Plasma (1120HD) and display of very dark/black objects....

[MCF]

My new Pioneer 1120HD has a great picture, but I notice that in slightly dark to very dark scenes, black objects like hair or a black suit become slightly blotchy or washed out. I know that displaying dark objects in dark scenes is one of the struggling points for Plamsa, but would adjustments to settings like color, sharpness, contrast, color temperature, etc. help improve this? I pretty much have everything set at factory level except for color (-8) and tint (-2). Color temperature is set to medium.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

My new Pioneer 1120HD has a great picture, but I notice that in slightly dark to very dark scenes, black objects like hair or a black suit become slightly blotchy or washed out. I know that displaying dark objects in dark scenes is one of the struggling points for Plamsa, but would adjustments to settings like color, sharpness, contrast, color temperature, etc. help improve this? I pretty much have everything set at factory level except for color (-8) and tint (-2). Color temperature is set to medium.

I would recommend that you calibrate your plasma using Avia or any other test disc with video test signals. But blacks have always been a problem with fixed paneled video devices.

[edtyct]

Sir T's right about the blacks, but your plasma is among the very best on that score. Brightness/ contrast levels out of the box might have something to with what you've noticed, and you can certainly try the sharpness control; sharpness in plasmas is more apt to need a drop than a lift. Oversaturated color might also have something to with loss of detail. Rather than getting all balled up in a tizzy with trial and error yourself, you'd be wise to get a calibration disk.

But this loss of detail could also stem from a DVD player, or a particular output from a DVD player, which sometimes can crush black and destroy detail. Samsung's DVI outputs were notorious for that, as are those of any digital device that outputs PC black levels rather than video black levels (particular disks and broadcasts can do it, too, but less likely). Also, certain DVD players with Faroudja processing can exacerbate problems with MPEG decoding, resulting in macroblocking, a blotchy look in colored or dark backgrounds. Denons and Panasonics are particulary susceptible to this disease.

Plasmas' own difficulty with black is usually more an inabiltiy to handle subtle dark gradations (false contouring or the creeping moss syndrome) or a compromised grayscale than an inherent tendency toward blacker than black. As I said, your model, is among the best in this context. I don't recall, however, whether it has a setting whereby you can toggle between PC (RGB) and video (YPbPr) black levels. If so, opt for the latter. Same point applies to your DVD player or STB; check setup and avoid PC black if possible. Also, use the warm temperature setting on he Pioneer; it might be listed either as "warm," "low," "medium," or "D65" (even if it varies greatly from D65).

Ed

[MCF]

Thanks!! I read that the Pioneer should be great at displaying blacks. I have the AVIA DVD but have only used it for sound calibration. Luckily I still have the little 'color strips' that came with it and will try to calibrate the tv using the DVD. If I make it worse, I can always reset to default settings. I also just read about the sharpness and that too sharp will result in Halos. I will try it at -2 or -4 (right now at zero). Regarding color temperature, I have a choise of Low, Medium Low, Medium, Medium High and High. I read a review that the 'Low' setting on the Pioneer is closest to 6500K..is this what I want for watching DVD's and HD digital cable? The problem with the blacks seems more apparent while watching HD tv...like last night with CSI Miami in high def......

[edtyct]

MCF,

Yes, the low setting is the one to use. If I recall correctly, unlike many that claim to be at 6500K, Pioneer's is actually close throughout the grayscale. Avia should help immensely, but color and black levels vary between standard def (including 480p) and high def. You may well have to create different settings for different inputs, if your HD, SD, and DVD sources are separated that way. If not, you'll have to find a reasonable compromise, unless you want to be changing settings constantly (I personally have to go the compromise route, since I use the same digital input via an external switch for every source). Try bringing up contrast and brightness slightly when watching HD. Maybe that will restore some of the lost detail. What kind of DVD player do you use? Does it pass blacker than black information? If so, it will make setting the black level on the Pioneer easier and finer.

Ed

[MCF]

is a Sony 5 Disc DVD player...it's progressive scan and is about two years old. Don't know about any specifics of output on DVD player. Unfortunately, all my component signals from DVD player and Time Warner Box go to my AVR and then a single component cable out of AVR to Pioneer Media box so I will also have to find a good compromise between DVD and cable. I will increase contrast from factory setting of + 40 to + 45 (as recommended by you and review of tv), increase brightness from 0 to +5 (as recommended by you and review of tv), drop sharpness from factory setting of 0 to -2 to -4 and set color temperature to Low and see how this does. I will use AVIA, but probably not till this weekend. Anything else?