Samsung 4K Calibration Help

[imsounoriginal]

Hey all,

So I recently set up my Samsung UN40KU6290 4K+HDR TV, and initially I was very impressed with the image quality. I connected my UBD-K8500 player directly to the TV via a Rocketfish 4K HDMI cable, and the resolution was phenomenal (though I didn't notice a huge difference in color/contrast/HDR, but more on that in a bit). Then when my receiver came in (a relatively basic Sony STRDH550), I passed the UHD player through that and into the TV, then realized I never had HDR mode activated (I had UHD color on, but not HDR, which I thought was the same thing ), so I turned it on and kept the same settings that I had calibrated via my Xbox One (which I know is not optimal, but it's served me well in the past and I dunno what else to use, frankly).

Now... I'm not loving what I'm seeing. I'm seeing some banding, a bit of a pasty/splotchy (for lack of a better word) look to the image when anything complex like smoke and dirt is happening, and overall not much (if any) of a difference over BD. I sampled some of Deadpool, ST Into Darkness, and Pacific Rim (which I had sampled the previous night, to phenomenal results), and they just don't look too great. I watched all of Jason Bourne last night, when the UHD player was hooked up directly to the TV, and it looked awesome; now, not so much.

I know there's no standard calibration for HDR, and I know that settings which work for one TV won't necessarily work on another, but what settings are others using to get the optimal picture results? Is my receiver doing something to downgrade the image quality? (It is supposedly a 4K-capable receiver, so I don't think that's an issue.)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Nowhere do I see that this particular Sony receiver passes HDR10 metadata. It must have both HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 ports in order to do so. Bad HDR to SDR signal conversion/truncation can cause all kinds of picture quality issues.

It may be such a bargain basement model that it doesn't have the full 18 Gbps 4k HDMI chipset spec. and/or a good video circuitry pathway as a those in the $400 or so and up model categories.

EDIT: I noticed this model came out in 2014 before HDMI 2.0a was released. No go on 18 Gbps capacity, HDR pass-through, and full BT 2020 gamut support, I'm afraid. This will damage the image quality of your 4k Blu-ray's.

Frankly, I would take it back and buy something of more substance. Heck, I wouldn't get a Sony receiver if my life depended on it. Too many QC issues. I would also be looking at a receiver that will handle Dolby Atmos and DTS: X immersive surround as well.

Yamaha Aventage receivers are normally solid, quality choices in the budget range. They even carry a 3 year warranty. The RX-A660 is their basic Aventage model if your room and speakers don't require a lot of amp power.

[imsounoriginal]

Ah damn, that makes sense. Thanks a bunch. Neglected to confirm that the receiver was HDR-capable before buying it. Just saw 4K and the $150 price tag and took it (trying to make this work on a budget)

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Ah damn, that makes sense. Thanks a bunch. Neglected to confirm that the receiver was HDR-capable before buying it. Just saw 4K and the $150 price tag and took it (trying to make this work on a budget)

I would still return it. Save up. Get something of better quality with more features (gotta have 3D immersive sound to go with the 4k picture!). Buy cheap, buy twice.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

I would still return it. Save up. Get something of better quality with more features (gotta have 3D immersive sound to go with the 4k picture!). Buy cheap, buy twice.

Ugh, I know, but I'm a ways away from immersive audio (tough to have the best sound when you're in an apartment). Anyway, I've fixed the problem for now by having the UHD player go straight into the TV while the audio feeds out to the receiver. Picture looks as fantastic as it did yesterday. I'll try to figure out what to do with the amplifier in the meantime, I've got at least two weeks to return it.

[PS3_Kiwi]

I got the Yamaha Aventage RX-A660 when I upgraded to Atmos/DTS:X, and I'm really happy with it. For a few more dollars you can get the RX-A760 which has several upgrades to the A660. I didn't need the upgraded amp, so I went for the cheapest option.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Ugh, I know, but I'm a ways away from immersive audio (tough to have the best sound when you're in an apartment). Anyway, I've fixed the problem for now by having the UHD player go straight into the TV while the audio feeds out to the receiver. Picture looks as fantastic as it did yesterday. I'll try to figure out what to do with the amplifier in the meantime, I've got at least two weeks to return it.

Be sure Deep Color is turned off in the Samsung player's menu.

Also, leave off BD-Wise in the player and the TV. It can cause problems.

The easiest way to get Dolby Atmos and DTS: X in an apartment is either mountable speakers like the Polk Owm speakers or small bookshelves on wall mounts or SVS Prime Elevation speakers up high on the wall toward the ceiling aimed at the MLP. All you have to do is fill the mount holes with white toothpaste when you leave and no one is the wiser for hanging something on the wall. Cover the wire with plastic speaker wire molding.