Is There Another Mode I Should Be Using For My SXRD To Display More "Pop"?

[Linksys2.4]

I have a KDS-50A2020 SXRD display which has been calibrated in "Standard" mode (I know the preferred mode for all these sets is "Custom" but I simply couldn't find a satisfactory image in this mode even with eliminating all the enhancements in the Advanced Settings, etc.) yet even when I play most Blu-rays, there's something that just doesn't "pop"...is it due to the rear pro technology versus the LCDs? The 120Hz refresh on the LCDs? I actually like when the 120Hz sets make the film look like video on 1080p material, but my SXRD isn't equipped with this feature. Sure, Blu-rays are sharp and clear for the most part, but they don't really look like high definition on this set...the Standard mode has been calibrated with several different discs, including the DVE HD Basics Blu-ray, which brought my settings to these:

Dynamic Iris: Auto 1
Contrast (Picture): 80
Brightness: 52
Color: 42
Hue: 0
Color Temp: Neutral
Sharpness: 28
Noise Reduction: Low

Would switching to the always avoided "Vivid" mode help bring Blu-rays to "life" on this set? Could it be Standard isn't giving me true 1080p? My Panasonic DMP-BD10A is feeding the screen 1080p, according to the display readout when I press the Sony's remote, but maybe something is getting "lost" or is this not possible?

And what's the deal with 1080p/24 -- could the fact that my SXRD doesn't accept 1080p/24 be "dumbing down" the clarity and pop of the BD films?

[popcornninja]

It could definitely be something with the settings on the player and/or the TV. I have the 60A2020 and I find it to be one of the best displays I have seen. Not to say there isn't better quality TVs out there but I have been very pleased with my setup.

I have screenshots also in my HT gallery to show what my screen looks like - link. Understand I'm not a professional photographer so my pics may vary.

I will check my settings when I get home and post them.

[4K display]

I had a KDS-50A2020 and it was a stunner until the lamp started dimming rather rapidly(prematurely I might add). IIRC I also used approximately the same settings as you and I found the picture leaned more towards natural and smooth compared with the pop and razor-sharpness of the better flat panel LCDs out there.

I would imagine that "vivid" will reduce the lifespan of your bulb but if that mode is pleasing to your eye then go for it. Don't worry about calibration accuracy and standards and enjoy a picture that is pleasing to you.

[Sylin]

Check out David Katzmeier's custom settings for this series on the cNet web site. I have this exact same TV (KDS-50A2020) and his settings were spot-on.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by popcornninja

It could definitely be something with the settings on the player and/or the TV.

The TV is set to "Standard" mode, with the settings I provided; the player is set to output in "Normal" picture mode, so the DVDs and Blu-rays come over as-is without any "processing."

I have the 60A2020 and I find it to be one of the best displays I have seen. Not to say there isn't better quality TVs out there but I have been very pleased with my setup.

I have screenshots also in my HT gallery to show what my screen looks like - link. Understand I'm not a professional photographer so my pics may vary.

I will check my settings when I get home and post them.

Thank you; I'll check out your pics...

Not saying that the TV doesn't look good -- it's just that Blu-rays don't really "pop off the screen" with 1080p material as you see with LCDs and such; there isn't that "surreal" effect that 120Hz displays give...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by 4K display

I had a KDS-50A2020 and it was a stunner until the lamp started dimming rather rapidly(prematurely I might add). IIRC I also used approximately the same settings as you and I found the picture leaned more towards natural and smooth compared with the pop and razor-sharpness of the better flat panel LCDs out there.

You mean you were running your mode in Standard with my settings, approximately? And that's what I'm experiencing -- the images are a bit "smooth" looking on Blu-rays, like a very good DVD transfer. Not what I suspected high def should look like.

I would imagine that "vivid" will reduce the lifespan of your bulb but if that mode is pleasing to your eye then go for it. Don't worry about calibration accuracy and standards and enjoy a picture that is pleasing to you.

You have to be the first to actually condone using Vivid! While I would consider using it, I would calibrate in that mode -- not just run it at factory values; still, I wonder if using Vivid will give those "off the screen" surreal images I am looking for...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by Sylin

Check out David Katzmeier's custom settings for this series on the cNet web site. I have this exact same TV (KDS-50A2020) and his settings were spot-on.

I did check those settings out -- from almost the week I had my set; his settings created a hoopla in the HT community for people with this Sony. The problem is, his Custom settings made the picture WAY too dim and soft, and I heard this from many other KDS owners...

It's not a good idea to simply copy other picture settings from someone else's set over to yours because each display ships with different parameters and what looks good on one set won't necessarily work for another. They should each be set up individually in your viewing environment.

[popcornninja]

OK so I looked at my settings but forgot to write them down!

Mine are similar to the cnet post, but I have so settings different -
Custom
Iris - Auto 1
Picture - 90
Warm 1 (instead of 2)

The rest are fairly close. I'll try to make sure I actually write them down next time.

I totally agree with you that everyone will have a slightly different take on settings. You have to make sure it looks good to you first. Like I say I've been very pleased with it and think it looks amazing for the most part.

Is it time for you to do a TV upgrade?

[ZMan]

I would like to get some custom settings for my KDS-R60XBR2. I've had this set for few years now and it is still running with settings out of the box. Has great picture so I never really messed around with it. If I could get some good settings maybe I would attempt a change.

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Linksys2.4

I did check those settings out -- from almost the week I had my set; his settings created a hoopla in the HT community for people with this Sony. The problem is, his Custom settings made the picture WAY too dim and soft, and I heard this from many other KDS owners...

It's not a good idea to simply copy other picture settings from someone else's set over to yours because each display ships with different parameters and what looks good on one set won't necessarily work for another. They should each be set up individually in your viewing environment.

You could always try Digital Video Essentials on Blu-ray. I use Katzmeier's settings for movies, but I used DVE for games and TV.

[genkifd]

i love my KDS70R200a picture quality...... still haven seen a 70" screen that really matches the picture quality to date.....

my setting have been adjust via the service menu and my tv has been modified so my tv settings compared to the standard are some what different....

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by Sylin

You could always try Digital Video Essentials on Blu-ray. I use Katzmeier's settings for movies, but I used DVE for games and TV.

My settings have been adjusted with the help of DVE (BD) and a DVD setup disc...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by popcornninja

OK so I looked at my settings but forgot to write them down!

Mine are similar to the cnet post, but I have so settings different -
Custom
Iris - Auto 1
Picture - 90
Warm 1 (instead of 2)

The rest are fairly close. I'll try to make sure I actually write them down next time.

I totally agree with you that everyone will have a slightly different take on settings. You have to make sure it looks good to you first. Like I say I've been very pleased with it and think it looks amazing for the most part.

Is it time for you to do a TV upgrade?

Thanks for sharing your settings; I would love to trade up this rear pro set for an LCD with 120Hz technology (I LOVE that "film to video" look this feature gives LCDs, and I think that "surreal" appearance of Blu-rays is what makes high def) but I simply cannot justify the cost right now.