In-Store PQ is way better..why?

[igotdvds]

While strolling through BB this weekend, I noticed a 47" Samsung 1080p LCD showing the version of Ratatouille. Why did the PQ look SOOOO much better than mine at home. It was so clear it looked 3D. It was amazing. I have a Samsung 1080p DLP, the PQ change shouldnt be that huge.

[Marvin the Martian]

At a guess, I'd surmise that the display was set up for the store's light levels. Often, displays that end up in the home aren't recalibrated for the light levels in the domestic environment, with the result that they don't look as good as they did in store.

[aaronwt]

In store picture quality looks like crap compared to what I see at home. It's extremely rare for me to see a display that comes close to how mine looks at home. But it has happened twice. They came close but still not as good.

[igotdvds]

Was the sharpness just jacked up or what? It looked a little TOO REAL if you can understand what Im saying.

[twojayz]

Originally Posted by Marvin the Martian

At a guess, I'd surmise that the display was set up for the store's light levels. Often, displays that end up in the home aren't recalibrated for the light levels in the domestic environment, with the result that they don't look as good as they did in store.

I'll agree with that. The factory settings are normally set to what they call "torch mode" to make the picture stand out compared to other displays. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a better quality picture, your eyes might be playing tricks on you. The recalibration at home is a crucial step in getting at least close to the "right picture". Really what it amounts to is that the visuals are going to have more pop, colors will be oversaturated and contrast will be jacked up to levels that could eventually damage the display. It's all a marketing ploy to make you think the picture is "better"...Using something like the THX Optimizer will generally get you a closer to accurate picture than anything you'll get out of the box. Something to keep in mind...And I use that as an example because most people have at least one THX certified DVD...

[Rich86]

Originally Posted by igotdvds

While strolling through BB this weekend, I noticed a 47" Samsung 1080p LCD showing the version of Ratatouille. Why did the PQ look SOOOO much better than mine at home. It was so clear it looked 3D. It was amazing. I have a Samsung 1080p DLP, the PQ change shouldnt be that huge.

If I am reading your post correctly, you are comparing two completely different display technologies and types in totally different viewing environments. Personally, I always find good quality 1080p lcd sets to look more detailed and sharp than projection sets - but the install environment, viewing angle and lighting can make a huge difference also, esp. with projection sets?

[goatmother]

I'm guessing you were watching it on a120hz Samsung. Ratatouille looks amazingly like the rats are in the room when I use the 120hz motion enhancer on the high setting on my SXRD.

[igotdvds]

Originally Posted by goatmother

I'm guessing you were watching it on a120hz Samsung. Ratatouille looks amazingly like the rats are in the room when I use the 120hz motion enhancer on the high setting on my SXRD.

YES, thats what it was. 120hz, why did this look so much better for this film. Also, what mation enhancer are you referring too?

[goatmother]

Originally Posted by igotdvds

YES, thats what it was. 120hz, why did this look so much better for this film. Also, what mation enhancer are you referring too?

Well on the Sony sets like my rear projection display they call it "motion enhancer" on the Samsungs I think it is "auto-motion plus" but basically the same thing I believe. What it does is interpolating the images from the source (blu-ray being 24 frames per second), basically some algorithym is adding in framers in between for smoother motion. It is probably a little more complicated than that as they have settings but that is the main idea.

If I find some actual info from a Samsung or Sony site I'll add it, otherwise just google ""auto-motion plus" or 120 herz displays.

[igotdvds]

So that feature on a TV would have that much drastic improvement in the PQ, amazing.

[Rich86]

Originally Posted by igotdvds

So that feature on a TV would have that much drastic improvement in the PQ, amazing.

I've heard folks sing praises for 120hz - and others criticize it. I've never attempted a critical comparison. When we got our lcd set about a year ago, I made sure the panel had a quick response time (4ms) as from what I could tell, that was an important factor in how well the TV handled quick action. We ended up with a Sharp Aquos 1080p 46" lcd - it does not have a 120hz option - and we have been very happy with it.

[twojayz]

Having the 120 display will give you a smoother and more film-like presentation. These displays are designed from the start to cater to both film (24 frames per second) and video (30 frames per second). By having the 120 "frequency" of the display there are no artificial frames being added. 120 is divisible by both 24 and 30 equally. With a "normal" set designed for 30 fps playback, when watching a film recorded at 24 fps there must be a conversion done at some point (typically at the source component, DVD player) in which the device will add frames to display at the 30 fps. With a 120 display, there is no need to add artificial frames into the signal, it's native which creates a smoother picture.

[Paging DR B]

maybe the TV at the store was...better??
The only time i saw something at a store that blew me away was the first time i saw somthing displayed at 1080p/24.
At fry's they had a setup running one tv at 1080p and the other was 1080p/24. One set of tv's was showing Pirates of the carribean, and the other set of tv's were showing Ratatouille. Pirates had the "window effect" which made everyone look real, but IMO it made the movie look super fake as if i was on the set. Ratatouille looked so friggin great and 3D but it looked too much like a video game.

[goatmother]

Originally Posted by igotdvds

So that feature on a TV would have that much drastic improvement in the PQ, amazing.

Really up to you to decide. Some love it, some don't and all that in between. I use different levels depending on what I'm watching.


What twojayz is referring to is another benefit of 120hz sets, not to be confused with the interpolation, is that 120hz divides evenly with 24fps and 30fps material which is beneficial in reducing judder caused by 3:2 pull down (some don't notice this anyways).

[Paging DR B]

Originally Posted by goatmother

What twojayz is referring to is another benefit of 120hz sets, not to be confused with the interpolation, is that 120hz divides evenly with 24fps and 30fps material which is beneficial in reducing judder caused by 3:2 pull down (some don't notice this anyways).

Sha! Blind people