new panasonic TV - soooo disapointed....

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aucklander

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# 175312 24-Jun-2015 21:19

Hi guys,
I was thinking that I got a good deal on this Tv: Panasonic TH55CS650Z
I have made a very big mistake in selecting this model, it is still in the box (I did not open it yet) but after only reading the manual on the net I am depressed beyond myself... honestly, I got tricked by the built-in DVB-S tuner...

Can you imagine that a "smart" TV does not have a headphones output or "PC in" ???
Compared to the tv it is supposed to replace, it has bugger all inputs. This is a disgrace. DO NOT BUY THIS MODEL !!!!!!
Now I use headphones connection to connect to a pair of smart speakers. I cannot do this anymore? The Panasonic customer service confirmed that I need an optical / analogue converter for the audio? And turn the tv volume down. I will need the speaker's remote to adjust the volume. The TV is that "smart" that now I need an extra remote and an extra thing plugged in.

Now... on a different note, I have to make it work (but honestly, being still in the box, I am still considering to get rid of it).
The "smart" tv only has 2x HDMI and 1x composite + audio at the back.
My HTPC is currently connected as "PC in" + red/white audio. The video card has DVI output. There are cables DVI-to-HDMI but these will not carry the sound ! To get the sound from the PC, I will have to get the video to the component input. I see there are cables DVI-to-component but are these OK? are they working OK? I got the "full definition" to enjoy a better quality on a latest model TV but I believe I just wasted the money on a larger screen, but with crap inputs.

soooo disappointed... by the extent the multinational corporations will go to save a dollar...

does anyone have this particular model? Is it worth the trouble?
To compensate for how I feel right now, the picture quality would have to be "out of this world"... which I bet it is not, as the "old" tv has a VERY NICE picture quality, nothing wrong with it... I just wanted a bigger one.

Many thanks for reading.

mobo Intel DH55PJ, RAM: 4GB RAM, Nova-T 500 HD + Avermedia Trinity tuner card, Geforce 520 video, 120GB SSD Sandisk + 640 WD + 1000SG, Win7 Home Prem 64-bit, Media Portal 1.15.0; BTC 9019URF Cordless Keyboard, Panasonic 55" (HDMI cable), HTPC Case Silverstone Grandia GD05B.

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# 1330987 24-Jun-2015 21:34

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Did you talk to the retailer? Some will take it back if it's in the box, if you exchange for another model. LV Martin were great like that.

langers1972

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# 1330988 24-Jun-2015 21:34

I bought an LG TV that sounded like a cellphone on speakerphone so I took it back and swapped it, no questions asked from Noel Leeming. That'd be the first thing I'd advise to try

Jase2985

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# 1330990 24-Jun-2015 21:37

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just goes to show you should do some research prior to making big ticket purchases

tdgeek

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# 1331016 24-Jun-2015 22:20

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Jase2985: just goes to show you should do some research prior to making big ticket purchases

Yep. Nuff said

surfisup1000

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# 1331029 24-Jun-2015 22:22

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don't worry, your house went up in value by 2000 today so just throw that in the trash and get another :)

mattwnz

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# 1331058 24-Jun-2015 23:26

Most retailers will allow you to return in their policies. Even if you have to pay a small restocking fee, that is better than begin stuck with something that you have buyers remorse over.Regarding lack of HDMI ports, this isn't a problem if you have a AV receiver, which has it's own HDMI ports and switcher built in, and may work better than the TV's built in HDMI switcher.

mattwnz

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# 1331059 24-Jun-2015 23:29

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langers1972: I bought an LG TV that sounded like a cellphone on speakerphone so I took it back and swapped it, no questions asked from Noel Leeming. That'd be the first thing I'd advise to try

You pretty much have to buy a sound bar or amp for some TV's these days (It's where retailers make their money as many sound bars are expensive). Although I do find the sound from sony TV's is quite reasonable.

nathan

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# 1331078 24-Jun-2015 23:47

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This might be a silly question, but how come you didn't look into the input specs before you purchased?

If the sales guy misled you should be no problem getting a refund.

scuwp

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# 1331090 25-Jun-2015 07:49

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A quick look online shows it has 3 HDMI and 2 x USB, composite and audio. Not sure what the issue is as that sounds about standard these days. Just about everything runs via HDMI.

Can I suggest that this is more of a case of a new device being incompatible with your old equipment? Choices are to stick with your old gear and find (if you are lucky) a TV that has the older connections, or upgrade your peripherals.

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cisconz

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# 1331119 25-Jun-2015 08:16

aucklander: There are cables DVI-to-HDMI but these will not carry the sound !

Since when.

Mine works perfectly with sound. It even does HDCP.

Hmmmm

robjg63

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# 1331124 25-Jun-2015 08:31

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The specs do say 3 x HDMI - thats ok.
Most laptops from the last 3 years or so would use HDMI to connect to a TV - so the old VGA connector is 99% of the time unused.

Doesnt your home theatre have HDMI to connect to the TV?
You 'may' need to have the TV sound going into the home theatre via optical - but thats not unusual.

As for the headphones port - well- some do - some dont.

What is the picture like - thats the biggy! Panasonics are usually pretty good quality.

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allio

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# 1331137 25-Jun-2015 09:07

Using analog-in from your source (HTPC) and analog-out to your speakers via a headphone jack is pretty unusual these days. You did make a mistake in assuming that these features would be present and not checking for them before they bought.

I would bite the bullet and get a receiver and upgrade the HTPC to use HDMI. Keep the signal digital as far as possible.

Alternatively you can just get a cheap DAC - I think Fiio sells on one Amazon for about 10 bucks that many people use for exactly this situation.

BinaryLimited

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# 1331142 25-Jun-2015 09:27

Samsung havent let me down yet when it comes to tv's....

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reven

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# 1331150 25-Jun-2015 09:33

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you could probably buy a graphics card for $30 off trademe with hdmi output. I have like 3 laying around the house with hdmi output.

I can't recall seeing VGA input on a tv for about 10 years 8 years now. Plenty of HDMI, usually a couple of USB and an optical in/out.

If you got a truly smart tv, you would probably stop using your HTPC for most things too :D Plex + Netflix == HTPC is barely used. NextPVR runs on LG and samsung tv's as well, so thats a PVR. With freeview plus coming soonish a PVR mightnt be needed all that much (not that they are needed now anyway...)

Quinny

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# 1331154 25-Jun-2015 09:39

Pull out manual from home theatre and one for new tv. Sit there and go over options cable by cable. Managed to get my old home theatre working that way with a digital audio cable as all the hdmi on old system were full. Tv's picture and sound as I wanted from speakers. You may just have to go a mix like that.

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