Need Help!! Plasma Guys

[DerrellB]

Well while doing some upgrading to the home theater my wife, let me a buy Panny Plasma last night. I am new to the plasma world and wanted to know the do's and dont's. What are some of the things to do when you first turn it on. Just want to make sure I dont mess anything up. Thanks

[crackinhedz]

First thing to do is take it off factory presets...adjust the picture settings using a calibration disc.

Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition [Blu-ray]

...in the mean time, I would turn down the contrast and brightness. Say to perhaps half level (but still watchable for you).

Also, I would turn pixel orbiter to 1 minute.

[crackinhedz]

You might notice some image retention while using it for the first time...but this will go away over time after you lower contrast and brightness, and the phosphors have had time to warm up.

If you want more peace of mind, you can download and play the Plasma Break-In-DVD.

Its debatable whether "break-ins" are necessary, but its free and certainly won't hurt.

I ran this disc for about 16 hours...some people like to run much longer. But I do not get any image retention at all.

[kpkelley]

Calibration, calibration, calibration!!!


Don't leave it in torch mode. If you don't have a calibration disc, look for settings at avsforums.com or this site as a guideline(note: not the rule, every room is different).

It's not necessary to avoid letterbox material, but I would suggest applying some diversity to your viewing habits. Don't leave it a channel with a ticker or channel logo for days on end.

I would suggest stretching 4:3 material, at least for the first few hundred hours, but you could just change the side bar color in the televisions menu instead.

[DerrellB]

Thanks Guys,

I am ordering the calibration disc as we speak from amazon, I had been looking for one and this one gets great reviews. My next question is after calibration, do I run the break in dvd, and after that is it ready for viewing?

[crackinhedz]

if you have any Sony blurays, you can use the SMPTE test patterns that is stored on the disc....at the menu press 7-6-6-9

Color Bars and How To Use ‘em

This will help you to adjust for color and contrast/brightness. Then after you've been using the TV for a while, use the Spears & Munsil disc to fine tune it.

You can run the break-in-dvd at any time (usually to begin with), just keep your contrast and brightness level down.

[DerrellB]

Also what exaxctly does the calibration disc do. Will I have to set my settings after the calibration disc is ran or does it do it for me. Just new to this and want to make sure I do everything right with the plasma to have the best picture possible.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Also what exaxctly does the calibration disc do.

It helps you adjust for the most accurate picture settings. The disc will show you the proper way to adjust for brightness, contrast, color, tint, sharpness etc.

Will I have to set my settings after the calibration disc is ran or does it do it for me.

You make these settings while you watch the disc. It walks you through each setting and should pause to let you make proper adjustments. (no it won't do it for you! )


Also, Pansonic plasmas & Bluray, the best setting to use/adjust is the Cinema mode. Using "wam" color temp.

[crackinhedz]

by the way, what model panny did you get...and where are your pictures!

[DerrellB]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

by the way, what model panny did you get...and where are your pictures!

I have a 50 inch S1 that I have not even cracked the box on yet, just got it last night. Got a bundle deal with panny bd80. So let me see if I have this correct, when I first turn it on turn down the contrast and brightness then follow with the burn in dvd. After that how long do I wait before I run the calibration disc?

By the way here are the pics. I want open it til my new reciever and sub arrive as well as my new power conditioner. I have sold the sony blu ray player, the hk receiver and the monster power conditioner.

[DerrellB]

And also turn of torch mode when i first turn it on right.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

So let me see if I have this correct, when I first turn it on turn down the contrast and brightness then follow with the burn in dvd. After that how long do I wait before I run the calibration disc?

Yes, turn the brightness and contrast down...if you have a Sony bluray, use the test pattern.

Then run the Break-IN-DVD.

I would run the Spears & Munsil disc when you first get it, but also run it again down the road after the plasma phosphors had time to wear in.

[DerrellB]

ok cool i think i got it. I am going to set it up this weekend and let the break in dvd run all day sat, hopefully my calibration disk will be here by then and i can continue setting it up before watching a good blu

[garageinc2001]

please let us know what you did for the setup and how you did it. I have a 3 day old X1 that I need to break in also.

[DerrellB]

Ok I have this disk Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition and I have no idea on how to use it. It has so many things you can do. Can someone chime in on it and kind of get me going in the right direction. Also are plasma screens naturally darker the lcds.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Ok I have this disk Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition and I have no idea on how to use it.

The User's guide (.pdf)

Setting the Contrast Control

Setting the Brightness Control

Using the Calibration Filter



These can be found on the Spears & Munsil website.

if you have any additional questions, Stacey Spears and Don Munsil are bluray.com members as well!