CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[dagarshali]

Hi,
I am vishwa and I was using a generic TV until yesterday, when I received my Samsung LN040A650 HDTV. I calibrated with AVIA disc using those patterns and those color filters. However, my wife kept telling me that the images look FAKE..

I then came across this wonderful site and I order the Spyder2express and install the CHCFR software and started calibrated. When I measured the grayscale level before the calibration, DeltaE was as high as 85 on some IRE's. I when thru the entire procedure.

After the calibration, I the new curve was still above the target curve
http://picasaweb.google.com/dagarshali/CALIBRATION#5273135990038688210

As can be seen from that image, the actual curve is still above the target value. This model also coming with a gamma setting which defaults to zero. I changed it to -2 and the yellow line is closer to the white line, but still not like on top of each other as the manual describes.

The plot of Gamma is shown here after the calibration. Not sure what else I need to do
http://picasaweb.google.com/dagarshali/CALIBRATION#5273137237290398274

Also, when I measure Y for 100IRE, I was was getting a value of 90 or so in ftl units. But the manual tells to target about 40 or so.

I tried to go and do the color calibration as well, and I read the values for various color fields and then the delta E was very high ( as high at 30 or 40). I adjusted the color and I could not quite get the x/y as suggested in the manual for cyan. same thing for hue.

I then put the individual color fields starting with green. But, I was wasnt' sure where to adjust that on TV. The only place i thought was the most likely candidate was the color space, and I chose the custom setting there. Then underneath that I have the option for R,G,B,C,M,Y and underneath that I still have three sliders for R,G,G. I am not sure how to set here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vishwa

[timbo]

[dagarshali]

We were watching a movie via the HD box provided by the cableTV operator, which in this case is mediacom. The feeling was the same with both 16:9 and 4:3 settings. The channel wasn't HD channel. I dont know how to set the resolution on the TV. In the HDbox however, it said that the resolution capability for 1080i, 720p, 720i.

[timbo]

High definition television images are quite stunning, especially when viewed for the first time.
One would hope that your wife would be pleased and impressed rather that disappointed by "fake" looking images.

I wouldn't discourage your exploration of the Spyder/CHCFR calibration, dagarshali. I do wonder, however, about the entire calibration process that you are undertaking.

Oftentimes, simple adjustments in the televisions user menus reap impressive picture quality improvements. Turning off any video enhancing features (i.e. noise reduction, velocity modulation, etc.) is one of these simple adjustments.
It could be that the "fake" look could be eliminated by proper adjustment of the video settings in the user menu.

Are the fleshtones natural? Is there good detail in people's hair and eyebrows?
How are the details in the shadow portions of the picture?

And finally, how is you wife's attitude towards television/home theatre in the first place?
Is she a critical viewer or is she just breaking your balls because the old tv was "just fine"?

[Helidoc]