View Full Version : Video Settings
I wanted to know what video settings others are using. My settings are:
Model: Hitachi 53SWX12B
Settings:
Contrast.............70%
Brightness .........46%
Color ..................45%
Tint ....................Middle
Sharpness .........30%
Advanced settings
Perfect Picture ..............On
Velocity modulation ......On
Black level expansion ...On
Color Temperature .......Cool
zarlor
08-22-2002, 08:21 AM
I have a Zenith and have made service menu level adjustments, so my settings wouldn't mean much, even to other Zenith IQB64W10W owners. However, I will comment that many calibrationists concur that for the best picture you should probably turn OFF Velocity modulation and other picture altering settings (which probably include whatever Perfect Picture is and Black Level Expansion). Then calibrate your brightness, contrast, tint, color and sharpness settings with a calibration DVD like "Video Essentials", "Avia" or "Sound & Vision". The picture may seem different than what you are probably used to seeing, but it will probably be a lot more natural looking and your HD stuff should really shine.
Mycue
08-22-2002, 09:34 AM
Turn off all the settings that you currently have on. They really don't improve the picture. You should manually set everything using one of the calibrations disks. Just looking at your settings I would guess that your contrast and sharpness are too high and your brightness is a little low (mine are 45% contrast/ 20% sharpness/ 55% brightness). Of course it depends upon the room conditions for your optimal settings.
I have a Hitachi 53UWX and I think the picture perfect setting messes up the picture more than any other. I would turn that off right away.
kevinw
08-22-2002, 09:35 AM
Not being specific to your TV but the consensus with any TV is that contrast that high will burn up up your guns prematurely..and will cause burn in ... Get an Avia right away ...
zarlor
08-22-2002, 10:11 AM
I just noticed you also have the temperature setting to cool. Again I don't know the specifics for that set, but I have found that most sets are better calibrated to the 6500k standard on their Warm setting. Of course they could be calibrated to anything and only a colorimiter would be able to let you know how close any one of those settings is to true 6500k.
billw
08-22-2002, 12:40 PM
How do I get my hands on one of the DVD's mentioned above?
kevinw
08-22-2002, 12:43 PM
AMAZON (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/630551982X/qid=1030038682/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/002-1552163-6017650?s=dvd&n=50784)
Originally posted by zarlor
Of course they could be calibrated to anything and only a colorimiter would be able to let you know how close any one of those settings is to true 6500k. 1. Cool is 6500 on Hitachis., of course a colourimeter would set the temperatures exactly, but without a setup, cool is the appropriate setting.
2. Try DVD Empire - their prices are better than Amazon and I've had good service. You can also try the following link. I believe they have good pricing and FREE SHIPPING...
DeepDiscountDVD (http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/)
3. Sound & Vision Home Theater Tuneup is a similar DVD and is cheaper. I have read reviews that say it is good, but I have not read a "personnal" review in this forum, although I did ask - I guess no one's tried it yet...
billw
08-22-2002, 01:03 PM
Of the 3 or so DVD's mentioned - is one clearly the best?
kevinw
08-22-2002, 01:07 PM
I have used SOUND AND VISION and AVIA. My preference was AVIA.
Kevin: I bought AVIA about 3 years ago and certainly, I'm pleased, but it is a lot more expensive than the S&V DVD and S&V was not available 3 years ago. Could you elaborate on why you prefer AVIA. S&V is actually made in consort with AVIA, but I assume some "features" are missing?
kevinw
08-22-2002, 01:28 PM
I rented S&V from Hollywood . It was a a little akward to manuever past the sound test to get to the video part. After using it I was really pleased with the picture.
A marketing group interviewed members at this forum and gave us a 50 dollar gift certificate to Amazon, which I used to purchase the AVIA disc.
The Avia disc seemed more user friendly and I was even more pleased with the results. It also had a section for someone who is more technical and not afraid to go into service modes. One day, after studying more, I may be more adventuresome and borrow or rent the equipment need to calibrate from the inside. :eek:
billw
08-22-2002, 03:20 PM
The AVIA disk listed on Amazon is (1999)
Is this current enough to do the job?
kevinw
08-22-2002, 03:25 PM
Yes
billw
08-23-2002, 09:49 AM
has anyone heard of this?
It is another calibration DVD that the local Circuit City carries.
billw
08-23-2002, 01:02 PM
Here is another question....please dont throw rocks based on my ignorance to this whole HDTV thing
How good is the THX setup program on some of the new DVD movies?
zarlor
08-23-2002, 01:20 PM
Never hear dof Discwaser. On the THX Setup, though, from the ones I have seen they are not too bad. They seem fairly decent for setting audio levels and the video tests are similar to what you might find among the basic video test of Avia, but I seem to remember the THX being a little harder to navigate and not as clear or easy to use. I still say if you really want to get the most out of that HDTV that you paid several grand for, $50 is a paltry sum to get it. Worth every penny, especailly if you start doing service menu level adjustment, IMHO.
kevinw
08-23-2002, 01:22 PM
Not the best for overall viewing. Contrast is still to high.
I was you. I kept reading about these discs but did not want to spend the money. I know it seems like a lot of money but either S&V or Avia are the best. You will not be disappointed.
Try the library or indie video stores for a rental. Sorry you do not live nearby I would let you borrow mine:)http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=109179001/ut=c6d4a62e2f48d351
kevinw
08-23-2002, 01:49 PM
TRY THIS THREAD
http://www.ovationsw.com/
billw
08-26-2002, 12:55 PM
MY Tv has a high or low tempature setting.
Which one should I be using?
Ratman
08-26-2002, 01:36 PM
If your set is properly calibrated, the low setting should probably be at 6500K. That's what is recommended. Light at 6500K is equivalent to daylight (on an overcast day). Using the high setting usually adds a blue shift to the colors and low adds red.
But, bottom line (IMO), use the one that suits your taste!
billw
08-26-2002, 03:59 PM
does one put more "work" on the tv?
For those who don't want to fork over the money for the Sound & Vision dvd, I found a copy of it at my local library. I tried it for free, and I liked it. My video settings were off quite a bit, and I never would have figured it out on my own.
I will probably buy a copy now that I know what it is all about.
Look for it (or the avia dvd) at your library. My library allows me to telnet into their card catalog, so I didn't even leave the house to see if they had it checked in.....try it yourself.
-k
StreetPreacher
05-16-2003, 08:49 AM
I was looking to pick up the sound & vision setup disk, but I just noticed on their website that specifically states the disk does
-S-Video/composite video test
I have a prog scan DVD player connected through component inputs, is this a problem?
-Sp
Originally posted by StreetPreacher I have a prog scan DVD player connected through component inputs, is this a problem? Although I don't have this disk, I don't believe this is a problem. Perhaps that test is designed to show the limitations of composite or S-video?
Someone else should be able to confirm...
spaceman_spiff
05-16-2003, 10:32 AM
From what I heard, Contrast or Picture setting taxes the guns most and is the prime cause of Burn in. Brightness on the other hand has little to do with burn in.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
So it would be advisable to keep contrast down.
StreetPreacher
05-16-2003, 10:35 AM
Yeah, it seems a little odd that a home theature optomization disk wouldn't be able to optimize the optimum input... op op op
-Sp
