I agree with Wooch that on these Panny's the Cinema mode is the way to go both for the 768p and 1080p. I'm at work now so can't tell you the exact settings. I'm at about 125 hours so I will still boost the setting up some (I'm extra careful on the break-in stuff). Also my wife has not found where she stuffed my Avia and RS meter (very funny...she cleans up my messes...one time I found the RS meter in a box with some candles).

I was immediately aware that the settings I used during the first 50 hours or so were quite a bit lower on the 1080p than the 768p. On the 768p I had the cinema with about 45-50 for picture, 35-40 for brightness and 30 for color. These were faily low and my wife would ask why the set looked so dim on many scenes. I explained the break-in thing and that the cinema setting was more dim but also more natural. On the 1080p I was surpirsed that I had to go down to maybe 35-40 on picture, 30 on brightness and 25 on color for the same effect. However even at these settings I saw a positive difference.

I have raised them up now to about 50-60 on picture, 40 on brightness and 35 on color. Already it looks very good. I think on the 768p without calibration after break-in I had about 80 on picture, 60 on brightness and 50 on color. I'm pretty foggy on these settings and will correct them when I get home if necessary. I left all the other settings at off with color temp warm.

Our viewing is some in the daytime, fairly dark since we have indirect east outside light only and then at night, quite dark. If you change from cinema to vivid, game or even standard it is not pleasant. Only the custom setting seems to be an alternative to cinema but I have not played with it much yet.

The resoloution difference is definitely more obvious than I expected but no where near night and day. The increase in contrast, black level, depth and color pop (for lack of better terms) is a very pleasant surprise. As I sat at my computer late last night and turned frequently to view the news, etc., each time I was aware of the outstanding picture. .

I am like most who many times have buyers remorse or am very picky and wonder if I made the correct decision. With the 768p I knew I had a great deal for $999. However, I also knew there was room for some improvement.

At this point I am very confident that my last two puchases were simply outstanding buys for me and my budget and I have absolutely no reservations. Emotiva XPA-5 amp and Panny TH-C50FD18.

RR6


PS: Thanks for the nice comments. Critiques are always welcome.