AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › LCD Flat Panel Displays › Official Sony KDL-EX640 Owners Thread
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Official Sony KDL-EX640 Owners Thread - Page 2

post #31 of 182
9/19/12 at 5:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsthmaticZero View Post

I've been playing around with more picture calibration settings, and I thought I'd share. I've now tried (in order) the THX Optimizer (found on the Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Skynet Edition Blu-ray), the Avia calibration DVD, CNET's official review calibration settings (found here), and the AVS HD 709 calibration patterns (obtained here).
THX
Picture Mode: Cinema
Backlight: Min
Picture: Max
Brightness: 32
Color: 55
Hue: 0
Sharpness: Min
Color Temp: Warm 2
Noise Reduction: Off
MPEG Noise Reduction: Off
Motionflow: Off
CineMotion: Off
Avia
Picture Mode: Cinema
Backlight: Min
Picture: Max
Brightness: 45
Color: 51
Hue: G1
Sharpness: Min
Color Temp: Warm 2
Noise Reduction: Off
MPEG Noise Reduction: Off
Motionflow: Off
CineMotion: Off
CNET
Picture Mode: Custom
Backlight: 9
Picture: 97
Brightness: 51
Color: 50
Hue: 0
Sharpness: Min
Color Temp: Warm 2
Noise Reduction: Off
MPEG Noise Reduction: Off
Motionflow: Off
CineMotion: Auto 1
Advanced Contrast Enhancer: Off
Black Corrector: Off
Gamma: 0
Clear White: Off
Live Color: Off
LED Motion Mode: Off
White Balance: R-Gain (-5), G-Gain (0), B-Gain (-5), R-Bias (-2), G-Bias (+2), B-Bias (+3)
AVS HD
Picture Mode: Cinema
Backlight: Min
Picture: Max
Brightness: 50
Color: 52
Hue: G2
Sharpness: Min
Color Temp: Warm 2
Noise Reduction: Off
MPEG Noise Reduction: Off
Motionflow: Off
CineMotion: Off
You'll notice that the only wildly different one is CNET's, and even then, Picture and Color are almost identical across the board. I'd say that's a good sign that I'm on the right track. When calibrating by eye with a BD, DVD or test pattern, all of the info I found said to start with the Cinema setting, which I agree works best. CNET chose to use the Custom setting, which allows you access to the Advanced Options, of which they only changed the white balance. I think putting it on Cinema and leaning the Hue setting toward G a bit achieves pretty much the same effect.
I actually thought that CNET's settings were too bright, and they made my TV look washed out. I felt the AVS HD test patterns were a better-for-LED/LCD version of what the Avia disc includes, and the settings reflect that. The THX settings looked off to me. In every instance, I turned off all of the "noise reduction" and "motion" settings.
In the end, I decided that the settings I got with the AVS HD test patterns look the best in my viewing room. I watch in mostly darkness, save for the stove light in the kitchen in the next room, which supplies a tiny bit of light. If anyone has any comments on this or anything to add that might help me improve my picture even further, please let me know!

I really appreciate you posting these! I'll play around with them and let you know my thoughts once my EX645 gets here.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #32 of 182
9/20/12 at 5:39pm
Got my 645 and I've just started playing around with the picture. I'm using AsthmaticZero's AVS HD settings, except I set the back light to 6. It looked a bit too dark when I set it to minimum. Early impressions is that I think the picture quality is quite good, but I'll need to spend some time with it to get a full review. Harry Potter is on HBO, and during one of the outdoor scenes the colors really popped and look great on this set. Looking forward to watching some football with it tonight smile.gif

Something interesting to note is that their isn't a "Cinema" picture mode on this TV. The only options are Vivid, Standard, and Custom.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 182
9/20/12 at 6:12pm
One question I have is how do you input a letter as a capitol letter instead of lowercase. For example, my wifi password includes a capitol letter. In the setup menu, it seems I can only choose lowercase letters. I didn't see a shift button or anything like that. Anyone know?


Edit: Never mind, I'm an idiot. It was the green button, which is listed as 'abc' during the setup.
Edited by Harrisment - 9/20/12 at 6:46pm
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 182
9/21/12 at 6:00am
My EX640 has had two software/firmware updates from Sony since I bought it and now the slight clouding and flashlighting I had originally (which really were not bothersome) have now been virtually eliminated. How do they do that!!!??? Kudos to Sony for a great low-priced TV.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 182
9/22/12 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrisment View Post

Something interesting to note is that their isn't a "Cinema" picture mode on this TV. The only options are Vivid, Standard, and Custom.

Hit the "Scene" button on your remote. It brings up the menu where you can select "Cinema," if you so desire. I admit, it's a strange place to hide it, but it's there.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 182
9/22/12 at 4:16pm
@Boilerjim, So u mean to tell me that there is no flashlighting or clouding in your set after the updates? I loved this set but had to return it because of the horrible flashlights and clouding. Anybody else noticed this after the updates?
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 182
9/22/12 at 5:12pm
EDIT: I deleted some my previous posts and combined all of my info into post #41.
Edited by AsthmaticZero - 9/24/12 at 11:20pm
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 182
9/23/12 at 10:42pm
EDIT: I deleted some my previous posts and combined all of my info into post #41.
Edited by AsthmaticZero - 9/24/12 at 11:20pm
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 182
9/24/12 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrisment View Post

One question I have is how do you input a letter as a capitol letter instead of lowercase. For example, my wifi password includes a capitol letter. In the setup menu, it seems I can only choose lowercase letters. I didn't see a shift button or anything like that. Anyone know?
Edit: Never mind, I'm an idiot. It was the green button, which is listed as 'abc' during the setup.

Look at the bottom of the display.

You can use the color buttons to change the Keyboard to allow you to get Capitals.
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 182
9/24/12 at 5:19pm
FYI to 640 owners: it has pretty great DLNA support, relatively speaking. I upgrade to the HX750, and am now only getting maybe 10% of the content being displayed. The 640 plays avis, which seems to have been eliminated form other models, and played a lot of 720p/1080p mpgs that aren't showing up anymore on my HX750. Anyway, something to appreciate for you 640 owners!
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 182
9/24/12 at 11:07pm
I deleted some previous posts that were rambling and contradictory.

I've played with five different calibration settings and decided to stick with one that's very close to what I posted before.

I like my TV darker than most seem to, both to eliminate my slight flashlighting completely and because I watch in a dark room and feel it looks more natural that way.

My final settings, calibrated with the AVS HD test patterns, are:

Picture Mode: Cinema
Backlight: Min
Picture: 95
Brightness: 50
Color: 52
Hue: G2
Sharpness: Min
Color Temp: Warm 2
Everything else: Off

If you like those, I hope you enjoy them. If not, I hope you enjoy whatever you find works best for you!
Edited by AsthmaticZero - 9/25/12 at 5:34pm
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 182
9/26/12 at 7:37am
Hi guys!
First of all, I'm sorry for my english, I'm a frenchie from Québec!
So, here's my story. A few months ago, I got me a brand new 55EX620. Took it home and plugged it. The screen uniformity was terrible, and I mean TERRIBLE! Clouding and flashlight effect in all 4 corners. Took it back to the store, got another 620, same thing. So I called Sony, a guy came home and decided to change the panel. With the new panel, there was no cloudind at all, no flashlight effect either. But banding...There was three major ''stripes'' horizontally in the middle of the screen, and 1 stripe vertically. So I called back Sony, and they are sending me a new 55EX640. Is it a fair trade? From what I see on forums, I'm affraid to have a new set with screen uniformity issue. To be true, I can live with a little clouding, it's the banding that scares me! Do you guys see anything like that on your sets?
If you don't know what banding is, it's like a washed out stripe all accross the screen horizontally or vertically when the camera is moving right-left or up-down. When it's not moving, except on a grey screen, you can't notice it.
The EX640 seems to have the same specs of the 620, there is no X-reality engine, but there is local frame dimming, wich, I guess, will help for the flashlight effect. Is there anything else that the 620 have and the 640 don't?
Thanls for your help!
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 182
9/26/12 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoQc View Post

To be true, I can live with a little clouding, it's the banding that scares me! Do you guys see anything like that on your sets? ... The EX640 seems to have the same specs of the 620, there is no X-reality engine, but there is local frame dimming, wich, I guess, will help for the flashlight effect. Is there anything else that the 620 have and the 640 don't?

I'm sorry that you've had to go through so much to get a properly-working TV. I had to return my first 640 for clouding issues as well, but my second (current) one doesn't have any clouding. I haven't noticed any banding on my set, either.

The 640 does not have local dimming. It has what Sony calls Frame Dimming. "Frame Dimming is made by Sony and is the equivalent of an edge-lit local dimming, but with even less zones. Instead of a being able of changing the light for a specific region of the screen, it is the whole frame of the screen that changes intensity. You can see it as a very basic version of local dimming. It is better than no dimming at all for dark scene, but it is nowhere near real local dimming." (Source)

My set has flashlighting in all four corners that is very noticeable when the backlight is turned up. Personally, I keep the backlight set to minimum. It's more than bright enough for my viewing environment and it keeps my picture from looking washed out. If you need to have your backlight turned up, you'll want to check for flashlighting when you receive your set.
Reply
Reply
post #44 of 182
9/26/12 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsthmaticZero View Post

The 640 does not have local dimming. It has what Sony calls Frame Dimming. "Frame Dimming is made by Sony and is the equivalent of an edge-lit local dimming, but with even less zones. Instead of a being able of changing the light for a specific region of the screen, it is the whole frame of the screen that changes intensity. You can see it as a very basic version of local dimming. It is better than no dimming at all for dark scene, but it is nowhere near real local dimming." (Source)

That sounds a lot like what my W4100 does, and the brightness fluctuations are noticeable and annoying as all get-out. Fortunately, it can be suppressed by using Custom mode and setting ACE to low, in which case, the backlight will dim only when the whole screen is black for a couple of seconds. Is this frame dimming noticeable at other times, i.e. within actual scenes?
Reply
Reply
post #45 of 182
9/26/12 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoQc View Post

Hi guys!
Is there anything else that the 620 have and the 640 don't?

- Dolby Digital Plus Pulse (no plus or pulse part)
- On screen guide
- Wifi Direct (no media remote app support)
- X-reality, which you've already identified

In exchange you get the frame dimming, I guess.

While on the topic, and in response to AsthmaticZero, any idea what the difference is between "edge led frame dimming" on the EX640 and "dynamic edge led frame dimming" on the HX750? One step further is "dynamic edge led with local dimming" on the HX860. But I'm most curious about the EX640 vs HX750, as both are frame dimming, but only one is dynamic?
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 182
9/26/12 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tima94930 View Post

That sounds a lot like what my W4100 does, and the brightness fluctuations are noticeable and annoying as all get-out. Fortunately, it can be suppressed by using Custom mode and setting ACE to low, in which case, the backlight will dim only when the whole screen is black for a couple of seconds. Is this frame dimming noticeable at other times, i.e. within actual scenes?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lucidream View Post

While on the topic, and in response to AsthmaticZero, any idea what the difference is between "edge led frame dimming" on the EX640 and "dynamic edge led frame dimming" on the HX750? One step further is "dynamic edge led with local dimming" on the HX860. But I'm most curious about the EX640 vs HX750, as both are frame dimming, but only one is dynamic?

I haven't noticed anything that I would identify as a product of frame dimming, but I have every picture option possible turned off. As far as the differences between the features you listed, I honestly don't know. I do know that anything called "frame dimming" is like what I posted before. I don't know what the "dynamic" adjective adds to it, if anything. The one that includes local dimming, is different, though. For those that don't know what "Local Dimming" and "Frame Dimming" are, I highly advise checking out the site I linked to, found here.
Reply
Reply
post #47 of 182
9/26/12 at 9:26pm
Thanks for the info guys!
I'll wait 'till I get it to make an opinion about it!
I kwnew about that Frame dimming thing, but I wrote Local Frame dimming 'cause I was looking at another TV's spec. To answer your question, dynamic edge led or dynamic frame dimming, it's because it simulate a full-array led backlight, wich comes with high-end sets. It means that it's and edge-lit tv, but it can dim only some part of the led, and not the entire led like the frame dimming did. I think local or dynamic means the same, correct me if I'm wrong.
Just got an e-mail from Sony telling me that my tv has been shipped from their distribution center, and I'll get a call from the carrier in a few days. Can't wait to see if the image is as good as I hope. I'll let you guys know when i'll get it.
From your personal experience and from what you saw trough Internet, is it a good set? Is it a fair trade for an EX620? The missing x-reality engine scares me, is there anything to replace it and is it the Clear Resolution Enhancer? Sorry for my questions, but it will be my third (If you count the new panel!) sony's tv and I never had a perfect (at least for me!!) picture!
Thank you again to take the time to answer me!


Edit: Just got a call from the carrier! I'll have it deliver tomorrow morning! I'll let you guys inform.
Edited by JoQc - 10/1/12 at 7:39am
Reply
Reply
post #48 of 182
10/4/12 at 7:38am
I received my set 2 days ago! I needed a few days to make a real opinion about it. Picture is just perfect, sound is good too! I love it! I'm using the cnet calibration, as I did with my 620, but I put the backlight to 5, as 9 seems to be a bit too high for me. There's a little flashlighting in the upper left corner, but no clouding or banding at all. The Matrix or I am Legend on BD looks freakin' good!
Reply
Reply
post #49 of 182
10/4/12 at 7:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoQc View Post

I received my set 2 days ago! I needed a few days to make a real opinion about it. Picture is just perfect, sound is good too! I love it! I'm using the cnet calibration, as I did with my 620, but I put the backlight to 5, as 9 seems to be a bit too high for me. There's a little flashlighting in the upper left corner, but no clouding or banding at all. The Matrix or I am Legend on BD looks freakin' good!
Glad you like it. For what is considered to be a budget TV these days, I don't see how mine could be much better. And, as you say, Blu-rays look amazing.
Reply
Reply
post #50 of 182
10/5/12 at 6:07am
I am purchasing an EX640 55" Sony in few days. Has anyone been able to use the TV with HDMI control for turning on/off receiver with a visible volume bar on the screen?

Please let me know. Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #51 of 182
10/8/12 at 5:24pm
With the new EX 645 50" priced at $1100, and the 645 60" at $1700, I chose the 640 55" after it was reduced to $1300. You are right, for a supposed entry-level tv it has a terrific picture and a bunch of features that I am learning to use. My old set was so un-calibrated (grayscale) that this looks so much better. I am a big user of the Sony twin-view, called P & P on this series of models, and still have a bunch of SD sources. They are upconverted and greatly improved. One odd thing was the "wing" that mounts the panel onto the pedestal assembly wasn't in the box......had to get the Sony store to run one out to me, which they did. Also I have such a slow DSL speed that I'm not even going to hook up the internet stuff. Thanks, CenturyLink.

Have any of you noticed any odd clock times in the info banner? Sometimes it's correct and sometimes it's like 2:09 or 1:16 off.
Edited by Scott Pro - 10/8/12 at 7:26pm
Reply
Reply
post #52 of 182
10/9/12 at 10:05pm
just got my ex640, compare to my old ex620, i feel like a downgrade for several reason, not only a lot of customizable settings are missing in the menu(xv color, for example), ARC is missing from HDMI 1 is what disappoint me the most. Is there any way to transfer the sound from tv optical out to receiver? I havent been able to get any sound from built in content to my audio system so far.
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 182
10/10/12 at 12:41pm
Scott pro,

We would like to address the internet speed issues you are having. Please send account & contact info via the link here http://t.co/lm5JYoPO or email talktous@centurylink.com


Thank-You
Patti
CenturyLink Help Team
Reply
Reply
post #54 of 182
10/11/12 at 9:55am
I'm having an issue with some video content not playing from my laptop to my tv via the wireless. I am using window's "play now" option. The TV says "Loading" and stops at 98%. I've tried renaming the file and have not had any success. Any tips?
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 182
10/15/12 at 7:20am
Hi gentlemen! I have the TV for 2 weeks now and I must say I'm very disapointed about the picture quality. I said too early that the image was perfect. In a dark or light dim room, there is flashlighting in 3 of the 4 corners, and still a lot of banding, but this time in the first half of he screen (maybay 4-5 thin lines)
I'm moving to plasma. It's the fifth Sony I had in a few months, and I'm still not happy with the screen uniformity. I can't afford a high-end DEL set, but for the same price, I can have a 60'' middle-end set with a perfect screen uniformity
Thanks again for the info guys, but maybe this type of TV is'nt just made for me and my expectations!
Reply
Reply
post #56 of 182
10/15/12 at 9:49am
damn.... i was hoping THIS would be my 'affordable' 55" set that didn't have the clouding/flashlights that i'm used to with my 40" XBR4

maybe if it goes south of $1000 on Black Friday.... my search continues rolleyes.gif
Reply
Reply
post #57 of 182
10/17/12 at 11:09am
Boiler Jim said
"My EX640 has had two software/firmware updates from Sony since I bought it and now the slight clouding and flashlighting I had originally (which really were not bothersome) have now been virtually eliminated. How do they do that!!!??? Kudos to Sony for a great low-priced TV."

I have forced an update but where do you see that an update has been downloaded automatically and where do you see the version? Is the download done overnight? Do you have to leave your router on all night?
Reply
Reply
post #58 of 182
10/23/12 at 7:41pm
Saw the 50EX645 at a friends house tonight. Really a nice looking unit. He had spent some time calibrating it and the PQ was excellent. His daughter was watching one of the Harry Potter movies, no idea which one as I know nothing of HP, and it looked really good. Blacks didn't quite seem to be a truly deep black, but they compared well with the Samsung 7100 model he has in another room.

Going over there this weekend to watch some football and I'm interested to see how it does with that.
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 182
10/27/12 at 10:19pm
I bought the 55ex645 yesterday to replace my KF-E42A10.

So far I am impressed. The picture is great but I did notice that the pq varies depending on the TV broadcast. I watched 2 soccer games on the same channel and one had a much better picture than the other. On all other channels, particularly HBO, the pq is excellent. I am using the Cinema mode because while the others are brighter they are also more garish with over saturated colours. I will play with the settings in a day or so. I do not worry about black levels or non uniformity, The picture looks great so I am happy.

What really impressed me is the wifi option. The EX645 found my home network with no problem. A simple button press on the remote connects me to Netflix and I can stream videos from my Mac (using Eyeconnect) to the TV. This latter option is particularly impressive to me because mkv files are played with no problem. Alternatively I can play music, photo and video files from a USB key and again, mkv files are no problem. This ability to play mkv files is important to me, I have been using a 1st gen Apple TV (enhanced with ATV flash) but it had trouble with mkv files but the EX645 deals with them flawlessly. I doubt I will use the Apple TV from now on as I can stream from my Mac direct to the EX645.

I use my son's PS3 to play blu ray disks and they are stunning.

Having 4 HDMI inputs makes life simpler for me. Previously I was using an HDMI hub which worked but was a pain.

The remote is a little small and is black - aargh, one more black remote that is invisible against black leather furniture.
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 182
10/31/12 at 11:23am
I just looked and they do make a kdl-40ex645 but it is only sold in Canada...same story with the HX750 line, they make a 40" but only sold in UK and India. Why can't we get those here in the US?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: LCD Flat Panel Displays

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › LCD Flat Panel Displays › Official Sony KDL-EX640 Owners Thread