How to get rid of color banding on new 32" Samsung

[Bluesmobile]

I just purchased my first HD monitor, a Samsung LNS3251D, and a Sony upconverting DVD player, and connect the two with an HDMI cable.

I have SD cable and am happy with the tv quality--and I have no real desire or intentions to subscribe to HDTV. I use the display mainly for DVD. So far I am not impressed with the PQ of DVDs on my new display. Yes, I have the settings on the DVD player to upscale to 1080i or 720p. I have not made any adjustments to the monitor's picture, I have just been using the pre-sets (example: Dynamic or Standard picture settings).

When watching DVDs, there is severe color banding in the picture, especially in a dark scene that has a bright spot. There are concentric circles emanating from the focal point. Natural gradients are blocky and the picture looks artificlial, like bad CGI. This drives me nuts and the picture looks horrible. Closer, the picture looks even worse.

I was comparing how the same model looks at the store, and they all have HDTV broadcasting on the 'AIR' antenna. Standing close to a scene of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2 I saw that the picture quality was very nice--no blotchy compression, looks good even a foot or two away from the screen.

What can I do to reduce or eliminate the color banding and the artifacts? The Samsung 32" has a 4000:1 contrast ration and is supposed to be a quality model.

Do I need to calibrate for contrast and brightness to eliminate or reduce the color banding?

 

[jcPanny]

32" Lcd

Nice LCD. Your Samsung is the top of the line model which I was considering before a got a deal on a lower end model. You might be able to plug in a set of Rabit ears to test the OTA HD signals.

Also, try your DVD player at 480i or 480p and see if the PQ improves. This would mean that your Sony DVD is not up to snuff and you might be better served by one of the Models from Oppo Digital. I got the low end Oppo DV-970 for X-mas and it is working well on my Sceptre set that has a much lower contrast setting than your Samsung.

 

[stratman]

JC is spot on with the advice, try a better DVD player.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Try these things first,

Set your dvd player to upscale to your displays native resolution

Choose theater or movie mode, if you have a color temp setting choose warm.

Calibrate with DVE, Avia or GetGray.


If problem still exists then there may be an issue with the display.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I just purchased my first HD monitor, a Samsung LNS3251D, and a Sony upconverting DVD player, and connect the two with an HDMI cable.

I have SD cable and am happy with the tv quality--and I have no real desire or intentions to subscribe to HDTV. I use the display mainly for DVD. So far I am not impressed with the PQ of DVDs on my new display. Yes, I have the settings on the DVD player to upscale to 1080i or 720p. I have not made any adjustments to the monitor's picture, I have just been using the pre-sets (example: Dynamic or Standard picture settings).

When watching DVDs, there is severe color banding in the picture, especially in a dark scene that has a bright spot. There are concentric circles emanating from the focal point. Natural gradients are blocky and the picture looks artificlial, like bad CGI. This drives me nuts and the picture looks horrible. Closer, the picture looks even worse.

I was comparing how the same model looks at the store, and they all have HDTV broadcasting on the 'AIR' antenna. Standing close to a scene of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2 I saw that the picture quality was very nice--no blotchy compression, looks good even a foot or two away from the screen.

What can I do to reduce or eliminate the color banding and the artifacts? The Samsung 32" has a 4000:1 contrast ration and is supposed to be a quality model.

Do I need to calibrate for contrast and brightness to eliminate or reduce the color banding?

Yes, as jeff mentioned, you do need to calibrate the TV itself, properly. Most of the time factory settings are not the correct settings but to impress the person in a showroom setting.

 

[Bluesmobile]

Thanks for the suggestions. The banding was/is extremely bad--very noticable and renders the picture unwatchable, so I did do a test to see if the problem was coming from the DVD player or the monitor. I hooked up my standard pro-scan player to the display via component cables and the banding is gone, or at least, the picture has improved greatly. I tried both the HDMI and component sources on the Sony upscaling model and the banding was present through both inputs, and I conclude that the problems are coming from the player.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.. I hooked up my standard pro-scan player to the display via component cables and the banding is gone, or at least, the picture has improved greatly.

OK. What is this 'standard pro-scan player' capable of? 480i? 480p, higher?

I tried both the HDMI and component sources on the Sony upscaling model and the banding was present through both inputs, and I conclude that the problems are coming from the player.

Before you assume this, might want to plug that player into another TV that has component input?

Does that TV need to be programmed for an input of higher than 480i?

 

[Bluesmobile]

I took back the Sony DVP NS75H and exchanged it for another of the same model. I hooked it up and......The same problem exists! The picture is degraded and blocky, the outline of graphics and shapes remain on the screen, especially on dark scenes. I have the HDMI hooked in from the player to the HDMI input on the Samsung display. The HDMI setting is engaged on the player, as well as the progressive scan on the player. The TV info indicates it is receiving an 1080i or 720p signal, but the picture is degraded.

Is there a problem with this Sony model, or am I doing something wrong? As stated before, when I run the DVD through the progressive scan mode via component cables, I get the same problem.

My standard (non-upconverting) SONY dvd player is, I assume, a 480p, and it plays the way it should through component cables and p-scan engaged on the Samsung.

??

By the way, I have ordered an Oppo DV970HD anyway because of the great price (including HDMI cable) and good reviews. Will I have the same problem withthe OPPO?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I took back the Sony DVP NS75H and exchanged it for another of the same model.

Apparently the place where you bought it is local. Two suggestions. Ask the store if they can hook up a DVD player equivalent to the Sony you have with HDMI and up converting, or just take your DVD player and hook it up there to the store display and see. Or, hook it up to another TV there or both.
I doubt that it is the TV.


I have the HDMI hooked in from the player to the HDMI input on the Samsung display. The HDMI setting is engaged on the player, as well as the progressive scan on the player. The TV info indicates it is receiving an 1080i or 720p signal, but the picture is degraded.

Off chance the cable is faulty. Do you have another to try?

Is there a problem with this Sony model, or am I doing something wrong? As stated before, when I run the DVD through the progressive scan mode via component cables, I get the same problem.

Hard to say from here; that is why we try to eliminate each component as being the culprit.

By the way, I have ordered an Oppo DV970HD anyway because of the great price (including HDMI cable) and good reviews. Will I have the same problem withthe OPPO?


That will certainly help eliminate the DVD player at fault, hopefully.

Try my first suggestion about the store; might be quicker than the arrival of that player.

 

[Bluesmobile]

Off chance the cable is faulty. Do you have another to try?

Well, the HDMI cable might be faulty, but would that affect the component connection? becuase I have the same problem with the component input to the same TV.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, the HDMI cable might be faulty, but would that affect the component connection? becuase I have the same problem with the component input to the same TV.

No, not at all. I should have remembered that you have issues with both

So, are you able to take that DVD player in to the place where you bought the TV? I am itching to find out if it is the player, most likely; running out of components

 

[billnchristy]

Turn the energy saving on.

It will cut the brightness of the screen considerably. There are 4 settings On, High Low and Off.

I like everything but off (or is it on...the brightest one).

Give it a try, I think mine is set to high or low right now...same tv.

 

[Bluesmobile]

The energy saving features on the Samsung do not do anything to help the problem of macroblocking from the DVD player. I took the player to my father-in-law's place where he has a Panasonic DLP screen. I set up the Sony upconverting player and tested the picture via HDMI and component and the problem is on his display as well. The DVD player went back that same day, with the HDMI cable (which I payed a ridiculous amount for) and I am awaiting the delivery of my Oppo 981 any day.

Two Sony DVD players had the same problem--is this unusual?

 

[billnchristy]

Didnt think it would fix it, but maybe minimze it a bit.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The energy saving features on the Samsung do not do anything to help the problem of macroblocking from the DVD player. I took the player to my father-in-law's place where he has a Panasonic DLP screen. I set up the Sony upconverting player and tested the picture via HDMI and component and the problem is on his display as well. The DVD player went back that same day, with the HDMI cable (which I payed a ridiculous amount for) and I am awaiting the delivery of my Oppo 981 any day.

Two Sony DVD players had the same problem--is this unusual?

Yes, that would be unusual. Glad we found the source of the issue. Did you call Sony why this is happening? Maybe they had a fix?

 

[ronnie 1.8]

The energy saving features on the Samsung do not do anything to help the problem of macroblocking from the DVD player.

Is the issue described in this thread known as "macroblocking" or "banding", or both? I just started a thread today named "Common (??) Video Problem", and that is exactlfy what I am experiencing. The quote of "concentric circles", and "Natural gradients are blocky and the picture looks artificlial, like bad CGI" are exactly my experience. Here, the cause of Bluesmobile's problem was his player. In my case, I have a Denon 3930CI with Silicon Optix REALTA video processing, so if my problem is indeed macroblocking or banding, it would have to be due to a faulty player, I would imagine.

 

[markw]

Did you try a different make and model of the DVD?

 

[ronnie 1.8]

Did you try a different make and model of the DVD?

You mean of the DVD player? I had a lower-end Denon before buying the DVD3930CI, but don't recall if I experienced macroblocking and banding then. I think I've become more aware of my image after buying the 3930, and having it pro calibrated. From what I understand, it probably is due to the source (MPEG2 compression), and my player is just fine...