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videotim
Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Location: Australia
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I recently purchased a HD Panasonic PVR & DVD Recorder after my older SD PVR died. I connected this up to my AWA 32" LCD TV using the HDMI input for the first time since I had purchased the TV over 2 years ago. I immediately noticed the HD picture quality via the HDMI input was great but the picture was very "dark" with very high contrast. This has not been a problem in the past using the other inputs. No amount of adjustment with the brightness, contrast, sharpness or colour etc., makes the picture acceptable. The problem is brightness but bringing the brighness up to a "satisfactory level only causes serious white saturation on brighter scenes. The HDMI input is hopeless. I have also tried another HD set top box on the HDMI and confirmed that the same problem exists, so it seem the issue is with the TV's HDMI input.
I have now gone back to the s-video input to get a completely acceptable SD picture.
It seems to me that there may be an adjustment issue with the HDMI inputs which possibly can be recalibrated. Does anyone know if this is the case or if there is any way to recalibrate or change anything other than from the standard menu items?
Cheers
Tim
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redwudz
Mod Neophyte
Joined: 07 Sep 2002
Location: AZ, USA
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Does the TV and DVD player have component video connections? That should be very close to HDMI in quality, certainly better than S-Video.
Not being familiar with that particular TV, about all I can suggest is to look for a service manual on the internet. Try using the exact model number and add 'service manual' in the search. There may be some sort of calibration switch or adjustment. It may be a 'black level' calibration problem, but that's just a guess.
If you post the exact model number here, someone may be more familiar with the TV.
And welcome to our forums. 
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videotim
Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Location: Australia
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Hi Redwudz
The TV is an AWA 32" LCD TV Model No: LTW32DS. I am pretty sure I tried the component input and again the picture problem was similar, which I guess is interesting as that is an analogue input - I will have to check that again. I think I went to S-video as I was trying to get an acceptable picture in what I understand to be the descending order of quality. I will have a bit of a search on the interweb for a manual or some info as you suggest. Thanks for the welcome and the quick reply. It is very annoying discovering this now as the warranty ran out about a month ago! Cheers Tim
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redwudz
Mod Neophyte
Joined: 07 Sep 2002
Location: AZ, USA
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HDMI is usually the best quality, then component, then S-video, then composite. But with HD on a small set like that, probably not much difference between component and HDMI, depending on the resolution settings.
Anyway, good luck.
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jagabo
Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Location: none
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There are a lot of variations in the video data over HDMI. 8 bit samples vs. 12 bit samples, RGB vs YCbCr, different resolutions, etc. Look through your player's options to see if you can change any of these. Also be sure you player is set to output to HDMI. If it's not, there might still be data coming out the HDMI port but it may not be the correct data.
Assuming the player and HDTV agree on the data format, and there isn't something wrong with the HDTV, you should be able to adjust the brightness and contrast to get an acceptable image. The exact labeling of controls varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. But generally one controls the black level (how dark the darkest parts are) and the other the gain (how bright the brightest parts are). Use a DVD with a test chart for calibration. Many THX DVDs include calibration charts. You can make one yourself from the Belle Nuit test charts.
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videotim
Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Location: Australia
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Thanks for your advise jagabo. I went home and tried the Component input last night and it works better than s-video definately the picture quality was greatly improved and the bright and normal. I am happy with it as it seems to compare favourably with the HDMI quality. I did try the HDMI "on" and "off" also but nothing I do improves the picture "darkness" without the white flaring on bright scenes.
I will get hold of a test chart or calibration DVD as it is so subjective trying to do it watching live programming as the source material is an unknown quantity. I was reading about them last night and had not thought of getting a calibration disk until then.
I am happy with the current setup now so thanks very much to both of you for your thoughts, guidance and assistance with this.
Cheers Tim
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guns1inger
Member
Joined: 01 Apr 2004
Location: Miskatonic U
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If you have a commercial DVD that has been THX'd (Pixar films, Star Wars, T2 2-Disc etc) then you will have the THX calibration for home use already. It is pretty rudimentary, but it will get you started.
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jagabo
Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Location: none
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Tim, this post has a DVD ISO image with the Macbeth color chart, ready to burn to a DVD:
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic319733-60.html#1846411
In the bottom left corner is the black level section. There are two vertical bars within the black area. The one on the left should be the same shade of black as the rest of the bar. The one on the right should just barely be visible. Here's that section of the chart brightened up to make the bars obvious:
Unfortunately that chart doesn't have a white level section.
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