us.

 

[Kaku Ito]

How is the announcements in the world? I found out Panasonic is renewing the consumer product line with the new panel. Full Blackpanel II for the highest model.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Looks like new models again for late spring or early summer. Typical annual incremental technological slog. I think my VT25 50" will last me through a couple generations. And since Panasonic can't seem to be bothered to actually flesh out their professional line or offer compelling features, it saves me the cost of buying a Pro model. 50" VT25 started shipping 10 months ago, I've owned mine for 9 months. Current price on this model is under $1850. In 2 years, I bet I can replace it with something better for under $1K. Works for me, I guess...

Panasonic's glasses suck... Although, I have yet to see any alternative that is truly better. Samsung's glasses are a bit more comfortable, but the frames are too noticeable when you're wearing them. Or at least it's that way for me. The Samsung 3D panels are terrible to calibrate too. Not as many adjustment controls and you must rely on external compensation and LUTs to get them right.