Ask S&V

In your comments about Panasonic plasmas, you indicate it has been running 24/7 for 1200 hours. Since most electronics today are much like a computer, I have to wonder, if you turn it off, even briefly, then power it back up, would it re-boot running software within its program that would adjust the black level? In the real world people turn their TV off at least once a day.

John, we have turned it off and on occasionally when we need the pattern generator to calibrate a different set, so if there were any sort of reset, we would have seen it. Other than those few brief exceptions, the set has been running continuously. Also, I have my doubts about your hypothesis; I've never seen a TV resest its black level after being turned off and on again.

I HAVE A PIONEER PLASMA HDTV MONITOR WITH NO MEDIA RECEIVER, CAN I USE ANOTHER TYPE OF RECEIVER TO OPERATE.

Kyo, I assume you mean the TV has no built-in tuner. In that case, you have many choices, such as ATSC terrestrial tuners, cable and satellite receivers, and a growing number of Blu-ray players with access to lots of online content, not to mention Blu-ray and DVD.

I am leaning towards the Zvox575shd(newest mod). I have 2 Sony W5100's W/dishHD sat . What can you tell me about Zvox vs say an Onkyo 9100 htib , for mainly viewing tv / blue ray dvd's . I am tired of chasing remotes to adjust volume levels , and "what did he say" replays . I love the hd quality of my tv's but this digital age volume thing has an old man upset.I do miss the ease of back lit,universal remotes and overall quality of my mitsu 36" crt's (std def only). Are the basic functions of zvox/onkyo systems compatible w/ my current remotes,Sony / dish722's .

Mike, we haven't reviewed the Zvox 575, but we did review the 550, and it got high marks for what it is. But I don't think it comes close to the Onkyo 9100 HTIB. I'd much rather have real speakers arrayed around me than a 1-box speaker system. Yes, the Onkyo is more than twice as much as the Zvox ($1100 vs. $500), and it's undoubtedly more complex to set up. But it's also more flexible and provides much better surround sound.I don't know which remotes are compatible with what, so I can't answer your second question. I can say that a good universal remote—my fave is the Logitech Harmony One—can solve that problem handily. As for audio levels, the Onkyo might have a "midnight mode" that compresses the dynamic range, making everything closer to the same volume. It does not have an intelligent volume leveler such as Audyssey Dynamic Volume (though it does have Audyssey 2EQ auto-calibration, which is cool).

Scott, thanks for the tips . W/O extended rambling (i hope), my major concern is signal loss thru a/v reciever. That is why i have considered the Zvox system .My budget is hampered by living in a semi rual area in okla. I have to travel appx 200+ miles r.t. to reach okc & dfw , to find a legimate dealer. Would i be asking too much for a recommendation(s), of a a/v system or htib for 2k budget? In the past i owned a Marantz 2270??? , H K , and Mac ,systems (tube type). I enjoy my music as much as anyone, but ever changing volume levels on video content, are a serious issue (to me)I read H T mag from cover to cover every month, but admittedly sometimes get lost in the jargon, as simple as it may be....

Mike, I wouldn't worry about signal loss through a receiver, which would be far less than the loss of sound quality from a single-box speaker system. I still recommend the Onkyo 9100 or the new 9300 (both $1100), which leaves you enough budget for a good Blu-ray player and quite a few Blu-ray discs. The 9300 adds a few features, such as HDMI 1.4 for 3D, an overlaid onscreen user interface, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, and amp power for second-zone audio. Neither one has an auto volume leveler, but they do have Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which adjusts the EQ based on the volume setting so you can more easily hear things at lower volume.Neither one can compete with McIntosh tube gear, but they seem to be among the very best HTIB systems you can get.

Scott, I have been a loyal reader for years. I have a dilemma regarding my next purchase for flat panel. I have been debating between two sets: the Panasonic TC-P65VT25 and the Samsung PN63C8000 both are larger than my previous ancient sony RPTV which was 60" My question is this, I read your review in the September issue of the Panasonic TC-P50VT25 and actually had the chance to see it in a store. I loved the TC-P50VT25's picture quality and brightness was just incredible. My question is that since I want to possible purchase the 65" model from panasonic, I am concerned that going to the larger screen might not have the same quality/video that I saw in the Panasonic 50" model. I wanted your thoughts if you had the chance to see the 65" version. Also, the main debate on Samsung plasma v. Panasonic Plasma - with the black level issue (voltage increase over time) have you heard of anything like this in Samsung Plasma from your other testers?n thanks for your time. Conrad

Any updates on the black-level readings from the G20 you are testing? Last I read, Home Theater Mag was shooting for 1500 hours of usage, which was equivalent to one year's worth of usage. I'm still on the fence between either the Samsung or the Panasonic.

Mike, with your budget at around $2k, why limit yourself to a HTIB? Consider an Onkyo Tx-SR 680 receiver (which DOES have dynamic audio compensation/leveling) and a set of Energy speakers, such as the CB10 5.1 system. The receiver can be purchased factory refurbished (from an authorized online dealer with 1 yr factory warranty) for $349, and the speakers can probalby be had for around $1k via authorized online dealers (i.e. through ebay). Don't limit yourself to HTIB systmes. The speakers in the onkyo system get poor reviews!

Harry , thank you for the tip. At my age, (close to 60) i lived thru the boom box era w/ some scars.Now w/HDTV & Quality music combined, i am getting the urge to find a system, close to self imposed budget(if possible).I needed a starting point, to begin my search. An Onkyo system of some sort is probable. With the added tip(s) i can now begin . Sorry for slow response time

Conrad, I don't think the larger screen will be an issue unless you sit too close to it, which is unlikely, since most people sit too far away from their TVs. For a 65-inch screen, a seating distance of about 10 feet is ideal for an immersive image. I don't think the larger size will result in an automatic degradation of image quality, though I haven't seen the 65 myself.Tom Norton reviewed the TC-P50VT25 and PN58C7000, and he preferred the Panasonic with its slightly better blacks, more pop to the picture, and better 3D performance. On the other hand, Samsung TVs are considerably less expensive than Panasonic: the PN63C8000 is $3800, while the TC-P65VT25 lists for $4300.As for the black-level issue, I'm starting to worry less about it. For one thing, our G20 is at about 1500 hours, and no sign of rising black level. Also, I suspect Panasonic has addressed the problem in its latest models. I've not heard of the same problem with Samsung plasmas.

Scott, the questions over the black levels on Panasonic Plasmas changing w/time have perked my interest . My son purchased a TC42G10 last fall . I have asked him several times , with ever increasing hours of viewing & everyday on/off, has he noticed any changes. The only changes he mentions are when switching to movie mode or back. Is this the "black level issue" or is it something else i might be missing? He bought this tv on my recommendations via H T review, and is very happy with it .