CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Ridebreck

I've pretty much convinced myself that I'm screwing something up in my grayscale "calibration" for my HD source. I'm running a Motorola 6412 HD-DVR via component at 1080i to my Moome internal card. Aside from the usual loss of low-level detail, I'm finding that my overall image (while sharp as a tack) just seems muted and not very colorful. By comparison, my Panasonic S97S outputting 720p via HDMI/DVI to my Moome card looks great - colorful, punchy, etc.

I set G2/Drive setting on both recall memories using the Marquee's internal grayscale pattern, which I'm thinking was my first mistake. Unfortunately I have Comcast, so no HDNET for me, just InHD. I have InHD's "Tune Up" program recorded on my DVR, which I normally just use to center the image and set brightness/contrast. Should I use the InHD grayscale sweep pattern to set G2/Drive much like with the internal pattern, or is there something else that I'm missing.

FYI, G2's are all in the low-mid 60's with Drive set at R=33, G=90, & B=50. Brightness=~47, Contrast=45. I have the same G2/Drive settings for DVD, with Brightness & Contrast nearly identical, but providing a much more punchy image.

Any tips?

Tom.W · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 6635

Here are some good HD test patterns...http://www.4000p.dk/eviltwin/forum_posts.asp?TID=336&PN=1

Ridebreck · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks Tom. I may have to give those a try.

Let me ask my question another way, though: What's the better way to set G2/Drive levels - with the internal Marquee steps pattern, or with a pattern from an external source? I would think that the external source would be preferred. Also, I've seen threads before where people reported that they get a punchier image by setting contrast & brightness to "40" before adjusting G2/Drive as opposed to setting C & B at "50". Is that consistent with some of you guys' experiences?

JustGreg · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 3098 Location: Kenosha, WI

BUMP!

I need this info too Matt. Before my last full reinit I had an image that popped...I've lost something along the way and can't seem to get it back.

aspec2 · Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 549

Ridebreck

Why don't you use the "User Setting" in the color temp portion of the service menu. I use 6500K for my HTPC and User Setting for Moto 6200 STB which feeds input 2. I wish I had the equipment to do it properly with a colorimeter but I don't. I just eyeball it and then compare it to the MyHD by switching inputs. You have the channels set up so all you need is a different memory for the Moto STB.

Walt

Ridebreck · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

I originally used the "User Setting" in the service menu to "Set 6500K" according to the directions on E-Tech's site. After playing around with it some this weekend, I found that my G2/Drive settings ended up being the same with the external pattern as they did with the internal. It was my Brightness/Contrast settings that were off on my HD source. Things look pretty good now.

erikjohn · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 636 Location: Florida

Ridebreck.,
I set the levels per the Etech then do a greyscale for internal. THe settings they give are good for new tubes. I am setup very close to them on my 9500. After I am done with that I tweak per the picture. You need to have good reference material. The picture needs to be accurate for HT. The sky should be the right shade of blue, grass right shade of green etc. I like to use the greyscale method to get it close but I will tweak for weeks or more till colors get just right. I also record my settings each time in case I make something worse I can go back to what I had before.

I have mine set real good now but before I would see something and see that it wasnt right so I may lay off blue or up a notch with green, etc. If you have good source material then your eyes wont lie when you are viewing something and you know what color it is suppose to be.

Erik