utterly confused, with no end in sight - re 1080p/24 & 120/240 etc

[cneo]

Ok, am completely confused, and research only adds to the confusion.

I've got two Sony XBR2's which aren't directly compatible with 1080p/24; they max out at 1080p/60 (which itself ticks me off since, like many, when I got these sets I assumed I had made a good investment for future viewing etc. But, what happens to a 1080p/24 signal on these sets, for example when I have 1080p/24 on my DMP-BD60 set to "on"? does it get converted to 1080p/60? And if I have the BD setting set to "off", does the signal from the BD still come in at or get converted to /60?

Also, (and I know this is a loaded question as I've been trying to clarify for myself for days now) what makes the picture from BD so much better on a newer tv vs. an older one (like my XBR2)? Is it the ability to take /24 directly or is it the 120/240 refresh rate etc?

The extremely smooth, almost surreal look, that I see in BB, Fry's etc., what's this from? I can't reproduce it on my BD w/ the XBR2, but can on my 3rd tv, an xbr4.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by cneo

Ok, am completely confused, and research only adds to the confusion.

I've got two Sony XBR2's which aren't directly compatible with 1080p/24; they max out at 1080p/60 (which itself ticks me off since, like many, when I got these sets I assumed I had made a good investment for future viewing etc. But, what happens to a 1080p/24 signal on these sets, for example when I have 1080p/24 on my DMP-BD60 set to "on"? does it get converted to 1080p/60? And if I have the BD setting set to "off", does the signal from the BD still come in at or get converted to /60?

Also, (and I know this is a loaded question as I've been trying to clarify for myself for days now) what makes the picture from BD so much better on a newer tv vs. an older one (like my XBR2)? Is it the ability to take /24 directly or is it the 120/240 refresh rate etc?

The extremely smooth, almost surreal look, that I see in BB, Fry's etc., what's this from? I can't reproduce it on my BD w/ the XBR2, but can on my 3rd tv, an xbr4.

I think what you're experiencing is actually Sony's Motionflow (different brands have different names for it, but essentially it gives it the "smooth, surreal" soap opera look). I don't think it has anything to do with the 24p, but I'm not familiar with the XBR2 and could be mistaken. I have a Bravia KDL52-W4100, and there are separate settings for Motionflow and the 24p enhancement of film-like images. On my model, it is the Motionflow setting that gives it the look you're describing.

Also, keep in mind that the images you see in those big box stores aren't necessarily something to aspire to. Usually they are set to vivid (or extreme settings) and really are not ideal for home viewing (this is why so many of us calibrate - to get better, and more realistic, images from our sets).