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Official 2012 Sony BDP-S790 Thread - Page 44

post #1291 of 2648
6/18/12 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WarrenD View Post

Yes, I am using SBM as well. Very useful for DVD's.
I use Direct mode exclusively for Blu Ray too.
But I am experimenting with enhancements only when it comes to DVD. The way I see it, a DVD has so many artifacts that what is the harm? I keep the clear back enhancement at 0 which is default.
The brightness mode is perfect for daytime viewing. It works in the context of the environment and no calibrator would advise watching a film critically in a non-dark room anyway. So things being off don't matter with so much unwanted external light. The eye sees a picture differently in a sunny room.

Hi Warren

Yeah, it's a fair point to say bright and dark rooms are different for viewing..hence why my beloved ISF Calibrator has my Plasma and video processor calibrated for both modes! And I guess the artefacts question for DVD is a fair observation too, and messing with enhancements could yield good results for poor DVD transfers. Can I ask if you're set up has been calibrated perchance? If not perhaps you might want to investigate it as believe me its a stunning upgrade to your existing picture for not a loada dosh. Check out the ISF website if you're interested.

http://www.imagingscience.com

regards
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post #1292 of 2648
6/19/12 at 3:38am
Hi,

I recently purchased the BDP-790 and wanted to know if somebody could give me some advice on recommended audio settings for this device. My BDP-790 is connected through HDMI on my somewhat outdated Sony HT-SF2000 receiver. Now, if I'm not mistaken, the HT-SF2000 can only decode standard DD and DTS, but not more recent HD audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master... So, based on my limited audio knowledge, I would say it would be better to have the BDP-790 decoding/unpacking the newer audio formats where possible and have him send it to the receiver as LPCM. But I've to admit the different audio settings in the menu are not always very clear to me. So, I was hoping somebody with more knowledge on the subject could advise me on this and point me to the right value for the different settings.

Thanks in advance! smile.gif
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post #1293 of 2648
6/19/12 at 6:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlewolvie View Post

Hi,
I recently purchased the BDP-790 and wanted to know if somebody could give me some advice on recommended audio settings for this device. My BDP-790 is connected through HDMI on my somewhat outdated Sony HT-SF2000 receiver. Now, if I'm not mistaken, the HT-SF2000 can only decode standard DD and DTS, but not more recent HD audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master... So, based on my limited audio knowledge, I would say it would be better to have the BDP-790 decoding/unpacking the newer audio formats where possible and have him send it to the receiver as LPCM. But I've to admit the different audio settings in the menu are not always very clear to me. So, I was hoping somebody with more knowledge on the subject could advise me on this and point me to the right value for the different settings.
Thanks in advance! smile.gif
If your receiver can't decode DTS-HD-MA or Dolby TrueHD audio, then change the BD Audio Mix setting in Audio Settings Menu to ON. This will output LPCM only to your receiver.
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post #1294 of 2648
6/19/12 at 10:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain- View Post

If your receiver can't decode DTS-HD-MA or Dolby TrueHD audio, then change the BD Audio Mix setting in Audio Settings Menu to ON. This will output LPCM only to your receiver.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. smile.gif

Could you give me some recommendations on the other settings in the audio menu? Some are self explanatory, but others are less clear to me. I'll list them with their possible values and my current value.

1) Audio (HDMI): Auto/PCM ===> Current value: Auto (not sure about this one)

2) DSD Output Mode: On/Off ===> Current value: Off (little use sending this to my receiver)

3) BD Audio Mix Setting: On/Off ===> Current value: On (as per your recommendation)

4) Dolby Digital/DTS: Downmix PCM/Bitstream ===> Current value: Bitstream (the receiver should have no problem handling these)

5) DTS Neo6: Cinema/Music/Off ===> Current value: Off (no idea about this one)

6) Audio DRC: Auto/On/Off ===> Current value: Auto (same here, no idea)

7) Downmix: Surround/Stereo ===> Current value: Surround

Thanks for your time & take care!
Edited by littlewolvie - 6/19/12 at 11:18am
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post #1295 of 2648
6/19/12 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dilsher View Post

Hi Warren
Yeah, it's a fair point to say bright and dark rooms are different for viewing..hence why my beloved ISF Calibrator has my Plasma and video processor calibrated for both modes! And I guess the artefacts question for DVD is a fair observation too, and messing with enhancements could yield good results for poor DVD transfers. Can I ask if you're set up has been calibrated perchance? If not perhaps you might want to investigate it as believe me its a stunning upgrade to your existing picture for not a loada dosh. Check out the ISF website if you're interested.
http://www.imagingscience.com
regards

Hi Dilsher,

As far as calibration goes.No, I just self-calibrated with a basic package. My television which is a Panasonic TX P50U30B is considered to not be expensive enough to warrant it. It cost me £650 from Comet and is. purposely 2D only, but love the picture it produces.

3D strains my eyes a little due to a separate image in each eye. Even in the cinema, I can only handle it once in a while. I dislike the glasses wearing too.

I keep my contrast at halfway as well as brightness. I put it on Cinema setting though some say the True Cinema setting is the THX mode without the THX certification.

The Panasonic ST50 is way out of my price range but in a few years time with 4K technology, then I will upgrade.

But the Sony brings out the best and enhances the Panasonic even further. I feel like I get a better quality image at home than in the cinema.

By the way, what are your settings for DVD playback where the transfer is artifact noisy? smile.gif
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post #1296 of 2648
6/20/12 at 2:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WarrenD View Post

Hi Dilsher,
As far as calibration goes.No, I just self-calibrated with a basic package. My television which is a Panasonic TX P50U30B is considered to not be expensive enough to warrant it. It cost me £650 from Comet and is. purposely 2D only, but love the picture it produces.
3D strains my eyes a little due to a separate image in each eye. Even in the cinema, I can only handle it once in a while. I dislike the glasses wearing too.
I keep my contrast at halfway as well as brightness. I put it on Cinema setting though some say the True Cinema setting is the THX mode without the THX certification.
The Panasonic ST50 is way out of my price range but in a few years time with 4K technology, then I will upgrade.
But the Sony brings out the best and enhances the Panasonic even further. I feel like I get a better quality image at home than in the cinema.
By the way, what are your settings for DVD playback where the transfer is artifact noisy? smile.gif

Hiya Warren mate

I wholly agree that 3D is a difficult watch at the best of times even with summat like Avatar..its just so freakishly weird it spoils my enjoyment too. Hate those glasses with a vengeance - but glasses free 3D is now a reality with the new Toshiba, and having seen it in action its good..but not yet perfect! Panasonic TVs are good for self calibration, and using any one of the widely available HD calibration discs will yield better results than non calibration anyways so worth doing. Calibrating any quality of TV will yield good results so price point is not an issue. True Cinema setting on Panny GT/ST/VT is closest to reference levels - but choose whichever floats your boat I guess. Once 4k is out and about though, yeps good time to upgrade!

I switch on SBM for very poor noisy DVDs with a lot of posterisation and banding, but I aint got many of those - and so still leave everything else off. My plasma settings are used for watching all sources so I don't use the colour, contrast, sharpness or brightness features on the Sony - they are at zero.

Poor DVDs are what they are and I find the Sony can only do so much - rubbish in - rubbish out, as they say.

Regards
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post #1297 of 2648
6/20/12 at 5:27am
I picked up my player last night and got it hooked up. I tweaked it a bit and setup my online applications. So far I love this player!

It would be nice to have a some general settings in the first post of this thread like in the S390/S590 thread. I've been able to piece together most of my settings from preference and reading most of this thread the last 4 days.

My beloved S570 started having spindle grind so I replaced it with a Panasonic 210, while it looked good, I HATED the interface. Decided to take it up a notch and get the S790. Sorry Sony, I won't ever cheat on your again!
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post #1298 of 2648
6/20/12 at 8:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dilsher View Post

Hiya Warren mate
I wholly agree that 3D is a difficult watch at the best of times even with summat like Avatar..its just so freakishly weird it spoils my enjoyment too. Hate those glasses with a vengeance - but glasses free 3D is now a reality with the new Toshiba, and having seen it in action its good..but not yet perfect! Panasonic TVs are good for self calibration, and using any one of the widely available HD calibration discs will yield better results than non calibration anyways so worth doing. Calibrating any quality of TV will yield good results so price point is not an issue. True Cinema setting on Panny GT/ST/VT is closest to reference levels - but choose whichever floats your boat I guess. Once 4k is out and about though, yeps good time to upgrade!
I switch on SBM for very poor noisy DVDs with a lot of posterisation and banding, but I aint got many of those - and so still leave everything else off. My plasma settings are used for watching all sources so I don't use the colour, contrast, sharpness or brightness features on the Sony - they are at zero.
Poor DVDs are what they are and I find the Sony can only do so much - rubbish in - rubbish out, as they say.
Regards

Hi Dilsher,

Glassless 3D would be something I could accept more readily. I must say the Panasonic TX P50U30B is a bargain for a 50 inch. It may have less features but all that matters is it looks great.

One thing I notice about the BDP S790 is that with Lovefilm Instant, it completely removes compression artifacts. Say a scene has a lot of black in it. Well, unlike the BDP S570, it gets rid of the nasty compression giving a more clearer picture.

But you are right, if a signal has a low bitrate, then it can only do so much. For instance with Youtube, the player gives the bitrate and I have seen videos as low as 0.9 MPS. That is worse than VHS.
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post #1299 of 2648
6/20/12 at 10:54am
This is my first BD player, coming from a seven year old Denon 3900 DVD player. It is quite an adjustment process to go from a heavy, solidly built conventionally shaped and weighty component to a plastic odd-shaped downright anorexic player with no buttons and a minimum of inputs/outputs. But that said, this appears to be the wave of the present, and it reminds me more than a little of the similarly bantom-weight Apple TV. It fires up quickly, works smoothly, is easy to set up, and the image quailty is astounding with both DVD and BD. And speaking of ATV, I watched my first streaming Netflix through the S790 last night, and image quality (The Rum Diaries with Johnny Depp) was again absolutely stunning with my Sony HW30 projector and 100" screen, much better than I was getting with the ATV. Why the S790 would output beter streaming video than the ATV is somethign I can't answer, but it's definitely superior.
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post #1300 of 2648
6/20/12 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by itsloud View Post

I picked up my player last night and got it hooked up. I tweaked it a bit and setup my online applications. So far I love this player!
It would be nice to have a some general settings in the first post of this thread like in the S390/S590 thread. I've been able to piece together most of my settings from preference and reading most of this thread the last 4 days.
My beloved S570 started having spindle grind so I replaced it with a Panasonic 210, while it looked good, I HATED the interface. Decided to take it up a notch and get the S790. Sorry Sony, I won't ever cheat on your again!

I don't control the first thread, so I can't put anything in there, but here's a quick setup note:

If you want as close to reference (exactly what is on the disc, no alterations) as possible, you need to set HDMI Colorspace to YCbCr 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 (RGB is broken, and Auto can select RGB), output mode to Direct, disable SBM, and disable Deep Color (as nothing on the disc is encoded with Deep Color), and you get what is on the disc.

If you want to tweak it to your preferences, just do what you want. I personally like the Panasonic 210 interface over the Sony interface, but that's just personal opinion of course.
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post #1301 of 2648
6/20/12 at 12:33pm
I've done some more experimenting with the settings. I'm getting the best picture with the color space set to 4:2:2, the output set to 'Direct' mode, Super Bit Mapping turn on, and the Deep Color turned off. The SBM really increases the quality of the image by quite a bit without it looking artificially enhanced in any way (amazingly so). The increased clarity, shadow detail and color with SBM turned on is astonishingly good while being completely smooth and transparent at the same time. This is really just a stellar image. Now, overall I'd say the image is about 10-15% better than my S1, which for us videophiles, is a huge improvement. I highly recommend this player (at least for its regular 2D picture quality).
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post #1302 of 2648
6/20/12 at 2:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smackrabbit View Post

I don't control the first thread, so I can't put anything in there, but here's a quick setup note:
If you want as close to reference (exactly what is on the disc, no alterations) as possible, you need to set HDMI Colorspace to YCbCr 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 (RGB is broken, and Auto can select RGB), output mode to Direct, disable SBM, and disable Deep Color (as nothing on the disc is encoded with Deep Color), and you get what is on the disc.
If you want to tweak it to your preferences, just do what you want. I personally like the Panasonic 210 interface over the Sony interface, but that's just personal opinion of course.

I prefer mine as close to reference as possible as well. Thanks for posting the settings, I was only missing Deep Color settings.

I think the Panasonic menus just looked cheap, I did not mind the cross interface too much. I could not stand the VieraCast menus though. Very cheap looking and sluggish. The XMB is just much more sexy in my opinion.

Thanks for all you've posted in this thread by the way.
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post #1303 of 2648
6/20/12 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by itsloud View Post

My beloved S570 started having spindle grind so I replaced it with a Panasonic 210, while it looked good, I HATED the interface. Decided to take it up a notch and get the S790. Sorry Sony, I won't ever cheat on your again!

So how much better would you say the picture quality of the S790 is over the Panasonic 210? I'm just curious.
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post #1304 of 2648
6/20/12 at 5:22pm
I dont have 3d & wont anytime soon,would the 790 be a good blu-ray player to get? Also does it need any firmware upgrade?thanks
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post #1305 of 2648
6/20/12 at 11:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

I've done some more experimenting with the settings. I'm getting the best picture with the color space set to 4:2:2, the output set to 'Direct' mode, Super Bit Mapping turn on, and the Deep Color turned off. The SBM really increases the quality of the image by quite a bit without it looking artificially enhanced in any way (amazingly so). The increased clarity, shadow detail and color with SBM turned on is astonishingly good while being completely smooth and transparent at the same time. This is really just a stellar image. Now, overall I'd say the image is about 10-15% better than my S1, which for us videophiles, is a huge improvement. I highly recommend this player (at least for its regular 2D picture quality).

Thanks for the info! I'll have to try out these settings. smile.gif

The same goes to Smackrabbit.
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post #1306 of 2648
6/21/12 at 12:41am
what about the color bit setting (10 bit, 12 bit, etc. etc and so forth)?

the 790 is attached to a plasma tv (panasonic 3D 50 inch, last years model). im using 4:4:4 but what about the bit setting?

would appreciate a recommended setting OTHER than auto? does the highest bit rate mean better? im sure this depends on certain things and would appreciate any info.
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post #1307 of 2648
6/21/12 at 4:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smackrabbit View Post

I don't control the first thread, so I can't put anything in there, but here's a quick setup note:
If you want as close to reference (exactly what is on the disc, no alterations) as possible, you need to set HDMI Colorspace to YCbCr 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 (RGB is broken, and Auto can select RGB), output mode to Direct, disable SBM, and disable Deep Color (as nothing on the disc is encoded with Deep Color), and you get what is on the disc.
If you want to tweak it to your preferences, just do what you want. I personally like the Panasonic 210 interface over the Sony interface, but that's just personal opinion of course.

Whilst not straying off topic too much, I guess the other thing to say is that to get the most accurate reference type picture, its not just the Sony that needs to be set to reference levels, but also the entire chain from Sony thru to your screen. Perhaps at the risk of stating the bleedin' obvious the most accurate picture is obtained when all parts of the chain are calibrated correctly. Having reference settings on on only one part of the chain wont give you the reference picture you thik you might be getting.

Our friends over at AV Forums have an entire website now to "educate" the masses on the benefits of this approach - and much of it wont cost a penny/cent!

http://www.avforums.com/home/pictureperfect.html#energy

Then again, if peeps feel blue whales should look green cos it looks good to them, all fine and dandy I suppose.
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post #1308 of 2648
6/21/12 at 6:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

So how much better would you say the picture quality of the S790 is over the Panasonic 210? I'm just curious.

I sold the Panasonic a week ago, so I can't side by side compare. So far the only movie I have watched on the Sony that I had watched on the Panasonic is Gamera Guardian of the Universe, which is not a pretty looking Blu-Ray to begin with. However, I think the picture on the Sony has more depth to it.
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post #1309 of 2648
6/21/12 at 6:38am
790 in Canada?
Anyone heard when the 790 will show up in Canada, or are the CSA requirements holding this up?
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post #1310 of 2648
6/21/12 at 6:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by p5browne View Post

790 in Canada?
Anyone heard when the 790 will show up in Canada, or are the CSA requirements holding this up?

Why can't you buy a U.S. version and ship it across the border.
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post #1311 of 2648
6/21/12 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

So how much better would you say the picture quality of the S790 is over the Panasonic 210? I'm just curious.

If you have them both setup to send a reference image (S790 settings as posted earlier, the Panasonic 210 using Normal mode with Enhanced Chroma off) they'll be bit-for-bit identical. The Panasonic is perfect in all colorspace modes, the Sony is currently broken in RGB, but otherwise they'll be the same. it's only if you change the modes and start using the settings on each so that the image deviates from what is on the disc that you'll see changes on Blu-ray content.
Quote:
Originally Posted by marctronixx View Post

what about the color bit setting (10 bit, 12 bit, etc. etc and so forth)?

the 790 is attached to a plasma tv (panasonic 3D 50 inch, last years model). im using 4:4:4 but what about the bit setting?
would appreciate a recommended setting OTHER than auto? does the highest bit rate mean better? im sure this depends on certain things and would appreciate any info.

I set everything to Deep Color off, for a variety of reason, but mostly since none of the content is 10 or 12 bit, the changes it can make would be very small as to not be noticeable, and with how many components screw up 8-bit color I imagine that 10 and 12 bit color isn't even tested as much as those and is more likely to have some issue somewhere in the chain. No matter what you use it likely makes no difference (since everything you're displaying is just 8-bit to start with), but feel free to test it as much as you want and see if you can tell a difference. I test everything with it disabled.
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post #1312 of 2648
6/21/12 at 8:54am
Shipping, exchange and warranty problems, would place the 790 over $300CA. Cheaper to wait.
Currently purchased 2 590s that were easy to obtain, and will make do for now.
Edited by p5browne - 6/21/12 at 1:46pm
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post #1313 of 2648
6/21/12 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by p5browne View Post

Shipping, exchange and warranty problems, would place the 590 over $300CA. Cheaper to wait.
Currently purchased 2 590s that were easy to obtain, and will make do for now.

That was my guess - it would cost you $300 U.S. Dollars to get one shipped to Canada
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post #1314 of 2648
6/21/12 at 10:45am
I am newbie so please help. smile.gif
I am excitingly waiting for my new 55HX850 and I also bought the 3d glasses (TDG-BR750) and I am wondering if BDP-S790 is the best blue ray player out there. I know cost wise it is. But is it worth spending extra money on BDP-S790 than BDP-S590?

Thank you in advance.smile.gif
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post #1315 of 2648
6/21/12 at 12:50pm
Anyone know if the S790 codes have made it in to the Harmony remotes database yet?
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post #1316 of 2648
6/21/12 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marctronixx View Post

what about the color bit setting (10 bit, 12 bit, etc. etc and so forth)?

the 790 is attached to a plasma tv (panasonic 3D 50 inch, last years model). im using 4:4:4 but what about the bit setting?
would appreciate a recommended setting OTHER than auto? does the highest bit rate mean better? im sure this depends on certain things and would appreciate any info.

I experimented with the color bit settings. I found the results of 10, 12 and 16 bit were detrimental to the color fidelity with 16 bit looking the worst for some reason. From what I saw the color looked uneven and unaturally or artificially enhanced. Not good, IMO. I also tried 4:4:4 instead of 4:2:2, but again the color didn't look quite as smooth and natural; however, my TV does not do 4:4:4 natively and has to reconvert to 4:2:2. I suppose if your TV can display 4:4:4 natively it might look better, though I doubt it since I don't think there is anything on any blu-ray disc above 4:2:2.
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post #1317 of 2648
6/21/12 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwanthd View Post

Anyone know if the S790 codes have made it in to the Harmony remotes database yet?
Sony blu-ray codes haven't changed since inception. If the 790 isn't there, use an older model. They're all the same.

EDIT: I just checked, and while the 790 is in the harmony database, I strongly recommend not using it because it's missing several commands like Netflix, SEN and Discrete On and Off. Use the 590 instead. It has a full set of commands.
Edited by mdavej - 6/21/12 at 1:55pm
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post #1318 of 2648
6/21/12 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hugesonyfan View Post

I am newbie so please help. smile.gif
I am excitingly waiting for my new 55HX850 and I also bought the 3d glasses (TDG-BR750) and I am wondering if BDP-S790 is the best blue ray player out there. I know cost wise it is. But is it worth spending extra money on BDP-S790 than BDP-S590?
Thank you in advance.smile.gif
The 790 has a faster processor and several features you apparently don't need. If quicker loading and navigation is worth the extra cash to you, then go for it.
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post #1319 of 2648
6/21/12 at 2:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RWetmore View Post

I experimented with the color bit settings. I found the results of 10, 12 and 16 bit were detrimental to the color fidelity with 16 bit looking the worst for some reason. From what I saw the color looked uneven and unaturally or artificially enhanced. Not good, IMO. I also tried 4:4:4 instead of 4:2:2, but again the color didn't look quite as smooth and natural; however, my TV does not do 4:4:4 natively and has to reconvert to 4:2:2. I suppose if your TV can display 4:4:4 natively it might look better, though I doubt it since I don't think there is anything on any blu-ray disc above 4:2:2.

Technically there is nothing on Blu-ray above 4:2:0 and even 4:2:2 is a conversion step, which is why we test them. Choosing between 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 is all based on what your display and other components support best. If they're doing a conversion to 4:2:2 before they go to RGB (since everything winds up as RGB at the end) then you should probably stick to 4:2:2 over 4:4:4 to avoid another conversion that can add errors.
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post #1320 of 2648
6/21/12 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smackrabbit View Post

Technically there is nothing on Blu-ray above 4:2:0 and even 4:2:2 is a conversion step, which is why we test them. Choosing between 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 is all based on what your display and other components support best. If they're doing a conversion to 4:2:2 before they go to RGB (since everything winds up as RGB at the end) then you should probably stick to 4:2:2 over 4:4:4 to avoid another conversion that can add errors.

Are you saying that since everything winds up as RGB, then we should set the color space as RGB assuming the player RGB output is correct?
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