One single firmware update in Jun2010 to include Skype to VieraCast. That's it as far as I know.

USB HDD recording feature is removed from the Asian version.

You can actually connect the TV to the internet to perform firmware update directly. It will tell you if your TV has a newer firmware for update or not. My TV actually had a newer firmware than available from the internet when I perform the check.

I don't think Malaysia model has the HDD and recording function. Also no digital (HD) tuner unlike the Singapore model.

THANKS for the info mate

Mr Poorman

bet you must be the most intense user of the V . wonder if you have noticed any rising black . mine at less than 1,000 hrs haven't seen any changes yet and neither have i seen any floating black as well.

how many of you use bias lighting . the LED blue strips is just wonderful as it make the black levels measurement like .004 MLL or better if i change the gamma to -2.4 , although got to compromise on crush of shadow details .black like charcoal. so nice

This post has been edited by sunnyK: Mar 11 2011, 02:55 PM

that was what i said earlier on. the v20 series is sure superb but with grey bezel really so disappointing. just make it black so simple and nice!!

Panny Singapore does not make the panels, they just assemble them. Production has shifted to 2011 panel production late last year for prototypes and early this year for higher volume.

The last few batches almost always come to SEA, East/West Asia and Russia mostly always. There are benefits to not getting the latest builds of an outgoing model.

Different regions have different specs and almost always US and Europe receive panels (this is not only panasonic, but all) that have the tightest distribution and the tightest adherence to specs. Other regions are always in the tails of the panel distrubition.

Anybody care to share experiences for the Plasma 42v20K...? Getting one soon. Any comments anyone..

Sorry, but just to clarify. The Hong Kong models comes standard with HD tuner and USB HDD recording. Thought I'd point that out.

3,313 hrs now. I suppose it has stabilised and as a non-critical casual user, I have not noticed drastic degradation in black level under normal ambience. To be sure, I would probably need to engage bro anfieldude's services again to compare against the earlier reading.

As for the bias lighting, I'm not using one yet. Blue LEDs? I thought the most neutral would be the 6500K.

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Added on March 11, 2011, 6:57 pmAh , thanks for the correction.

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Added on March 11, 2011, 9:39 pmThe comments are littered all over the V1 thread. Anyway, V20 is one of the better ones in the market. You can't go wrong especially with the recent price decrease.

This post has been edited by PoorMan: Mar 11 2011, 09:39 PM

i have not noticed drastic degradation in black level under normal ambience-you mean there are some small degradation

D65 is too whitish for my me. blue is cool.

freakish me. i'm so crazy about this V, i bought a 42'' for my bedroom viewing

No, can't see any difference from when I first bought it under normal lighting. In darkness, can perceive very slight difference. The panel seems a tiny bit grayer when your eye's pupil dilate enough. Of course, it may be entirely psychological because I was looking for it.

But overall, still very happy with the black level considering the kind of abuse my family throws at it

3,300 hrs in less than 10months ,it proves how reliable panasonic TV is.

Agree. Have compared the Pana 50V against the Sammy C6500 plasma and Pana 50U.
My personal view. The picture quality of the V is comparable with the Sammy. However the light grey bezel spoils the otherwise good set.

Overall the 50V would be better with a black bezel. Although the 50U is reflective, it has a black bezel which looks better in my own opinion. Not to mention that it cost more then 1k cheaper.

What a waste. The 50V with the grey bezel.

saw carrefour selling P42x20K RM1799.. good deal?

Should be quite reasonable deal provided it is not a display unit. This is HD ready and NOT Full HD.
You should be able to get at this price in SS2.

BTW, if you r looking for a Full HD set, Pana 42" Plasma TH-P42V20k is retailing for RM 2499. The only draw back is that this set comes in grey bezel.

actually i am looking for a plasma which is less than RM2k, with full HD (optional)

any recommendation?

New models must be coming in real soon cause I see HN now selling all their demo units

I wonder how's the pricing would be like for their 2011 lineup.

Anyone with pricing knowledge or historical statistics care to contribute?
Else pure speculation is welcomed as well

P50ST30 msrp about USD~1499 in the states and EURO~2000 across the pond

This post has been edited by gdee: Mar 14 2011, 04:50 PM

I dont think it will be to much diff from V series starting price, int he range of RM6k? Then the price would slowly come down.... standard trend lah

to me the bezel color is titanium and not grey and i think it looks great and a refreshing departure from the traditional black which is too common.