quality of dvd picture

iain · 27-01-2002, 12:29

hi,

I have just bought a Sony DVP S735D, which I presumed to be pretty decent machine from the reviews I've read of it.

However, there does seem to be s slight shadow effect - mostly not noticeable, but moreso when there is text or an on screen graphic.

I do also get this with the cable tv, but thought that DVD would be that bit sharper. Is this normal, or is there something I can change in the settings to make it sharper.

Thanks,
Iain

Mark Hughes · 29-01-2002, 02:58

Hmm... check your cables, and your TV, would be my first port of call, as you say it's happening with cable TV too.

How are you connecting them all together?

Mark

iain · 29-01-2002, 11:11

Hi,

The connections are :

DVD -> TV - SCART
CABLE -> TV - SCART
CABLE -> VCR - SCART
VCR -> TV - SCART

If this helps... I even shelled out on a QED scart, hoping that would help. It has to some degree - maybe I'm just being picky?

Iain

Kevo · 29-01-2002, 13:13

What SCART setting are you suing on your DVD player?

RGB (recommended)
S-Video (second best)
Composite (AVOID)

iain · 29-01-2002, 13:37

Hi,

Its set to RGB.

Iain

Mark Hughes · 29-01-2002, 14:11

It could, I guess, be somethign to do with the way your TV processes RGB signals, or possibly even ALL signals. Do you get the "problem" on terrestrial broadcast TV?

Mark

iain · 29-01-2002, 15:28

Hi,

Thanks for the input by the way.

The tv has only had digital input for so long now - partly because its not near the aerial socket, and also because my RF output on my VCR has kind of become detached from the VCR over the years...

I guess the common factor in all this is the TV - although its only a 2.5 yr old Sony Wega widescreen so should still be ok....

Ho hum. Anyway, I guess its not that bad - just not quite as good as I'd expected

Iain

Mark Hughes · 29-01-2002, 15:42

It certainly doesn't sound quite right... I'm sure there should be something you can do about it.

Have you set up the brightness/contrast correctly?

Mark

iain · 29-01-2002, 15:55

Mark,

Any tips on tv setup appreciated - its always looked pretty good, with the exception of this slight shadow. (it is very slight and certainly liveable with - just more noticeable sometimes with things like the Simpsons).

I only really mention it now as I had thought it would be less noticeable with the DVD.

How would something like brightness and contrast be setup wrongly?

Thanks again,
Iain

MicroSmurf · 29-01-2002, 16:18

I don't think this has been mentioned yet (apart from brightness and contrast) but it may be worth fiddling with the tv's picture sharpness control. Sometimes if it is set too high it can produce some shadowing or ghosting with certain tv's. Try turning it down and you may find it reduces...... just a thought

Mark Hughes · 29-01-2002, 16:22

The sharpness control should, really, be turned fully down. Turning it up introduces artifacts because it's artificially edge enhancing the picture. It works on VHS 'cause the source material is so awful, but not on DVD / digi TV. That said, I still keep mine a little way up.

Brightness and contrast - you should probably have them turned down

I have my brightness set on about 1/4, and contrast about 3/4, but people say you should keep the contrast down aswell.

It's easiest to set up using a THX thingy on some DVDs (not sure if you get 'em on UK DVDs) - shows you boxes and tells you how to adjust the controls to make it look "right".

Mark

MicroSmurf · 29-01-2002, 18:00

Mark

You are absolutely correct in your decription of the use of the sharpness control. My tv is set exactly how you described with the sharpness set to min and the brightness and contrast set quite low, and I must say the quality with dvd is glorious and digi tv not far behind. I do also have one of those set up dvd's (Ultimate dvd Platinnum or something) which has been used for the odd tweak.

iain · 30-01-2002, 09:14

Cheers guys,

I'll certainly try the sharpness control - I think it is set quite high - theory being it would be sharpening up the picture! Sounds like this might help.

Iain

sirius_black · 30-01-2002, 13:36

Another thing to check is weather your scart cable is actually an RGB scart cable. Most cables that ship with players are standard composite scart, not RGB. So, it won't matter if you switch your player to RGB or not, you won't be seeing the full clear image.

The best way to check is the edges of menu screens. If there's a "fizzy" or "colour bleeding" feel to them, then they are not RGB.

RGB is nice and sharp!

cylmax · 30-01-2002, 13:52

Just out of interest. Where would I most likely be able to get my hands on one of those set-up discs? Sounds like they could optimise the display somewhat.

Davo · 30-01-2002, 14:31

Click here and do a search on "ultimate DVD"

Orbitalzone · 30-01-2002, 15:43

You might find that the sharpness and colour control doesn't actually alter if you are viewing an RGB signal. Many TV's can be altered with the onscreen display, the level moves up or down, but no actual change occurs....

It's also possible that the shadow you mention is due to the setup of the TV (engineers controls not user controls) so maybe a tweak here or there might help. I'f you feel brave and want to alter things (and DO be ever so careful) CLICK HERE FOR A GOOD SONY TWEAK SITE but please please read the pages carefully otherwise you really could screw up the TV!

Finally, it's possible that your TV is just working as well as it can!

iain · 31-01-2002, 09:35

Thanks everyone - turns out that the Sharpness control was the problem - turned it right down, and bingo! no more shadow!!

Iain

Mark Hughes · 31-01-2002, 13:54

Wayhey

Cool, glad you've got that sorted.

Mark

iain · 31-01-2002, 15:07

Me too! Now all I need to sort out is the bowing effect at the top and bottom of my Sony. From reading in forums at least I've discovered this is a common problem and not just me.

Do you think if I can find my 5 year warranty I got with the set, I could persaude House of Fraser to replace it with a newer model?

I'll get my coat.
Iain

Mark Hughes · 31-01-2002, 15:16

Got anything to lose by trying? I certainly wouldn't be happy with the picture bowing...

Mark

27-01-2002, 12:29	#1
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	quality of dvd picture hi, I have just bought a Sony DVP S735D, which I presumed to be pretty decent machine from the reviews I've read of it. However, there does seem to be s slight shadow effect - mostly not noticeable, but moreso when there is text or an on screen graphic. I do also get this with the cable tv, but thought that DVD would be that bit sharper. Is this normal, or is there something I can change in the settings to make it sharper. Thanks, Iain

29-01-2002, 02:58	#2
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	Hmm... check your cables, and your TV, would be my first port of call, as you say it's happening with cable TV too. How are you connecting them all together? Mark

29-01-2002, 11:11	#3
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Hi, The connections are : DVD -> TV - SCART CABLE -> TV - SCART CABLE -> VCR - SCART VCR -> TV - SCART If this helps... I even shelled out on a QED scart, hoping that would help. It has to some degree - maybe I'm just being picky? Iain

29-01-2002, 13:13	#4
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	What SCART setting are you suing on your DVD player? RGB (recommended) S-Video (second best) Composite (AVOID)

29-01-2002, 13:37	#5
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Hi, Its set to RGB. Iain

29-01-2002, 14:11	#6
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	It could, I guess, be somethign to do with the way your TV processes RGB signals, or possibly even ALL signals. Do you get the "problem" on terrestrial broadcast TV? Mark

29-01-2002, 15:28	#7
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Hi, Thanks for the input by the way. The tv has only had digital input for so long now - partly because its not near the aerial socket, and also because my RF output on my VCR has kind of become detached from the VCR over the years... I guess the common factor in all this is the TV - although its only a 2.5 yr old Sony Wega widescreen so should still be ok.... Ho hum. Anyway, I guess its not that bad - just not quite as good as I'd expected Iain

29-01-2002, 15:42	#8
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	It certainly doesn't sound quite right... I'm sure there should be something you can do about it. Have you set up the brightness/contrast correctly? Mark

29-01-2002, 15:55	#9
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Mark, Any tips on tv setup appreciated - its always looked pretty good, with the exception of this slight shadow. (it is very slight and certainly liveable with - just more noticeable sometimes with things like the Simpsons). I only really mention it now as I had thought it would be less noticeable with the DVD. How would something like brightness and contrast be setup wrongly? Thanks again, Iain

29-01-2002, 16:18	#10
MicroSmurf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,177	I don't think this has been mentioned yet (apart from brightness and contrast) but it may be worth fiddling with the tv's picture sharpness control. Sometimes if it is set too high it can produce some shadowing or ghosting with certain tv's. Try turning it down and you may find it reduces...... just a thought

29-01-2002, 16:22	#11
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	The sharpness control should, really, be turned fully down. Turning it up introduces artifacts because it's artificially edge enhancing the picture. It works on VHS 'cause the source material is so awful, but not on DVD / digi TV. That said, I still keep mine a little way up. Brightness and contrast - you should probably have them turned down I have my brightness set on about 1/4, and contrast about 3/4, but people say you should keep the contrast down aswell. It's easiest to set up using a THX thingy on some DVDs (not sure if you get 'em on UK DVDs) - shows you boxes and tells you how to adjust the controls to make it look "right". Mark

29-01-2002, 18:00	#12
MicroSmurf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,177	Mark You are absolutely correct in your decription of the use of the sharpness control. My tv is set exactly how you described with the sharpness set to min and the brightness and contrast set quite low, and I must say the quality with dvd is glorious and digi tv not far behind. I do also have one of those set up dvd's (Ultimate dvd Platinnum or something) which has been used for the odd tweak.

30-01-2002, 09:14	#13
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Cheers guys, I'll certainly try the sharpness control - I think it is set quite high - theory being it would be sharpening up the picture! Sounds like this might help. Iain

30-01-2002, 13:36	#14
sirius_black Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 29	Another thing to check is weather your scart cable is actually an RGB scart cable. Most cables that ship with players are standard composite scart, not RGB. So, it won't matter if you switch your player to RGB or not, you won't be seeing the full clear image. The best way to check is the edges of menu screens. If there's a "fizzy" or "colour bleeding" feel to them, then they are not RGB. RGB is nice and sharp!

30-01-2002, 13:52	#15
cylmax Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 466	Just out of interest. Where would I most likely be able to get my hands on one of those set-up discs? Sounds like they could optimise the display somewhat.

30-01-2002, 14:31	#16
Davo Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 62	Click here and do a search on "ultimate DVD"

30-01-2002, 15:43	#17
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	You might find that the sharpness and colour control doesn't actually alter if you are viewing an RGB signal. Many TV's can be altered with the onscreen display, the level moves up or down, but no actual change occurs.... It's also possible that the shadow you mention is due to the setup of the TV (engineers controls not user controls) so maybe a tweak here or there might help. I'f you feel brave and want to alter things (and DO be ever so careful) CLICK HERE FOR A GOOD SONY TWEAK SITE but please please read the pages carefully otherwise you really could screw up the TV! Finally, it's possible that your TV is just working as well as it can!

31-01-2002, 09:35	#18
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Thanks everyone - turns out that the Sharpness control was the problem - turned it right down, and bingo! no more shadow!! Iain

31-01-2002, 13:54	#19
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	Wayhey Cool, glad you've got that sorted. Mark

31-01-2002, 15:07	#20
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Me too! Now all I need to sort out is the bowing effect at the top and bottom of my Sony. From reading in forums at least I've discovered this is a common problem and not just me. Do you think if I can find my 5 year warranty I got with the set, I could persaude House of Fraser to replace it with a newer model? I'll get my coat. Iain

31-01-2002, 15:16	#21
Mark Hughes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere near London Posts: 2,936	Got anything to lose by trying? I certainly wouldn't be happy with the picture bowing... Mark

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quality of dvd picture