Calibration Tools for Panny 42G10

[admin_exported]

As I'm no expert at calibrating TV's but wish to get the best picture out of my 42G10, I'd appreciate some advice on the best calibration tools available.

I've already used a THX disc, but have read that the Greyscale/White balance can be calibrated in the service menu with the right tools.

Any suggestions on which tools can help me do this best and likely cost?

 

[strapped for cash]

I'd be very vary of breaking into the service menu as this will almost certainly invalidate your warranty. It's a real pain that UK consumers aren't given this option by Panasonic -- as those abroad can alter Gamma/Greyscale settings. Unfortunately, we just get the four picture mode options -- Dynamic (yikes); Normal; Cinema; Game -- none of which are perfect. According to tech websites/reviews, the closest you can get to industry standard via these presets is through the 'normal' viewing mode, with colour temperature set to warm. As the normal viewing mode seems to introduce very mild (but still discernable) inconsistencies with white and black levels, I tend to stick with 'cinema' mode and have got a picture that I'm extremely happy with, even with standard def freeview broadcasts. Settings for the G10B (British) model are currently the subject of another thread, if you want to take a look.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for comments strapped. I'm aware the warranty will be invalidated but that doesn't put me off trying to get the best out of the set with the right tools.

BTW, I've read a very well known site (another forum) where the reviewer advised that the Cinema mode with the Warm preset came closest to industry standard of 6500K.

I have another Panny plasma aswell and a Panny LCD, so I'm keen to find something which will help me calibrate my sets properly.

 

[strapped for cash]

Well, it's obviously up to you whether you want to take the risk with breaking into the service menu. As I bought the TV with a five year warranty, I'd exremely miffed if my TV developed a fault in a couple of years time, only for the warranty provider to refuse to service the TV on that basis. If you decide to go for it, however, I'd be really interested to hear how you get on -- and whether you think the performance of the TV improves notably as a result.

 

[PIPPI]

Hold button -/v to enter service menu. I've got the TX-P50G10 and I used DVE Bluray disc to set mine up with cinema set to warm ( lovely, using THX disc does not come close). I am an electronic enginner and even I have resisted the temptation to enter the service menu. Do remember even if you have not got extended warranty Panasonic automaticly provide 3yrs warranty on all 10 series Plasmas (check the website).

 

[strapped for cash]

Care to share your settings, PIPPI? Of course, there's no guarantee that we will achieve the same results on the 42" model... Also, as commented on another thread, it's annoying that the Pana 'picture settings' menu doesn't include numbers, so you end up counting the number of clicks from the lowest setting. Thanks.

 

[PIPPI]

I have tried everything to add, paste and upload a photo, need help.

 

[PIPPI]

Here goes

 

[PIPPI]

This is from a panny BD-35. At first i thought the colour can't be right, but watched the demos on DVE and watch Troy and wow. I hate oversaturated colours, but this is so right. I only use this setting on BD, everything else (Sky HD and Freeview is done by eye). Note during calibration I noticed green was slightly out.

 

[PIPPI]

Some settings have now been reduced for running in.

 

[strapped for cash]

Thanks Pippi. The settings are radically different from mine (and from the 45% brightness, 65% contrast, etc, settings recommended by WHF). However, I changed the settings on my G10, to approximate what is shown in your photo, and it genuinely seems to have made a difference in several respects. First, the picture via freeview seems a lot more stable and noise is dramatically reduced. Second, colours don't look oversaturated, surprisingly, though my setting isn't quite as high as yours. I'll leave these settings alone and try with a range of sources to see how I get on. Appreciate the post!

 

[PIPPI]

Glad to help. I don't use these settings on freeview by the way. Now I have set-up this tv, THIS IS A GREAT SET. Cost £959

 

[PIPPI]

Let me know how you get on with entering the service menu pejwright.

 

[Anonymous]

Need some advice first on what type of calibration tool to buy.

If I get some idea what to buy, I'll give it a try on my Panny 50px600 first before attempting anything with my 42G10.

Any ideas anyone?

 

[PIPPI]

D.J.Krime uses the spyder I think, ask him.

 

[Anonymous]

Thinking of buying X-rite i1Display 2.

Anyone have experience of using this or suggestions on best place to purchase? Cheapest I can find is £130.49.

 

[PIPPI]

Try the Spyder 3 Pro £95.95 inc Vat and free delivery.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks PIPPI for your suggestion but I've read elsewhere that there are issues with widely varying results apparent in the Spyder 3.

I've just bought the i1Display LT for £104.50 together with the DVE blu ray for £12.98 and Sunshine on blu ray for £4.50 all from Amazon.

Hopefully, I should be able to try calibrating next weekend.

 

[PIPPI]

I would be interested to know how you get on,

 

[PIPPI]

Pejwright have you callibrated you tv yet.

 

[strapped for cash]

I'd be intrigued to know what settings you arrived at post-calibration as well...

 

[aliEnRIK]

Personally I use the free dvd and software from here ~

FREE SOFTWARE

Both sensors will work with the software and for free its very very good

 

[Pittodriered]

I've just calibrated both my LCD screens using the eye one display lite, dve hd basics blu ray disc and the free software that alienrik advised. I also used the following guide which is really easy to use.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457

First attempt took about an hour, but once you get the hang of it about 30 mins is all it takes. Only thing is you need to abe able to adjust the sets white balance to set the grey scale correctly which according to the guide is the most important part.

The difference in my picture is unbelievable. SD is greatly improved and HD is even better. Even the other half was amazed! I've since calibrated my parent's and my brother's tvs with similiar results.

 

[D.J.KRIME]

PIPPI:D.J.Krime uses the spyder I think, ask him.

I do indeed use a Spyder3 with the colorHCFR software and you can obtain very good results acros the IRE scale, but why Panasonic has decided to place the white ballance controls in the service menu is beyond me! and why propperly calibrating your TV should void your warrantry is just plain stupid as I wouild be very suprised if every Panasonic TV has a near perfect greyscale and a colour temp of 6500k straight of the factory floor.

In regards to which sensor is best, I have found that with all afordible sensors they all struggle on the lower end of the IRE test paterns but by adjusting the read times on say 0-20 IRE you will obtain much better results. calMAN offer a calibrated Spyder3 with their software which is better than the free colorHCFR software.

 

[Anonymous]

i may be picking up a 42g10 today , cant get calibration tools just now , would any one be able to post some settings to give me a guide ?? ta.