I've never owned an HDTV before, and I'm trying to determine if independent input memory is necessary feature.

I'd prefer to use a switcher box for most of my video sources. But this, of course, would mean that all my devices would share image callibration settings. Is this foolish for a videophile who values picture quality?

I've never used a feature like this in actual practice, so I'm a bit in the dark about the whole thing. Thanks for your help.

I've never owned an HDTV before, and I'm trying to determine if independent input memory is necessary feature.

I'd prefer to use a switcher box for most of my video sources. But this, of course, would mean that all my devices would share image callibration settings. Is this foolish for a videophile who values picture quality?

I've never used a feature like this in actual practice, so I'm a bit in the dark about the whole thing. Thanks for your help.
This is a fair question. Like most things video the answer is “it depends”. A lot of people prefer to design their signal path so the just one cable runs to their display, which means all signals would enter via a single display connection. Whether this is good or at least acceptable for PQ depends on several things. Primarily how picky you are about PQ, whether you have your display professionally calibrated (e.g. with precision instruments), and how different your various source components are in their video signal characteristics.

Let’s deal with these in reverse order. First, if all your source components provide video signals having the same standards signal characteristics, then a single set of display picture adjustments or calibrations would suffice and this would be a non-issue. But this may not be the case and to the extent sources differ this becomes an issue to be resolved via either adjustment or calibration.

Second, are you planning to have your display professionally ISF calibrated? If so, then the technician will want and be able to individually calibrate each source and he is equipped to do so. These separate calibrations should each be stored somewhere along the signal path and recalled when using the given source. In some instances these may be stored external to the display in the source itself or an external video processor which could be an A/V receiver but your question implies the only place you have is the display itself. In this case, you would want a display that provides multiple memories that can be applied to a given input. NEC, for instance, provides six memories. Any memory can be applied to any input connection so six sources could each have their calibrations stored and separately recalled when switched. This would most easily be accomplished via a macro in a remote; the macro controlling the switch and the display’s memories.

If you are not having your display calibrated with instruments but rather by eye, then it is not calibration per se but simply adjustment such as with the aid of any number of adjustment DVDs or broadcast test patterns. These adjustments can be treated the same way as above but it is less likely this method will reveal small differences in signals as they are not nearly as precise as an instrumented calibration.

Finally, all this may be moot depending on how critical a viewer you are.

In summary if you want a single display connection and separate adjustments, then just look for a display with sufficient memories that can all be used for a single input connection.

Cheers, :)

Gary

Short answer: ditch the switcher box and pick up a universal remote instead. I find it paticularly useful to have my HD and SD cable feed on different sources so that I can have each set up for max PQ. Unfortunately, what looks best on one does not come close to what looks best on the other.

Thanks for all the info.

I DO plan on having the display calibrated, and I AM a critical viewer. My sources will be various: a 360, PS3, Wii, cable box, lagacy gaming systems, PC, and DVD.

I guess that cinches it- I'll need to forget the switcher and find a set with Independent Input Memories. Trouble is, the two sets I'm looking at are limited with their input memories.

The Panny 600U series has no true independent input memories, you have to use the "picture modes" that the set comes with. I don't entirely get how this works.

The Panny 9UK series has independent input memories, but only 1 of each connection type, at most: 1 Component, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, 1 Composite. I wonder; does independent input memory mean that I can store various settings profiles and apply them to the same input as needed?

Thanks for all the info.

I DO plan on having the display calibrated, and I AM a critical viewer. My sources will be various: a 360, PS3, Wii, cable box, lagacy gaming systems, PC, and DVD.

I guess that cinches it- I'll need to forget the switcher and find a set with Independent Input Memories. Trouble is, the two sets I'm looking at are limited with their input memories.

The Panny 600U series has no true independent input memories, you have to use the "picture modes" that the set comes with. I don't entirely get how this works.

The Panny 9UK series has independent input memories, but only 1 of each connection type, at most: 1 Component, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, 1 Composite. I wonder; does independent input memory mean that I can store various settings profiles and apply them to the same input as needed?
Since you are going to have the display ISFed, just find a calibrator before purchase and use their expertise in the selection so you ensure the memory architecture of the display suits the sources you will have. That is one of the services of a professional. If they are not able or willing to serve you in this way, move on and select another as that one is not worth using.

Cheers, :)

Gary