Help me understand calibration?

[Rossmeister2]

(I'm sorry if this should be in another thread or section)

Hi guys.

I just got DVE, and I think I have a fairly basic idea about how to calibrate my TV. However, there are some things I don't understand.

I'll list my questions so it'll be easier for you guys to reply.

1: I'm done with all my settings, but I still think my display is too dark. Is it only possible to correct this by using backlight? With backlight at 0, I can crank my contrast all the way up by correctly using brightness and contrast test bars and still have the two last black bars be indistinguishable (ie, too dark).

2: How do I know if I have to adjust the individual colours by using the colour space settings? DVE only teaches me how to use one setting when it comes to colours (well two, if you count tint).

3: How do I know if I have to change white balance? How do I measure this without technical equipment? If that's even possible.

4: Gamma. Do I have to change this at all if I'm happy with my black level having used the contrast setting? More broadly, what is gamma?

These are my current settings for my Samsung LE65x-series. The room has been completely dark under calibration, with blue lights behind the display (to reduce eye strain etc, you know the deal). I'm only interested in calibrating for HD watching per now.

My BDP is a Samsung BD-P 2500.

Mode: Movie
Backlight: 0
Contrast: 100
Brightness: 48
Sharpness: 0
Colour: 51
Tint: G50/R50


Black Adjust: Off
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Gamma: -1 (not changed in Movie mode)
Colour space: Auto
White Balance: (No changes, 25 on all offsets and gains)
Flesh tone: 0
Edge enhancement: Off
xvYCC: Off


Colour tone: normal
Size: Auto Wide/Just scan
Screen mode: 16:9
Digital NR: Off
DNle: Off
HDMI Black level: Normal
100 Hz: Off
Blue mode: Off(course)