Technical Issues and Questions
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- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Thanks guys! I'll fiddle about and see if I can fix it.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Can anyone suggest a free program for Macs that can rip/extract DVD commentaries as MP3s?
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- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 11:32 am
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- Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:30 am
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Hello Everyone,
I have a simple 101 question which I am sure the experts of Home Theatre Viewing on this forum could help me with. I use a region free sony blu ray player and a samsung 45 inch LED TV. The 'Picture' option has 4 modes, 'movie','dynamic','standard' and 'natural' and each of these give very different image quality both static and in motion. I often find myself switching from one to the other.
Is there a preferred mode for watching films in general? The images are so different that I am not sure which of these would correspond with the framegrabs that DVDbeaver and others post.
I have a simple 101 question which I am sure the experts of Home Theatre Viewing on this forum could help me with. I use a region free sony blu ray player and a samsung 45 inch LED TV. The 'Picture' option has 4 modes, 'movie','dynamic','standard' and 'natural' and each of these give very different image quality both static and in motion. I often find myself switching from one to the other.
Is there a preferred mode for watching films in general? The images are so different that I am not sure which of these would correspond with the framegrabs that DVDbeaver and others post.
- Drucker
- Your Future our Drucker
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 9:37 am
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Movie is probably your best bet. And if you google your model you can probably find some other settings people have chosen, though their is no substitute for professional calibration. The few things you definitely should do are:
Put sharpness at 0.
Contrast should be relatively high.
All "smooth action" settings should be turned off. On Samsung it's usually called Auto Motion Plus or something. There are two different things that do something similar to this.
In addition, anything called "noise reduction" or that should be turned off.
Put sharpness at 0.
Contrast should be relatively high.
All "smooth action" settings should be turned off. On Samsung it's usually called Auto Motion Plus or something. There are two different things that do something similar to this.
In addition, anything called "noise reduction" or that should be turned off.
- ianthemovie
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:51 am
- Location: Boston, MA
- Contact:
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Personally I hate the Movie setting as it makes the image look too dim and muddy for my taste, even when watching with the lights off. I have my Samsung TV set to Natural or Standard for watching films depending on which looks most right for a particular disc.
- jedgeco
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:28 am
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I recently upgraded to a Samsung ks8500 and found that the settings recommended by rtings, http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsun ... 0/settings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, were a pretty good starting point, which I then tweaked using the Spears & Munsil calibration Blu-ray.ozufils wrote:Is there a preferred mode for watching films in general? The images are so different that I am not sure which of these would correspond with the framegrabs that DVDbeaver and others post.
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- Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:30 am
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Thanks very much for the suggestions. I think all of what Drucker suggested worked good for me except the 'Movie' mode. as ianthemovie said, Movie moved just seems a bit too creamy for my taste. Standard or Natural seems to works best in addition to setting sharpness to 0 and setting any smooth action off
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- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:14 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Right now I'm looking at the 55 inch LG B7 OLED, but I have a question about subtitle related image retention.
Several years ago I purchased a 51 inch Samsung F5300 plasma screen and, while I appreciated the picture quality, it made watching anything subtitled into English incredibly difficult. As I watched a film, retention from the subtitles would accumulate at the bottom of the screen until, after about 10-15 minutes, I had a dark bar of retained text marring the image. At the time, I couldn't tell if this was due to a fault with the panel itself, the settings I'd selected, or if plasma was just inherently incapable of reliably displaying subtitles. In the end, I returned the plasma for an LED.
Since OLED is susceptible to image retention, I was wondering if anyone who has had experience with subtitled content could comment on my concerns.
Several years ago I purchased a 51 inch Samsung F5300 plasma screen and, while I appreciated the picture quality, it made watching anything subtitled into English incredibly difficult. As I watched a film, retention from the subtitles would accumulate at the bottom of the screen until, after about 10-15 minutes, I had a dark bar of retained text marring the image. At the time, I couldn't tell if this was due to a fault with the panel itself, the settings I'd selected, or if plasma was just inherently incapable of reliably displaying subtitles. In the end, I returned the plasma for an LED.
Since OLED is susceptible to image retention, I was wondering if anyone who has had experience with subtitled content could comment on my concerns.
- fdm
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:25 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Just a tidbit about my (Panasonic) plasma, I had what I thought to be similar things going on with subtitles (among other things), but it turned out to be a bad board. Since I replaced that board, I haven't noticed anything like it. (I'm somewhat moderate with contrast settings, which could be a factor.)
Don't know much about OLED, but I suspect subtitles would be the least of its image retention issues, since the google scan (and a few thread skims) I just did didn't mention anything about them. (On the other hand this now has me wondering more about OLED in my future if/when my plasma croaks.)
Don't know much about OLED, but I suspect subtitles would be the least of its image retention issues, since the google scan (and a few thread skims) I just did didn't mention anything about them. (On the other hand this now has me wondering more about OLED in my future if/when my plasma croaks.)
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- Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 1:10 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I think OLED is less susceptible to image retention than PDP was. I have an LG C7 and play a ton of video games and subtitled movies on it, and I've never had a problem (calibrated using sensible picture settings, not the blue-tinted electric vomit mode).
The only time I ever had image retention was from the Amazon Video app, and running the Pixel Refresher cleared it.
Bottom line: I would just enjoy the TV, take sensible precautions, and not worry too much about it.
The only time I ever had image retention was from the Amazon Video app, and running the Pixel Refresher cleared it.
Bottom line: I would just enjoy the TV, take sensible precautions, and not worry too much about it.
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- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:14 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Could you please outline what settings or precautions you'd recommend?David M. wrote:I think OLED is less susceptible to image retention than PDP was. I have an LG C7 and play a ton of video games and subtitled movies on it, and I've never had a problem (calibrated using sensible picture settings, not the blue-tinted electric vomit mode).
The only time I ever had image retention was from the Amazon Video app, and running the Pixel Refresher cleared it.
Bottom line: I would just enjoy the TV, take sensible precautions, and not worry too much about it.
- Jean-Luc Garbo
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:55 am
- Contact:
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Here's something new for me: my multi-region blu-ray player (an LG BP220) won't play a region A disc from Discotek Media. I've switched regions back and worth while trying different discs but no luck. Any suggestions for a fix?
- fdm
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:25 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Try a different (newer) player and see if the disc plays on that one.
(Which disc is it? How old is the disc? How old is the player? Any firmware updates you skipped?)
(Which disc is it? How old is the disc? How old is the player? Any firmware updates you skipped?)
- Jean-Luc Garbo
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:55 am
- Contact:
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I may have to track down the firmware update then. This disc itself is new from last year so it should be fine.
- knives
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I have two of the Kino Robbe-Grillet discs and neither are playing. I double checked and the firmware is up to date and it is playing the other bluray (Criterion's Rivette disc) I played just fine. Is there anything else I should check into or what not?
- TMDaines
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Stretford, Manchester
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Anyone had problems with Denon receivers, in this case an AVR-X2200, having a single channel fail? Used mine to watch a fair bit yesterday, and then went to use it again in the evening and noticed the Front Left speaker was not outputting. Confirmed the fault is not with the speaker itself, or the cable, and it is the receiver outputting a very weak, crackly sound. Factory reset has done nothing. Looks like I'm sending it in on warranty.
Technical Issues and Questions
I have experienced this same issue with my Denon (AVR-1312, probably out of warranty). It’s been inconsistent and has been working fine lately. I haven’t taken the time to swap out speakers and cables to test it more thoroughly.
- fdm
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:25 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I replaced my (12 years) old Denon receiver a few months ago. One of its channels failed (front left coincidentally), but only with certain settings (unfortunately the most important ones), and even with some other settings and some adjustments sometimes you could still get that channel to work, but even then it was still out of whack. Chalked it up to some sort of cpu or other circuitry failure (just a guess), fairly sure the amps all still otherwise worked.
And also chalked it up to it was time to move on. Swapped that 97 lb tank with its 39 lb replacement (another Denon) which in comparison seems like a toy, can't imagine it will last as long, but it seems to be doing well for now. Got rid of a few workarounds that accommodated newer technologies, kept a couple others that still make things work better. And also got to put a shelf back in my a/v rack (put my old hd-dvd player on it, which also necessitated adding another workaround to get output from its old (apparently now otherwise obsolete) hdmi version).
Anyway, as input to what also might cause a receiver to fail, make sure it's kept in a well ventilated area so it doesn't overheat, or at least add a fan into the mix to purge any excess heat if it's not.
And also chalked it up to it was time to move on. Swapped that 97 lb tank with its 39 lb replacement (another Denon) which in comparison seems like a toy, can't imagine it will last as long, but it seems to be doing well for now. Got rid of a few workarounds that accommodated newer technologies, kept a couple others that still make things work better. And also got to put a shelf back in my a/v rack (put my old hd-dvd player on it, which also necessitated adding another workaround to get output from its old (apparently now otherwise obsolete) hdmi version).
Anyway, as input to what also might cause a receiver to fail, make sure it's kept in a well ventilated area so it doesn't overheat, or at least add a fan into the mix to purge any excess heat if it's not.
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- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 3:04 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I have posted this before but maybe it seemed too noobish, anyway I'll try again.
All my life I've been a region a locked viewer. When I finally switched to blu ray, I justified not getting a region free player because I wanted to use the money to buy more blu rays. Perhaps this wasn't as cost efficient as I thought. Anyway, a year ago I bought a sony 4k player for a very reasonable price. But now, especially due to the release of the Melville box, I think I will finally go region free. Is there a way to simply convert my current player? Do I have to buy a new one? Should I just shell it out and get a region free 4k, any worthwhile suggestions? Thanks...
All my life I've been a region a locked viewer. When I finally switched to blu ray, I justified not getting a region free player because I wanted to use the money to buy more blu rays. Perhaps this wasn't as cost efficient as I thought. Anyway, a year ago I bought a sony 4k player for a very reasonable price. But now, especially due to the release of the Melville box, I think I will finally go region free. Is there a way to simply convert my current player? Do I have to buy a new one? Should I just shell it out and get a region free 4k, any worthwhile suggestions? Thanks...
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- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:14 pm
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
I've had the 55 inch LG C7P for a little over a week by this point and, so far, I've only experienced one case of video game related image retention. It was late in the evening after I'd been using the television for most of the afternoon. I only mention this because I don't know for certain if duration of operation in a single day can have any impact on potential for image retention.
I started a new game of Arkane's Prey and, during the opening sequence in Morgan's apartment, I took the time to read most of the notes placed around the environment. When reading a note, it appears in a large darkly colored box while the rest of the image goes out of focus. While I only spent a little time reading each note, the cumulative effect of displaying the same text box in the same position left a retained shadow on the screen. While it was gone by the time I turned the television on again the following day, I'm concerned that it developed so quickly.
These are currently my general picture settings for game mode:
OLED light - 35
Contrast - 80
Brightness - 50
Color - 50
Color Temperature - w25
Gamma - High1
Black Level - High
Any recommendations?
I started a new game of Arkane's Prey and, during the opening sequence in Morgan's apartment, I took the time to read most of the notes placed around the environment. When reading a note, it appears in a large darkly colored box while the rest of the image goes out of focus. While I only spent a little time reading each note, the cumulative effect of displaying the same text box in the same position left a retained shadow on the screen. While it was gone by the time I turned the television on again the following day, I'm concerned that it developed so quickly.
These are currently my general picture settings for game mode:
OLED light - 35
Contrast - 80
Brightness - 50
Color - 50
Color Temperature - w25
Gamma - High1
Black Level - High
Any recommendations?
- Oedipax
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:48 am
- Location: Atlanta
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
It's probably not worth the time/cost/trouble of attempting to get your existing player modded. My standard recommendation is the Seiki SR4KP1 which has excellent upscaling to 4K, handles PAL-NTSC conversions, as well as 1080i50 to 1080i60.John Shade wrote:Is there a way to simply convert my current player? Do I have to buy a new one? Should I just shell it out and get a region free 4k, any worthwhile suggestions? Thanks...
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Why isn't every Blu-ray or DVD region-free?
- Godot
- Cri me a Tearion
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:13 am
- Location: Phoenix
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
Greed.flyonthewall2983 wrote:Why isn't every Blu-ray or DVD region-free?
"Protecting copyrights and royalties".
"Maximizing profit".
An unintended beneficial consequence of this for cinephiles, however, is the development of regional niche labels that complement the cornerstone Criterion region 1/A label. Madman in Australia, Eureka/MOC and Arrow and BFI and now Powerhouse/Indicator in the UK, StudioCanal and WildSide and Pathe and TFI and Carlota in France, Koch Media in Germany, etc. ... all provide us with the opportunity to own multiple copies of the same movie, with different special features and potentially different visual and audio quality.
- tenia
- Ask Me About My Bassoon
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:13 am
Re: Technical Issues and Questions
But also, possibly, contractually forced subtitles preventing foreign markets to have access to new materials (being technically or editorially).Godot wrote:An unintended beneficial consequence of this for cinephiles, however, is the development of regional niche labels that complement the cornerstone Criterion region 1/A label. Madman in Australia, Eureka/MOC and Arrow and BFI and now Powerhouse/Indicator in the UK, StudioCanal and WildSide and Pathe and TFI and Carlotta in France, Koch Media in Germany, etc. ... all provide us with the opportunity to own multiple copies of the same movie, with different special features and potentially different visual and audio quality.flyonthewall2983 wrote:Why isn't every Blu-ray or DVD region-free?
But otherwise yes, the whole market works on a regional split of rightholdings, meaning each country basically works on its own, and since people don't want outsiders to step on their lands, contractual region-locking or forced subtitles allow the end-result (the release) to also be regionalised this way.
That's why studio movies often aren't concerned by this, since the studio will own the movie worldwide and thus not care if you're a French guy buying the UK release : because it will all go to the studio anyway.
However, if I buy, say, Charley Varrick from Indicator instead of from Wild Side, my French money doesn't go where it's supposed to. But in the other way, the French release has forced French subs to ensure the foreigners are sticking with their own regional releases.