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1080p, 4K UHD, Calibration, How To, LCD
1080p, 4K UHD, Calibration, How To, LCD Entries in 4K UHD (32)
TV Picture Setup Guide
Monday, January 26, 2015 at 7:25PM Television manufacturers carefully calibrate the picture quality of its products before they leave the factory. These calibrations include optimizations for a variety of common viewing scenarios:
- to make a TV's picture quality stand out in a crowded store shelf
- an energy efficient setup as the default 'home' mode
- a color and detail configuration that closely adheres to the HD video spec
I'm less interested in the extensive research and time manufacturers have invested in perfecting a TV's ability to grab a potential owner's eyeballs by sacrificing detail to increase brightness, exaggerating color saturation, and tweaking white balance to be as blue as possible.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
However, I am interested in evaluating a carefully tuned (hopefully) preset picture configuration that will enable the most accurate and faithful video reproduction. Many TVs feature these quality visual presets, and the video below shows the steps that I perform with a new or recently reset TV before evaluating its factory calibrated picture quality.
Update: Vizio P-Series Ultra HD
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 4:44PM Originally posted on August 21, 2014
Updated on April 15, 2015: clarified specs and testing details (see Testing notes)
The wait is over! Retail listings for the new Vizio P-Series Ultra HD TVs have finally surfaced and its value appears strong.
2014 Vizio P-Series Setup Notes
Amazon is listing P-Series screen sizes of 50-inches, 55-inches, 60-inches, 65-inches, and 70-inches.
The critical specs of the P-Series include:
- 3840 x 2160p screen resolution
- Full-array local dimming LED backlight system
- ~64 active dimming zones
- 70-inch model has 72 zones
- ~64 active dimming zones
- 120Hz refresh rate with backlight scanning
- 50-inch model is 60Hz
- Quad-core GPU + Dual-core CPU
- 802.11ac WiFi
- HEVC H.265 codec
- HDMI 2.0 + HDCP 2.2
- HDMI 1, 2, and 5 are HDCP 2.2
- HDMI 5 is HDMI 2.0 (others are 1.4b)
- Smart TV features with UHD streaming options
Testing notes
Update 1/13/2015: Vizio has released a new P-Series firmware update (v1.1.14) that has mostly corrected the stuck sharpness algorithm noted below. This update also added new 4K video streaming options from Amazon, Toon Goggles, and UltraFlix. Testing the new firmware revealed no improvement for the observed clipping and loss of fine color (chroma) detail with component-encoded video sources. Vizio claims the new update also added new picture quality enhancements to the TV's full-array local dimming (FALD) backlight system and improved sharpness and motion controls for a wider range of video and film-based sources.
How to update
Internet connected Vizio televisions perform regular checks for software updates and should require no user interaction. However, if a P-Series owner wishes to check for software updates, follow this procedure:
Go to MENU > System > System Information > Service Check > press 'OK' > select 'Yes' to perform update check. Then turn TV off and wait at least 20 minutes for the update cycle to complete.
Readers have commented that while it is possible to check for a software update, a serial number system used by Vizio determines when a particular TV receives the updated software.
Hands-on
The P-Series has five HDMI ports that are compatible with 4K input: ports 1-4 accept 4K UHD video at up to 30Hz and HDMI 5 allows 4K input at 60Hz - confirmed with DVDO AVLab TPG (read review). HDMI ports 1, 2, and 5 are HDCP 2.2-enabled for use with copy protected 4K sources like the Sony FMP-X10 Media Player (read my review). However, the FMP-X10's 60Hz output would require the use of HDMI 5 for full output format compatibility. Also, HDMI 5 provides no video processing for common video formats like 480i, 720p, or 1080i resulting in reduced picture quality compared to the use of other HDMI inputs on the TV; the TV does warn the user to change inputs if an attempt is made to use this port with sub-4K video sources. For P-Series owners who prefer to feed the display though a single HDMI connection, use of HDMI 5 would require a capable AVR or external scaler to perform 4K upconversion. Otherwise, use of multiple HDMI inputs on the TV are needed to properly handle common SD/HD formats and 4K60 input.
IPS vs VA
Also, it has been reported and confirmed by Vizio that the P-series LCD panel technology varies with screen size. The 55 inch version features an IPS panel whereas the other screen sizes in the series feature VA panel technology that produces deeper black levels for improved picture contrast and apparent color saturation. For optimal picture performance with the P-series televisions, screen sizes of 60-inches, 65-inches, and 70-inches are the recommended options as they would provide a VA panel with a greater number of zones of local dimming.
"Photoshopped" picture quality
A test session with a 50-inch P-series TV confirmed that its original firmware suffered from mediocre 1080i video processing and a broken sharpness control that added harsh edge enhancements to the picture. This "stuck" sharpness filter added virtual detail not present in the original video signal, and it was clearly evident in all examined content including still images, Blu-ray movies, and 4K video.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Update 1/13/2015: Both images below show the Vizio P-Series running the updated v1.1.14 firmware with TV's sharpness setting at 0 (off). The ringing artifacts in image on the right appeared when feeding the P-Series a 4K UHD source and remained visible when switching to HD formats like 720p or 1080i on the same input. The ringing artifacts would vanish again if the sharpness setting was adjusted at all. Thankfully, use of TV's 4K UHD video streaming apps didn't trigger the reappearance of the sharpness artifacts, and only users who are switching between 4K UHD and HD video formats on the same HDMI input are likely to encounter this issue.
Update 2/26/2015
Vizio released another firmware update (v1.1.19) for the P-Series that is reported to fix the sharpness setting so that it doesn't reset under the conditions I found with firmware v1.1.14 (described above). This update is also reported to stabilize color with HDMI 5 when configured with certain picture presets.
Unresolved items
Another oddity noted during picture setup was that component-encoded video sources (YCbCr) like a Blu-ray player or the DVDO AVLab TPG (read my review) fed to the P-Series resulted in crushed dark detail below digital level 16 and clipped peak bright detail above level 235. Reducing the TV's color control revealed levels in the 242-243 range but resulted in an unacceptably desaturated picture. Full RGB input (0-254) appeared to be properly displayed.
Not so factory calibrated
The P-Series features two factory calibrated presets: Calibrated and Calibrated Dark. The latter of these otherwise similar presets defaults to a reduced backlight level and slightly increased gamma (2.1 vs 2.2) that's better suited for viewing in a dimly lit environment. Grayscale measurements revealed overly blue hues compared to the more neutral D65 standard used in film and video production. The P-Series adds an 11-point grayscale setup in addition to the 2-point tools that many TVs provide. These controls proved effective at taming the bluish grays.
Color management needed
The menu used for grayscale calibration also features 6-color controls for adjusting hue, saturation, and brightness. I've had the opportunity to spend more time with the P-Series color management setup, and fine tuning the display via careful calibration can greatly improve its color accuracy. However, some fully-saturated colors (blue in particular) were uncorrectably out of spec.
Almost there
The Vizio P-Series Ultra HD television isn't videophile-grade, but the latest update barely nudged it into a value 4K UHD recommendation. Calibration benefits any TV, and it's a must for the Vizio P-Series to fully realize its picture potential. Vizio has (mostly) corrected my biggest image quality complaint about the P-Series, and I look forward to seeing what other improvements can be achieved with future updates. Also, the P-Series' 4K file support includes H.265/HEVC but not 4K video files encoded into the H.264/AVC format like those produced by the new GoPro HERO4 Black. Vizio was hesitant to provide a firm answer as to if or when we can expect 4K H.264/AVC file support to be added to the P-Series. Stay tuned!
2015 CES: Home Theater and TVs
Monday, January 5, 2015 at 6:39PM Updated April 5, 2015: added Vizio product information
It's that time of the year again, and the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has consumed the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a major show for display manufacturers and here the notable announcements so far:
Vizio
Technology
This article will be updated as information is gathered at the 2015 CES.
2015 Sony 4K Projection
Monday, January 5, 2015 at 5:18PM Updated on January 14, 2014: added product pictures and details
Sony video projectors consistently impress me with superb picture performance, calibration features, and quiet operation. For 2015, Sony has a couple of new 4K projectors that look to deliver an even more detailed and colorful home theater viewing experience. Did someone say "lasers"?!?
VPL-VW350ES
The 3-chip VPL-VW350ES features Sony's 4K SXRD panel technology (similar to liquid crystal on silicon/LCoS) that has superb dark room picture contrast, tight pixel spacing, and can defly handle video scenes containing fast motion.
Sony is specing the VW350ES at 1,500 lumens of brightness, and one of its two HDMI ports is HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 enabled for use with copy protected 4K devices like the company's FMP-X10 4K Media Player - the other HDMI port lacks HDCP 2.2 compatibility.
For non-24fps video sources like sports programming, the projector's Motionflow picture technology enhances motion resolution and overall clarity. Gamers should find the projector's low latency mode ideal for fast paced action titles. Other specs include:
- 4096 x 2160 resolution
- 4K at 60Hz w/YCbCr 4:2:0 (8 bit) input
- Powered lens shift: 80-85% (V), 31% (H)
- 2.06x powered zoom lens
- Dimensions: 19.5" x 7.69" x 18.25"
- Weight: 31lbs
2015 Vizio M-Series 4K UHD TV Preview
Eyes on 4K
Sony invited me to a private demonstration of the true 4K VPL-VW350ES in a side-by-side duel with the upconverting JVC DLA-X900RKT that generates a pixel-shifted 3840x2160 projected image using a 3-chip 1080p engine. Both projectors were configured using factory-calibrated movie/cinema presets, and each projector produced an admirably detailed picture when uponverting Blu-ray movies. However, the VW350ES and its slightly brighter light output rendered dark details within a scene with improved clarity while maintaining excellent picture contrast. With 4K source material, the Sony edged out the X900 again with better contrast and detail representation. Unlike the VW350ES, the X900 also disabled most picture controls when receiving 4K input. The Sony VPL-VW350's retail price is close to that of the the X900, and each deserves some quality time in my test lab.
Laser 4K
Sony demonstrated a prototype 4K short throw projector at the 2014 CES (photo below) that featured a laser diode lamp system and full 4K resolution using SXRD panels. This prototype became the Sony LSPX-W1S 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector that is available today for $50,000.
For 2015, Sony is offering the new and improved VPL-GTZ1 4K short throw projector that features a more compact design that can be floor or ceiling mounted.
The GTZ1 can project a 106" image when positioned against a wall expanding to 147" with 6.7" of separation. One of the more interesting features of the GTZ1 is that it can tile and simultaneously display four 1080p video sources fed into the projectors four HDMI ports - ideal for business, commercial, or game day applications. Software is also available to blend the imagery from multiple projectors as was demonstrated on the CES show floor (see images below).
Other GTZ1 specs include:
- 4096x2160 resolution
- 4K60 compatibility (YCbCr 4:2:0/8-bit)
- Blur reduction via black frame insertion
- Low transport delay for input lag reduction
- 20,000 hour lamp life
- 2000 lumens brightness
Laser phosphor tech
The GTZ1's laser phosphor lamp system features an array of more than 20 blue laser diodes that strike a phosphor element to produce white light. Some of the blue laser energy is also fed into the optics, bypassing the phosphor element, to further enhance the projector's color space performance. Other benefits of this laser lamp system are its fast startup, efficiency, and longevity.
Read more about the latest 2015 TVs and display technologies.
in 2015, 4K UHD, Previews, Projection
2015, 4K UHD, Previews, Projection 2015 Sony 4K UHD TVs
Monday, January 5, 2015 at 4:56PM Updated on May 25, 2015: added new images, hardware information, and pricing details
Sony's 2014 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions rank as some of the very best I've tested to date, and the company's 2015 lineup is looking to expand upon its premium offerings with new models in its XBR family of LCD TVs.
The new XBR televisions are scheduled to arrive in the spring time frame, and all will feature the following specs:
- 4K UHD screen resolution (3840x2160 pixels)
- "4K Processor X1" to "improve color accuracy, contrast, and clarity" of HD/UHD video
- Support for HEVC and VP9 codecs
- Google Android TV operating system for voice search, access to Google Play, and Google Cast
- PlayStation Now game streaming
Sony's most affordable XBR series covers the smaller sized screen options that are ideal for closer viewing distance or for supersized PC display use.
- Screen sizes: 43-inches, 49-inches
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Backlight system: edge-lit LED
- 4 HDMI, 3 USB
- Audio power: 10W + 10W
- Speakers: 2-channel (30mm x 80mm drivers)
Similar to the X830C series but with larger screen size options and enhanced color capabilities.
- Screen sizes: 55-inches, 65-inches, 75-inches
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Backlight system: edge-lit LED
- 4 HDMI, 3 USB
- Active 3D display technology
- TRILUMINOS display technology for expanded color palette and accuracy
- Audio power: 10W + 10W
- Speakers: 2-channel two-way (30mm tweeters, 40x100mm woofers)
XBR-X900C/X910C Series
The X900C/X910C series televisions bring Sony's 4K UHD technology to ultra slim TV designs that measure 4.9mm at its thinnest part (55-inch and 65-inch models). These TVs also minimize the bezel to "virtually frameless" widths for an even more impressive visual experience.
- Screen sizes: 55-inches (X900C), 65-inches (X900C), 75-inches (X910C)
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Backlight system: edge-lit LED
- 4 HDMI, 3 USB
- TRILUMINOS display technology for expanded color palette and accuracy
If you are wondering how one goes about wall mounting a TV as thin as the X900C, Sony has created a custom U-shaped bracket that slips into slots on the backside of the chassis providing a hang point for a smallish bracket that fastens to the wall. The thicker lower portion of the TV's chassis that would make contact with a wall surface is vented along the top and bottom edges for adequate cooling. Also, HDMI ports are located so that cables stay out of the way in a wall mount configuration.
2015 Vizio M-Series 4K UHD TV Preview
The X930C and X940C televisions are similarly specced save for screen size and backlight technology. The X940C receives Sony's X-tended Dymanic Range Pro local dimming backlight system while the X930C gets the non-Pro version. Local dimming enhances contrast by adjusting backlight brightness across a fixed number of zones based on video content. Sony typically reserves the "pro" level of its backlight control naming scheme for full-array LED local dimming while the non-pro moniker goes to televisions equipped with edge-lit LED local dimming.
- Screen sizes: 65-inches (X930C), 75-inches (X940C)
- TRILUMINOS display technology for expanded color palette and accuracy
- Fixed magnetic fluid speakers
The 75-inch XBR75X940C pictured above marks the continuation of Sony's fixed side-speaker design with magnetic fluid suspension technology that trumps the audio quality of most soundbars.
This article will be updated as information is gathered at the 2015 CES.
