Sony TV Owners & Discussion Thread

[Neon Kitten]

i noticed that too..

Dont think its a concern.. just normal electrical component working and just being a little noisy

I think so anyways..

It's the fan. This is also mentioned in the manual.

[Owen]

Owen, I've been doing some retro reading and came across your post: as above.

You are spot on with your comments re. mixing various SXRD models, SXRD & LCDs and the likely difference between overseas models and those for Australia.

And the need for 50Hz support over here.

And - of course - "... let your eyes be the judge..."

Since the time of your post, have you any new observations or experiences regarding the VP30 processor and the Aussie SXRD?

I use a PC for everything; if it does not play via the PC I don’t watch it.

I used the Sony HD STB to watch the Bathurst racing, the only free to air TV I have watching in months, and found that for 576i source I was better of setting the STB to 576i output and letting the SXRD do the deinterlacing and scaling.

With the STB set to 1080i output, the STB is deinterlacing and upscaling to 1080i, a job it does not do very well.

I also played around with the DRC pallet, and found I liked a setting of Reality = 1 and Clarity = 100. This setting also worked well for Foxtel-Austar.

As for the VP30, I can’t comment, I have never even seen one.

[iCEWATER]

So is there a link somewhere for calibrations for 46inch X series lcd screen?

I have gone thru few threads.. plenty of other models etc and other screen sizes..

Or am i just blind?

cheers

Here is the thread:

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=54940

I will be posting my settings later.

I'm still in the process of calibration.

I've used the calibration dvd and I'm now just fine tuning.

[rovers95]

hi just hoping someone can help me.

I purchased a sony bravia KLV40V300 tv 3 months ago and to be honest I am having picture problems. I seem to get issues mainly on dark colours and occasionally in white,(small squares and shadows) I run through foxtel digital My question is can anyone help me in trying to fix this as it is very annoying whilst watching movies before I go and ask someone out to loook at it

cheers

Andy

[sydney888]

has anyone got Teletext to work??

Not sure how to enable it?

Does digital FTA have Teletext?

thanks

[Trigg]

Good question. I can't get it to work either. Maybe it does'nt work as digital.

Needs to be on Seven (70 etc)

[drsmith]

I found the 576i and 1080i from the Sony HD-STB to be similar, but upon reading the above I'll take a closer look.

On another front I have just used the DVE-HD reverse grey ramp with steps (1080TITLE2_14.EVO) to calibrate correct video black and white to the Dell 2405FPW and the SXRD.

For the Dell 2405FPW the dots on the ramp line up with black and white with a brightness of 47% and a contrast of 62% under the video colour settings within the Nvidia control panel.

For the SXRD with the brightness at 53, the corresponding Nvidia settings were brightness of 50% and contrast of 58%.

I have also recently re-examined colour settings using the DVE-HD 75% colour bars with reference grey (1080TITLE2_5.EVO). With the colour on the SXRD set to 51 blue and red is spot on but green is slightly out. I can't find a way to fully calibrate green and I am still at a loss as to why I come up with a colour setting of 51 for the SXRD while other owners are in the low to mid 40's.

The above results were with playback via with MPC (WMVideo Decoder DMO) and PowerDVD.

This post has been edited to correct a mistake I made in my calibration last night. The changed settings are highlighted in bold.

Edited October 25, 2007 by drsmith

[Owen]

You should be calibrating the display not the PC. Leave the PC drivers set to default unless you have a good reason to change them.

You can’t calibrate colour without instruments and I can assure you that 53 is VERY high, 44 is more appropriate.

[drsmith]

You should be calibrating the display not the PC. Leave the PC drivers set to default unless you have a good reason to change them.

I can calibrate the approporate black level with the SXRD's settings with the Nvidia brigfhtness at the default setting (50%), but not white. I need to increase the Nvidia contrast settings slightly to get the white end of the scale lined up with the 3 dots on the DVE-HD test pattern.

If memory serves me correct you also made slight adjustments to settings within the Nvidia control panel to maximise contrast.

You can’t calibrate colour without instruments and I can assure you that 53 is VERY high, 44 is more appropriate.

I have calibrated color to 51 but I agree, that is still high compared to a setting of 44.

To calibrate colour I used the DVE-HD test pattern mentioned in my previous post with the blue, red and green colour filters supplied with the DVD version of DVE. If there is an alternative that will yield a more accurate result, I am curious to know what it is.

Edited October 24, 2007 by drsmith

[kendrew]

I use a PC for everything; if it does not play via the PC I don’t watch it.

I used the Sony HD STB to watch the Bathurst racing, the only free to air TV I have watching in months, and found that for 576i source I was better of setting the STB to 576i output and letting the SXRD do the deinterlacing and scaling.

With the STB set to 1080i output, the STB is deinterlacing and upscaling to 1080i, a job it does not do very well.

I also played around with the DRC pallet, and found I liked a setting of Reality = 1 and Clarity = 100. This setting also worked well for Foxtel-Austar.

As for the VP30, I can’t comment, I have never even seen one.

Thanks anyway, Owen. Even your comments unrelated to the VP30 are intuitive.

Sorry for the stuff up regarding your earlier post. Here is the content:

". . . .When reading discussions about deinterlacing and SXRD’s, make sure to distinguish between XBR1, A2000 and XBR2 models, as they are all different.

DRC settings can also affect results, so those need to be known as well.

Also don’t mix up XBR2 SXRD and XBR2 LCD displays.

There is also no guarantee that the Australian models will be the same as any of the above. There could be significant differences due to the need for 50Hz support in our sets.

Best idea is to let your eyes be the judge.

The 60” SXRD should be available in stores now, so you should not have to wait too long.

The Faroudja dcdi does not handle 1080i. Chips that do like Silicon Optics HQV and Genum VXP cost big money. . . ."

[merovingian]

The talk about DVE here is good timing since I just got hold of DVE-SD (PAL). I've been using it to check the brightness and contrast settings that I settled on using the Vista Media Center calibration tool. As I mentioned somewhere (don't think it was this thread), these settings needed substantial re-adjustment a couple of months ago when I upgraded the Nvidia driver (for my 8500GT). I think it was when I went from 160.xx to 162.22. I think the driver update resulted in the system rescaling video levels to PC levels, with the result being I needed to increase my brightness setting on the SXRD from 53 to 62.

Using the DVE-SD disk last night, I came out with a brightness of 63. The test pattern has a video black (16?) background, with a grey scale in the middle, flanked (on both sides) by three bars - 2% brighter than black, 4% brighter than black, and a third bar that is blacker than video black. The disk says that all 3 bars should be visible if I turn the brightness up, and that if the blacker than black bar does not appear it means that my source device is clipping the levels. Well the black than black bar does not appear for me; so this does confirm that the video levels are being re-scaled to PC levels right? I think so. Besides trying a different Nvidia driver, does anyone know how I can get 162.22 to behave itself? Surely this should be able to be controlled from the Nvidia Control Panel?

[Owen]

I can calibrate the approporate black level with the SXRD's settings with the Nvidia brigfhtness at the default setting (50%), but not white. I need to increase the Nvidia contrast settings slightly to get the white end of the scale lined up with the 3 dots on the DVE-HD test pattern.

The white level test is primarily for CRT displays which can suffer from overdrive problems.

By increasing contrast on the PC so that peak white is 235 you are clipping the video signal. You should only do that if you already had the contrast “Picture” control on the SXRD set in the mid 80’s (maximum practical) and where after more light output, but since a standard SXRD is bright it’s not normally advisable.

If you don’t have the “Picture “ control set that high, why would you push for maximum contrast on the PC?

If memory serves me correct you also made slight adjustments to settings within the Nvidia control panel to maximise contrast.

Yes, but I have a modified SXRD with less then half the light output of a standard set,

I need all the light output I can get.

To calibrate colour I used the DVE-HD test pattern mentioned in my previous post with the blue, red and green colour filters supplied with the DVD version of DVE. If there is an alternative that will yield a more accurate result, I am curious to know what it is.

The ONLY way to calibrate colour is with suitable accurate instruments. If you use the colour filters you will stuff up your grey scale.

You can do a better job by eye looking at the grey ramp pattern and looking for a perceptible colour hue.

[drsmith]

The white level test is primarily for CRT displays which can suffer from overdrive problems.

By increasing contrast on the PC so that peak white is 235 you are clipping the video signal. You should only do that if you already had the contrast “Picture†control on the SXRD set in the mid 80’s (maximum practical) and where after more light output, but since a standard SXRD is bright it’s not normally advisable. If you don’t have the “Picture “ control set that high, why would you push for maximum contrast on the PC?

Yes, but I have a modified SXRD with less then half the light output of a standard set,

I need all the light output I can get.

I have the "picture" control setting on the SXRD set to 82. Setting it higher does not reduce peak white to 235.

In your experience, how far past 235 have you found video content to go. I have not yet tested the above settings with much video material, but if I notice clipping or find it too bright I will reduce the contrast on the Nvidia control panel accordingly.

The ONLY way to calibrate colour is with suitable accurate instruments. If you use the colour filters you will stuff up your grey scale.

You can do a better job by eye looking at the grey ramp pattern and looking for a perceptible colour hue.

I have just viewed some greyscale ramps while adjusting the color setting on the SXRD and note the following;

There was no change when viewing a greyscale ramp on the PC desktop from TechPCvg. There was however a trend towards a reddish blue tint with increasing colour on a DVE-HD greyscale ramp when viewed with Windows Media Player and with PowerDVD.

Edited October 25, 2007 by drsmith

[MLXXX]

~

In your experience, how far past 235 have you found video content to go. ~

All the way to 255 unfortunately, Dr Smith. See my post #4 about McLeod's Daughters in the thread Sxrd 60" & 70" - Measurements And Photos, Gamma, vignetting, etc where red in the image referred to in the footnote reached 255, but in the same frame R11 G11 B11 was also present. No wonder the contrast looked so exaggerated.

This is the worst example I have encountered of exaggerated contrast. Many FTA programs do not go below 16 and only slightly exceed 235.

My complaint is not so much with how far above 235 the video goes, as how compressed it can be in the region just above 16. Routinely, major areas of video frames as telecast are encoded as just above 16, leading to substantial patches of near black with no detail.

I don't think the realization has dawned with some broadcasters that modern day displays are capable of relatively high contrast and do not need to be fed a signal that ranges from 16 to 235 in every frame of a telecast drama. But then some television dramas may themselves be produced in this exaggerated manner so as to maximize the impact on the 'small' screen. So the broadcaster is merely transmitting what the movie producer intended.

Edited October 25, 2007 by MLXXX

[Owen]

I have the "picture" control setting on the SXRD set to 82. Setting it higher does not reduce peak white to 235.

The SXRD will never clip whites, even with 255 input and “Picture” set to 100.

In your experience, how far past 235 have you found video content to go. I have not yet tested the above settings with much video material, but if I notice clipping or find it too bright I will reduce the contrast on the Nvidia control panel accordingly.

I have just viewed some greyscale ramps while adjusting the color setting on the SXRD and note the following;

Video should rarely exceed 235 by much, but it does exceed it, so don’t clip it at 235 unless you must. Allowing a little more head room is advisable.

There was no change when viewing a greyscale ramp on the PC desktop from TechPCvg. There was however a trend towards a reddish blue tint with increasing colour on a DVE-HD greyscale ramp when viewed with Windows Media Player and with PowerDVD.

Don’t confuse grey scale adjustment with Saturation adjustment, they are completely different issues. Grey scale sets colour temperature or hue, either Red, Green or Blue. These are adjusted with the RGB Gain and Bias controls in the “Advanced/ White Balance” settings, where as Saturation is how intense colours are, adjusted with the Colour control.

A grey scale ramp will show serious anomalies in grey scale tracking, but Saturation will have to be set by eye over time, viewing a variety of video content. 44-48 should be appropriate depending on source.

I am using 46 with an ATI video card at the moment.

[SJ2014]

Here is the thread:

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=54940

I will be posting my settings later.

I'm still in the process of calibration.

I've used the calibration dvd and I'm now just fine tuning.

cheers for that.. will look at the link now!!

you have a calibration dvd?? i never got one

whered you get yours from?

cheers

[tcross]

Just picked up a 40 X last week but have noticed a slight humming sound coming from the TV's left hand side when it's

in use.

When I mute the sound I can hear it (we sit about 2.5m away, sounds like a electrical humming sound), obviously less noticable if I am watching something.

Just wondering if others have experienced this, and whether I should be returning this one for a replacement?

yes i certainly have the same humming noise and it comes from the rear of the screen in the top left.i usually have the sound up pretty loud so it has not bothered me very much... yet... i would be interested to hear how you go if you do anything about it

[Guest johnny_melb]

Have any X / XBR series owners tested out PS3 gaming on their new units? I'm keen to know what people's experiences are with the new 100HZ 'Fast Motion' the Bravia's are boasting about...

Ta.

[whitey66]

Have any X / XBR series owners tested out PS3 gaming on their new units? I'm keen to know what people's experiences are with the new 100HZ 'Fast Motion' the Bravia's are boasting about...

Ta.

My Xbox 360 plays perfectly on it,so i'd imagine the PS3 would too.

From FPS to high speed racing games,this Tv's perfect for gaming,and believe me,i'm a fussy prick.

Halo 3 and GRAW 2 look amazing on this screen.

The only problem is,I can't keep the kids off it.

[john h1503561508]

Any news, Kendrew?Have you managed to get a great picture yet?

[Thudd1503560234]

I have found that most microfibre cloths are actually very abrasive - and WILL scratch delicate, high gloss surfaces.

That's because most microfibre cloths are rubbish. Buy your microfibres from somewhere that specialises in car detailing (I got mine from waxit.com.au but there are others) and you get a cloth that just will not scratch.

[ChessKing]

yes i certainly have the same humming noise and it comes from the rear of the screen in the top left.i usually have the sound up pretty loud so it has not bothered me very much... yet... i would be interested to hear how you go if you do anything about it

Guys,

Thanks for all your help, I have re-read the manual and it does indicate that a fan is being used inside the TV. The humming noise seems to be more noticeable when the TV has been used for a long period of time (I assume the fan is probably spinning faster

as a result of heat build up). Generally if I am watching something it's not really an issue, it only becomes more noticeable if I mute the TV. I wasn't aware that LCD TVs actually using fans for cooling, as I only heard of fans being used in Plasmas.

[Guest Browneagle]

Guys,

Thanks for all your help, I have re-read the manual and it does indicate that a fan is being used inside the TV. The humming noise seems to be more noticeable when the TV has been used for a long period of time (I assume the fan is probably spinning faster

as a result of heat build up). Generally if I am watching something it's not really an issue, it only becomes more noticeable if I mute the TV. I wasn't aware that LCD TVs actually using fans for cooling, as I only heard of fans being used in Plasmas.

I have the new KDL52X3100 and its totally quiet. The AVS forum has had lots of discussion around noise on the 42 and 46" models but the no probs on the 52's. Apparently the 52's dont have fans' I certainly cant hear one.

I am curious to hear people experience with Cinemotion. I am really happy with the 100hz for sports, and cant see motion blur. However when watching HDTV shows like Prision Break etc I struggle a biut with fast panning - not blur just judder. On the AVS forum this has been discussed at length but this is based on reverse 3:2 pulldown which shouldnt be a problem in Australia as we have PAL which is 25 fps, so any thing shot in 24 fps shouldnt be as effected as the guys in the US with NTSC at 30fps.

Cinemotion seems to help me on fast pans on some shows, and almost appears to make it worse on others???

Edited November 1, 2007 by Browneagle

[Guest podgy]

Hi everyone well i ended up buying the sony 52x3100 lcd just finished setting it up no dead or stuck pixels which is really good,ps3 bluray is fantasic,xbox360 with hd addon Awsome,media centre few problems first time using hdmi cable for media centre from ati 2600xt card how do you get a full screen i get a screen with black border around it states that its running at 1920*1080 60hz but dont know how or what settings to use have include picture of my setup

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/pod...01112007174.jpg

[Xizor]

gone thru 4x 46" X series LCD all had pixel issues. Current (4th) one the pixel issues arent bright pixels (yet) so cant do yet another warranty, so i guess thats both good and bad. Pretty piss poor by sony in terms of quality control.