ttocs
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Post by ttocs on May 26, 2023 9:32:28 GMT -5
There's a smattering of us who have purchased the 2023 version of the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark discs, and I thought it would be nice to have a spot to post our findings and questions specifically related to the usage of these discs, as well as earlier versions. But I will say that if one has an earlier version, this 2023 version is really the one to have! The 2023 UHD Benchmark version has good information about what each test does, but also has some info related to specific tv brands and some brand specific settings and how to work with them. There is instruction about setting up for SDR first and why, which led me to know about settings in my tv I was unaware of previously. So now I've got a cal just for SDR, which I like better than what I've been using for general tv watching. I'm impressed by the new tests and the instructions that go along with them! And I've only scratched the surface! Let's have some fun with TV Calibration! =================================================================================== Resources: Choosing a Color Space, Ultra HD Edition
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Post by geebo on May 26, 2023 9:53:51 GMT -5
There's a smattering of us who have purchased the 2023 version of the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark discs, and I thought it would be nice to have a spot to post our findings and questions specifically related to the usage of these discs, as well as earlier versions. But I will say that if one has an earlier version, this 2023 version is really the one to have! The 2023 UHD Benchmark version has good information about what each test does, but also has some info related to specific tv brands and some brand specific settings and how to work with them. There is instruction about setting up for SDR first and why, which led me to know about settings in my tv I was unaware of previously. So now I've got a cal just for SDR, which I like better than what I've been using for general tv watching. I'm impressed by the new tests and the instructions that go along with them! And I've only scratched the surface! Let's have some fun with TV Calibration! Great idea. I just got my copy yesterday and haven't had a chance to really get involved with it but first impression is that it's quite comprehensive and well thought out. Quite a difference from my Avia and DVE discs. The inclusion of audio tests including Atmos level adjustments is a bonus. For about $50 it seems like quite a good deal. |
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cawgijoe
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Post by cawgijoe on May 26, 2023 10:07:25 GMT -5
There's a smattering of us who have purchased the 2023 version of the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark discs, and I thought it would be nice to have a spot to post our findings and questions specifically related to the usage of these discs, as well as earlier versions. But I will say that if one has an earlier version, this 2023 version is really the one to have! The 2023 UHD Benchmark version has good information about what each test does, but also has some info related to specific tv brands and some brand specific settings and how to work with them. There is instruction about setting up for SDR first and why, which led me to know about settings in my tv I was unaware of previously. So now I've got a cal just for SDR, which I like better than what I've been using for general tv watching. I'm impressed by the new tests and the instructions that go along with them! And I've only scratched the surface! Let's have some fun with TV Calibration! I will order this weekend. |
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cawgijoe
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Post by cawgijoe on May 26, 2023 10:10:32 GMT -5
There's a smattering of us who have purchased the 2023 version of the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark discs, and I thought it would be nice to have a spot to post our findings and questions specifically related to the usage of these discs, as well as earlier versions. But I will say that if one has an earlier version, this 2023 version is really the one to have! The 2023 UHD Benchmark version has good information about what each test does, but also has some info related to specific tv brands and some brand specific settings and how to work with them. There is instruction about setting up for SDR first and why, which led me to know about settings in my tv I was unaware of previously. So now I've got a cal just for SDR, which I like better than what I've been using for general tv watching. I'm impressed by the new tests and the instructions that go along with them! And I've only scratched the surface! Let's have some fun with TV Calibration! Great idea. I just got my copy yesterday and haven't had a chance to really get involved with it but first impression is that it's quite comprehensive and well thought out. Quite a difference from my Avia and DVE discs. The inclusion of audio tests is a bonus. For about $50 it seems like quite a good deal. I'll order this. I also have DVE and the Disney WOW disc. Both have their place, but I find WOW the easist to use and to help fiends who ask with. Well organized. Looking forward to playing with the new Spears & Munsil UHD when I get it. |
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Post by marcl on May 26, 2023 11:56:44 GMT -5
I've only looked at the Audio section and the demo material so far. The audio stuff is really good and after listening to the guys talk about how their man who did the audio exchanged with Dolby about how they have changed codecs, etc. they claim their audio content is going to be most accurate among test resources. I definitely like that they moved slooowwly in the panning section. Not as many combinations as the Spatial Toolkit, but much easier to follow. Those guys did a lot of work on the SATK but the panning stuff just made me seasick.
I looked at the Dolby Vision and SDR demo material and it really is interesting how you can look at one then the other and they both look good ... your eyes tune in and the video is so clear. But then you look at the comparison version and it's like ... how can they be THAT different?
My minor struggle will be the fat that I used Calman to calibrate my TV for SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision ... so I may not actually adjust anything except sharpness, motion, bias light brightness ...
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Post by LuisV on May 26, 2023 13:24:03 GMT -5
Just ordered my copy... looking forward to trying things out.
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Post by geebo on May 26, 2023 14:02:20 GMT -5
I just tried the SDR calibration and it's pretty straightforward. I had my LG pretty close and only made small adjustments to color, brightness and contrast. Also changed the gamma to 2.4. And the picture looks a little better than I had it but again, my adjustments were minor.
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Topend
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Post by Topend on May 26, 2023 15:34:47 GMT -5
Got mine a couple of days ago. I was keen to try the audio tests. Will do some more on the weekend.
I’m doing my annual remove the system from the shelves to clean away the dust. I often tinker with audio settings and may run Dirac again.
Dave.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on May 26, 2023 17:12:59 GMT -5
My copy was delivered yesterday and was waiting for me today when I got back in town.
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Topend
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Post by Topend on May 26, 2023 20:34:05 GMT -5
The best part about the new disc is the manual and using the down arrow to see how each test is used.
Not sure if this is unique to Samsung TVs but I could not carry out the SDR calibration with these discs as it kept detecting HDR. I had to use the original 1080p Bluray version then go back to check HDR.
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on May 26, 2023 20:47:01 GMT -5
The best part about the new disc is the manual and using the down arrow to see how each test is used. Not sure if this is unique to Samsung TVs but I could not carry out the SDR calibration with these discs as it kept detecting HDR. I had to use the original 1080p Bluray version then go back to check HDR. Same here. I had to change the following to force SDR for the "Picture Mode" slot I'm using for SDR: Video Signal: HDR Mode: Off Color Space: sRGB/BT.709 After that, the tv never sees HDR when using Picture Mode: Custom. I also have a couple of special Picture Modes that I "unhid" last year that are part of a Pro Mode of calibrating called Custom For Pro 1 and Custom For Pro 2. These Pro modes allow for some extra adjustments, but I don't recall which at the moment, but will when I redo them. |
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Post by geebo on May 26, 2023 21:18:26 GMT -5
The best part about the new disc is the manual and using the down arrow to see how each test is used. Not sure if this is unique to Samsung TVs but I could not carry out the SDR calibration with these discs as it kept detecting HDR. I had to use the original 1080p Bluray version then go back to check HDR. Same here. I had to change the following to force SDR for the "Picture Mode" slot I'm using for SDR: Video Signal: HDR Mode: Off Color Space: sRGB/BT.709 After that, the tv never sees HDR when using Picture Mode: Custom. I also have a couple of special Picture Modes that I "unhid" last year that are part of a Pro Mode of calibrating called Custom For Pro 1 and Custom For Pro 2. These Pro modes allow for some extra adjustments, but I don't recall which at the moment, but will when I redo them. Are you using disc 3? Is there some setting on your BD player like on my Oppo 203 that converts everything to Dolby Vision? |
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on May 26, 2023 22:48:20 GMT -5
Same here. I had to change the following to force SDR for the "Picture Mode" slot I'm using for SDR: Video Signal: HDR Mode: Off Color Space: sRGB/BT.709 After that, the tv never sees HDR when using Picture Mode: Custom. I also have a couple of special Picture Modes that I "unhid" last year that are part of a Pro Mode of calibrating called Custom For Pro 1 and Custom For Pro 2. These Pro modes allow for some extra adjustments, but I don't recall which at the moment, but will when I redo them. Are you using disc 3? Is there some setting on your BD player like on my Oppo 203 that converts everything to Dolby Vision? No, I used Disc 1. The instructions only mentioned Disc 1 for the SDR settings, and I wanted to make a SDR cal, so I just defeated HDR for that cal. But, to your point (I think), I need to check some more stuff on the UB820 to see what it's outputting. I haven't yet checked what's on Discs 2 and 3. |
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Post by geebo on May 26, 2023 22:57:43 GMT -5
Are you using disc 3? Is there some setting on your BD player like on my Oppo 203 that converts everything to Dolby Vision? No, I used Disc 1. The instructions only mentioned Disc 1 for the SDR settings, and I wanted to make a SDR cal, so I just defeated HDR for that cal. But, to your point (I think), I need to check some more stuff on the UB820 to see what it's outputting. I haven't yet checked what's on Discs 2 and 3. Disc 3 has SDR test patterns and you can select between bt.2020 and bt.709 which is the recommended setting. Your TV should automatically switch to SDR when using disc 3. Disc 1 is only for Dolby Vision and HDR10/HDR10+ |
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on May 27, 2023 0:27:48 GMT -5
No, I used Disc 1. The instructions only mentioned Disc 1 for the SDR settings, and I wanted to make a SDR cal, so I just defeated HDR for that cal. But, to your point (I think), I need to check some more stuff on the UB820 to see what it's outputting. I haven't yet checked what's on Discs 2 and 3. Disc 3 has SDR test patterns and you can select between bt.2020 and bt.709 which is the recommended setting. Your TV should automatically switch to SDR when using disc 3. Disc 1 is only for Dolby Vision and HDR10/HDR10+ Thanks! I was wondering if the printed instructions had a misprint. Now it makes more sense. Last night I was able to still get great Black Level/Contrast results (my Sony tv "Brightness" is controlled using "Black Level", Brightness is actually the panel's backlight level control), but it was the color that was off, mostly in the Reds, when I was watching tv today. This is my first attempt at calibrating for SDR, so I'm finding some issues with my tv panel. I can't get the Gamma to be good for the test patterns, the 6 rectangles (noted in the instructions to be "squares") just don't change when I change the Gamma setting on the tv. More play tomorrow night. Thanks Geebo! |
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Post by Topend on May 27, 2023 1:34:04 GMT -5
No, I used Disc 1. The instructions only mentioned Disc 1 for the SDR settings, and I wanted to make a SDR cal, so I just defeated HDR for that cal. But, to your point (I think), I need to check some more stuff on the UB820 to see what it's outputting. I haven't yet checked what's on Discs 2 and 3. Disc 3 has SDR test patterns and you can select between bt.2020 and bt.709 which is the recommended setting. Your TV should automatically switch to SDR when using disc 3. Disc 1 is only for Dolby Vision and HDR10/HDR10+ That is great, thanks for the tip. Dave. |
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Post by geebo on May 27, 2023 9:21:43 GMT -5
It would have been nice had the labeled the discs something other than 1. 2 and 3. Like HDR, SDR & Audio, Demo Material.
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Post by marcl on May 27, 2023 9:33:36 GMT -5
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Post by Topend on May 27, 2023 17:53:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I read through it and tried the Clipping pattern from the Advanced Video->Evaluation section to fine tune my contrast in SDR. This is the test screen that has red, green and blue squares across the top of the screen. In each square lighter shades should be visible if contrast is set correcting and there is no clipping. When I did this the blue square is solid but red and green look fine. No amount of contrast adjustment would improve this. I guessing there is nothing more I can do so I left the contrast at my previous setting. Does anyone have any suggestions to improve this. At the end of the day I have calibrated the screen to the enth degree over the years and short of getting a professional calibration I don’t think it can be improved on. Watching 4K Bluray or Apple TV has always looked great. One tip that I have only realised recently, my back light adjust was set too low for HDR. I now have this set to max. Cheers, Dave. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 27, 2023 18:28:03 GMT -5
Well my membership card arrived today, hope to get a chance to start using it this week, the comments made so far sound very helpful, thanks!  … but I’m going to have to read more about these fancy glasses that came with the disc, surprised you guys haven’t mentioned them?  … and these Atmos headphones are awesome (though my neck gets a little sore) … hey ttocs , does Steve have these?  |
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