Samsung DLP -N- series tweaks thread

I haven't done anything to my HLM (new internals) but changed the gamma from default 5 to 1.

Don't really want to mess with anything else just yet until the board has a little more information!!

Blooz

Hey guys,

Can you include what rev of firmware you are both using (and anyone else that posts) as well as the manufacture date for your sets? Perhaps that will give us a better apples to apples view of things. Amazes me that in just 2 posts we already have two different gamma settings and those are the only two parameters either of you have changed.

Thanks,
Jeff (future HLM617 owner in 2 weeks)

Jeff - Good luck to you with you future 617w

I've had mine since early Feb and love it - let us know how it goes and what you think of it.

I am not too happy with regular DirecTV picture quality but I believe this is not the Sammy but DTV.

Geoffrey

I too was thinking about the Samsung HLN617W, I hear it's not out yet, and have DirecTV feed. I heard it was supposed to handle SD feeds better than the GWII. Anyone with info on it?

wow, you are the first one i have seen have the TV built in 2003. I just bought one from end of Feb, and finally the 507 was shipped from samsung directly last weekend, and it was still built in Dec 2002 (maybe a refurb??), and yours is Feb 2003... where did you buy it?? and when did you get it?? Also, could some one tell me how can i get out of service menu?? is powering off the TV the only way?? thamks all!

My firmware version is 204, the manufacture date on the back of the television is December 2002. Also, Bobo, there is no other way to get into the service menu unless you power off!


Blooz

Blooz,
Haven't seen you post for a while. How are you enjoying the set?
Any movie blow you away since it arrived?

Mark

Blooz,

Ya, i know we need to power off fisrt then press mute 1 8 2 power to get into the service menu, how about when I am done with it? I couldn't find any other way to GET OUT of the service menu unless i power off the TV...
Thanks!

Bobo

I have a new HLN with build date of February 2003. I am trying to get used to all the HD quirks. I have a Comcast DCT5100 box and certain things are happening which are a mystery to me. For example, I just got through watching West Wing on the NBC HD feed and it was way too dark. I had to crank up the brightness to 100% to see anything. Also, the picture was a tiny letterbox format in the middle of the picutre tube. What's up with that? So far, the only true high definition shows seem to be only ABC. The Oscars were awesome. The PBS HD loop is also awesome, but only to show the set off to friends. The content is zilch.

Any recommendations to adjust the brightness level on HD broadcast would be appreciated.

Correct.

How interesting. I have a HLM617W with a build date of Feb. 03, Firmware v204.

Dean

Thanks, Geoffrey. I will be sure to post here once I get my new set. I'll be sure to include the build date and software revision. I am getting the tv from the distributor in NY that worked out the deal with my company. They are supposed to call me once the TV gets into Houston and arrange delivery with me from there. I HOPE to slip they a couple bucks or something and get them to lug the sucker upstairs to the theater for me. Granted, it's only 115 lbs or whatever, but I would rather THEY try to get it up the stairs and through the doorway than me and my bro or neighbor.

DirecTV will be one of the MAIN things I watch on this set... especially with the NHL playoffs beginning in about a week. Sure would be nice if ABC would show some of this in HD, but oh well. Too bad ESPN-HD isn't on DirecTV yet... now THAT would be something else to see!!!

Later,
Jeff

Hey Mark!!

I am VERY pleased with the set thus far. I'm not so impress with the amount of compression Dish Network uses...it makes for a bad picture on some channels...not so bad on others. I just bought my Samsung Progressive DVD player on closeout last week (model P-401) and really enjoyed "Shrek". Animation looks amazing on this set. Even movies made to look grainy ( 8 mile, Minority Report...etc) look great. The only tweaking I've done is with Avia and lowered the gamma in the SM. That will probably be all I do, unless I hire an ISF guy in the future. That is on the bottom of the list now... I've got a receiver and center channel to buy first!

Hope all is well!!

Blooz

Can we have some tweaks please!!! There must be somebody out there with access to an "N" series who can recommend some adjustments.

Thanks

GeneticDrift,

I've actually got an HL"M" 507W, but it has the same internals as the new HL"N" models. (DNIe, firware version 204, 2300 chip...etc)

I'm waiting until more folks on the forum get either a new set, or get the new internals that Samsung is working on offering before I attemp to make any dramatic changes in the SM.

Other than SD quality, no problems here. (Still waiting on the 921 HD/PVR)

Blooz

Gamma 0 and BKAKOU/BLIM/BSTPO all 0 gives the best blacks and grayscale on my HLM437W. Gamma 5 crushes both blacks and whites. I've heard the HLN sets have more Gamma tables, which may not map to the ones in the HLM sets. YMMV.


You're adjusting the wrong thing. The Brightness control on a TV controls BLACK levels. WHITE levels are changed by adjusting the Contrast control. I watch HDTV with Contrast at 90-100 and Brightness at 50-60, depending on the ambient light level. Strongly suggest you get a copy of Avia. It will help you dial in PQ much more quickly and accurately.


Different aspect control settings will be needed depending on your STB and the type of connection you're using. In any case, you'll have to adust the aspect control on BOTH the TV and the STB. In my setup (HLM437W with Sammy SIR-T165 via DVI cable), the TV is on TV(Wide) and the STB is on Full for HDTV. Fills my little screen

"fillls my little screen"


Laugher of the day!

Thanks Doug!

Blooz

From what I've read you may not have those settings. Seems like they may not be in the "new" internals. Have you established which configuration (original/new) HLM you have?

Does anyone know if the HLM's with firmware v204 have discrete codes?

Ok, I got my TV this past Friday. Here's what I know so far. I will also post this info in the thread I started on the HLN617W.

I have model HLN617W.
It is a TANTUS model.
It has the 1 and 3/4 inch charcoal bezel around the screen.
Build date is February 2003
Firmware is T-B3K6101-204 released Nov. 30, 2002 at 09:04:42

Minor tweaks:
1.) Changed Gamma setting in the service menu under "DDP1010" from 4 (default) to 5. Blacks were significantly affected.

2.) Calibrated with Video Essentials to set Contrast, Brightness, Color and Tint and Sharpness.

Values before and after calibration with Gamma set to 5:

Contrast = 90 out of box, 90 after calibration
Brightness = 50 out of box, 49 after calibration
Sharpness = 20 out of box, 0 after calibration
Color = 50 out of box, 85 after calibration
Tint = 50/50 out of box, 50/50 after calibration

Setting color with the blue filter on this tv is a BEOTCH!!! It's not cut and dry like it was on my direct view hd set. I'm still not convinced it's right, but I just gave up. Setting the Tint was a little less strenuous.

I'll post my observations on the Service menu later.

Regs,
Jeff

The first sets to have the discrete codes will be the new Tantus models. The HLN467 and the HLN567. Later versions of the other models will get the newer firmware that has the discrete code recognition but current HLNs (XX65 and XX7s) don't have the discrete code firmware.

It should be possible to upgrade the firmware of the existing models but we have no firm promise this will be done. Representatives of Samsung have told people that an upgrade will be available but no firm announcement has been made.

Just to reaffirm... the remote for my new HLN617 does NOT have individual input buttons to select sources, therefor my guess is that it does not have dicsrete codes. Hopefully Samsung will provide a firmware update for all of us that are "early adopters" of their sets.

Later,
Jeff

[quote]Originally posted by Iceblade


Setting color with the blue filter on this tv is a BEOTCH!!! It's not cut and dry like it was on my direct view hd set. I'm still not convinced it's right, but I just gave up. Setting the Tint was a little less strenuous.

Iceblade,

I was a Video Essentials lover until I discovered Avia. It's much easier to set color and tint with the pulsating color bars pattern. Also check the Color Decoder setting with the red filter after you do color and tint to make certain that your reds are not oversaturating, a typical Sammy issue. My new 507 (Firmware v204) looks awesome after Avia (it wasn't that great after VE). My only issue now is the occassional 'banding' effect. I haven't messed with any of the SM tweaks yet. Happy viewing.