PS3 Optimal Display Settings

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DntMssWthTx or DamagingDecibels
I came across an interesting post on the PS3 boards yesterday that i thought i would pass on to you guys. Post is here. Check it out for yourselves because there is a load of info on optimal display settings for the PS3.

The gist of it is that since the 1.8 update that allowed for it, many folks (with HDMI) have their display settings to "RGB FULL", which sounds like it would be best. However this isn't so, the best setting is actually "RGB LIMITED" with Super White turned on. There is a long explanation for why this is true that i wont get into, but i have tried it and it definitely makes a difference.

RGB Full "crushes" blacks together which causes your TV to lose some deffinition. I can tell you that you will definitely notice the difference. It's not huge but it is noticeable. The flurries on Bloc (yes it is actually snowing on Bloc, i know, i never really noticed before either!), and the shadowy corners in certain maps are sharper and more defined. Try it for yourself.
 
Thats a good little tip, and I will try that out right now. Thanks for the heads up.

BTW for those who dont know, Bloc is a map on Call of Duty 4.
 
WOW thanks for the info. Looks like a lot of difference. I will try out for myself, I have it TURN ON since I thought it's better. I guess it depends on TV. I will turn it off and aware a better difference if possible :)
 
nah I'll stick with Full mode. My display is a new model of samsung and it certainly supports all hdmi advantages like rgb full.
 
Rain, but did you see any difference in Game play? I remeber my TV supported the ranges, but I still need to test it out if it looks better with ON or OFF.
 
I tried both settings in CM: Dirt
well obviously in full range mod blacks are much darker. It is true that if you want to see very dark areas then you have to increase brightness. But in my opinion for a racing game limited or not doesnt matter that much unless if you are racing in the night. but in some fps or adventure game like uncharted limited can help you to see dark areas clearly and it is correct that Full mode makes that areas unneccesarily dark.
 
I notice no differences with limited and full. I use a HD CRT so that has better black color support.
 
I notice no differences with limited and full. I use a HD CRT so that has better black color support.

Using HDMI? I'm gonna go ahead and conclude that you are since RGB is only enabled if you are connected vie HDMI. You should notice even a slight difference.

norgb.jpg

^ Limited RGB, notice the detail seen in the darker areas.

rgb.jpg

^ RBG on, blacks are crushed, meaning less detail can be seen in the darker areas.

In-depth explanation here.
 
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Using HDMI? I'm gonna go ahead and conclude that you are since RGB is only enabled if you are connected vie HDMI. You should notice even a slight difference.
Yes I do use HDMI. I do find full to be a "tad" darker but not by much.
 
Here is my comparison test with Samsung LE32A656 Standart Mode (Customized)

1) RGB Limited

a) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Normal
dsc06245largemj7.jpg


b) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06246largelb6.jpg


c) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: High | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06247largevc7.jpg


Screenshot with 1A Settings
dsc06253largeqd3.jpg


Screenshot with 1C Settings
dsc06249largeet1.jpg


2) RGB Full

a) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Normal
dsc06254largexx6.jpg


b) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06255largeqn4.jpg


c) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: High | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06256largemr2.jpg


Screenshot with 2A Settings
dsc06267largemo6.jpg


Screenshot with 2C Settings
dsc06259largeus3.jpg



I think I'll stick with RGB Limited mode with HDMI Black Level: Low & Dynamic Contrast: Low
dsc06269xy8.jpg
 
Too bad this will only help when hooked up via HDMI, my older component-only Panasonic rear-projector is far too dark even with the TV brightness cranked up. Adding brightness via GT5P menus helps but eventually everything just washes out.

I need to adjust it for this and an overscan issue, but I'm paranoid about digging into the service menus.
 
Doing this helped me alot (HDMI user) GTA IV at night on my normal settings was just stupid, i drove by the lights of the other cars half the time, similar story with COD4 where im forced to use NVG where others don't (wetwork especially).

Much better now, thanks.
 
Here is my comparison test with Samsung LE32A656 Standart Mode (Customized)

1) RGB Limited

a) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Normal
dsc06245largemj7.jpg


b) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06246largelb6.jpg


c) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: High | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06247largevc7.jpg


Screenshot with 1A Settings
dsc06253largeqd3.jpg


Screenshot with 1C Settings
dsc06249largeet1.jpg


2) RGB Full

a) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Normal
dsc06254largexx6.jpg


b) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: Off | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06255largeqn4.jpg


c) Black Level: Off | Dynamic Contrast: High | HDMI Black Level: Low
dsc06256largemr2.jpg


Screenshot with 2A Settings
dsc06267largemo6.jpg


Screenshot with 2C Settings
dsc06259largeus3.jpg



I think I'll stick with RGB Limited mode with HDMI Black Level: Low & Dynamic Contrast: Low
dsc06269xy8.jpg

All of your blacks and crushed and your whites are blown out anyway. Try using screenshots, not camera snaps.
 
Too bad this will only help when hooked up via HDMI, my older component-only Panasonic rear-projector is far too dark even with the TV brightness cranked up.

Ever look into getting a Vizio HDTV? Great quality, excellent price, and comparable to the likes of Sony. I have this 47" LCD Vizio set. It displays at full HD (1080P) and only costs $1,399 at Sam's Club or Costco, among others.
A Samsung of equal size will run you upwards of $1,900.


I think I'll stick with RGB Limited mode with HDMI Black Level: Low & Dynamic Contrast: Low

Good to hear.


Much better now, thanks.

No problem.
 
I did this the other day and I must say it helped tremendously with the "Pits of black tar" in WH. And Bloc was weird looking with all that snow :P

Also, I have a 32" VIZIO, really nice TV (I just got mine), I'd recommend one if you are looking to buy.

Thanks for the tip, I think I saw it on the PS boards before I had the TV, and forgot about it till you reminded me.

From,
Chris.
 
I did some tests on my TV and RBG Full looks the best. That's with Samsung's "Game Mode" turned on. RBG Limited with Game Mode on looks very washed out. Colors and blacks have no depth. I think what Game Mode does is simulate/use 255 levels, so RBG Full is the optimal setting.

When I turn Game Mode off, blacks are clearly crushed in RBG Full and Limited looks a lot better.
 
It depends on your tv. Some tv's cant handle a Full RGB colour range while others can. To test it, find yourself a RGB Test picture, using the PS3 in RGB Limited mode, you should view the chosen test pic. You should be able to see all shades of black shown. Now, change your setting to RGB = Full. Once again, view the picture, you will most likely see just a plain, flat black picture. This is what is referred to as 'crushed blacks' where there used to be many shades of black, its now been 'crushed' into just one shade of black. This is what happens when a TV that CANT understand RGB Full does to an RGB Full signal, it sees the extra colours and goes 'we'll just chuck you in here with the rest of them' and therefore colours, and detail, get lost in the mix.

But, its not over yet, because when you first viewed the pic, the PS3 was set to limited RGB, the tv wasnt made to display this expanded range, you'll generally have to go into your TV settings and alter the brightness of the tv, for example, if i run my PS3 on RGB = Limited, my brightness will go as low as about 50. On RGB = Full, i have to turn my brightness up to about 65 to see the same detail. So turn the brightness up until you can start to make out different shades of black again.

If you CAN'T make out the different shades of black when RGB = Full, then your TV cant understand the RGB Full colour range and you should set your PS3 to RGB = Limited.

If you CAN make out the difference, then tweak your colour/contrast/brightness settings to suit the new colour range and to give you a good picture.

Ideally, to get the most out of your tv/picture. Your best to run the PS3 at RGB = Limited and tweak the colour properties of your tv. All broadcast tv/dvd/bluray are encoded at RGB=Limited so running them at RGB=Full is only going to make things harder to see.

For example, my TV is capable of displaying a Full RGB Signal. Changing it to Full RGB gives a quick fix to improving picture quality and it immediately looks very nice with its richer, deeper appearing colours. But for the best picture quality, i have my PS3 set to RGB=Limited and have adjusted the Colour settings for a good picture that has natural and real looking colours, while maintaining detail in both the low dark colours and high bright colours.

An example of my TV settings are

Sony KLV46V300 (known elsewhere as KDL46V3100)

Backlight = 3
Picture (contrast) = 68
Colour = 50
Brightness = 49

Colour Temp = Warm1 (warm2 is recommended though)
Sharpness = 15

Noise Reduction = Off
Mpeg Noise Reduction = Off

Advanced settings = Off (Contrast enhancer, Black corrector, Gamma, Pure White, Live Colour Creation)
Colour Space = Normal

These settings i run for PS3 Games/Blu-Ray discs.

Generally, i find if your running DVD/TV alot, you may want to play with the advanced settings to get a better picture out of it, as they can simulate what is lost in the mix of SD cables/broadcast tv etc. But for such high quality sources like Blu-Ray and PS3 games (360 games for arguments sake, or anything pure HD) you shouldnt need to use 'advanced picture modes' which can mess with the picture
 
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