LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[gIzzE]

Gizze, forgive me for asking, but you did tweak the settings, right?
I only ask because the problems you describe sound very much like Black Crush ("Black Corrector") is on...

Yeah we played about with the settings alot, he actually called me over because I calibrated his Panasonic screen for him and his projector, and he was a bit lost with this set as he couldn't get an image he liked.
No amount of tweaking of the backlight, black level, black enhancer or gamma made any difference, you got it looking ok in one area of the picture and you thought nice one, only to for the scene to change and it all look wrong again.

I think the problem he has is the fact he has been using teh Panasonic commercial screen for the last 3 years, it was the only set that beat his Loewe then and imho there still hasn't been a screen to beat it, even Panasonics newer versions are not quite as good for absolute blacks and that CRT feel. They do look like a big CRT, no other plasma does and all the LCDs are so far removed from a crt it is unreal.

The problem with lack of absolute black is there is no real depth in darker scenes, unless you have this absolute black you loose that 3D snap, I can't describe it, but all the guys from avforums who have seen the demos I have done between Panasonic Commercial Vs Panasonic Consumer Vs Pioneers Vs LCDs will know what I mean. I have never had, and I mean not one, person say they think the Pansonic commercial screen isn't leagues ahead.

[gIzzE]

Let me just add something here, the Sony LCD whilst playing some 360 stuff looked truly stunning, it looked better than the Panny plasmas I rave about, fed proper 1080i HD material in a nice outdoor scene it also looked breathtaking, however, as soon as a dark scene arrived that is when things went wrong, and that is the problem.

The Panasonic is 95% as good as the Sony LCD with 1080i HD film material showing outside, bright images, it is 90% as good as the Sony LCD showing bright game stuff, however when it comes to dark scenes I find it unwatchable, only because I know what it should be like.

[krispyk]

I have to agree with what youve said above Giz. My PX60 is great for watching DVD and Sky but I was disapointed with its performance with my 360. That said my Sony S2010 LCD is the absolute dogs with 360 and even PS2 but has very poor TV performance.

[Roost]

Quick pic, stickers still on as i've only really had an hour of playtime with it

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3292/dsc00637hc0.jpg

So much detail is lost in that pic and his face isn't so white either lol. I'm an absolutely terrible photographer as any pic i ever produce will show

[Shozuki]

that looks nice to me! but then im biased - do you have a PS2 at all mate?

i'd love to see some 480i/p through it!

I've just gone and ordered some Blu-Ray movies - cant wait to get them, the telly and the home cinema really feel immersed!

[Concept]

Nice Roost.

I take it you're liking what you're seeing so far?

I managed to sort the faded look to Gears of War out on my set. The settings had been put to 'Lucid' for some reason - when I changed to 'Vibrant' the colour was more richer.

I'm really liking the Bravia's Component in terms of its clarity and colour composure. As some of you may know, I've been fairly critical of Component in the past on other televisions I've used.

[ince]

i have a 32WLT68 and i am having problems with freeview.

it was working fine but now the TV cant find a signal. i then reset the TV and whenever i try and tune in Digital no channels are ever found. Analogue TV works ok but the picture isnt great.

anyone know what could be causing this

[Concept]

i'd love to see some 480i/p through it!

SotC fares really well on the S-Series. I could take a photograph but detail would be lost.

Put it like this, the Bravia handles SD better than I've seen the other tvs I've used handle it.

[Shozuki]

Nice one Concept - im glad to hear you've sorted that. My anticipation is truely growing for this set.

Ince - have you tried asking on AV forums? you might get a faster respose - also are you sure theres just not a signal problem in your area at the mo...

as I had a similar problem regarding sky a little while back...

[Shozuki]

SotC fares really well on the S-Series. I could take a photograph but detail would be lost.

Put it like this, the Bravia handles SD better than I've seen the other tvs I've used handle it.

Nice im glad to hear that!

BTW if your wondering why im frequently asking about SD - its because I know the PS2 will still be a big part of gaming for me, and i've been so gutted with previous LCD screens in 480i/p thats why im curious to find out if these fair any better - and it would appear they do.

my excite-o-meter is overflowing hearing all of these positives regarding Sony sets

[Concept]

Shozuki - As long as you don't expect 480p to be as high resolution as 720p/1080i then you won't be disappointed. There are positives and negatives - 480p on any set will show the lack of detail in terms of textures and AA with many PS2 games, and I'm sure you know 480i on a CRT manages to hide thanks to the softness scanlines. However, there's a crispness and colour quality to Component with the Bravia that's pleasing to the eye.

Here are three 480p shots of SotC on the Bravia to demonstrate what I mean - the photos may not be able to capture all the detail but the image is pin sharp and not the usual blocky upscaled mess you find on the likes of the Samsung sets et al. Hopefully these shots should give you an idea of what to expect in terms of quality.

[EvilBoris]

Looks nice, maybe my hatred of SotC is down to my old Samsung's ****ty SD handling?

[Shozuki]

Shozuki - As long as you don't expect 480p to be as high resolution as 720p/1080i then you won't be disappointed. There are positives and negatives - 480p on any set will show the lack of detail in terms of textures and AA with many PS2 games, and I'm sure you know 480i on a CRT manages to hide thanks to the softness scanlines. However, there's a crispness and colour quality to Component with the Bravia that's pleasing to the eye.

Here are three 480p shots of SotC on the Bravia to demonstrate what I mean - the photos may not be able to capture all the detail but the image is pin sharp and not the usual blocky upscaled mess you find on the likes of the Samsung sets et al. Hopefully these shots should give you an idea of what to expect in terms of quality.

thanks for that, I can already tell thats better then the Panny/Samsung I had in the past -

thanks again

[Shozuki]

Looks nice, maybe my hatred of SotC is down to my old Samsung's ****ty SD handling?

i'd guess so man, I loved SotC

[andrewfee]

Nooooo, now I really want to play SotC again. (sold PS2 a while back, intending on picking up a PS3, but I hear the emulation is awful)