Anyone else see this strange effect?

[T-Rage]

I've had my Mits WS-55411 for around 2 weeks now.

If the screen is blank (no input signal) and I bring up any kind of menu item it causes a strange effect. For instance if the menu is in the lower left hand corner of the screen then about 3/4 of the way towards the top right hand corner of the screen there appears a curved light in the same color as the menu item. This didn't really bother me as I only noticed in the scenario I just described. However as I watch more movies I also tend to notice it when there is a very dark backbround (like night) and a very bright light (flashlight, moon, etc.) comes on the screen I see the same thing.

Could it be because I'm running my contrast and brightness so low (on a scale of 0 to 100 they are both around 25-30)?

Anyone else see this?

Is this the lights in the tv reflecting off the screen? Is this why people coat the inside of their tv's to absorb this stray light?

[DavLyn]

It sure sounds like internal reflections. Only way to tell is to remove the screen and see what type of material and color it is inside the "light box". Unless the inside is a matte black (yes, even a glossy back interior will cause problems) you will get reflections that will be especially noticable and disturbing during high contrast scenarios as you described.

Regards and good pictures.

[T-Rage]

Thanks. I kinda figured that's what is was but wanted a second opinion.

[Glenn]

Hi!
If your problem gets any worse, better take the set in. Hopefully on warranty. I have seen something similar to this and it was a problem with the line doubler.
Glenn

[Lowpro]

If internal reflections bounce back into the lens system it will cause light halos. This sounds like what may be going on in your case ... at least during those dark scenes you've described. Here is a link I found on the forums that should be of help. Enjoy!

Tips and instructions on installing duvatyne:
http://www.bus.ucf.edu/cwhite/theater/Duvatyne.htm

Building a lens hood:
http://www.bus.ucf.edu/cwhite/theater/LensHood.htm

[T-Rage]

Lowpro,
Thanks a ton! I'm checking out the links right now.

[T-Rage]

After reading the links that lowpro posted I am positive that this is exactly what I am seeing. It was really noticeable on the Academy Awards as Steve Martin was wearing a shirt that was whiter than white and he was standing in front of a very dark background.

So I guess the good news is that there is nothing wrong with my tv (atleast technically). However it does beg the question.

If my tv (Mits WS-55411) is affected by this then wouldn't everyone who owns this same tv be affected?

How come more people haven't noticed this same effect on other tvs?

I have a Toshiba DVD player that is slightly affected by the chroma upsampling error (chroma bug). I look for it for fun and I do find it but it doesn't bother me in the least bit. However, this halo/internal reflections thing does bother me quite a bit.

For those who have done the Lens Hood or the Duvetyne fix are you happy with the results?

Thanks all!

[Lowpro]

During very dark scenes where a bright light and such is introduced I get the same halo effect. It has been that was since I got my RPTV 3 plus years ago. I have always been bothered by it. This light halo issue is the only complaint I have about my set actually. Until I started surfing these forums I had never heard of how internal reflections that bounce back into the lens system cause this. I had never even investigated the problem actually. Just thought it was a problem with my particular set. In fact, I did not even know there was a name for it. :-P Glad to not be the only one I guess. If I try either technique or both to eliminate this I will let you know how it went with pictures of course. Only reason I may not do it is because I am considering selling my set and upgrading to one that is a widescreen high definition monitor. I own a 4X3 Sony 61" Analog Rear Projection TV and while the picture in my opinion is top notch I've always wanted a widescreen set. Having the display capability for HD source material would be nice as well.

[DavLyn]

Actually not only your set but many with similar construction have the problem. But, unlike you gentlemen, most TV viewers don't watch critically so mostly they don't see it and if they do they figure it's part of the scene so don't pursue it from there.

That's the biggest hurdle in this business -- educating the masses, so that manufacturers will listen to the majority and make better sets eventually and in the mean time use the services of calibrators so that they get the very best possible picture from their display devices.