Calibration on different inputs

[hockeymancw]

Ok, I thought I kind of had this calibration thing figured out. I bought the DVD Essentials disc and calibrated my tv through a component input. I read a post earlier today by 57 that the settings for the DVD player and PVR can be significantly different.

So, how would I go about ensuring that I am getting the best pic quality through the other inputs?

This is what I have:
Shaw 6416 via HDMI
Non-upconverting DVD via component to AVR
Wii via component to AVR
AVR component to TV (for Wii and DVD)
TV is a Sony KDL40S2400
I have a regular xbox via composite that doesn't look quite right, but it is not a concern for me.

[57]

You can usually tell if the two items are vastly different by looking at the colours and the black levels. You can usually tell if a device has too much colour saturation (colour) and whether the image is too green or too red (tint/hue). The black level (brightness should be as dark as you can make it to get the blackest blacks, however, you should be able to see the details in the shadows. Various programmes and DVDs will be different, so it's always a bit of a compromise.

You can connect the DVD player by the same type of cable used by the (other) device, to that input and do a calibration. Then connect the device via that cable and tweak the settings by eye. Or copy the settings from your first calibration to the other input and tweak. If your Sony remembers the custom mode for each input, it should be easy to start with the first custom settings, copy those to another input and then tweak. It's obviously very important to get the first custom (picture mode) setting "correct" in terms of colour temperature first, then contrast, then brightness, then colour, then tint, etc.

If you're using the same input for various devices (going through the AVR) this is accomplished by using different picture modes on the same input if necessary. Sometimes this is not necessary. Sometimes it is.

Some people who have an upconverting player can use it to calibrate HDMI, component video, S-video, composite video (all if available), however, even after doing that, the STB or other device can still be different and require tweaking by eye.

Then there are all the advanced settings and whether you leave the contrast on dynamic or not - this is not easy... But it can be fun.

I like doing the new Sonys because the custom settings are remembered for each input. Some other TVs require you to use a different picture mode on the other input if you want different settings.

[scotta]

In addition to what 57 said, for TV signals try to find broadcasts of colour test patterns. Many SD stations show these while off the air. For HD, HDnet schedules a series of patterns at least once a week. Showcase HD transmits a standard colour bar and PLUGE most mornings just before 6:00 (or maybe it's 7:00).

You can use these along with the glasses and instructions that you got with DVE to help calibrate your TV sources.

[hockeymancw]

Great! Now I have an excuse to buy and upconverting DVD player Thanks for the advice!

[Luis_A51]

57...have you ever calibrated a Sony KDS-60a2000? What color temperature would you recommend? Is it just a myth that cooler temp helps maintain bulb life?

Also, I very often get haziness around letters when watching standard cable (Shaw Calgary, non-digital/HD) and also sometimes shows like the Simpsons have a color issue, like a badly printed comic in a newspaper, where the outline and the fill colors arent layered properly, and the colors seem to "extend" past their supposed borders, always towards the left side (hope that was clear) Any suggestions? It only happens with cable...my DVD/Bluray/PS3 do not have that issue. Thanks

[Luis_A51]

Also, im currently reading another thread called 57 FAQ - What you need to know about your new HDTV.

Since mine is Lcos, theres no burn in issues, correct? Do you know if Blockbuster/Rogers in calgary carries the DVE disk?

Should I always set my tv to cinema/movie mode when watching DVD/BR to get the proper 2:3 pulldown? The settings for that input would also be used for games, since my PS3 does all of that.

[57]

have you ever calibrated a Sony KDS-60a2000? What color temperature would you recommend? Is it just a myth that cooler temp helps maintain bulb life?

I have calibrated many HDTVs including several SXRDs. The warmest colour temperature has always been closest to the NTSC standard (Only had one TV where this was not the case and that TV had 5 colour temperatures, with the second warmest being closest). Sounds like a myth.

No burn in on LCoS - See Burn in

I usually calibrate the Sonys in custom mode - each input remembers the custom settings for that input.

[castaban]

Luis_A51, what you are describing around the letters could that the Sharpness is set too high

[Strormtrooper77]

First of all, here is what I currently have:

Panasonic TH-42PX60U Plasma
HK AVR247
HD Box (Motorola DCT6200 I think)
older DVD player (Samsung DVD-S221)
PS3

AVR is connected via HDMI to TV.
HD Box is connected via component to TV and via optical to AVR.
DVD is connected via component and optical to AVR.
PS3 is connected via HDMI to AVR.

My TV was first calibrated with the DVD connected to it via component (using AVIA). Now what I want to do is recalibrate everything according to current set up. Also, I believe everything is going into the AVR and/or TV at a max of 720p (I think it's the TV native resolution).

So my question is, since the AVR is processing everything less than 1080i/p and only passing through 1080i/p, how do I calibrate my TV considering the signal is going to be processed twice? Do I connect my DVD to the TV, calibrate, and then calibrate again with the DVD connected to the AVR? What about my HD box and PS3?

Please help, thanks.

[57]

1. If you're going through the AVR with devices, it's difficult to calibrate, unless you use different picture modes for each device as you switch the AVR to each device.

Most TVs will remember the calibration for each input, as discussed earlier in this thread, so you have a choice of individual connections to the TV, which is usually best from a calibration standpoint, or going through the AVR which can sometimes simplify switching, however, a Harmony remote will take care of the switching if that's your concern.

2. Your TV is 768P. See the following post on that subject.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=73528

3. It's easy to calibrate your PS3, just put in AVIA and calibrate it.

4. For the HD STB, you'll need to do that by eye.

I assume you've seen and read the following post on calibration:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76161

The following for Motorola: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21274

And the following for newbies: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[Strormtrooper77]

Thanks 57! Seems easy enough (albeit lengthy). I'll calibrate my TV first with my DVD connected directly to the it. It seemed to work well previously with the Motorola HD box. I'll do the DVD connected through the AVR next and then the PS3 last, without touching the previous settings for the TV. Sound right?

[57]

In order to have 3 separate settings, you'll need 3 connection to the TV, one for each device. I believe the "custom" mode is saved separately for each input. After you do the first calibration, you copy these settings into the custom mode for the next input, which you can calibrate further, and so on.

If you're going "through" the AVR with 2 devices and only one connection, then the above is not possible, obviously. However, sometimes the devices are close enough in calibration that this is perfectly acceptable.

[iSteve]

Can I use a DVD calibration disc in a Blu Ray player to calibrate it or would I have better calibration using a Blu Ray calibration disc because of the higher resolution?

I have a Panasonic TH50PX80 which is 768p so is this question moot?

[57]

You can use a DVD calibration disc. There are some extras on the BD disk, but nothing that can't also be done for the TV's user settings in the regular DVD.

[castaban]

Some people say that color calibration might be different. Also if your BD player supports AVC there is a free disk you can burn for HD calibration. Called AVSHD, supposed to be good