Official Samsung UNxxES8000 Owner's Thread - Page 65

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

Well, I am very interested in micro dimming ultimate. According to Samsung since it has zones" it can adjust each zone independently (like local dimming, dimming the LED's) so what it can do is adjust the black where it is supposed to be black but at the same time bring out the other things without creating black crush. Micro dimming seems to be far more advanced than any back light trickery. If it's done right it can really bring out finer detail and make black black without doing any crush. I am very interested in Micro dimming and think it can be done better than local dimming if its done right.
The real cool thing about it that I am most excited about, is it is software based so they can make it better and better and do more things with firmware updates or the new evolution kit. Maybe next year we can see 1000 zones or something crazzy like that.

Originally Posted by nitra 

I'll be as clear as possible here;
This is a new issue, something in the firmware the last 3 revisions, I'm not sure which one triggered it.
MD is supposed to be passively active in all modes, completely transparent to the user.
After hours of testing and finding a way to replicate the "issue", I passed it along to someone I know, so I know it will get to the correct department and they can look at it further.
The cause at this point seems to be MD not being enabled on those other modes, however it's not concrete, it might be part of the cause, or there might be something wrong with another processor. Again, this is fairly new, looking at it on a set with older firmware, in fact the same firmware my set was released with were not able to replicate the issue, the blacks were inky.
It very well may be something else that triggered it, some mode elsewhere that was enabled, some setting that didn't work correctly after the update a few weeks ago that wiped our settings, I have no idea, I've not investigated it that far, I got it to the replication point so that others could see what the issue it.
The pictures from this post, http://www.avsforum.com/t/1399319/official-samsung-unxxes8000-thread/1860#post_22244146 are exactly what to expect if your set has this issue.
Regardless of what this issue is, it is an issue.

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

Well, I am very interested in micro dimming ultimate. According to Samsung since it has zones" it can adjust each zone independently (like local dimming, dimming the LED's) so what it can do is adjust the black where it is supposed to be black but at the same time bring out the other things without creating black crush. Micro dimming seems to be far more advanced than any back light trickery. If it's done right it can really bring out finer detail and make black black without doing any crush. I am very interested in Micro dimming and think it can be done better than local dimming if its done right.
The real cool thing about it that I am most excited about, is it is software based so they can make it better and better and do more things with firmware updates or the new evolution kit. Maybe next year we can see 1000 zones or something crazzy like that.

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

I know all of this. Micro dimming Ultimate is software based dimming that uses a processor to process the image and adjust contrast, color and sharpness in 576 zones independently (please see the video Nitra linked on youtube awhile back) The ES9000 is also going to use Micro dimming ultimate and local dimming of the edge LED's.

Originally Posted by PlasmaPZ80U 

I know what it does, but to me such features have more value from a marketing point of view than keeping the image true to the source material (aka calibration and image fidelity). I think if Samsung spent more time and money on keeping the true black levels and uniformity of the display solid, they would not need to rely on dynamic picture enhancements and auto-dimming. I like Samsungs in general, but I think they took a step back this year since only the ES9000 has a local dimming backlight and even that is only edge-lit. The LCD panels themselves have only half the native contrast ratio of those used last year and so it seems if you are looking for the best picture possible from an LED/LCD this year (and black levels and uniformity are priorities to you), you may wish to look elsewhere. I feel that this years ES models are more focused on extra features than pure 2D picture quality. Yes, these sets calibrate quite well but for this kind of money a full array local dimming LED-LCD should be offered (like the B8500 in 2009). I realize not everyone feels this way (otherwise they would not buy the ES8000), but those who are looking for the best overall PQ without the need for such picture 'enhancements' may be better off looking elsewhere. Just my $0.02
FYI, I don't expect any ES8000 owners to agree with me (obviously).

Originally Posted by pearly1357 

Given all the firmware issues/questions should I still update the set to the latest firmware when it arrives (getting the 65" this Saturday and can't wait)? And if so, does it work over wifi? Thanks much

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

OK I played with my set on the Micro dimming issue. I can say that Standard mode does look much better. Switching in between the two modes on a scene reveals that blacks in standard mode are as deep as can be (looks like that portion of the screen is turned off - its crazzy. I am also seeing more detail in darker scenes that in movie mode which means whatever the TV is doing it is not crushing blacks at all, in fact I see more detail than ever! Dynamic contrast off, black enhancer off, (Nitra's settings) and they look night and day better than Movie mode. The blacks are super inky again, almost as if the TV was off. On multiple dark scenes, I am not getting any black crush either which tells me Micro dimming Ultimate is in play darkening the dark areas but brining out the finer detail realy nice and bright. I cannot believe the difference.
I tested using Bolt, Tron and Avatar.
Good find Nitra and Darth!

Originally Posted by bplewis24 

So, if I understand this correctly, the issue only affects Movie Mode?
If so, what is it about Movie Mode that makes most of the people here prefer it over Standard Mode?

Originally Posted by Op's Guy 

Got it mounted and running. Setup was a breeze. Out of the box settings in standard mode. Looks good so far. Tweaks starts tomorrow, or after the wife quits playing with it.

Originally Posted by jav1 

Nice setup and from the pic the panel looks great too. My 65ES8000 had several vertical bands which I don't detect on yours, this is encouraging. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by pearly1357 

Thanks for the initial feedback - any other thoughts? Upgrade firmware or keep original firmware? 65ES. Thx

Originally Posted by pearly1357 

Given all the firmware issues/questions should I still update the set to the latest firmware when it arrives (getting the 65" this Saturday and can't wait)? And if so, does it work over wifi? Thanks much

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

OK I played with my set on the Micro dimming issue. I can say that Standard mode does look much better. Switching in between the two modes on a scene reveals that blacks in standard mode are as deep as can be (looks like that portion of the screen is turned off - its crazzy. I am also seeing more detail in darker scenes that in movie mode which means whatever the TV is doing it is not crushing blacks at all, in fact I see more detail than ever! Dynamic contrast off, black enhancer off, (Nitra's settings) and they look night and day better than Movie mode. The blacks are super inky again, almost as if the TV was off. On multiple dark scenes, I am not getting any black crush either which tells me Micro dimming Ultimate is in play darkening the dark areas but brining out the finer detail realy nice and bright. I cannot believe the difference.
I tested using Bolt, Tron and Avatar.
Good find Nitra and Darth!

Originally Posted by Op's Guy 

Haven't done any adjustments yet. How do you rid the soap opera effect? That's what we notice at the moment. Picture seems very good. There is a firmware update, but I skipped it for the moment. The panel version is AH01. Haven't see it mentioned here. FWIW

Originally Posted by darth_cocatiel 

I have to agree completely with GasOline here... I'm really excited about this new technology because being software based it can compensate for the individual personal differences and defects of each individually manufactured panel and produce the same uniform and inky black level for all of them. If it works as advertised, it could be incredible.
And you know what? I really couldn't care less about the specifics of how the TV manages to do it. It could be with Micro-dimming, Dynamic Contrast or with pink flying monkey ninjas painting the screen with black ink for all I care! As long as the end result is the same without degrading the picture with artifacts, why should I care? There's no way around it... a black pixel is a freaking black pixel no matter if it was achieved with hardware based techniques like local dimming or with software based like Micro-Dimming Ultimate.
I'm baffled everytime someone, specially reviewers, leave OFF every single tool provided by the TV to improve black levels and then complain about poor black levels! Seriously? Use whatever you need to achieve great black performance as long as you calibrate your set properly to avoid black crush... and even then, if your eyes can't detect it and you need a colormeter just to be able to notice it, just tweek like a madman if you want as long as your happy with the end results... or your moma says otherwise, always listen to your moma!
Regarding the issue with the micro-dimming on or off in movie mode.... Wether Samsung has officially said something or not, there's definitely something weird going on behind the scenes when changing between Movie and Standard, maybe not for all hardware/firmware combinations, but something definitely noticeable for some of us nonetheless.
But... the image still looks freaking awesome! Congratz to the new owners!

Originally Posted by Gas0linE 

OK I played with my set on the Micro dimming issue. I can say that Standard mode does look much better. Switching in between the two modes on a scene reveals that blacks in standard mode are as deep as can be (looks like that portion of the screen is turned off - its crazzy. I am also seeing more detail in darker scenes that in movie mode which means whatever the TV is doing it is not crushing blacks at all, in fact I see more detail than ever! Dynamic contrast off, black enhancer off, (Nitra's settings) and they look night and day better than Movie mode. The blacks are super inky again, almost as if the TV was off. On multiple dark scenes, I am not getting any black crush either which tells me Micro dimming Ultimate is in play darkening the dark areas but brining out the finer detail realy nice and bright. I cannot believe the difference.
I tested using Bolt, Tron and Avatar.
Good find Nitra and Darth!