I've got a Philips 3505 recorder with digital tuning connected to a 17" Sony Trinitron monitor (PC monitor). I noticed that the picture is slightly dark compared to other analog TV sources (that I've tried with the Sony). A few days ago, I bought a Magnavox CEBC (coupon eligible converter box). This Magnavox is a Funai made unit and the PQ is almost identical to the Philips.

The only difference with the converter box is the image is slightly lighter. With the Philips DVD recorder, I noticed that when I see a news anchor with a dark suit, I cannot see the lapel lines of the suit jacket. With the Magnovox I can see it. I played around with the brightness and contrast, I can only see the lapel if I bring up the brightness all the way up.

I made a recording with the Philips and played the news broadcast on my 27" RCA CRT and I can see the lapel. The Magnavox looks even more bright (any brighter and I'd say the image is washed out) when connected to the RCA TV.

If anyone has a Philips recorder with the digital tuning, please let me know if your PQ is a little dark too and can you see the lapel on a dark suit or even the pinstripes on a dark suit too?

When people talk about "black levels", is this what people are talking about?

Thanks.

Yes it is. For more complaints about back level please visit the Philips 3575 forum. Seems certain TV's are more prone to the dark level than others. Others have complained the darkness is present in all Funai made products. I've personally only used the 3575 and defiantly noticed it on my Panasonic LCD. I had to have the brightness cranked up almost all the way to be able to see the "pinstripes on a dark suit". I know exactly what you're talking about.

I don't know if any of this pertains to your equipment, but here is some info on black levels. I recall a few years ago some DVD recorders had black level issues because they were designed for the Japanese market and the manufacturer(s) never took into account the way the USA NTSC television system handled black levels.

http://www.signvideo.com/dv-black-levels-dvd-authoring-mpeg-2-part-1.htm

http://www.signvideo.com/dv-black-level-dvd-7.5-ire-0-ntsc-part-2.htm