First HDTV coming in the mail tomorrow- simple setup suggestions?

[slackerinabox]

I plan on getting a professional setup done in the future, when I have money.. But any good pointers to get a nice out of the box image on the RPTV based tv? Most people's RPTVs are so dull and lifeless based on them screwing up the settings, I guess. What are some good guidelines? I read somewhere that you should set the contrast at 50% or less - true? Any other pointers like that?

 

[conehead433]

A little more information might help. Is this a CRT, LCD, DLP, or Plasma? What kind of signal will you be feeding the set- local analog cable, logal analog /digital cable, OTA HDTV, Satellite, etc.? I have a Sony KP-57WS510 (CRT) currently with just basic analog cable hooked up. For the most part I have contrast, hue, etc. near 50% give or take a little. Out of the box or in showrooms most sets have the color turned up too high. With the analog signal I turn the sharpness almost all the way down. I prefer the standard viewing mode over either pro or vivid and also prefer normal over warm or cool. Unfortunately when you change modes you almost have to completely readjust everything for that mode. As a general rule I adjust the color and saturation for skin tones. Even with the best adjusment the picture can still vary from channel to channel. Play around with it till you get the picture you like. IF you're going to be watching HDTV you'll want to have a much sharper image than you would with analog, but again it depends on the set. Personally I think the LCDs I've seen in stores have the sharpness set too high. Anyway hope you enjoy your new set.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: conehead433
Is this a CRT, LCD, DLP, or Plasma? What kind of signal will you be feeding the set- local analog cable, logal analog /digital cable, OTA HDTV, Satellite, etc.? (HDTV Cable, progressive scan dvd)I have a Sony KP-57WS510 (CRT) currently with just basic analog cable hooked up. For the most part I have contrast, hue, etc. near 50% give or take a little. Out of the box or in showrooms most sets have the color turned up too high. With the analog signal I turn the sharpness almost all the way down. I prefer the standard viewing mode over either pro or vivid and also prefer normal over warm or cool. Unfortunately when you change modes you almost have to completely readjust everything for that mode. As a general rule I adjust the color and saturation for skin tones. Even with the best adjusment the picture can still vary from channel to channel. Play around with it till you get the picture you like. IF you're going to be watching HDTV you'll want to have a much sharper image than you would with analog, but again it depends on the set. Personally I think the LCDs I've seen in stores have the sharpness set too high. Anyway hope you enjoy your new set.

thanks for the suggestions - anyone else?

 

[Albis]

i suggest that you buy the dve / avia setup disc and play around with it for a few days. you'll get a much nicer picture after that and than decide if you still want to pay a professional to config it

 

[Excelsior]

If you can, rent/borrow/buy Avia (http://www.ovationmultimedia.com/avia.html) and go through its calibration setup.