LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[MarioMark]

You should be fine. I just checked the manual, the TV seems to switch to 'PC Mode' when it detects a PC connected (which will disable unwanted processing, ensure there is no overscan etc.). There is also a 'Screen Fit' setting just in case the display overscans anyway.

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/co...VBEU5A-ENG.pdf

Don't be afraid of using VGA if you'd rather use the DVI port for something else, btw. I don't know what resolutions the TV supports over VGA, mind

That's perfect. Thanks for info, I just wanted peace of mind.

[SUMIRE]

I just started using my Wii again, but this time on my Plasma 42" Panny and noticed I can't get it fullscreen. I always get black borders left and right, about 2" no matter what mode I use. Is that normal?

The Wii main menu seems to be full screen though....

[sj33]

Does it happen with all games? Some games implement overscan compensation whereby it will render with black bars.

[SUMIRE]

Actually, yes I checked, seems to be just on some games.

[sj33]

It's a throwback from the CRT days when the image would always overscan off the sides of the screen to some extent, so some games take it into account. Unfortunately, a lot of devices where Component is the primary output mode still operate under this CRT mentality.

There's not much you can do about it. Strictly speaking, it is 'correct' that it is displaying the borders because it means it's displaying the full image (unlike some TVs). The 'fault' is in the game.

[SUMIRE]

It's a throwback from the CRT days when the image would always overscan off the sides of the screen to some extent, so some games take it into account. Unfortunately, a lot of devices where Component is the primary output mode still operate under this CRT mentality.

There's not much you can do about it. Strictly speaking, it is 'correct' that it is displaying the borders because it means it's displaying the full image (unlike some TVs). The 'fault' is in the game.

Ok, thanks, yeah just a bit annoying when playing on plasma for obvious reasons I prefer not to have borders when possible.

[Lyris]

For those interested in where Plasma display tech is going to go... I'll be doing live text (and, fingers crossed, video!) from this year's Panasonic Convention in Hamburg:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/panasonic-convention-2012.php

Monday at 12:15 UK time!

[bash]

Hmmm, can you give us the juicy bits Lyris? some of the phone/app TV stuff sounded interesting.

[Olly C]

I'm looking for some help with TV choices here..

I've had a really nice Sony Bravia 32v2000 for the last 5 years, its served me very well and handled everything I've thrown at it, but now its time for an upgrade! I'm looking at getting a 3D TV thats LED LCD and 40"/46" and have so far narrowed my options down to the following models:

Sharp LC-40LE831E / Sharp LC46LE831

Samsung UE40D7000 / Samsung UE46D7000

Sony Bravia KDL-40HX723 / Sony Bravia KDL-46HX823

Firstly the room its going in is 7 foot x 8 foot so I'm wondering what'd be the best size option to get as I'll be able to sit around 3ft-5ft away from the TV, I hear the bigger the TV the better the 3D emersive exerience is though.

Price-wise anything would be considered under ?1,000 but I'd like to know if say the ?400 upgrade is worth it from the Sharp models listed to the Samsung models, where as the Sony models are somewhere in between..

The main strenghts I'm looking for are 2D HD picture quality and 3D picture quality and the TV will be used mostly for Sky+HD, Xbox 360 (and other gaming) and Blu-Ray watching.

Cheers for any help!

[SUMIRE]

I've just noticed on my Panasonic plasma, if you look at a solid colour, most noticeable on green, I can see dark areas were a health bar was on a game I played recently (kingdoms of amalur). It's not image rention, more like were the colours for say red and blue was on the health bar that is obviously in the same place all the time when playing. You can't notice them much really unless the background is solid, but they seem to be there all the time now, ie not dissapearing over time.

I thought all this had been sorted on recent plasmas. To be honest I kind of wish I went for LCD/LED as I am still paranoid about burn in.

[Lyris]

I've just noticed on my Panasonic plasma, if you look at a solid colour, most noticeable on green, I can see dark areas were a health bar was on a game I played recently (kingdoms of amalur). It's not image rention, more like were the colours for say red and blue was on the health bar that is obviously in the same place all the time when playing.

Sounds like image retention to me!

Run the screen wipe (in advanced settings on the 2011 models and onwards) for a few hours, or overnight. I had a shadow of the BBC NEWS logo and it went away this way.

[SuperBeatBoy]

Recieved my amazing tv today!

Just wondering is the 200 break in period still needed today? If so should i just keep my default values a little below while i'm breaking it in.

This is my first plasma and i want to get it right.

Thanks guys!

[Lyris]

A lot of people swear by running break in slides, including respected calibrators.

But personally, I've never bothered with it. When the PDP is new, I just use it and take some care not to display HUDs, obnoxious channel logos (BBC News, etc) for too long. I advise putting it into the accurate picture mode (THX, True Cinema, Professional - whichever your model has) and enjoying it.

I've stuck BBC News channel on the ST50 review sample I received last week to test how resilient the screen was. I got some pretty nasty image retention since the panel was new, but it cleared up.

[bcass]

What are the best 50" HD plasmas in the ?900 to ?1000 price range? I've heard good things about the Panasonic GT30 and ST30. 3D isn't essential for me, but would be nice to have. It is decent at this size/price range or should I just forget about it?

[Dazzyman]

I just got the new Sammy e550 51" plasma in that price range in Currys at weekend. Amazing plasma and active 3d with two glasses includedv