Panasonic PT53TW53 1st time buyer help

[Mod_Master]

Hey guys, first time posting on this board. I been reading it for a couple of days now going through all the FAQ. Amazing site its given me some great info.


Anyways, i'm not really technically inclined when it comes to HDTV's, i was looking to buy a Panasonic PT-53TW53 but just ahve a couple of questions. hopeing someone who owns one can gimme some input.


1) What is the main difference between the TW and WX series? I noticed the WX seems to support 720p and 540p, whereas the TW series shows support for only 1080i and 480p. Will this be an issue in the future?

2) I am not too clear about this but i hear a few xbox games (or all?) are displayed in 720p, will the TW series have problems accepting 720p signals (or does it just up convert to 1080i)? I couldnt really find this info on panasonic.ca website

3) TW series does not have a center channel input (as i noted some jvc/hitachi models did) is this a disadvantage? even though i plan on purchasing a home theatere audio setup

4) How is this TV anyone have personal experince with it ? The good the bad and the ugly? :)

Here is a link to the specs of the TW series. please check it out

http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/television/projection/pt53tw53_56tw53.asp

Thanks guys your help is really appreciated :bow:

[LeeS]

3) TW series does not have a center channel input (as i noted some jvc/hitachi models did) is this a disadvantage? even though i plan on purchasing a home theatere audio setup
Not a disadvantage. The built in speakers don't make a very good center channel. You would need a A/V receiver that has a center channel pre-out to be able to use it. By the time you have that much money into your system you'll be buying a good center channel speaker that is timbre matched to your other speakers.

I can't address your other Panasonic questions, but I will go take a look at your link and edit this post if I find anything to add.

Welcome to HDTVoice! Glad your quit lurking :)
Lee

[LeeS]

Checking the specs on the PT-53TW53 and PT-53WX53.

The TW is more expensive by $500, has better speakers and a more powerful amp. 165 point dynamic convergence (vs 63 point)

Both seem to have the same crts and lens system.

The TW makes no mention of accepting 720p.

The WX indicates 720p/1080i for HDTV. I don't know if this just means that it accepts 720p and converts to 1080i, most likely. From what I've read in the forums, the WX would be what gamers would want ( I think ) based on accepting 720p.

Looks like we need some input from Panasonic owners.

Lee

Oh, the speaker thing, on my old :) Toshiba 65HDX82, only once did I have sound from my TV speakers, the kids hooked a GameCube to the front panel jacks. All sound goes through the A/V receiver and not to the TV. I consider TV speakers and amps a non issue for large screen home theater systems (imho).

[Mod_Master]

Thanks for the informative replies LeeS..

I guess center speaker will not be an issue for me, i'm thinking of adding a decent priced home theatre in a box, sticking with the same brand panasonic. Prolly gonna add this:
http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/audio/hometheatre/scht900s.asp

looks good, seems to have decent features too.


i got 1 more question to add to the bunch :D

i noticed how the TW says it has 850 lines of resolution, is this avg, or on par with other HDTV RPTV sets ?


anyone else got something to add :) or is everyone sleeping in on sunday afternoons:drool2:

[57U]

Originally posted by Mod_Master
i noticed how the TW says it has 850 lines of resolution, is this avg, or on par with other HDTV RPTV sets ? Panasonic is pretty conservative on their horizontal resolution spec. A lot of RPTVs advertize a lot more - for example my Hitachi advertizes 1280. However, tests have shown that most RPTVs have about 1100 lines of horizontal resolution when fed an HD test pattern, but I'm not sure how that applies to the Panny.

By way of comparison, most Direct View HDTVs have about 700-1000 lines of horizontal resolution.

[spaceman_spiff]

Both the TW and WX series in US do not accept 720p.
Both the series have 165 point convergence feature in the US. I dont know why the canadian version says 63 points.
Check this comparison from the US website:
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CompareModels?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&catGroupId=11253&surfCategory=CRT-Based%20Projection%20TVs&items=64558|64556|
There are not major differences in the performance of the both TVs. Cosmetical differences are the major ones like cabinet, sound etc like others mentioned.
Hopefully this answers questions to all your questions. Feel free to ask more if you need any help.
Once tweaked this set really shines, it really performs well for DVD and HD. SD also looks exceptionally good on my TV.
I have a WX42 series and have been very happy with its performance. I have had it for over a year, had no problems at all.

[tekman]

the difference between the wx and the tw is

better speakers or more speakers ( no big deal)

it has a short throw lenses system but i can not see the difference

but the one thing that does stand out is anit glare screen :bow: itn is one o best ones out there that i have seen


but everything else pretty much the same ;) but the new look chasy is pretty cool lookin though

[Mod_Master]

thaniks for the replies, i find that odd, almost everything is identical in the wx and tw series..... why they do that i guess is the question. (thanks for the comparison tekman).

I just hope the 720p issue inst a problem if/when i hook up an xbox to the tv.

I was also looking at Hitachi 51 inch models the F500 series and S500 (although s500 seems to be 300-400 more compared to the panny)

But comparitivley speaking how would you guys rate this panny against the above hitachi series?

Thanks again guys:)

[spaceman_spiff]

I dont think 720p would be a big issue because you could get good performance if you set Xbox to 480p. Also you will need a cable/sat/OTA box to get HD channels, which can do the conversion of 720p to 1080i. I wouldnt worry about that too much.

I am more biased towards Panny for obvious reasons :D

[tekman]

i agree with spaceist because if you want to use 720 the best for that will be xga or greater


dlp or lcd

and if i am wrong here for crt based systems to do 720 you would need 8" or 9" guns and that is how i take it ;)

[57U]

A few years ago Panasonic had a CRT-based RPTV (7" guns) that did both 720P and 1080i. The model was discontinued due to cost.

Today there are no CRT-based RPTVs that can do 720P natively, but many do upconvert. I also think the issue attracts far more attention than it's worth because STBs upconvert to 1080i and games probably look fine at 480P.

[tekman]

57 you are every where :D i think the new mits rptvs with the 9" guns do 720 natively or up converts it to 1080i or 1080 p .cheers

[Mod_Master]

Thank you guys, after 1 hard week of checking it out, and reading all the posts, and FAQ's you guys wrote up and gave me. I finally went out today and got the Panny.

Its gonna come in tonite gonna set it up tomorrow.

Cant wait :D
prolly gonna get digital cable too


Thanks guys :bow: :bow: One of the best HDTV forums i've found (with ppl who actually help)

[tekman]

if you use digital cable sd be sure to use the s video connection i find for my sat (sd) signal looks best with it . but to be honest this set will shine if you get hd the pic is great :smokin: