CR: How to Fine-Tune Your HDTV

[Nick]

Consumer Reports has this basic tweaking guide for HDTV novices on its web site

You don't have to be a video expert to finesse the picture settings on your new HDTV.
Follow these tips from our expert testers to tune your set for optimal performance.

Picture mode: Most TVs have a menu of picture modes with names such as "vivid,"
"natural," or "cinema." When you select one of these modes, brightness, contrast,
and sharpness are automatically adjusted to preset values optimized for different
viewing environments. We've found that modes with names like "natural," "cinema,"
and "pro" generally provide the most-balanced settings. We suggest you stay away
from "vivid," "dynamic," and similar modes, which tend to dramatically boost contrast
and sharpness and lower brightness to less than optimal levels.

In most cases, you can modify a particular setting within a mode to tweak the picture's
appearance. On other sets, if you try to change the settings, your picture mode will
automatically change to a "custom" or "preference" mode allowing you to adjust picture
settings individually.

To get the best picture quality from your TV, we suggest you adjust the individual picture
settings yourself rather than use a preset mode. These picture settings are described in
detail on the CR website. ...More @ ConsumerReports.com (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/how-to-finetune-your-hdtv-306/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=hdtv)

(The above article should behttp://www.consumerreports.org/cro/application-resources/images/search/srch_freeblock.gif but access to other areas of the CR site may require subscription.
If you have a public library card, your library membership may give you access to the full CR site online
content by virtue of your library's standing subscription. Ask your public librarian.)

[ebaltz]

Consumer Reports has this basic tweaking guide for HDTV novices on its web site

More @ ConsumerReports.com (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/how-to-finetune-your-hdtv-306/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=hdtv)

(The above article should behttp://www.consumerreports.org/cro/application-resources/images/search/srch_freeblock.gif but access to other areas of the CR site may require subscription.
If you have a public library card, your library membership may give you access to the full CR site online
content by virtue of your library's standing subscription. Ask your public librarian.)

To be filed under the heading of: DUH!
Personally, if you can't figure out how to adjust your TV to look the best, you probably don't deserve to own a TV.

[Nick]

...if you can't figure out how to adjust your TV to look the best, you probably don't deserve to own a TV.Be nice, ebaltz. Not everyone is as smart as you think you are. I bet there was a
time when, like me, you were also new to HDTV.

As a teacher and mentor by nature, I've always tried to be helpful to those who
come along the same path I've taken, so, rather than be critical, why don't you
try to be helpful. After all, isn't that what this site is all about?

I posted the article for those who are new to HDTV, not necessarily the experts.

[ebaltz]

Be nice, ebaltz. Not everyone is as smart as you think you are. I bet there was a
time when, like me, you were also new to HDTV.

As a teacher and mentor by nature, I've always tried to be helpful to those who
come along the same path I've taken, so, rather than be critical, why don't you
try to be helpful. After all, isn't that what this site is all about?

I posted the article for those who are new to HDTV, not necessarily the experts.

I wasn't criticizing you, but rather Consumer Reports, which prints such things akin to saying, "The picture will look much better when the TV set power is in the on position"

I think their readers are probably decidely less savvy than DBSTalks'.


SIDE NOTE: Do you know who scores the lowest on the GRE? Teachers.

[durl]

I've been to several houses of friends that have projection TVs that had LOUSY calibration. Sharpness cranked up all the way, colors were off, whites were so bright it hurt my eyes, etc. It's nice that CR offers the simple suggestions to people that may not know.

[Laverne]

SIDE NOTE: Do you know who scores the lowest on the GRE? Teachers.Nick didn't say he WAS/IS a teacher. Just that it is his nature to teach and mentor. (A noble calling. There are plenty of highly intelligent people who either can't or have no desire to teach anything to anyone. They forget someone had to teach them.) If you did not realize that is just Nick's helpful way...... How long have you been here? :confused:

I just don't think it's right (or smart :rolleyes: ) to start putting down those who try to help others learn, whatever their teaching capacity or title may be.

[Nick]

:flag: :heart: :flag:

[ebaltz]

Nick didn't say he WAS/IS a teacher. Just that it is his nature to teach and mentor. (A noble calling. There are plenty of highly intelligent people who either can't or have no desire to teach anything to anyone. They forget someone had to teach them.) If you did not realize that is just Nick's helpful way...... How long have you been here? :confused:

I just don't think it's right (or smart :rolleyes: ) to start putting down those who try to help others learn, whatever their teaching capacity or title may be.

Should I go stand in the naughty corner?

Again, I was just pointing out a fact. If you choose to read into that something, you are welcome to do so.

[Mike D-CO5]

Laverne, I think you are being a bit sensitive here. Remember guys like to kid each other and sometimes we can be a bit gruff and smart ass, but it is the nature of the beast( man).:p

[JM Anthony]

... I just don't think it's right (or smart :rolleyes: ) to start putting down those who try to help others learn, whatever their teaching capacity or title may be.

Believe it or not, there are some folks out there who get baffled by technology. I'm all in favor of folks trying to help them out. After all, one of them is my wife and I've given up being our resident customer service representative as it's just too damn frustrating!!!

John

[wolfgpd]

I just purchased my first HDTV yesterday so Im a newb to all of this. IVe spent hours adjusting all those details trying to fine tune the pic but hell I dont think Im getting anywhere LOL. Doesn't help that Im colorblind:) I may try that "Freeze frame" stuff to get my brightness and contrast ratios right. the color thing i can work on after that I Think. are any of those help videos good for people like me who are new to this?

[Nick]

Go to C|Net's Guide (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5085739-2.html?nav) to TV calibration. Read Part 1 for beginners and Part 2 for Intermediates.

Buy, beg or borrow Ovation's DVD, "Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-Up".

If available to you, view and/or record the video tune-up guides from HDNet (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=63226) or on INHD.