My dilemma: Panasonic ZT vs. Samsung F8500 (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

The glasses that Panasonic gives you are battery operated.

When you press the sync button on the glasses, a little icon shows up
on the Panny that shows you are not only connected, but the battery status.

Nothing about my initial settings changed.

However, suddenly, I am sitting here with my mouth gaped wide open as I
view some really great 3D.

The black levels on this display really intensify the effect.

The only thing I find, thus far, is that upconverted titles like TITANIC and PACIFIC RIM 3D
don't look as pronounced as they did on my LG.

However stuff like Megamind, Monsters vs. Aliens and Despicable Me look AMAZING.

The only thing that needs to be worked on is broadcast TV. It looks terrible.

I am going to borrow other user's settings to try and tweak it.

If I can get broadcast TV to look good, I will keep the display. The blacks are just too good
to give up.

Perhaps, the TV getting to room temperature and above has helped the 3-D performance. As to the glasses, that's a change from last year's models as to the status indicators. Could the glasses being more in sync with your display now?

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Robert,

Makes sense.

I am going back-and-forth from my office (to check email) to looking at 3D content.

The ZT is really growing on me. It's really a fantastic picture.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Fios broadcast television looks like shit. It's blurry, not at all detailed.

I forgot that I had Dish Network in the house. It was installed when I did a review
a year ago. I switched over to Dish and miraculously, the broadcast picture looked
much, much better.

Problem is, I can't use Dish for everyday use. I have a Tivo Roamio that is not
compatible with Dish. I must use Fios.

I have to find a way to tweak these settings so that the Fios broadcast signal looks
acceptable.

At some point calibration may be necessary, but with the holidays here, that is not
something I am going to pursue until next year.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Well, at least you determined it's not the display in regards to your TV programming. So now, it's just a matter of getting that signal tweaked to your satisfaction.

 

[schan1269]

I have a feeling the TV was cold. One thING that helps "non-dish" broadcast work better is to turn off the pixel orbiter while watching Fios.

 

[Charles Smith]

Holy moley, what a thread to wake up to and read straight through, bleary-eyed, over one's first cup of coffee. Talk about a rollercoaster ride...

I have NO doubt that there's a setting or two to be changed somewhere, then everything will look like it should. I'm deeply envious!

As for 3-D testing, some of us will be waiting with bated breath for your report on how DIAL M FOR MURDER looks on this screen, what with the ghosting issues on other Pannys. I'm just wondering if Panasonic had made any improvements on that since my model of three years ago. But however DIAL M plays, the 3-D otherwise should be absolutely fabulous.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

UPDATE
Things just continue to be crazy on this end as I have been breaking in my ZT60 for the past 7 hours.
I was complaining that broadcast quality looks like crap.
I went into my Tivo settings. It was outputting 480p. It made the switch when I swapped out displays and never switched back. Never even thought that could be the problem.
So, there is the answer for the blurry Hi-Def. Now it looks amazing in 1080.
The only remaining issue with this display is its initial tendency to switch 3D from flat to "pop"
Someone else has reported the same issue and I want to be certain this is not an ongoing problem where sometimes I am getting the best 3D I can and others it is giving me a more flat picture.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Ron,

I have to wonder if those glasses become out of sync with your display which is causing the inconsistent 3-D performance.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

No, actually, not an out-of-synch thing. If it had gone OOS then the
screen would have shown blurred images associated with watching
3D without eyewear.

Something just suddenly kicked in that wasn't there previously. Been
speaking with other owners of the ZT60, and the same thing has happened
to others. This may be an issue with the display. Have not seen the problem
repeated.

I just watched a 3D release that I am about to review and it looked quite
excellent on the ZT60.

 

[schan1269]

Maybe the TV needed a firmware update? (assume you connected it to your network)

 

[FoxyMulder]

I just watched a 3D release that I am about to review and it looked quite
excellent on the ZT60.

Flying Swords Of Dragon's Gate. ? I predict it will go into your top five if so.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Flying Swords Of Dragon's Gate. ?

Haha, no. A Polar Bear film that I need to get started on writing about.

Are you serious about the Flying Swords of Dragon's Gate? Is this a film
I need to pick up or are you trying to be funny?

 

[Reed Grele]

Ron,

Welcome to the Panny plasma 3D club!

If you haven't already picked up:
A Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise
Please do. The "in your face" 3D is just as good, if not better than the first one. And it's a good story too.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Reed,

Really?
I am ordering it right now.

Damn. Turtle's Tale was amazing enough. I gotta see this one.

Thank You.

PS: Just did overnight shipping from Amazon to have it tomorrow.

 

[FoxyMulder]

Haha, no. A Polar Bear film that I need to get started on writing about.

Are you serious about the Flying Swords of Dragon's Gate? Is this a film
I need to pick up or are you trying to be funny?

It's got some fabulous 3D, i mean great depth but also lots of quality popout moments, i'm fussy with the type of 3D i enjoy but this one was really enjoyable, i also second the Turtles Tale sequel, picked it a few weeks back and checked out some scenes, it's very good.

 

[schan1269]

Haha, no. A Polar Bear film that I need to get started on writing about.

Are you serious about the Flying Swords of Dragon's Gate? Is this a film
I need to pick up or are you trying to be funny?

He's not kidding about the Wuxia. But, you have to be into it.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

You guys sold me.

A Turtle's Tale is the absolute 3D reference disc.

Unfortunately, it is not available in the United States. I have the import.

Happy that at least this sequel is more obtainable for us Yanks.

 

[FoxyMulder]

I bought the Turtles Tale sequel from the USA because the UK disc has been censored for a U certificate, the word Spaz has been deemed inappropriate for kids to hear for the certificate, they could have got a PG but decided to censor instead, the American disc is region coded so you need a multi region player to view it.

You can buy Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate from the UK cheaper than the USA version ( i think ) which seems to be higher priced, although i dislike dubbing for this particular title i viewed with the dubbing because subtitles on a 3D film is very distracting and doesn't work well, i believe it's region free too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flying-Swords-Dragon-Gate-Blu-ray/dp/B008U9SWK8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384283478&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=flying+sword+of+draGONS+GATE+3D+BLU+RAY

 

[Sam Posten]

Ordered Flying swords from your link Foxy thanks.TT2 isn't as good as TT1? Where should I order the original from?

 

[FoxyMulder]

Ordered Flying swords from your link Foxy thanks.TT2 isn't as good as TT1? Where should I order the original from?

I don't know if the sequel is as good, i'm planning on watching it nearer Xmas, the 3D seems to have some very good moments although once again i don't know if it's as good as the original, it's still better than most from the brief scenes i checked out.

You can buy the first one here from the USA.

http://www.amazon.com/Turtles-Tale-Sammys-Adventures-Blu-ray/dp/B006AS4OCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384285785&sr=8-2&keywords=a+turtles+tale+3d

Or cheaper from the UK, both seem to be the UK disc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turtles-Tale-Sammys-Adventures-Blu-ray/dp/B005IF7AZK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384285906&sr=8-2&keywords=a+turtles+tale+3d+blu+ray