Am I being too picky?

[Iceman_II]

This last weekend, I purchased a Mitsubishi WD73733 TV to replace my Sony K60WE610... and I got it set up last night.

I know the 60" set being smaller would have a tendancy to a sharper picture, but I figured that going from 768 native resolution on the Sony to 1080P on the Mitsu would compensate for that...

The problem is, he Mitsu picture just seems "softer"... even with the sharpness cranked all the way up.

Any thoughts, or am I just spoiled by my old Sony set?

TIA,
Scott

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

This last weekend, I purchased a Mitsubishi WD73733 TV to replace my Sony K60WE610... and I got it set up last night.

I know the 60" set being smaller would have a tendancy to a sharper picture, but I figured that going from 768 native resolution on the Sony to 1080P on the Mitsu would compensate for that...

The problem is, he Mitsu picture just seems "softer"... even with the sharpness cranked all the way up.

Any thoughts, or am I just spoiled by my old Sony set?

TIA,
Scott

I would think that you would want to turn your sharpness down. I have found that a higher sharpness blurs edges. Are you watching blu or TV because that will make a huge difference.

[CptGreedle]

You need to re-adjust this. Sharpness will not actually make an image look sharper, but by cranking it up like that you add distortion to the image. First off, calibrate the system.
Also, if everything else is set up right, the image should look about the same. The higher resolution will sometimes make an image look softer by enlarging it to fit the screen. This is a normal thing and the only way around this is to use a different up-sampling method. You should experiment with the settings. Also make sure you use an HDMI cable for the best image, and that the source you are watching is an HD capable source.

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

I would think that you would want to turn your sharpness down. I have found that a higher sharpness blurs edges.

When I turned down the sharpness, it got softer

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

Are you watching blu or TV because that will make a huge difference.

Yes, both... and while there is a difference, they are both softer than the Sony

But on the upside, at least this set doesn't have SDE like the 60" did! And you have got to love hyperwhite!

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

You need to re-adjust this. Sharpness will not actually make an image look sharper, but by cranking it up like that you add distortion to the image. First off, calibrate the system.
Also, if everything else is set up right, the image should look about the same. The higher resolution will sometimes make an image look softer by enlarging it to fit the screen. This is a normal thing and the only way around this is to use a different up-sampling method. You should experiment with the settings. Also make sure you use an HDMI cable for the best image, and that the source you are watching is an HD capable source.

Yep, everything is HDMI, using the PS3 for the BD stuff, and using Dish's HD-DVR for the satilite/OTA signal.

Looking into getting a spyderTV to do the calibration.

Edit:
FWIW... SD looked bad in 60", but it looks even worse in 73!

[clyon]

turn down the sharpness, it is not ment to be used that way. If you have any sony bd, stick it in at the menu type in using the remote 7669, goto the video set-up, goto the second screen hit pause. You will see lots of lines & circles, use the sharpness setting to get the line sharp, you will never get it 100% (my sony a2000 is set at 4).

It will take about 500hours for the lamp to brake-in (stabilize the colors & britness) & then you can calibrate the tv

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by clyon

turn down the sharpness, it is not ment to be used that way. If you have any sony bd, stick it in at the menu type in using the remote 7669

Yep, did that to set sharpness, anything less than 100% gives a moire pattern on some of the test patterns. I also got out my old cast away SD-DVD which had a rudimentary set up routine for contrast and brightness... though you raise an excellent point, until the lamp breaks in, calibration is all tentative.

[CptGreedle]

OK, it sounds like you are doing something wrong.
The sharpness should never go up to 100% to fix the patterns. Although a self-calibrating DVD (where you calibrate it yourself) helps, I ALWAYS recommend that you get a professional to calibrate you system. It might be a bit costly but it is always worth it. They can set up the right sharpness with a series of pattern tests, adjust the wavelengths of each color, adjust the brightness and temperature, and more. They can even adjust and calibrate any surround sound system you have.
I highly recommend this to everyone who is picky about their system. I know Magnolia has 2 services, one quick calibration, the other full calibration. The full costs around $300. But once again, to people like me, it is worth every cent!

[Iceman_II]

What do you think of the spyderTV calibration?

I am bidding on one over on Ebay... anyone reading this, please do NOT bid me up... shoot me a PM, and we can talk about sharing.

[richard lichtenfelt]

This is the only time you will here me say to go to AVS. Check out their forum search and put in the name and model # of your set then look for a thread on settings and/or calibration. For my Sony lcd tv I found numerous posts where people included exactly what settings they are using. Some of these settings came from professional calibrations.

[Iceman_II]

You know, I have avoided registering at that OTHER forum for a long time, but the search function now requires you to register, so I did...

Now I just feel somewhat "unclean"... and I don't even think a shower will help... after all, how do you remove soil from your soul?

And the worst thing is, I think it may be too new, because I didn't find any threads yet on calibration... so I have become soiled for naught

[PSA1]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

This is the only time you will here me say to go to AVS. Check out their forum search and put in the name and model # of your set then look for a thread on settings and/or calibration. For my Sony lcd tv I found numerous posts where people included exactly what settings they are using. Some of these settings came from professional calibrations.

No TV with the same model will have the same output, just because a pro calibrated the same model for someone else will be right for your set if you take his settings. Calibrate it yourself of hire someone that is my advice.

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

What do you think of the spyderTV calibration?

I am bidding on one over on Ebay... anyone reading this, please do NOT bid me up... shoot me a PM, and we can talk about sharing.

Professionally, we do not use the Spyder system, we use the Macbeth system. It tends to do a wonderful job for monitors. As for TVs, if this is an LCD, it will be similar, but for plasma it might use different settings. Projectors are a different matter entirely.
These do a better job for the color than the standard settings, but honestly, if your TV is good, you don't need to calibrate it very often. The colors tend to last a long time without constant calibration.
These do a good job but a professional can still do better. For the price difference, I opted for the professional, but if you want to save a little, the spyder should do a decent job.
But I don't think this will adjust the sharpness. That has to be done by hand. It might have a sample screen for adjusting it, but your sharpness level should never be as high as 100%.

[supersix4]

id say picky lol ... or maybe I just dont look into my tv that much but when we switched to 1080p all I could see is how much better it looked

[raginranger]

I'll soil you baby

[DavePS3]

Many people are used to seeing a "sharper" image but much of that sharpness had to do with edges with dot crawl and flutter. HD is softer by that definition. However what you need to look for, is the total lack of that dot crawl... fluttering edges etc. What you have is more like a photograph and when you look closely at a good photograph, you see that smooth transition between edges. HD is the same way. You should be able to walk right up to the image and from 8 inches away, not see all the bloody distortion that the old 'sharpness' gave you. Look at how rock solid the reds are without bleeding... how white script on black - like end credits are not bleeding out. That's what HD gives you. Lack of distortion and noise. Trust us all when we say, once you watch a few movies like this (assuming your vision is 20-20 if not, get glasses, seriously. I did) and you when you go back to the old way, I'll bet you take down the sharpness on it real fast.

Once you see what noise and distortion adds and takes away, you wont want it again. You're just too used to seeing the old way, that's all.