High Definition New Gen Gaming - Page 192

Flock · (10-07-2007, 11:25 PM)

Originally Posted by smuf:

So I'm thinking about getting a new PC monitor soon. I'd like to get something within the 20-24" range under €400. I'll be using it for graphic work mainly but also own a (non-HDMI) Xbox 360 and don't have a HDTV so I'll using it for 360 games too.

Any recommendations?

Can't reccomend the Samsung 226bw enough, great Monitor. Use it for design work and my 360. Looks awesome.

Naked Snake · (10-07-2007, 11:38 PM)

Quick question: Which HDMI cable do I need to connect a PS3 or DVD player to an HDTV from this page http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10240

There are so many :\

Zombie James · (10-07-2007, 11:49 PM)

Originally Posted by Naked Snake:

Quick question: Which HDMI cable do I need to connect a PS3 or DVD player to an HDTV from this page http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10240

There are so many :\

Unless you're doing a really long run, you can just go with the cheapest one. This should do nicely: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Naked Snake · (10-08-2007, 12:04 AM)

Originally Posted by _leech_:

Unless you're doing a really long run, you can just go with the cheapest one. This should do nicely: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

3ft is a tad too short, but thanks I guess I'll get the next cheapest one or something :)

Sullenshady · (10-08-2007, 09:17 AM)

Just picked up my first ever HD TV today - a 40" Samsung LNT4061F - and so far am absolutely in love with this thing. The picture quality is just outstanding, even regular DVDs running on an older Sony player through component cables look fantastic. Since I'm an HD noob, are there any GAFers who own the same or similar model and can give me some tips on optimal display configuration for gaming and otherwise? (The TV itself is in a pretty average-sized basement den, if that helps).

CoG · (10-08-2007, 11:54 AM)

Originally Posted by Sullenshady:

Just picked up my first ever HD TV today - a 40" Samsung LNT4061F - and so far am absolutely in love with this thing. The picture quality is just outstanding, even regular DVDs running on an older Sony player through component cables look fantastic. Since I'm an HD noob, are there any GAFers who own the same or similar model and can give me some tips on optimal display configuration for gaming and otherwise? (The TV itself is in a pretty average-sized basement den, if that helps).

Woody's post 1500 settings at AVS are the gold standard for this model:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11287410

Naked Snake · (10-08-2007, 02:27 PM)

Anyone know if this component switch from MonoPrice is good for 480p? http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Sullenshady · (10-08-2007, 09:20 PM)

Originally Posted by CoG:

Woody's post 1500 settings at AVS are the gold standard for this model:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11287410

Perfect. Thanks for the link.

Scum · (10-08-2007, 09:33 PM)

Originally Posted by smuf:

So I'm thinking about getting a new PC monitor soon. I'd like to get something within the 20-24" range under €400. I'll be using it for graphic work mainly but also own a (non-HDMI) Xbox 360 and don't have a HDTV so I'll using it for 360 games too.

Any recommendations?

I highly recommend the Samsung 226BW.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-050-SA

I have one. Damn finest monitor I've ever had the luxury to use!

v0yce · (10-08-2007, 09:53 PM)

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but does anyone know of a way to get a Harmony remote working with a PS3?

I've seen a few people mention getting a PS2-PS3 adapter and using the IR reciever from the PS2 remote, but (aside from it being a little messy) I'm not sure how much funtionality you'd get from it.

SyNapSe · (10-09-2007, 01:04 AM)

Anyone use a Plasma in an open lighting family room type environment who can make some recommendations? I'm looking at maybe getting a Plasma, but I hear the glare can be bad.

My current TV is right next to a bay window, and sometimes it's annoying as it is when the light starts coming through badly. Panasonic has a couple plasma models that I looked at tonight. Some have anti-glare, some don't.. When I read online the anti-glare seemed like a nice deal. I actually looked at Sears where someone listed the deal earlier on the 1080P anti-glare set for 1399. I actually think the cheaper 720P panasonic looks better because the brightness or contrast isn't as muted.. I assume that's due to the anti-glare.

Kadey · (10-09-2007, 01:15 AM)

Ah crap. I just ordered the 77U by accident.

65536 · 04:17 AM

Well, there are a number of reasons that my review for the 5080 has taken so long but it is done (has been for a while) and should hopefully be going up on the HDTVtest website in the next couple of days.

These are some photographs of it that were taken and not used for the review.

Dirty Pretty Things - Freeview (over-the-air SD broadcasts) via my Topfield TF5800. Note: These are at half resolution as I had to use my PVR to pause the image rather than the TV itself. (Pioneer's freeze frame feature puts the frozen image in a window with live tv continuing on the right rather than just pausing things)

Also, if it looks like there is shadow detail being lost in any of the photos, it is because the blacks are so dark that they are outside the range that my camera can capture.

Silent Hill, BluRay.

Hopefully these images do a good job illustrating how these Pioneer displays do a great job producing vivid, yet natural colour, producing a very "film-like" image.

Other than being cropped, straightened and resized, nothing has been done to these images - they're straight out of my camera. (which is a cheap point & shoot)

JB1981 · (10-09-2007, 03:13 AM)

damn, gorgeous images

DJ_Tet · (10-09-2007, 03:27 AM)

Sweet pics :) Hopefully you'll post a link to your review once it's posted.

CloudV · (10-09-2007, 06:00 AM)

Well, I finally joined the HD world with my new Toshiba Regza Z2000, 37 inch full spec TV. I'm running the standard hdmi cable to the ps3 and it looks just amazing. Japan has the terrestial digital broadcast going so regular tv at times looks gorgous. I'll take some pictures tonight after work and put them up.

My question is if there are any recommended settings for the Regza line. Unfortunately I have no idea what the Z2000 series relates to in the US, or if it has even been released there yet.

So for the time being I'm running PS3 via HDMI, PS2 via S-video, my laptop via S-Video (unfortunately for being last years fall model, it doesn't have a dvi out...), and the wii on the included component cables.

Should I look into composite cables for the Wii/PS2?

65536 · (10-09-2007, 06:30 AM)

I don't have any specific experience with those models, but I have heard that you should use the lowest gamma setting with them. (-4 I believe)

I had an older model Toshiba, and found that sharpness had to be at its minimum setting (which was -50) to disable edge enhancement. I also found that brightness had to be raised to an abnormally high 68. To set brightness, the easiest thing to do is find a full black screen, or the credits of a movie, and set the TV to 4:3 mode. Then turn up brightness until the background is brighter than the black bars on either side. Now turn it back down step-by-step until they blend together.

The cables included with the Wii/PS2/PS3 are composite cables though (red/white/yellow) the ones you should buy for the Wii/PS2 are component leads. (red/green/blue/red/white) I would certainly recommend you get them for the Wii.

CloudV · (10-09-2007, 07:44 AM)

Originally Posted by andrewfee:

I don't have any specific experience with those models, but I have heard that you should use the lowest gamma setting with them. (-4 I believe)

I had an older model Toshiba, and found that sharpness had to be at its minimum setting (which was -50) to disable edge enhancement. I also found that brightness had to be raised to an abnormally high 68. To set brightness, the easiest thing to do is find a full black screen, or the credits of a movie, and set the TV to 4:3 mode. Then turn up brightness until the background is brighter than the black bars on either side. Now turn it back down step-by-step until they blend together.

The cables included with the Wii/PS2/PS3 are composite cables though (red/white/yellow) the ones you should buy for the Wii/PS2 are component leads. (red/green/blue/red/white) I would certainly recommend you get them for the Wii.

Thanks for the clarification on the cable, I always mix those up. I have heard the component cables are good for the wii so I will pick them up soon. I will also check them out for the ps2 as well.

Thanks for the tip on the brightness, I will do that tonight.
So far I've not noticed any problems with the gamma being too bright, if I leave it on the normal preset. The sayawaka setting (vivid) I guess is pretty bright though. Will post some pictures tonight.

josephdebono · (10-09-2007, 08:54 AM)

Anyone have any impressions of the following TV?
Samsung LE40N87

Bailey's Dad · (10-09-2007, 11:56 AM)

What does everyone use to clean dust from their TV's? I have a Samsung black HDTV and the cloth they give you is useless. All it does is move the dust around it doesn't actually pick it up. Any suggestions? Funnily enough the cloth does a great job of cleaning my PS3.

CoG · (10-09-2007, 12:00 PM)

Originally Posted by Bailey's Dad:

What does everyone use to clean dust from their TV's? I have a Samsung black HDTV and the cloth they give you is useless. All it does is move the dust around it doesn't actually pick it up. Any suggestions? Funnily enough the cloth does a great job of cleaning my PS3.

Monster Screen Clean. Don't be scared by the brand name, it's actually a good product. Or just get a spray bottle and spray water on the microfiber cloth the set came with to help pick up the dust.

DenogginizerOS · (10-09-2007, 01:48 PM)

I played Madden last night on my new Panasonic 42PZ77U plasma. After playing, it took at least 15 minutes of normal TV to wash it away. I then flipped over to the baseball game on TBSHD and watched it for about an hour and a half. This morning, I noticed the scorebar from the TBSHD coverage was still there. I then switched it over to Discovery HD and let Sunrise Earth run while I did my morning routine for work. After about 30 minutes, I turned off the cable and saw some lettering still remaining from the Sunrise Earth show. WTF? Is this normal for a plasma? Should I stop worrying since most of these images evenually go away?

TTG · (10-09-2007, 10:09 PM)

Originally Posted by DenogginizerOS:

Not sure. But if you have a Sears nearby you can get the TH-42PZ77U (1080P, 42" with little to no IR at all) for $1399.99 (normally $1799.99). If you use a Sears card, you can get 18 month no interest and an additional $150 off to bring the price down to $1249.99.

Taking delivery on friday from Sears. Great deal. Thanks again for posting that.

I went back and forth on whether I needed 1080p or not. Then I reminded mysels that I didn't need hdtv 4 years ago either(when I bought my sony CRT HD) but now I use it all the time with xbox/sports stuff. So it seemed like the right decision for someone that doesn't update electronics often. Not to mention that this sale made the difference between top of the line 1080i and 1080p something like 200$.

DJ_Tet · (10-09-2007, 10:42 PM)

Originally Posted by DenogginizerOS:

I played Madden last night on my new Panasonic 42PZ77U plasma. After playing, it took at least 15 minutes of normal TV to wash it away. I then flipped over to the baseball game on TBSHD and watched it for about an hour and a half. This morning, I noticed the scorebar from the TBSHD coverage was still there. I then switched it over to Discovery HD and let Sunrise Earth run while I did my morning routine for work. After about 30 minutes, I turned off the cable and saw some lettering still remaining from the Sunrise Earth show. WTF? Is this normal for a plasma? Should I stop worrying since most of these images evenually go away?

The first 100-200 hours of a new plasma you should spend ONLY breaking it in. If you get burn-in now, you can easily fuck your tv for it's life. There are break-in dvds on the avs forum, alternately they say running Discovery HD 24/7 does the trick as well. The key is to avoid any logos/scroll bars/videogame scores. You're 2 for 3 so far, I'd be very careful if I were you.

TTG · (10-10-2007, 12:28 AM)

Originally Posted by DJ_Tet:

The first 100-200 hours of a new plasma you should spend ONLY breaking it in. If you get burn-in now, you can easily fuck your tv for it's life. There are break-in dvds on the avs forum, alternately they say running Discovery HD 24/7 does the trick as well. The key is to avoid any logos/scroll bars/videogame scores. You're 2 for 3 so far, I'd be very careful if I were you.

I've read on AVS that these TVs do come broken in from the factory for 100 hours.

*shrug*

kurahadol · 12:42 AM

I just recently won a Samsung LNT3242H through that Game on with Sidney promotion through Pepsi, and I'm having a hard time getting the settings to my liking. I had it set up next to my Toshiba 32" (which looks perfect to me) but in no way could I make it look as good as that. Can anyone suggest some calibration settings for this TV?

http://www.samsung.com/ca/products/t...t3242hxxac.asp

Edit: Oh, I mainly plan to just use this thing for gaming through HDMI (360 and PS3), perhaps the Wii through Component, if that helps with anything.

DJ_Tet · (10-10-2007, 01:53 AM)

Originally Posted by TTG:

I've read on AVS that these TVs do come broken in from the factory for 100 hours.

*shrug*

I looked at the same model he looked at (both the 75u and the 77u with the anti glare) and never read such a thing. Not saying it's not true, but I haven't heard that, it would be a very good idea. Anyway, judging by the IR he's already seeing on a brand new tv, I'd take it easy if I was him.

Azwethinkweiz · (10-10-2007, 03:31 AM)

Originally Posted by DJ_Tet:

alternately they say running Discovery HD 24/7 does the trick as well.

Sadly, those fucksticks have reverted to having their logo plastered in the lower right corner of the screen at all times recently.

llTll · (10-10-2007, 03:33 AM)

can someone help?

i got stuck pixel on my 42 lcd screen. ofcourse i cant see it if i am playing or anything. but i want to try and remove it. any help?

the store said he cant take the lcd back because one stuck pixel

jett · (10-10-2007, 03:53 AM)

Originally Posted by andrewfee:

Well, there are a number of reasons that my review for the 5080 has taken so long but it is done (has been for a while) and should hopefully be going up on the HDTVtest website in the next couple of days.

These are some photographs of it that were taken and not used for the review.

Dirty Pretty Things - Freeview (over-the-air SD broadcasts) via my Topfield TF5800. Note: These are at half resolution as I had to use my PVR to pause the image rather than the TV itself. (Pioneer's freeze frame feature puts the frozen image in a window with live tv continuing on the right rather than just pausing things)

Also, if it looks like there is shadow detail being lost in any of the photos, it is because the blacks are so dark that they are outside the range that my camera can capture.

Silent Hill, BluRay.

Hopefully these images do a good job illustrating how these Pioneer displays do a great job producing vivid, yet natural colour, producing a very "film-like" image.

Other than being cropped, straightened and resized, nothing has been done to these images - they're straight out of my camera. (which is a cheap point & shoot)

What, you couldn't find even smaller pictures to show off an hdtv?

...

They might as well be youtube captures.

DJ_Tet · (10-10-2007, 04:08 AM)

Originally Posted by Azwethinkweiz:

Sadly, those fucksticks have reverted to having their logo plastered in the lower right corner of the screen at all times recently.

Doh, I meant Discovery Theater HD, which still is logo free.

65536 · 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by kurahadol:

I just recently won a Samsung LNT3242H through that Game on with Sidney promotion through Pepsi, and I'm having a hard time getting the settings to my liking. I had it set up next to my Toshiba 32" (which looks perfect to me) but in no way could I make it look as good as that. Can anyone suggest some calibration settings for this TV?

http://www.samsung.com/ca/products/t...nt3242hx_l.jpg

http://www.samsung.com/ca/products/t...t3242hxxac.asp

Edit: Oh, I mainly plan to just use this thing for gaming through HDMI (360 and PS3), perhaps the Wii through Component, if that helps with anything.

I don't know about that specific model, but I think most Samsung screens are pretty similar. With most inputs I'd use something like:

Contrast: 100
Brightness: 47
Sharpness: 0
Colour: 45-50
Tint: 50/50
Colour Tone: Warm 1
Backlight: 5 (with power saving enabled if you're viewing in a dark room)
Black Adjust: Off
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Gamma: -2
Edge Enhancement: Off
Colour Space: Auto

For the 360 I would use roughly the same settings, but Gamma at +1 as it's got a much darker output.

Originally Posted by DenogginizerOS:

I played Madden last night on my new Panasonic 42PZ77U plasma. After playing, it took at least 15 minutes of normal TV to wash it away. I then flipped over to the baseball game on TBSHD and watched it for about an hour and a half. This morning, I noticed the scorebar from the TBSHD coverage was still there. I then switched it over to Discovery HD and let Sunrise Earth run while I did my morning routine for work. After about 30 minutes, I turned off the cable and saw some lettering still remaining from the Sunrise Earth show. WTF? Is this normal for a plasma? Should I stop worrying since most of these images evenually go away?

That's fairly normal for most Plasmas. Make sure you have the contrast/picture control at 50% or lower. The other settings won't have any effect on it. The Pioneers are really the only ones that are resistant to image retention. They're not perfect, but as long as the orbiter is enabled you shouldn't have to worry about it.

Originally Posted by jett:

What, you couldn't find even smaller pictures to show off an hdtv?

...

They might as well be youtube captures.

Sorry, that's just the size they use on the site. As it's a plasma, there's quite a bit of moiré in the larger versions due to the size of the pixels (and it's more obvious that the SD ones are at 720x288 due to me having to pause with the PVR rather than the TV) which makes the picture look quite grainy, which it isn't in person. Larger pictures just tend to show off flaws caused by the camera rather than the television, and off a calibrated screen, can look soft compared to one that hasn't. (eg those DLP pictures taken earlier will look much better than the TV does in person - not that DLP is bad though, I love my DLP projector)

I've updated my post linking to larger versions of them now though.

pxleyes · (10-10-2007, 04:40 AM)

Originally Posted by jett:

What, you couldn't find even smaller pictures to show off an hdtv?

...

They might as well be youtube captures.

what's the point at all? photos of an HDTV prove nothing other than where it is set up.

Azwethinkweiz · (10-10-2007, 04:41 AM)

Originally Posted by DJ_Tet:

Doh, I meant Discovery Theater HD, which still is logo free.

Yeah, so did I. I'd like to believe it's comcast but I'm pretty sure it's Discovery's doing. Only started happening a week or so ago.

CloudV · (10-10-2007, 08:44 AM)

Well, I didn't get a chance to take much pictures because I got off work late, but here are a few.

Please note that

1. My camera sucks, it's a 4 year old sony (I know, gotta buy a new one)
2. I have not adjusted the settings at all, everything is default.
3. HDMI defaults to game mode which lowers the brightness I think and lowers lag response I guess, I haven't noticed a difference or lag either.

A few from the PS3

A few from the Blu-ray of Casino Royale

These are from just regular digital terrestial broadcasting.

65536 · (10-10-2007, 09:17 AM)

Originally Posted by CloudV:

Well, I didn't get a chance to take much pictures because I got off work late, but here are a few.

Please note that

1. My camera sucks, it's a 4 year old sony (I know, gotta buy a new one)
2. I have not adjusted the settings at all, everything is default.
3. HDMI defaults to game mode which lowers the brightness I think and lowers lag response I guess, I haven't noticed a difference or lag either.

The photos aren't too bad really - they just needed some white balance and exposure correction:

(only spent 5/10 seconds on each in Lightroom, so they're not perfect)

CloudV · (10-10-2007, 09:35 AM)

Originally Posted by andrewfee:

The photos aren't too bad really - they just needed some white balance and exposure correction:

(only spent 5/10 seconds on each in Lightroom, so they're not perfect)

Andrew,

Thanks for the touch up.
Getting off on time tonight so going to pick up those cables and mess around with calibrations tonight.

DenogginizerOS · (10-10-2007, 01:48 PM)

Originally Posted by DJ_Tet:

The first 100-200 hours of a new plasma you should spend ONLY breaking it in. If you get burn-in now, you can easily fuck your tv for it's life. There are break-in dvds on the avs forum, alternately they say running Discovery HD 24/7 does the trick as well. The key is to avoid any logos/scroll bars/videogame scores. You're 2 for 3 so far, I'd be very careful if I were you.

I broke it in last week using a iso image DVD and Discovery HD. The IR I am seeing is going away faster now, and I am obsessive since I work in a research lab.

By the way, if anyone wants a 1080P24 Blu-ray that will blow your mind with both sight and sound, get Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Radio City Music Hall. I am a huge DM fan but this BR just bew me away.

DJ_Tet · (10-10-2007, 02:13 PM)

Originally Posted by Azwethinkweiz:

Yeah, so did I. I'd like to believe it's comcast but I'm pretty sure it's Discovery's doing. Only started happening a week or so ago.

Might be Comcast. I double-checked last night before I posted and there was no logo on Discovery Theater HD out of Time Warner.

Variable · (10-10-2007, 03:27 PM)

I have a quick question. Is 1080p a scam for any TV that is smaller then 40"?

Naked Snake · (10-10-2007, 03:29 PM)

Originally Posted by Variable:

I have a quick question. Is 1080p a scam for any TV that is smaller then 40"?

I think it depends on your viewing distance; how close you sit to the TV.

Variable · (10-10-2007, 03:37 PM)

Originally Posted by Naked Snake:

I think it depends on your viewing distance; how close you sit to the TV.

I'm not quite sure, but more specifically I'm looking at a 32" TV.

Deus Ex Machina · 04:41 PM

Have you guys seen this?

Motion Resolution comparison between 75 1080p HDTVs

Be on the look out for update to this article:
http://hdguru.com/?p=187

Quote:

The result, three distinct groups emerged from this test of the twenty 1080p displays. All displays in the top group were plasma HDTVs. They all had a static resolution of 1080 lines and a measured motion resolution of 830-880 lines, depending on the specific display. The next group consisted of microdisplay rear projectors, static measured 1050-1080 (depending on the display) while motion resolution ranged of 610-780 lines. The bottom group were all the LCD flat panels, with a static resolution of 400 (one panel) to 1080 lines and motion rez coming in at 360 lines (one set tested) to 600 lines.

LCDs are not even High Definition during motion.

Disturbing.

Plasmas are totally bad ass it seems. HD Guru next update "I have new sets scheduled for testing soon, including the Pioneer Kuro."

65536 · (10-10-2007, 05:18 PM)

Unfortunately, that test won't take motion artefacts into account - while plasmas do a great job keeping the image sharp, they have some rather objectionable artefacts, even with reasonably slow motion:

http://sr-388.net/images/misc/tv/DSCF6223.jpg
http://sr-388.net/images/misc/tv/DSCF6584.jpg

Apparently not everyone can see this though, so I guess it depends whether you can or not. DLP has a similar effect (though it's not as bad) whereas LCD, while it doesn't stay as sharp, has far less objectionable artefacting. The Kuros are apparently the best performing plasmas when it comes to motion, I seem to recall Pioneer claiming something over 900 lines of moving resolution

kurahadol · (10-10-2007, 05:22 PM)

Thanks andrewfee, looking great, just another quick question. What energy saving do you use, High, Medium, or Low? My room is brightly lit during the day time through the Window but rather dark come night.

65536 · (10-11-2007, 01:48 AM)

Originally Posted by kurahadol:

Thanks andrewfee, looking great, just another quick question. What energy saving do you use, High, Medium, or Low? My room is brightly lit during the day time through the Window but rather dark come night.

The last Samsung I used only had high/low from what I remember. I used the energy saving function to control the brightness of the display though, so during the day I would put it on Low/Off, and at night I would put it on High.

Kadey · (10-11-2007, 02:13 AM)

For those with the 77U. What are your settings?

JB1981 · (10-11-2007, 02:19 AM)

Deus Ex: you are hysterical, bro.

Smokey · (10-11-2007, 02:49 AM)

Best Buy has the Samsung 50'' 1080p DLP for $1700, and the Sony 50'' A3000 for $2,299. Now I'm a Sony dude, but is the A3000 really worth that $600 price difference??

TTG · 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Kadey:

For those with the 77U. What are your settings?

Lot's of good stuff in this thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...43093&page=174