Panasonic’s recently introduced V10 series, the next level up from its well received G10 plasma line (recently reviewed on this site), uses the same NEO PDP panel but adds significant features including three color modes (up from two), user-controlled gray scale setting, 96Hz refresh rate for 24Hz sources and a thinner profile. The set is now available in 50,” and 54″ diagonal screen sizes, with the 58″ and 65″ versions due sometime in August.
Both the TC-P54V10 reviewed here and the 50†model use an attractive one-sheet front anti-reflective glass, that extends from edge to edge covering the bezel to produce a very slick appearance. The V10s sport a silver accent along the display bottom. The TC-P54V10 has a stepped rear panel that is about 1″ deep at the top and 3.3″ in the middle, almost an inch thinner G10’s 4.2″ overall depth.
The V10’s jack pack adds a fourth HDMI input (side mounted) compared to the G10’s three, plus two component video inputs with L/R audio; one S video with L/R; two composite AV inputs (one side-mounted); RS-232 control jack for Crestron Type remote control systems and a side mounted sub-D PC input. There is also an Ethernet port for connection to Panasonic’s Viera Cast Internet functions.
The remote control is similar to the one found with the G10 and easy to use, though it lacks a backlight. The On Screen menu uses a typical layered structure with the more advanced features (described below) in sub-menus. However, there is a Viera Tools button that allows direct access to a number of functions including picture mode (such as THX). The 54″ comes with a fixed non-swivel stand. Like the G10, it has downward firing oval coned speakers that provide adequate volume but not high fidelity sound.
 
Features
As previously noted, the V10 adds a number of performance oriented features the G10 series lacks, including Digital Cinema Color (DCC), which emulates the color gamut of the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI). While the HDTV standard used on Blu-ray movies and theoretically broadcast HDTV (usually not though, because of a number of variables in the broadcast chain) has a restricted gamut called Rec. 709, Blu-ray discs (and Sony Playstation video games) have the ability to display a wider color gamut via meta-data as part of the HDMI 1.3 standard called xvYCC. Unfortunately, no discs to date have it, but if they ever do, the TC-P54V10 will be able to use the data to map out the colors as the film studio intended. In the meantime, you can choose to have the V10 simulate a wider color palette by engaging the DCC feature. The TC-54V10 features two other color modes: standard and THX. The THX mode closely follows the Rec. 709 HDTV standard (see the Performance section for details).
As with the G10 series, the TC-P54V10 has effective noise reduction for analog (called Video NR) and digital based signals (Block and Mosquito NR). A control for Black level makes darker objects black or near black (choose the “Light” setting to avoid crushing black detail), while C.A.T.S adjusts picture brightness with the level ambient room light (we recommend leaving it in the off position).
Like the G10 models, the V10 can connect via an Ethernet jack to services including Picasa (photo uploads and downloads), YouTube, Amazon Videos and Bloomberg News. Unlike a number of other TV vendors, Panasonic’s VieraCast is upgradeable, meaning new services will be offered as they become available in the future.
Unique to the V10 series (and the single model TC-P54Z1) is 96Hz display. When fed a 24 Hz signal (movie film based content), from a Blu-ray player or (limited) DirecTV HD content, the V10 provides the option of choosing 48 Hz, 60 Hz or 96 Hz display. With 96 Hz, film based content is presented as 4-4, meaning film frame 1 repeats four times, followed by frame 2 repeated four times, followed by frame 3 repeated four times and so forth. Other plasma TVs and LCD flat panels use a less sophisticated system called 3-2 pulldown, which repeats (film based content) frame 1 three times, followed by frame 2 two times, followed by frame 3 three times and so forth. This uneven pace, (necessary to fit 24 frames per second into a 60 Hz display) sometimes produces jerky horizontal pans called “film judder.â€Â
Technologies developed by LCD TV makers can also eliminate film judder, using higher refresh rates of 120 Hz and 240 Hz. Repeating film frames 5 times (120 Hz) or 10 times (240Hz) eliminates judder. However, most 2009 LCD sets also use a system called motion compensation/motion estimation (MC/ME) that makes motion smoother by creating synthesized frames between the actual film frames.
Unfortunately, the MC/ME circuits also create artifacts that make film based content appear as if it was recorded as video rather than transferred from movie film. There is a reduction or elimination of the appearance of film grain and other unwanted visible image changes. Some LCD HDTV makers claim this function can be deactivated while others brands and models don’t offer the choice. For example, the recently reviewed Samsung UN46B8000 continued to make film based content “video like” even though the ME/MC circuit was set to the “off” position. The video “look” has been called by some the “soap opera effect” or SEO.
Various home theater forum contributors opine about the effect, with some liking it and others (including the HD Guru®) not. In our opinion, when displaying a movie (whether at a theater or home) the medium should preserve the film look, including the grain associated with chemical photography. The V10’s system eliminates film judder while maintaining the film look. To date, LCD displays with MC/ME frame insertion don’t.
LCDs need 120 or 240 Hz to reduce motion blur. 60 Hz LCDs display about 300 out of 1080 lines per picture height (PPH) during motion, while 120 Hz LCDs max out at around 600 out of 1080. The V10 reproduces full 1080 PPH motion resolution, confirmed using the FPD test disc.
Performance
With the G10 setting new plasma standards in energy consumption, out of the box color accuracy, white level uniformity and image brightness, the expectation was for similar performance with the equally spec’d TC-P54V10. This was confirmed in our video processing trials with the V10 also acing the standard definition HQV Benchmark tests and the HD Benchmark’s Noise Reduction, Video Resolution and 3:2 tests. (See the G10 review for more details Here)
Taking primary color points measurements in THX and Custom modes (with DCC on and off), the results are as follows, with the Rec. 709 coordinates for red, green and blue in parentheses. THX R= x.634, y.333 (x.64, y.33) G= x.305, y=.613 (x.30, y.60) B= x.153, y.064 (x.15, y.06). These numbers mean the V10 closely reproduces the HDTV standard when set to THX. Custom with DCC “Off” measured R= x.664, y 3.23; G= x.280 y=.644; B= x.151, y.057. With DCC “On” R= x.669 y.321; G= x.257 y.671; B= x.151 y.057
Image brightness was excellent. Maxed out (factory default) “Vivid” mode measured a blazing 87.9 ft. Lamberts. With all the user settings calibrated for maximum accuracy “Custom” mode measured a very bright 47.6 Ft Lambertsâ€â€a level comparable to many calibrated LCD flat panels. The THX mode came in at 33.5 ft lamberts, bright enough for most viewing environments, but not as punchy as when viewing in the brighter “Custom” mode.
Energy consumption was low. Using factory default home “Standard” mode the TC-P54V10 requires just 216.5 watts using the IEC industry standard DVD test material. Calibrated in “Custom” mode consumption came in at 240 watts, which is not at all shabby for a 54″ display.
Gray scale was measured in THX mode with the “Color Temperature” user setting at “Warm 2″ (there is no other adjustment for THX mode). Measurements recorded were 6626K (20 IRE) and 6594K at 80 IRE. Custom mode allows gray scale to be-user calibrated. Again, using Warm 2 color temp mode, post calibration at the 20IRE level recorded a color temperature of 6448K and 6424K at 80IRE. Skin tones appear quite natural.
The Gamma user control, set to its numerically highest level (“Normal”), measured 2.25 average. There is no service level or user gamma tracking adjustment available, an omission we would like to see remedied in a display of this caliber. Blu-ray discs are mastered for a 2.5 gamma display.
The TC-P54V10 really excelled overall in visual contrast, consistently creating more “pop” to the image than our reference Pioneer Elite Pro-141FD monitor. The Pioneer Elite is still the champ when it comes to black level, with deep inky blacks, which is most noticeable in a completely dark room. However, the Pioneer sometimes obscured dark details that the Panasonic presents. For example, the clouds of smoke clearly visible on the Panasonic during the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks broadcast in high definition on NBC, sometimes melted into black on the 141FD.
Most surprising was the significantly lower black level of the V10 when compared side-by-side with the TC-P50G10 (see photo). Even though the two have the same contrast ratio specifications, the V10’s blacks were far deeper than the G10′s. Too low to measure with our meter, we guesstimate the blacks are about one half as dark on the V10, which is a significant and worthwhile improvement.
Black Level Comparison-TC-P54V10 Top TC-P50G10 Bottom
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Conclusion
The TC-P54V10 is Panasonic’s best plasma HDTV to date. Dealers and videophiles have been lamenting Pioneer’s withdrawal of the revered KURO plasma HDTVs from the market. Panasonic’s V10 provides comparable or better performance in nearly every criteria of image quality, at less than half the retail price (50″ vs. 50″) and can be regarded as a worthy successor.
Readers have been asking whether they should purchase a G10 or V10. Both are superb displays and either (under reasonable room ambient lighting conditions) will provide overall a more accurate image with far wider viewing angles than any LCD tested to date.
The TC-PV10 betters the G10 in black level, “pop”, judder free film reproduction and user accessible gray scale adjustment (though one needs an expensive meter to obtain accurate results). HD Guru believes the relatively small cost differential ($400 retail/~$300 street) is well worthwhile, especially for viewers interested in obtaining the most accurate home movie experience. The TC-P54V10 retails for $2599.95.
The TC-P54V10 so significantly raised the performance bar, HD Guru feels it necessary to widen the rating scale from this review forward from four to five hearts.
The HD Guru awards the Panasonic TC-P54V10 ♥♥♥♥♥ its highest rating.
-HDGuru® with Michael Fremer
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What the heck happened with prices?? The 54v10 is $2300+ now at brandsmart and amazon and the other places listed in the above comments. Am I looking in the wrong places??
I want to know how much of an issue burn-in is with this Panasonic Plasma TV or most other plasma…
how far is this true ?
For movie watching burn-in is not much of an issue; however it is a serious issue when watching television.
All sports and news shows have crawlers above and or below the picture where they stream information, scores, news, etc. Although the content is moving, the box it moves in is not and remains fixed in the same place.
Also ALL channels – cable and network – now have their station logo permanently affixed in either the lower right or left corner of the screen for the duration of the show. Some, such as the History Channel are quite large with bright vivid colors. Since these stationary logos are usually in the same area of the screen, regardless of channel, these areas can burn in for hours every night.
thoughts ?
As a consequence, my 2008 Panny 40″, now has “smudges” in those areas of the screen.
@Vittorio. The G models look fine but I believe you cannot get one in 65 inches. That is a must have for me since I am upgrading from a 60 in LCD RPTV from 2004 (Sony KF60WE610)
@ Billy
Did you consider G15 models — significantly less expensive alternative to V10?
G15 has elegant slim design and single glass like V10 (photo of G15 on Panasonic website looks identical to V10). G15 technical characteristics are identical to G10 (G10 is almost like V10 only without Digital Cinema Color and 24p Cinematic Playback [it has 24p Playback[2:3]).
Guys have any advice on the TC-P65S1 vs the V10 of the same model. There is a huge price difference of 1600 dollars which is making me go to the S1. I figure the only real feature I’d miss is the 96hz cinematic. Thoughts?
Thanks
@ Ashish Bajoria
A rule of thumb:
Minimum size = Viewing distance/3
Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5
54″ will be perfect
Hey PIONEERGUY,
I have just finished testing Wegrzyn’s HDMI cable in the lab. I am sorry, but the cable is a piece of junk.
The best cable is Gold Plated Shielded Connectors Mediabridge Ultra Series Version 1.3 Category 2 Certified – 1080p – Blu-Ray – PS3
It is currently on sale at Amazon for $10
http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Ultra-Version-Category-Certified/dp/B0019EHU8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259466674&sr=8-1
Pioneer making OLED HDTVs in 2011… http://www.highdefjunkies.com/showthread.php?t=1831 . Robert Zohn owner of http://www.valueelectronics.com talks about it on page 2
hi guys ! i want to pick up the V10 54″… viewing distance is 8-9 ft, would u guys recommend the 54″ then?
Just received my TC-P54V10. WoW is the best description. THX display is outstanding right out of box. Used the CNET calibration and adjustment using the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray calibration DVD to tune settings. Picture is even more outstanding. TV is connedted to my 805 Onkyo Reciver with audio out to receiver. Vira Link though not advertised identified my reciver and Dish V222 Reciver when turning remote on / off. A nice plus. LG BD390 Blu-ray was not identified by remote. But still learning how to set up set — who knows may get lucky. Bottom line — based on my experience this last week — the TC-P54V10 is more than worth the extra few bucks.
Pioneer stoped making plasma HDTVs to make OLED HDTVs in 2011…….”OLED is the FUTURE”!
Two issues: (1) I have been trying to decide between the TC-P54G10 and the TC-P54V10. As a member of NEA, I get a get a pretty good discount compared to what I’ve been reading on this forum. For the TC-P54G10 it will cost $1,440 with free shipping, and the TC-P54V10 will cost $1,728 with free shipping. Since this is direct, I am thinking that both of these come with no sales tax, either.
So, question #1 is, do most of you think that the almost $300 price difference is worth purchasing the V10 over the G10?
Question #2 I hope is not a dumb question. I know that the sound on TV’s in general are not great, which is why, year’s ago, I purchased a surround sound system for my old TV. This system is now about 15 years old, but it sounds great! I have one front speaker under where the TV goes, two speakers on the front left and front right, and two mini speakers in the back left and right to enhance the surround sound/effects type of stuff.
My sound system is basically a Yamaha RX-V670 receiver that is plugged into my old 32″ tube TV and into the five speakers (back when 5 in 1 was new). Will this sound system be compatible with my new TV? It obviously does not have HDMI inputs; but if the sound is far superior to the sound system that comes with the TV, will it hook up correctly and work the same way as it does now?
No very many people know about Wegrzyn’s HDMI cables but the ones that have tried them say they are the best on the market! http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fb.pl?user=Wegrzyn11 … http://wallywire.com
In Seattle Video Only is selling the 54″ V10 for $1800 and throwing in a free Blu-Ray player with the package. Since I hate Video Only’s sales staff I went to Magnolia Hi-Fi and they price matched.
54″ V10, Panasonic Blu-Ray –> $1800 + tax (damn you tax!)
I did get to listen to the sales guy tell me about how I should get at LEAST a $75 HDMI cable and if I was really serious that I should get the $150 cable. He obviously didn’t know what he was talking about because he didn’t even KNOW about $300 Wegrzyn cables!!!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
PIONEERGUY,
I have an aluminum foil hat just for you for only $500. It is made from a special expensive aluminum foil. The hat will shield your brain from electromagnetic radiation coming from space. It will also improve HD picture quality you see much better than any ~$400 HDMI cable.
I also have a Brooklyn bridge just for you on sale — one bridge in good condition, only for you, half price.
The only way to really test two HDMI cables to see what cable is really better is to freeze frame the HD picture and then compare the two HDMI cables looking at that still picture with both HDMI cables. Then you can clearly see FINE DETAILS MISSING in that still picture and FADED LOOKING COLORS TOO, when you compare Wegrzyn’s pure solid silver HDMI cable to other HDMI cables…..
PIONEERGUY,
It is better to remain quiet and be thought an idiot than to use your keyboard and remove all doubt.
Even $15 is expensive for an hdmi cable, go on ebay and get those $1-2 dollar hdmi cables.
HDMI is digital, 1 or 0. You either get the signals at their best and only quality or you don’t get the signals at all, period.
Cable quality influencing picture quality dates back to analog era when cable length, materials, crafting did influence a lot on the final picture outpout.
By the way, the g10 50″ is recently dropped to near $1000 bucks on amazon, but v10 is still more like $1800. :/
Pioneerguy,
In my opinion you are suffering from the placebo effect. You read stuff telling you how buying expensive cables are better, or wrapping Teflon tape around the pins of plugs will make a difference. You see or hear these differences because you’ve been influenced. Unless you use some sort of blind experiment methodology, I think anything you’ve written should be taken with a grain of salt. The vast majority of reviewers, testers, professionals, etc. all agree that high-dollar MDMI cables will not improve picture quality one iota, certainly not for any home setting where cable lengths are short. Now, if you or anyone else wants to buy $300 cables because there is nothing else to play with, go ahead. But don’t try any convince people it will make a difference when it has been PROVEN that it will not.
Hi folks,
I’m trying to decide between the 65″ Panasonic V10 and the less expensive Samsung PN63B590T5 63″. The difference in cost is about 1k.
Samsung: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9315564&st=9315564+9396496+&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1218085600597
Panasonic: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9396496&type=product&id=1218112405076
I’m building a 7.1 home theater system.
Can anyone tell me why the Panasonic would be worth the extra 1k?? Both have PC inputs, 1080p, 4 HDMI slots…
The V10 has wireless, and is about 1 inch bigger. Is that it??
If the Samsung is 1k less expensive, where’s the catch?
I purchased the Panasonic TC-P54V10 in July 2009.
I previously had a Pansonicic 42″ plasma monitor.
This set 54″ is by far the best plasma to date.
The picture is superb!
It has an ample number of inputs and the features are fantastic.
It was well worth the $2200 price tag.
Carl:
Sorry for the typo…it should read “they used a price from an e-tailer to get it;’. They price matched + 10%
Carl:
Do not know about the V10, but my friend just bought a 65S1 for $2300.00 at Best Buy. He used a price for an e-tailer to get it…
Any reviews or news on the TC-P65V10? Any idea when they will start shipping?
I am having problem connecting my V10 to internet…There is a error related to DNS…I would appreciate any help. Thanks
The UNB8500 suckd, overpriced and off angle viewing terrible.
The NEW king of TV’s Samsung UNB8500
The TC-P54V10 deserves 5 stars and will replace the
Pioneer Kuro. I really do wish there was parity
between US and Canadian prices. If there was,
thousands of Canadians would be purchasing HDTV’s
and not holding on to there money. If I had my way
every one would own a flat panel television.
Michael Norris
ps our dollar is now at 93 cents American. Maybe
wages in the States are not as high as in Canada.
I highly doubt that but if so between that and a
population 10 times as big as Canada the US wins
the price war. I go to Amazon.com and they say
they can ship anywhere in North America. As soon
as I put in my postal code and they realize I live
in Canada, up comes a message
If Canadian prices ever come down to US prices
there will be a buying frenzy for Flat Panels like
you’ve never seen before.
I bought a TC-P54V10 in early September.
I live in Canada so I paid almost twice what a person in the U.S would pay. I
spent a further 329 dollars for a five year warranty.
The place I bought it said for an additional
3,700 they would give me the 60 inch Elite Pioneer
Kuro 141F. Pioneer is going out of business and I
have just paid off my V10. With Pioneer out of the picture, Panasonic will be top dog for Plasma
televisions followed by Samsung and LG. I don’t
want to spend over 7,300.00 for a Kuro!!!!!!!
I’ll be happy with what I have. Looking on
the bright side. If my TV self destructs in the
4th year of my 5 year warranty, Panasonic will
have to give me second from the top Plasma as a
replacement. It’s a win win situation.
I would recommend this machine for any serious Videophile.
Michael Norris
I am just not finding these prices that people are stating! I am trying to buy the 50v10, and the lowest price I have found is $1730 with shipping
Purchased TCP58V10 at Brandsmart on 9/5/09 for $2198.88 just got delivered on Monday.
HHgregg and Brandsmart are both selling the 54V10 for around 1,900. $1,900 is only 20% off MSRP and is the true market price for the 54V10. Try to bring in a printed quote to Best Buy and they will price match. I purchased my 54V10 from the Sugar Land Best Buy for $1,922 on 09/18/2009 after they saw my price quote from Panasonic Direct. I also purchased the Oppo BD-83 and it works great with my V10. Audioholics has a great bundle deal (Oppo Blu Ray player with the Yamaha 1065 receiver). good luck!
Upgrading my Philips 42″ Plasma wall mount to the Panasonic TC-P54V10 or TC-P50V10 this fall. After researching numerous expert reviews and customer feedback this plasma appears to be a good value while providing high end quality performance. No stores in Southern New Mexico carry the Panasonic V10 to review, placing critical reliance on reviews such as yours before buying sight unseen.
Currently I am using a ONKYO TX-805 receiver to pass HDMI from my Dish Network VIP 722 HD Receiver/DVR and LGBD390 Blu-Ray Player over one single in-wall HDMI Cable (25′). I would like to take advantage of the Viera Link if possible vs. using multiple remotes. I have not found any technical support documentation that addresses single HDMI vs. Multiple HDMI cables to TV when using high end receivers such as ONKYO or DENON. Which is the best option?
The ONKYO receiver manual addresses option to link remote functions with a Panasonic EZ Sync-capable TV operations with TV, Receiver & DVD, etc. Panasonic manual however does not address EZ Sync-capable interface with receivers. Does TC-54V10 offer this capability?
HDMI cable can be expensive especially if investing in a Monster HDMI Cable up to 25 feet. I am not adverse to having an additional HDMI cable run in-wall to TV however want to maintain the highest possible single. With so many options, I am not sure which HDMI cable offers the highest quality and best performance for cable runs up to 25 feet.
David
Jerry, DirecTV told me about this when I asked them about it. They told me that they were testing the 1080P software out right now on a few DIRECtv receivers and in a few months they would be downloading the software for the 1080P signal for all the newer DirecTV receivers…
Many lousy comments of a salesman try to steer people toward expensive HDMI cable. Pure Elitist mindset.
PIONEERGUY
Where did you heart about DirecTV going 1080p? They still have to go to 200 HD nationwide cahnnels, as they say when you are on hold with them……
Phillip, BUT nobody has done side by side comparisions with Wegrzyn’s HDMI cables yet!!!..
I see PINEERGUY is still pushing expensive HDMI cables. Go for it folks if you want to waste your money. Side by side comparisons of the same set one with expensive HDMI cables and one with cheaper ones showed no difference and any sane person who knows video will tell you that at AVS forum etc… Oh well I’ll just enjoy my 54V10 and 42700U and cheaper HDMI cables. Anyone on the fence I strongly suggest to get a V10 plasma. I’ve had mine now since the first of July. Great set.
Moe, $1899 on the 54, sure you didn’t get the 50V10??? It’s $2399 at BB for the 54V10.
I’m not a video-phile or expert – thats why I came here. I’m very interested in the tc-p54v10 but it doesn’t seem to be sold at many places. The cheaper less capable S1 and G series are around, and the S14 at Costco, but I’d like to see the V10. It seems not to be at major “big box” stores, and even online its at a fraction of places compared to the other lines. Why – simply cost makes it not mass market ?
Has anybody seen a detailed review of the TC-P58V10? I am aware that unlike the TC-P54V10, the 58 it doesn’t have the “one sheet of glass” design but are there any other relevant differences? Does the 58 have the same picture quality?
Does all this praise for the TC-P54V10 apply to the TC-P50V10
Anyone that wants to try my teflon tape tweak here’s some photos on how you do this tweak… http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/16/165450.html
Anyone buying a plasma hdtv needs to get an extended warranty! EVEN Consumer Reports says, you should get an extended warranty if you buy a Plasma hdtv OR Laptop Computer and they do a lot testing on these plasmas too. I CAN’T WAIT…DirecTV will go LIVE with 1080P for all their channels in 2 or 3 months from NOW!………….
Just picked up the 54 V10 today @ Best Buy for $1899.00 with delivery and 36 months intrest free payments! This was the best deal I found hands down but just wondering why the prices have gone down so drasticlly and if they’re going to continue to plummet since they also give you a 30 day price guarantee. I’m posting this comment using the V10 54 as a computer monitor thru a HDMI connection from my laptop and I must say the display looks INCERDBLE in 1080p!
Does anyone knows the proper break in method for this TV?
PS: I’m also reciving a $75 dollar rewards zone certificate for this purchase thru my Best Buy credit card bringing the total price down to $1825!!!
I agree, it’s all about the construction of the cable, if you don’t have the proper insulation and shielding then your going to get interference and a crappy signal, Keeping in mind to get a well constructed cable your going to pay for it.
Just make sure it’s not a no name brand.
Last years 850 model had Studio ref 24, and the 800 had THX instead. Did they drop the studio ref 24 and only go for the THX Mode? or does this v series give you both?
x_acto, NO, your NOT putting the silver coax at the connection between the source (satellite receiver) and the (display). You hook-up the silver coax cable to the cable coming from the satellite dish INSIDE your house. The cable that is already hooked-up to the satellite receiver (The satellite input (hook-up) of he satellite receiver) you just unhook the that cable and then put the 1 meter of pure solid-core silver digital coax with F-type connectors hooked in at the satellite input of the satellite receiver first then you just hook-up the other cable to the silver coax cable. I’m starting to get some feedback on my (Teflon Tape Tweak) and some say.. its the real deal…. http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/16/165315.html
HDMI cables are digital and therefore (almost) inmune to the EMI noise found around most homes. If you can notice picture quality differences when using different HDMI cables -of equal length- between your TV (any TV) and your 1080p player, then the visual artifacts point to an inability of the TV to properly correct the “errors” resulting from the wire/termination impedance and shielding differences. Well constructed cables with high quality connectors will ensure good electrical contact and mechanical integrity over the life of the product. Extremely cheap cables -of any kind, digital or analog- (so cheap and crappy you wouldn’t want to use them) use inferior conductor metals, inferior insulation material -that decays in a few months- and often poor shielding with crappy plating on its pins.
Those very crappy cables should be avoided.
Now, why would anyone want to use a coax cable connection between the source (satellite receiver)and the display ?
Either the receiver is such piece of crap it doesn’t even have HDMI outputs, or the person hooking it up doesn’t know what he/she is doing.
Steve P., it really does matter! I know $328 is a lot money for just a HDMI cable but it was worth it for me!.. You can also SEE a DIFFERENCE when you put a 1 meter of (pure silver) digital coax with F-type connectors hooked-up on your HD satellite receiver for the incoming signal from the satellite dish!.. I heard that Directv is going to go LIVE with 1080p signal.. for all of their 1080i channels SOON!