HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Johnny, we looking at any substantial differences between the upcoming models and will the price be worth the differences (if any)??

The KDS-RxxXBR2 will be the flagship and have the higher pricepoint. It's supposed to only be the 50" and 60" model. The A2000 will have a 55" model, no third HDMI, and the speakers are under the screen.

New features are that the HDMI inputs will be able to accept 1080p (whether this is different than the deinterlaced 1080i the current SXRD's do remains to be seen...I'm thinking not). Sony is also touting a "Cinema Black Pro" feature to further enhance the already excellent black level. The link below shows info about the A2000.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=tv_ProjectionTVs_RearProjection_55to80TVs&Dept=tvvideo

[RockyTop1]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Well I won the AVIA calibration disc on ebay for $15 by accident. I bid $15, then completely forgot about it and turns out nobody else bid. So I guess I'll check this out and hope it works well for me, then go on to the Monster/ISF disc if this is too "techy" for me.

[born_bad]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I've used the Avia disc, but it was through Netflix, so didn't come with the tinted color strips you need.

I'm no expert and it wasn't too techy at all. All the tests are clearly explained. I actually just bought it myself and it should be receiving it in the mail shortly. I also ordered a sound level meter (radio shack) because one is needed if you really want to do all of the audio tests that are on the disc.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

The sound level meter makes a lot of difference. I thought I had my speakers leveled by ear, but using the meter with the accurate readout shows how off I was. I know notice the "ambient" sounds much more in the rear channels, and exterior quiet movie scenes are awesome (hearing the crickets and such). Not a bad $40 investment.

I still prefer DVE though...not sure why everyone's picking AVIA (especially at the higher Amazon price point). Oh well, both will dramatically improve your picture!

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

The sound level meter makes a lot of difference. I thought I had my speakers leveled by ear, but using the meter with the accurate readout shows how off I was. I know notice the "ambient" sounds much more in the rear channels, and exterior quiet movie scenes are awesome (hearing the crickets and such). Not a bad $40 investment.

I still prefer DVE though...not sure why everyone's picking AVIA (especially at the higher Amazon price point). Oh well, both will dramatically improve your picture!

I preferred Video Essentials as well, but the Avia disc was very good as well. They both are pretty much the same.

[RockyTop1]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I still prefer DVE though...not sure why everyone's picking AVIA (especially at the higher Amazon price point). Oh well, both will dramatically improve your picture!

Well I bid on the AVIA because of all the positive reviews on Amazon (I know - grain of salt), but I won it for $15 on ebay, basically $20 cheaper than retail, I figured I couldn't pass it up.

[colkilla]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

The sound level meter makes a lot of difference. I thought I had my speakers leveled by ear, but using the meter with the accurate readout shows how off I was. I know notice the "ambient" sounds much more in the rear channels, and exterior quiet movie scenes are awesome (hearing the crickets and such). Not a bad $40 investment.

I still prefer DVE though...not sure why everyone's picking AVIA (especially at the higher Amazon price point). Oh well, both will dramatically improve your picture!

johnny, what is the exact title of the DVE product you speak of, i am gonna get it asap, but want to make sure i get the right product.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

johnny, what is the exact title of the DVE product you speak of, i am gonna get it asap, but want to make sure i get the right product.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...v=glance&n=130

[colkilla]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...v=glance&n=130

thanks EG!

[ODogg]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

thanks EG!

From the reviews of the people on there it looks pretty complicated to use.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

From the reviews of the people on there it looks pretty complicated to use.

DVE uses two menu layers and people just get confused. If you have a "Top Menu" and a "Menu" key on your DVD player remote you will have no problem navigating it. It's very easy to get into the calibration program, which has all the tests you'll need anyway.

Part of the negative reviews remind me of the folks who complain that a certain DVD player takes 30 seconds to load the movie (as reviews of the HD-A1 have echoed). Who cares! Take the time to get used to the features that DVE offers and you'll be more than pleased.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

From the reviews of the people on there it looks pretty complicated to use.

Avia is much easier to use, much more user friendly. I have DVE, and I've used Avia. I do prefer DVE as it's more indepth for me. But for the average a/v person, I feel Avia is a better choice.

[RockyTop1]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Well my cable isn't getting transferred until Tuesday, but I hooked the 360 up to the SXRD last night and world cup looked amazing. I didn't have long because it was late and I had to leave, but first impression was WOW, and that was just on factory setting "pro". Even with no cable, the snow looked AMAZING, lol.

Jistic, and whoever else owns the sxrd, what settings were best out of the box for those that have the sxrd and the 360, pro? vivid? I won't get my AVIA disc until next week.

[ODogg]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Well my cable isn't getting transferred until Tuesday, but I hooked the 360 up to the SXRD last night and world cup looked amazing. I didn't have long because it was late and I had to leave, but first impression was WOW, and that was just on factory setting "pro". Even with no cable, the snow looked AMAZING, lol.

Jistic, and whoever else owns the sxrd, what settings were best out of the box for those that have the sxrd and the 360, pro? vivid? I won't get my AVIA disc until next week.

there's snow in fifa? I guess i always play world cup mode so the cpu adjusts the game settings. i'll have to try a game tonight in exhibition if that is the case just to see the snow. glad to hear it looks great for ya!

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Well my cable isn't getting transferred until Tuesday, but I hooked the 360 up to the SXRD last night and world cup looked amazing. I didn't have long because it was late and I had to leave, but first impression was WOW, and that was just on factory setting "pro". Even with no cable, the snow looked AMAZING, lol.

Jistic, and whoever else owns the sxrd, what settings were best out of the box for those that have the sxrd and the 360, pro? vivid? I won't get my AVIA disc until next week.

Leave it on "Pro", since it alows further adjustments (at the bottom of the picture menu there's an "Advanced" mneu). Some basic notes until you can refine them:

-make sure your "Noise Reduction" is set to "Off"
-change "Color Temperature" to "Warm"
-Change DRC mode to "Cinemotion"
-For the second DRC use "Custom 3" (you may want it on 1,1)
-I suggest turning "Detail Enhancer" and "DTE" to "Low" or "Off" (these simply add edge enhancement that's not in the signal)
-for 360 I've now converted to "Game Mode" being off (dashboard at 1080i), though I do use "Game Mode" for PS2
-Turn "Color Corrector" to "Off" (adds red push)
-Turn "Clear White" to "Off" (adds blue tint to high end IRE's...upper part of grayscale)
-Turn "Black Corrector" to "Off"

You'll have to tweak your own "Advanced Iris" settings. Sometimes you can actively see the dimming action if it's engaged, other times it's not a problem. I keep mine on "Low" for DVD and HD, but "Off" for 360. Some ISF calibrators over at avsforum suggest using "Gamma Corrector" set to "Low" if the Advanced Iris is engaged.

The regular user settings should be set at the Sony dot, except for sharpness. I've found that the 360 dashboard works great for adjusting sharpness...lower it until the white halo/edge around the black text (Friends/Messages, etc) disappears. Works like a charm and it's not at all fuzzy.

If you REALLY want to mess around, go to the "Colour Calibration" screen in FIFA and play with the "White Balance" settings. It will allow you to adjust grayscale and correct the brightness setting on your SXRD for the 360 input. I can post more later...my fingers are cramping up