05 Mar 2010, 20:45
#1583
Hi Guys & Gals,
Thread title says it all. Under pressure from owners and people like David Katzmaier of CNET, Bob Perry, VP of Panasonic, has issued a press release admitting that Panasonic plasmas are elevating the black level of their sets (12g '09 &13g '10) through planned voltage changes to the phosphors. He states this is to properly age the phosphors for the good of the panel life. Unfortunately the voltage adjustment is not working properly resulting in MLL (Minimum Luminance Level) changes depending on model starting anywhere from .oo7 and ending thus far at .o30. Anyone familiar with calibration should be able to understand what this does to contrast ratio. This drastic change in MLL is occuring within the first 1000 hours of use. Members of the AVSforum, a very popular site in the U.S., have been instrumental in bringing this issue to light. Class action suits are now apparently underway after the press release which basically denied any responsibility to the affected parties. It was in fact a rather stupidly worded release both admitting to the problem and denying it at the same time.
The obvious implication for anyone associated with set evaluation is that black levels which are very likely unaffected will be seen at the time of the usual review process. Only after most sets have been reviewed will the voltage change begin, unless someone is purposely testing long term. The deep blacks that are seen in early hours of panel life and help to contribute to the review process and subsequent recommendations, if any, begin to lighten and fade to dark grey. Since Black level is primary in determining Contrast ratio, as well as affecting color depth and many other factors in overall PQ, the issue is not a minor glitch.
I sincerely hope the issue can be resolved through a firmware fix but Panasonic has yet to admit there is an issue at all and plans to continue the voltage adjustment process into the 2010 sets, although with a more gradual schedule of adjustment. I would ask any interested parties to please take all reviews on these sets with a large grain of salt. Caveat Emptor.
Thread title says it all. Under pressure from owners and people like David Katzmaier of CNET, Bob Perry, VP of Panasonic, has issued a press release admitting that Panasonic plasmas are elevating the black level of their sets (12g '09 &13g '10) through planned voltage changes to the phosphors. He states this is to properly age the phosphors for the good of the panel life. Unfortunately the voltage adjustment is not working properly resulting in MLL (Minimum Luminance Level) changes depending on model starting anywhere from .oo7 and ending thus far at .o30. Anyone familiar with calibration should be able to understand what this does to contrast ratio. This drastic change in MLL is occuring within the first 1000 hours of use. Members of the AVSforum, a very popular site in the U.S., have been instrumental in bringing this issue to light. Class action suits are now apparently underway after the press release which basically denied any responsibility to the affected parties. It was in fact a rather stupidly worded release both admitting to the problem and denying it at the same time.
The obvious implication for anyone associated with set evaluation is that black levels which are very likely unaffected will be seen at the time of the usual review process. Only after most sets have been reviewed will the voltage change begin, unless someone is purposely testing long term. The deep blacks that are seen in early hours of panel life and help to contribute to the review process and subsequent recommendations, if any, begin to lighten and fade to dark grey. Since Black level is primary in determining Contrast ratio, as well as affecting color depth and many other factors in overall PQ, the issue is not a minor glitch.
I sincerely hope the issue can be resolved through a firmware fix but Panasonic has yet to admit there is an issue at all and plans to continue the voltage adjustment process into the 2010 sets, although with a more gradual schedule of adjustment. I would ask any interested parties to please take all reviews on these sets with a large grain of salt. Caveat Emptor.