Picture settings and calibration FAQ--Ask the editors

Complex picture settings menus like this one can raise a lot of questions.

(Credit: CNET)

At CNET we publish our recommended dark-room picture settings with every HDTV we review, and it's one of our most popular features. We also keep a picture settings database that you can search for your model, so you can try our settings and see if you like them. We still get lots of questions from readers interested in picture settings, however, so we'll cover a few of the most popular here.

Thanks for the dark-room picture settings, but could you give me settings for my TV in a bright room?
No, I can't. We don't publish bright-room picture for a number of reasons. First off, room lighting varies tremendously; think about the difference between having a couple dim lamps turned on versus watching in daylight with a window shining on the screen, for instance. Second, a dark room is the best place to enjoy high-quality images, because the screen's reflective properties and the room's ambient light conditions won't influence the onscreen image. Third, we simply don't have the time to do so in every review. For a quick-and dirty bright-room calibration, take our dark-room picture settings and increase the contrast and/or backlight control until the image looks bright enough, then increase brightness until you see all of the detail in shadowy areas.

I read the whole review, but I can't find the settings. Where are they?
Typically they're linked from the second paragraph in the Performance section of the review. If not, try searching the picture settings database linked above. If you still can't find them, reply to the comments section below and let us know. We have settings for every HDTV review since June of 2006.

I can't find my TV listed in the database, and you haven't reviewed it. Can you give me picture settings anyway?
Nope. If we haven't reviewed the TV, we can't calibrate it, and so we cannot publish the settings.

Are the picture settings for one model going to look good on a different screen size or model by the same manufacturer?
Usually they're a good start. If we haven't reviewed your exact model but have reviewed a similar one--especially a model from the same year or even the same series in a different screen size--go ahead and try our settings. They usually translate well.

How do you arrive at those "ideal" settings anyway?
We perform a our standard calibration as part of every review.

My TV's user-menu adjustments are inadequate. Can you tell me what adjustments to make to the service menu?
Nope. We no longer use the service menu--which is a hidden menu used by manufacturers and professional calibrators, and accessible typically via a secret code--in our calibrations. We recommend against users accessing this menu as well, since accessing a service menu can void the TV's warranty and one wrong move can brick a TV (trust us on that one). That's also why we harp on available picture settings in our TV reviews, and award TVs that have detailed settings for things like color temperature and color points.

Are your settings as good as a professional calibration?
It depends on the TV, and the calibrator. We've heard horror stories about pointless, expensive calibrations, whether from independent contractors or services like Best Buy's Geek Squad, and we've also heard from customers who are very happy with their professional calibrations. Sometimes the CNET picture settings, since they don't address the service menu, can't be as accurate as a professional one that does go into the service menu. When a TV has plenty of user-menu controls, however, the CNET settings can be just as good as a professional calibration, with the caveat that of course a pro can make adjustments for you on-site, and provide other general advice. We also use the best equipment available and our reviewers are all very experienced calibrators, while some calibration services lack our experience and equipment.

I tried your settings and they're too dark. What gives?
Some viewers are used to brighter images, and in comparison our calibration might seem too dark. We prefer an image that's a bit darker, however, to one that can cause eyestrain in dark rooms, spoil black-level performance, reveal excessive video noise or make the image appear generally less-natural--all of which can happen with overly bright settings. But hey, if you like a brighter picture, feel free to turn it up.

I want to adjust the picture myself. Do you have any tips? A while back I wrote a piece on doing your own picture setup, and it's equally relevant today. You can also buy a DVD or Blu-ray setup disc if you want better results.

DVE: HD Basics is our go-to Blu-ray disc for picture adjustments.

(Credit: Joe Kane Productions)

Can you recommend any particular setup discs?
For DVD sources, I recommend Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials for advanced users and the Monster/ISF Calibration Wizard for newbies. If you have a Blu-ray player and want to set up for HD sources, the new Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics is great.

Do you have any other questions about CNET's picture settings or picture settings in general? If so, let me know in the comments section and if I missed anything big, I'll add it to this FAQ.

[gannonj]

Samsung LN-S4695D

[katzmaier]

I never reviewed that TV.

[stevewellman]

I was searching for the calibration settings for the Samsung HP-S5053 Plasma. This television was reviewed in the summer of 06 but I can't find the information.

[katzmaier]

Sorry, we don't have those settings.

[jphixs]

I don't see anything for your review of JVC HD-56G887

[katzmaier]

Sorry, I don't have those settings.

[NYYRule]

I know you do a review for the PN50A550, can you do one for the PN5xA650?

[NYYRule]

I know you do a review for the PN50A550, can you do one for the PN5xA650?

[vicman08]

I have a 52 " XBR5 sony bravia that always gets a shade darker when there is a lack of light in a scene e.g. ending credits.You can also notice this problem when you go to an input that has no video feed. it gets even more anoying when you are playing video games. I've tried turning the lighting adjustments off, and that didn't work. Any suggestions?

Thanx,

[HDJunkie]

Turn on Game/text Mode. You will only be able to use Custom Picture settings with it turned on, it does however correct your problem. Hope this helps.

[jamiehoban]

Samsung LNA52a650 6 Series 52 inch LCD

[katzmaier]

Here you go:
http://reviews.cnet.com/9602-12576_7-0.html?messageID=2510694

[R1one]

I have a Samsung 6 series, LN40A650. A picture setting and calibration of the 6 Series would be nice . Thanks David for this database.

[katzmaier]

These are the ones I have for the 52-incher:
http://reviews.cnet.com/9602-12576_7-0.html?messageID=2510694

[bleznyk]

Hi , I have a Sony KD-34XBR960 do have have the dark room setting for it ? You did review the set.. Thanks

[katzmaier]

Sorry, I don't have that one.

[jpfalcone]

The settings for the LNxxA650 Samsung LCDs are here:

http://help.cnet.com/ln52a650/9602-12576_39-0.html?messageID=2510694&tag=tip-2510694&kw=ln52a650

[jpmaccaro]

Dark room settings for Sony Bravia KDL-XBR2 please?

[katzmaier]

Here's the 52-inch version:
http://reviews.cnet.com/9602-12576_7-0.html?messageID=2509831

[JasonN3]

sony KDL-v40XBR1, you reviewed it but back in 2005, also the mitsubishi WD-65731, you haven't reviewed that set but you did review the 65734, 65831 and 65833, i was wondering if any of these are basically the same tv (probably the 65734) but with different inputs and i could use the same settings.

[JasonN3]

I have a sony KDL-40XBR1, which you reviewed in 2005 and doesn't have settings attached, also i have a mitsubishi WD-65731 which you have not reviewed but you have reviewed the wd-65734, are these tv's similar enough i can use the same settings?

[terron628]

need settings for samsung hls6187w projection hdtv. i believe you did a review on the 56 inch model; they should be the same. thank you, please email me this information. [e-mail]

[davedword]

Do you have settings for Panasonic TH-46PZ80U? Seems like you did a semi-preview review, but no settings. I appreciate your help.

I want to calibrate my Sony 40KDL-XBR4. You tested and calibrated the Sonyu 46KDL-XBR4. Can I use the same calibration settings? Where do I find these settings on your webpage? Please send a direct link.
Thank you.
Stanley110

[momocool]

Hi. I have a Samsung LN46A650, witch Dark-room settings available on CNET should I use on my TV ?
LN46A550 or LN52A650 ?
Thanks

[mtlcarks]

I was standing at best buy and I was looking at a Pioneer Kuro 5020FD and I was comparing it to a Panasonic Viera TH50PZ800U. The black levels on the Pioneer were obvioulsy much better, but according to your review on the Panasonic, it was supposed to be very close. I changed the picutre settings on the Panasonic to THX, Vivid, standard, so on and so forth, but I couldn't get the black levels anywhere near the Pioneer. What can I do to get the blacks blacker? Thanks!