Setting your TV’s picture settings, new DVR from Dish Network
Week of September 28, 2003
Q: I’m pretty new to this HDTV world and need serious help. I just got a Mitsubishi rear projection HDTV and want to get the best picture possible. What is the best way to tweak the picture on a television set? Is the Avia setup DVD any good?
-John Nguyen, Atlanta, GA
A: Congratulations on the purchase of your new television. By asking about tweaking the picture, you are on the right track to both better image quality and a longer useful life for your television.
Almost all televisions are delivered with default picture settings that are extremely bright. This is sometimes called “torch mode” in the enthusiast world. Not only do these settings rob you of then best picture, but the intense brightness can also cause premature wear on the television’s tubes, diminishing its useful life.
Some home theater enthusiasts will pay a professional to make a house call and adjust the set using an electronic calibration device. This is referred to as ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration and can cost several hundred dollars. This is overkill for most home users, so alternatives such as setup DVDs are available for those who wish to get the most out of their television without spending a fortune.
The “Avia” setup DVD you refer to is an excellent product. It has a series of test patterns and a tutorial to guide you through proper picture and sound system tweaking. Avia is also a fairly heavy-duty product with experienced enthusiasts as the target market, and is not inexpensive at its $49 selling price. Based on your email, you do not seem to fall into the group of experienced enthusiasts.
The creators of Avia, Ovation Software (www.ovationsw.com), offer a simpler version called “Sound and Vision Home Theater Tune-Up”. It sells for $17.95 and is perfect for less experienced home theater enthusiasts.
Those who do not want to buy a setup DVD can try the old-fashioned way- your eyes! It does still work, though you may not get quite the same picture you would with a setup disc. Here are a few settings you can try for a start.
First, adjust the contrast, also called “picture” by some manufacturers. If you have not adjusted your TV since you purchased it, the contrast is probably set to maximum. This is what will wear out your tube prematurely. Set the contrast to the halfway point or a bit below.
Next, look at the sharpness. If you prefer a softer, more film-like look, you can turn it down all the way. Those who like their images a bit sharper can adjust slightly above or below the midpoint according to taste.
If your television has a color temperature setting, this should be at the warm setting. Some manufacturers call the warm setting by different names. These could be “low” “NTSC Standard” or “6500K”. The colors may not look as bright when you turn down the color temperature and you may feel an impulse to go back to the high setting immediately. Don’t… give it a chance. Watch on warm for five minutes, then go back to the highest setting to compare. You will find that the high setting looks artificial and people look so blue they look ill.
These suggestions are just a starting point. Your settings will vary from mine based on your television, ambient light in the room, and your tastes. Give it a try.
Q: Can you record on a hard disk in an HDTV receiver, like a Tivo?
-Bill Mullaly
A: Dish Network’s 921 receiver, available in November, will include a HDTV personal video recorder.
