DaDude Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 In order to get the best and most accurate picture on my LCD TV, should I turn off dynamic contrast? When I turn it off, the picture seems significantly darker, but at the same time, white levels look more accurate. However, due to the picture being darker, it looks like I?m losing a bit of detail in the picture. Since I just turned it off for the first time yesterday, it could be that my eyes just need to get used to the more accurate picture. So, is turning off dynamic contrast the best way to go? Does it reduce eye strain? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzdawg Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Have you checked the AVS forums or CNET to see if there are any Calibrations done for your TV?... alot of the calibrations posted on the net will give you a great place to start without having to pay some dude $300+ to come and do it for you... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590304146 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaDude Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Have you checked the AVS forums or CNET to see if there are any Calibrations done for your TV?... alot of the calibrations posted on the net will give you a great place to start without having to pay some dude $300+ to come and do it for you... I checked AVS, but not CNET so I'll check right now. But just because TVs are the same model, each individual TV is unique. So, the calibration for one TV won't necessarily give the same results for another TV of the same model. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590304274 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Lacey Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I leave it off and have been satisfied with the picture quality, although I agree it is a little darker sometimes. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590304296 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted December 22, 2008 Veteran Share Posted December 22, 2008 Leave it off. It kills detail in dark scenes. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590304966 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaDude Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Leave it off. It kills detail in dark scenes. Thank you. I figured that leaving it off would be the best way to go. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305020 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEvan Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Get the Spyder3TV calibration tool. I already had a Spyder3 from my Monitor CAlibration suite, I borrowed the TV disk from a friend who had it and ran it on mine. The defaults on my sharp auqos 46" were pretty close, just had to tweak the tint, color, and contrast a little. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305056 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Troll Subscriber¹ Posted December 23, 2008 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 23, 2008 If the Spyder is too pricey for the setup, there is a free calibration DVD on AVS as well that works somewhat well...but as others have said, leave it off. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted December 23, 2008 Veteran Share Posted December 23, 2008 If the Spyder is too pricey for the setup, there is a free calibration DVD on AVS as well that works somewhat well... I only found one of those forums and it was VERY complicated. Was I looking in the wrong place? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305328 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Troll Subscriber¹ Posted December 23, 2008 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 23, 2008 I only found one of those forums and it was VERY complicated. Was I looking in the wrong place? Not sure if this is what you were referring to, but here is the link for the HD calibration disc, with Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, AVCHD and MP4 formats. More information and download links are available here - AVS HD 709 Here's the main calibration forum as well with much more detailed information - Calibration Forum Sorry if I misunderstood and was way off topic. I can't recall where the DVD based iso is at, but I guess in theory you should be using some sort of high-def unit to calibrate any new HDTV since the DVD patterns will only be in 720x480 resolution. Everyone has different opinions regarding the best calibration, such as doing each input separately etc... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305726 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Lacey Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 There's also the calibration thing on Sony Blu Rays, if you have a player, just put 7669 in. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305778 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaDude Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 I really appreciate the advice, but I was watching my TV for a couple of hours with the Dynamic Contrast turned off and I couldn't stand it. The picture is just too dark and I have a hard time seeing certain details. I know having it off gives you the most accurate results, but having the dynamic contrast on just gives the picture a much nicer and brighter look (at least to my eyes it does). So, I think I'll leave it on. Thanks anyway! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305886 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Troll Subscriber¹ Posted December 23, 2008 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 23, 2008 I really appreciate the advice, but I was watching my TV for a couple of hours with the Dynamic Contrast turned off and I couldn't stand it. The picture is just too dark and I have a hard time seeing certain details. I know having it off gives you the most accurate results, but having the dynamic contrast on just gives the picture a much nicer and brighter look (at least to my eyes it does). So, I think I'll leave it on. Thanks anyway! Whatever looks best to *you* is what matters. By default having it on looks OK, but when calibrating the set, it shoudl be off. I think that's where it was heading towards in our responses. Good luck and enjoy the set! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaDude Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Whatever looks best to *you* is what matters. That's true. The default settings had the dynamic contrast on medium, but I thought that was too much. Having it on low is just right. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590305978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrupa128 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Any calibration setups for LG 46" out there? I thought the $300 geek squad dude was the only option out there... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590306046 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Troll Subscriber¹ Posted December 23, 2008 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 23, 2008 Any calibration setups for LG 46" out there? I thought the $300 geek squad dude was the only option out there... Depends what you mean by calibration setups. If you mean doing a real calibration, then you'll need to hire someone or get the equipment to DIY. Search through the links I posted for AVS and see if they have any. I believe what you are referring to are optimal settings for your set. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590307200 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 23, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted December 23, 2008 All the "enhancing" crap should be turned off and the TV calibrated through the important settings which are (contrast/brightness/backlight/colour/sharpness and for some the actual RGB values). Everything is off on my Bravia except from colour space which is on wide. I sometimes use Standard, but Wide is good for gaming. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590307208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaDude Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 All the "enhancing" crap should be turned off and the TV calibrated through the important settings which are (contrast/brightness/backlight/colour/sharpness and for some the actual RGB values).Everything is off on my Bravia except from colour space which is on wide. I sometimes use Standard, but Wide is good for gaming. I see what you mean. All those enhancements are just artificial and they just give you an inaccurate picture. But to my eyes, those enhancements make the picture look better. Since I'm nearsighted, watching far away with the enhancements on really help when I'm not wearing glasses. If I don't have the enhancements on, I squint like crazy trying to make out certain parts of the picture. So, having dynamic contrast and edge enhancement on really helps a lot. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590307900 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted December 28, 2008 Veteran Share Posted December 28, 2008 All the "enhancing" crap should be turned off and the TV calibrated through the important settings which are (contrast/brightness/backlight/colour/sharpness and for some the actual RGB values).Everything is off on my Bravia except from colour space which is on wide. I sometimes use Standard, but Wide is good for gaming. I don't know about the PS3, but with the 360, it's wise to use standard. The 360 outputs in RGB (well, games are designed with the RGB color space) and that means a standard 16 - 255 color range. Forcing a 0 - 255 range with the wide option will most likely hurt the blacks, though it could be subtle. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590329066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 28, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted December 28, 2008 I don't know about the PS3, but with the 360, it's wise to use standard. The 360 outputs in RGB (well, games are designed with the RGB color space) and that means a standard 16 - 255 color range. Forcing a 0 - 255 range with the wide option will most likely hurt the blacks, though it could be subtle. Ahhh, I'm talking about Bravia Live Colour settings - You have standard or wide. Not the 360 settings. The 360 should be on standard for 95% of HDTVs for the reason you said. The other settings are primarily for monitors and will crush blacks on a TV. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590329748 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEvan Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Any calibration setups for LG 46" out there? I thought the $300 geek squad dude was the only option out there... did you read my post above about the Spyder3TV? if not google it. I used it on mine. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590333766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 2, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2009 did you read my post above about the Spyder3TV? if not google it. I used it on mine. At $200, it's a bit pricey for many people. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590351134 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEvan Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 At $200, it's a bit pricey for many people. True, but this IS the HOME THEATER section, and home theater doesn't usually consist of a 100$ 15" tv does it? If most people have enough money to spend on a flat screen, and a stereo for surround, if they want to optimize their system 200$ extra is nothing. And no I'm not saying everyone can afford nice home theater systems. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590351964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 3, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 3, 2009 True, but this IS the HOME THEATER section, and home theater doesn't usually consist of a 100$ 15" tv does it? If most people have enough money to spend on a flat screen, and a stereo for surround, if they want to optimize their system 200$ extra is nothing.And no I'm not saying everyone can afford nice home theater systems. TV's have plummeted in price. I just got a Sharp 32" for a little over $400 after taxes. There's no way, even an obsessive compulsive like myself, can justify spending around 45% of the price of the TV on a calibration tool, especially given the effect of the weak economy on my hours at work. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590353498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 3, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted January 3, 2009 True, but this IS the HOME THEATER section, and home theater doesn't usually consist of a 100$ 15" tv does it? If most people have enough money to spend on a flat screen, and a stereo for surround, if they want to optimize their system 200$ extra is nothing.And no I'm not saying everyone can afford nice home theater systems. $200 is a fair whack to spend on calibration. With some good man hours, calibration DVDs or even just a wide collection of calibrated settings off the internet for your TV, you'll do a decent job. In fact - How To Calibrate Your New HDTV (and Not Lose Your Mind): http://gizmodo.com/5098917/how-to-calibrat...-lose-your-mind Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/712540-on-hdtvs-should-dynamic-contrast-be-turned-off/#findComment-590353606 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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