http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/ Engadget Comments for Panasonic cops to rising black levels in its plasma HDTVs, but questions still remain http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
*cough*-BS-*cough*]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I think most Plasma TVs incorporate something like this. As the phosphor ages it's affective light output deteriorates and so they increase the output to compensate for this deterioration.]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Just get a good RGB-LED and don't sweat it. :D]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Sorry, some of us have standards. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
This is a possible explanation, but that doesn't explain that in about a year after having mine calibrated I am unable to even see #15 on the black test here:

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/black.php

Most people that are noticing these changes are ones that had theirs calibrated(or did it themselves) and wonder if the problem has something to do with this process... I paid good money to have my TV calibrated and wonder what Panasonic thinks they are doing when they blow away those changes automatically.]]>Feb 5th 2010 2:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Why did you pay to have it calibrated instead of doing it yourself?
]]>Feb 5th 2010 3:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I don't have the equipment, plus Panasonic doesn't expose a lot of settings through the user menu.]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/thanks for the link... You should really call Panny or check your calibration if your can not see #15. I can see all of them with out any troubles (room lights on & off on, calibrated THX mode) on my 54g10 with a little over 2000 hours. ]]>Feb 5th 2010 11:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
How are these things still being certified? Has anyone contacted THX for comments?]]>Feb 8th 2010 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
So glad I could comment on this.]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 9:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 12:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
can you explain this reference to me?]]>Feb 5th 2010 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Not-to-worry-Sammy-Sosa-is-just-rejuvenating-hi?urn=mlb,201086]]>Feb 5th 2010 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Sosa bleached his skin. Google it dude it's pretty funny.]]>Feb 5th 2010 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 9:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Dark scenes in movies now appear dark gray instead of black. As I have said numerous times to the doubters in no way do I expect Kuro blacks at $700 but I do expect better black levels than my $300 LCD monitor.]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
This problem dismays me, because not only did I buy a 42G10 (and am 100% happy with it... for now) but I also spent a lot of time convincing a friend of mine to buy a 54G10 too. If this problem occurs in his set, my credibility will be shot.]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 9:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I'm not "in-the-know" so much but I imagine that they increase the driving voltage to compensate for the decreased ability of the plasma material to hold a charge over time. I think this makes sense on paper but their implementation is obviously flawed and this shouldn't be happening to people within 6-12 months of purchase.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
But modern TV's - even plasmas - are plenty bright even when they're old. Panasonic really has no reason to even need to do this. At most, they should make it an option. But even if they did, I guarantee 99% of people would leave it off even if they knew about it.

The whole thing is just idiotic on Panasonic's part, and that includes both the "feature" itself and their response to the outcry over it.]]>Feb 5th 2010 1:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 6th 2010 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Also, LOVE the Sammy Sosa line...classic.]]>Feb 4th 2010 9:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I've always liked and bought Panasonic but product loyalty can easily be lost. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I got mine this past summer as well and I can't say I've noticed the black levels decrease, however I almost never watch in a completely dark room (which is how a lot of the AVS guys noticed it) so I don't really have a frame of reference. Like you, I'm more concerned about the future. I bought this plasma to replace a Samsung plasma that died waaaay before it should have (less than 3 years) and I bought this because others I know had been so happy with their Pannys (in addition to the favorable reviews). Anyhow, here's hoping something gets fixed. At this point I'm REALLY glad I decided against the extra money for the V10 as it supposedly has the same problem.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
If they're effectively decreasing the modulation visibility (difference between the highest luminous intensity and lowest intensity) by just driving the panel faster, there's something wrong.

This is something that LCD manufacturers have been doing for some time; overdriving the display. Weird.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Exaclty.

"We already have your money, sorry. If you want a great TV with deep blacks buy one of our new 2010 plasmas".]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 1:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I game on mine all the time. If it's burn in you are worried about, they are perfectly fine. You might get some slight image retention, but it goes away quickly when viewing normal material.]]>Feb 5th 2010 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
I think you forgot to finish your]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 2:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Don't be stupid. Candlejack is fake. There's no way tha]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Everything I've read on AVS (which is some but not all, as there is a lot) indicates that this cannot be compensated for with settings. A few of the guys over there are professional calibrators and at last I checked they had no luck mitigating the problem.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Still, disappointing, since Pioneer's prices have spiked I was hoping to get a Panny plasma as a second set. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 10:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
It's safe to say that these plasmas have deeper blacks and overall better pictures than your LCD even after years and years of use.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
Every pro monitor is LCD.

]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 4th 2010 11:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 12:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 12:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/Feb 5th 2010 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/panasonic-cops-to-rising-black-levels-in-its-plasma-hdtvs-but-q/
It is sad to see Panasonic has to admit they're doing this, but in a way good to see they are at least admitting something is up. Here's to hoping they can get on top of the problem quickly and actually address it via software since it's obviously not feasible for them to replace a whole lot of hardware.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:39PM