HDMI Expand Mode?

[BrawlingBigJim]

I have a Panasonic PT-AE2000U projector and while reading through the operating manual I came across an option to turn "HDMI SIGNAL LEVEL" to Normal or Expand and the manual does not describe what this feature does, I tried turning it on and it seems to brighten up the picture quite a bit. Does anyone know what this feature really does and if I should be using it? Here is what the manual says...

HDMI SIGNAL LEVEL

When an HDMI IN is selected, you can switch the HDMI
signal to NORMAL or EXPAND to display the image.

NORMAL For general HDMI equipment
EXPAND For HDMI equipment with expanded signals

NOTE:
• HDMI SIGNAL LEVEL is not available with some equipment.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I believe this is a setting which allows for the video settings of 'blacker than black' and 'whiter than white' capabilities. Apparently video black is not truly black and video white is not truly white, so certain products, I believe this includes the PS3, allow for video output of white and black levels which exceed video standard levels.

If the projector can accept those levels, then you can get them reproduced on screen accurately.

 

[Audioholics]

I used to say that you always leave this to Normal/Standard, however recently it's been a crap-shoot. The bottom line is you use whichever setting passes blacker than black. You can reference this article for more information:

HDMI Enhanced Black Levels, xvYCC and RGB