Originally Posted by
JForge 
I recall seeing some comments in this thread re the use of "Vivid" mode and if I remember correctly, most were uncomplimentary. However, there are some interesting aspects associated with that mode that maybe have been overlooked.
I am not fully satisfied with the "Custom" mode (w/ V2.1 patch and Dave_O's settings). Yes, it's the best of settings generated (IMO) so far but seems to produce lack-luster screen images. Coming from a Pioneer HDTV, the "mid" panel brightness is what Pio calls "low" so those of you that have (or had) a Pio, know what I'm saying. I hadn't LOOKED at the other modes so maybe there's a Pio mode in there someplace.
Well, there is and it's called "Vivid". Most are put-off by this when tried b/c the COLOR is jacked up as well as the CONTRAST and the default color temp is "Cool2". But there's something that happens when the Vivid mode is used; the PANEL goes into what appears to be "HIGH" brightness mode similar to a Pioneer.
Try it for yourself, cycle between "custom" and "vivid" while watching the screen; the contrast goes to another level showing more luminance IMO. Make sure to turn down the CONTRAST, BRIGHTNESS and COLOR to reasonable settings.
After tweaking it, I've come up with some settings.
--Picture menu
Picture mode: Vivid
Contrast: +91
Brightness:
+60
Color: +31
Tint: 0
Sharpness: +50
Color temp: Warm1
Color Mgmt: Off
C.A.T.S.: Off
Video NR: Off
You will need to access the SM to make the following changes. I recommend that you RECORD the selected
value for your TV BEFORE changing it! The procedure for doing this is at the bottom of the post.
SM Offsets: for "Warm" ------------ Org Value ----- New Value
R-DRV: Vol - (minus) 4 times ---------- FF ------------ FB
G-DRV: Vol + (plus) 9 times ----------- E6 ------------ EF
B-DRV: Vol - (plus) 4 times ----------- 65 ------------ 61
R-CUT: no change ------------------- 80 ------------ 80
G-CUT: no change ------------------- 80 ------------ 80
B-CUT: Vol - (minus) 6 times --------- 80 ------------ 7A
-- Aspect adjustments submenu
Screen format: Full
HD size: Size 1
H size: Size 1
Zoom adjustments: [grayed out]
-- HDMI settings: [no change from default]
--Advanced picture submenu
3D Y/C filter: Off [grayed out]
Color matrix: HD
Block NR: Off
Mosquito NR: On
Motion smoother: Off
Black level: Light
3:2 Pulldown: On
24p Direct in: 60Hz [grayed out]
*** How to access the xxGT30 Service Mode ***
1) Turn on the TV. Warm it up ½ hour or so before making any adjustments.
2) While holding down the
Vol - (minus) on the back, right side of the display, press the "
Info" button on the remote 3 times. The SM will appear after a few seconds.
3) Press
1 on the remote once to get to the "
Adjust" screen.
4) Press
9 on the remote to cycle to the desired mode. Choices are "Vivid", "Standard", "Cinema" and "Custom". Select the "
Vivid" mode.
5) Press
1 on the remote once to get to the "
WB-Adjust" screen.
6) Press
7 on the remote until the color temperature is selected; choices are "Normal", "Warm" and "Cool". Select "
Warm".
7) Press
3 on the remote to cycle through R-DRV, G-DRV, B-DRV, R-CUT, G-CUT and B-CUT and enter the offset values desired. [Do not change the "ALL-DRV" and "ALL-CUT" values.]
8) Enter values for the desired parameters; the value for each are saved as you cycle through each DRV and CUT parameter.
9) To exit the SM, press the "
Power" button on the remote to save values and turn off the TV.
This procedure lets you "see" the screen while you make DRV and CUT adjustments. Step (3) and Step (4) facilitate this and eliminate the need to make changes "blindly"; ie make a change, exit the SM and view the results. If no-good, then back to SM to make further changes.
As of now, the Panny looks COMPLETELY different and has luminance (contrast and brightness) that emulate my old Pio 50". The video is superb!
Give it a try and let me know . . .
.
