Ct-34wx52

[brianjbarnes]

I will be receiving my new Panasonic 34" Widescreen in about two weeks. I was just wondering if anyone out there already had the 2002 model. If so, how do you like it? Once I get it, I will post a reply to let everyone know my opinion. :)

[Blue Dragon]

Hi, I looked at the CT 30x50, but the one thing I didn't like was that the set would not allow me to get rid of the black bars at the top and bottom when watching a DVD that was wide screen.
It would however allow you to watch a full screen DVD and full screen TV in zoom mode which did not show the vertical black bars. Could you tell me what you think of the set you purchased and wether or not you could adjust it to get rid of the black bars when watching a wide screen DVD with a ratio of 1:85 and 2:35.

Thanks, Mike

[jeff lam]

Mike,
Are you sure you have everything set up correctly?
Make sure the DVD player is set to 16x9. this way use Full to display Anamorphic DVD's and Zoom for non anamorphic DVD's. I do not suggest you stretch DVD's so there are no bars because you will be distorting the picture but if you just can't stand those bars, use the zoom and 2.35 movies should fill the screen. This is MAR (mared aspect ratio), try to get used to OAR (original aspect ratio) as the director inteded it to be viewed. Sometimes this includes black bars.

[57U]

Jeff and Blue. You may also wish to check out our new FAQ forum. Here's a link to the post on

Black Bars (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1052).

[brianjbarnes]

I finally got my new 34" Widescreen Panasonic. The pictures is great and it is easy to set-up and operate. I just had a few questions about it.

First, I noticed when using the Video inputs, the pictures is very dark (really bad when playing a DVD). I tried using the brightness adjust, but it doesn't seem to lighten up the darkness. It lightens up the whole picture. I have heard of a "break in" period, is that what this is?

Also, when I use the TV iz Zoom mode, is the picture going to be more distorted? Is it seems as if it is a little less clear.

Third, my VCR appears to have a very poor picture on this TV. I hardly ever use it, but I thouhgt it would be a little better than it is. It was a lot clearer on my old analog TV. My cable signal also appears to have a poor picture quality.

Thanks.

[brknaway]

I have the Ct34wx52 as well. Panasonic seems to adjust these too dark. After returning 3 sets I finally got the set professionally calibrated. ISF calibration will run about $300 but is well worth it for any High end TV. Darkness problem was fixed afterwards. Congrats on haveing one of the best 16:9 HDTVs

[57U]

Some TVs and some DVD players have what's called "black level enhancement" or something like that. If you have this turned on, your TV adjustments are almost useless. All the shadow details are lost, everything looking equally black. Turn all "auto settings", like this one, off and recalibrate. You'll be amazed at what you can now see "in the shadows".

[brknaway]

I dont beleive the panasonic has such an adjustment on the TV...Their DVDs do....

[57U]

Ahh, forgot. The Hitachi has Black Level and also SVM consumer adjustable (you can turn either on or off). Some TVs do not and require service menu adjustments.

[brianjbarnes]

Thanks for the input. Any idea how I might go about getting this thing calibrated? I have purchased the AVIA Home Theater Guide (not yet received), but am assuming that it will not calibrate for the darkness. Do they come to your house and do it?

[brknaway]

You need an ISF calibration technician. DO a search on the web. He will adjust the TV using the service menu that cannot be accessed by consumers. expect to pay $200-300 good luck

[Blue Dragon]

To, Jeff Iam.

I don't see any adjustments on my DVD player to allow me to adjust it for full screen.
Also, I can't stand the black bars, it makes it seem like Iam viewing the movie through a big slit in the screen. If there is some technology out there or a DVD player that will reformat the movie, Iam interested in hearing about it. Thanks, Mike

[57U]

If you've read and understood the post in the FAQ forum regarding black bars, then you've probably done all you can.

See This link. (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1052)

The only DVD player settings available are concerning whether you have a 4:3 or 16:9 TV. You can also use the DVD player's zoom control, however, you usually lose the "sides" of the image if you zoom.

A lot of people like to see movies in their original aspect ratio, as the director intended. Unfortunately, that means that sometimes you have to put up with "black bars".