PS3 and BTB/WTW redux

[Frode]

I just recently upgraded my display and cabling to 1080p with HDMI, and have been re-reading the threads trying to figure out what settings are best. Things didn't quite add up however. After doing my own experimentation, it turns out that if you use RGB, the PS3 will NOT pass BTB or WTW. It doesn't matter if you use RGB Full or Limited - it will clip. All that RGB full does is scale/map 16-235 to 0-255 for BDs/DVD. It might be more beneficial for gaming/XMB - the jury's out on that for now until I can generate some test patterns that use the XMB only. Worst case you might need to switch between calibration presets.

The only way to get proper BTB/WTW is to force Y/Pb/Pr output (BD/DVD options) and to turn super-white ON (Display options). Anything else will clip the signal. Don't forget to recalibrate after you change the settings.

You can easily see if BTB is being passed by inserting a Sony BD, and typing 7669 on the remote from the disc menu. Hit the pause button so it won't switch to the next pattern. Boost the brightness setting on your TV quite high so it's easy to see BTB - you'll have three smaller black bars in the bottom bar. You can switch between component and RGB by hitting triangle, and entering the AV settings. Notice how one of the three bars disappears if you choose anything other than Y/Pb/Pr and super white - that's the clipping in effect.