Panasonic Viera TC-P60ST60 3D Plasma HDTV HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 13,208:1

All the post-calibration measurements shown here and all the observations in the review itself unless noted otherwise were performed in the Cinema picture mode for 2D or Custom picture mode for 3D, through an HDMI input with the set adjusted as needed for the most accurate image in a darkened room. Measurements were taken with a Klein K-10A colorimeter using SpectraCal CalMAN 5 software and an AV Foundry VideoForge signal generator.

The 2D contrast ratio was measured at a Contrast setting of 82, a Brightness setting of 2, a Gamma setting of 2.4, and Panel brightness set to Mid. The peak white level with these settings was 31.7 foot-lamberts, and the black level was 0.0024 ft-L.


Color-tracking charts were generated in SpectraCal CalMAN, www.SpectraCal.com

The pre-calibration RGB balance shown in the charts was taken in the default Cinema mode. The precalibration Delta E values ranged from 2.78 at 90 percent brightness to a high of 8.2 at 20 percent, with the average 5.0 from 20 IRE to 100 IRE; Delta E remained under 4.0 down to 60 percent but rose in the darker windows. Calibration using the set’s two-point and 10-point white balance controls yielded an excellent result. Post-calibration, the low was 1.0 at 70 percent and stayed below 1.7 for most of the brightness range, climbing above that only in the 20 percent window where it hit 2.7; the average Delta E was 1.36.

(Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the HD color standard. Experts generally agree that a level below 3 to 4 indicates a result that’s visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking.)

In the Normal color space setting, the set’s post-calibration 2D color gamut closely followed the Rec. 709 HD standard with respect to both the location of color points as shown on the CIE chart as well as in luminance, but adjustments with the CMS controls for the red, green, and blue primaries were required to achieve this (no controls are provided for the secondary colors cyan, magenta, and yellow). Pre-calibrated Delta E values averaged 2.6; postcalibration, this dropped to 0.88, with yellow and cyan the biggest offenders at 1.6.

The Panasonic’s gamma in the 2D Cinema mode, at a setting of 2.4 and after fine-tuning with the 10-point gamma adjustments, averaged 2.13, showing its most severe drop below the target value of 2.2 below 40 percent brightness.

The 3D calibration in the Custom mode (charts not shown) was not nearly as successful, although calibration improved the average Delta E from 12.4 to 5.9. With the 1.8 gamma setting selected after subjective observation of the image, the calibrated picture yielded an average gamma of 1.4. Peak white light output was only 4.5 ft-L. Despite the poor measurements, the ST60 delivered satisfying 3D images, albeit not terribly bright ones. It’s now common for manufacturers to achieve better subjective contrast for 3D playback with low gamma settings, which for some reason do not have the same effect of washing out the image they do with 2D images.

The ST60 passed our benchmark tests, though it required moving the 3:2 menu option from Auto to its On setting to pass the HD and SD 2:2 cadence tests. These 2:2 torture tests are common failures.—RS

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COMMENTS
micho09's picture

Hi!

Great review!, the black levels of the ST60 will be similar to the blacks of the VT60 series?

Rob Sabin's picture
No, the 2013 VT60 and ZT60 have deeper blacks, and the ZT60, in particular, will do a better job of rejecting ambient light in brighter viewing conditions than the VT60. However, the blacks of this year's ST60 series are essentially equivalent to the blacks delivered by last year's top of the line VT50 models.
Nathan McDonald's picture

Any plans to review the lower level s60 model?

Rob Sabin's picture
We hope to get to it eventually but have both the VT60 and ZT60 to get through first.
literarymayhem's picture

I have had this TV now for about three weeks and really love it. A definite step up from my 56" JVC HD-ILA set that was getting a little old.

I didn't know how great this TV could look until I applied the settings you give at the end of the review. Now it looks really awesome.

Not too interested in 3D, though I am going to try it once I can find a 3d Blu-Ray to borrow since it came with a pair of glasses.

Hockey looks amazing on this set and since it is the playoffs and I live in NH and am a Bruins fan...!!

Rob Sabin's picture
Great purchase, and glad settings worked for you. There's enough variation from set-to-set that you really cannot count on the fine color/gamma adjustments being the same among samples, but it's always worth a try to see if you prefer. We always recommend that readers make note of their existing settings so they can restore them later if the adjustments don't lend superior results or if things somehow look odd. Enjoy your new HDTV!
todd95008's picture

What kind of patterns did you use for grayscale & gamma calibration ?
Were they window patterns or windows with APL (average picture level) ?
See this thread & post # 138 (by me) on the AVS web site:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1446386/abl-effects-measured-for-comparison/12...

Great review
Todd

yahtzeejimbob's picture

Thanks for the great review, and special thanks for pointing out the quirky interface issues the set puts the user through. Dumb inclusions, really dumb.

Doesn't a company division such as Panasonic USA have marketing folks that can provide input to the Motherland on things like this, or do you think the USA staff actually asked for these unnecessary inclusions? Surely, these things can be modified for different international markets.

Anyway, thanks again for the fine review.

JB

mdanderson's picture

I really enjoyed your review of this set in the latest issue of your magazine. I just ordered the 65" ST60 and this will be my first plasma and first 3D tv. I currently have a Sony LCD that looks great but I never had it calibrated. I used Spears and Munsil's disc and it worked very well for the settings. I am planning on having the ST60 professionally calibrated. Your review has me excited about the picture quality of plasma. Thanks again for the review.

ScaryFatKidGT's picture

So glad I got my ST50 no ugly crome, no start up menu, better input lag and only slightly less picture quality. Id love the extra light rejection of the ZT if it wasn't over 3 grand

chitoac's picture

love your review its complete and simple. my question is related to optical audio out. You say the optical audio converts any dts o dolby to stereo. but theres press article from DTS that says they do decode dts. does im reading it wrong.? ty for any ansewer i cant find a concrete ansewer anywere. Sorry my english. Here is the article related to DTS. http://www.dts.com/news/articles/2013/02/panasonic-and-dts-deliver-high-...

yhadi's picture

Hello: so I ran across the whole not getting DD 5.1 through other hdmi outputs thru the TV. Does this happen with their vt60 series? I have the sonos playbar, sub, two play 1's and only get dd 5.1 if I manually plug the optical into the devices. I was wondering if the 55 inch vt60 series is the same way or if it will pass through. thanks.

greyjoy76's picture

I have tried averything........but my viera st60 will only read some files.. the majority of them come up as "not supported" but these are files that play from USB....wHY why why why????

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