Black matte BELIEVER (1 Viewer)

[James Zos]

I know most of you know about this already, but after reading several black matte threads I finally decided to give it a try...

Why did I wait so long? This has to be the BEST tweak I've found so far. It definitely improves the picture image, and I know of no better proof than this: before she actually saw them in use, my girlfriend said the black mattes were a--and I quote--"boneheaded, retarded thing to do."

A few nights later we were watching a movie and out of the blue, with NO prompting from me, she observed that they made a big improvement.

If you knew HOW skeptical my girlfriend is about all things home theater, you'd know what a huge acknowledgement this is.

Now I enjoy the rectangular image floating in the darkness so much I think I want to matte the readouts from my equipment...The darker the better, I say!

 

[Masood Ali]

What did you make the mattes out of, and what did you use to attach them?

 

[James Zos]

Following the advice of other posters here, I bought black foam board (I think that is what it is called) from a frame shop. It is a kind of cardboard that is flexible enough to fit across a slightly curved screen like mine, yet firm enough to keep a nice straight line. Any non-reflective black material that you can work with will do though, I just happened to go with the foam board...

I should have paid the extra two dollars to have the salesperson cut it for me, because cutting it was the most difficult part, but I didn't know the exact dimensions I wanted and had to experiment a little first.

I used a long metal ruler and a matte knife to cut two sets, one for for each widescreen ratio I use. I bought some velcro and cut four thin strips to stick on the sides of my TV and stuck the soft side of the velcro (as it is the most visible and therefore the ugliest) on the backs of the mattes. Now it is just a matter of lining them up with the image when I want to use them.

One thing that I had not anticipated, is the image seems LARGER now, with all that dead, glowing space removed.

As at least one other poster has said, I will NEVER go back to watching widescreen DVDs without the mattes. I feel like I have a new TV.

 

[Dan M]

I'm gonna have to try this

I've been putting mattes off too long now

I hear nothing but great things about them

I'm getting my set calibrated this weekend by none other than the great Gregg Loewen.

I think I'll top it off with mattes!!

 

[Guy Kuo]

For so effective, simple, and cheap a display tweak, it is amazing how much resistance there is to even trying out mattes. The positive effect on the visual presentation is pretty startling, especially on 4:3 RPTV's. This is something that RPTV owners really should add to their system. I could have kicked myself for not trying it earlier when I did it to my RPTV. Are $30 and the risk of ridicule really enough to stop people from doing something that can really make a huge difference on widescreen material? Done right, it looks very professional and like a part of the set. Just do it. You won't be out much if you don't like it, but if you do like it (like so many of us who tried) you'll be enjoying a better picture.

 

[James Zos]

I should point out, in case this isn't clear, that I have an old, 27 inch Panasonic, and the screen isn't even really flat, but still this made a big improvement for me. So don't think you have to have an RPTV or HDTV for this to make a difference.

I only wish there was something else as simple as this to improve my setup that I could quit putting off. No other tweak even comes close.

 

[Guy Kuo]

There is, particularly with that size screen. Backlighting the wall behind your screen with a D65 lamp. The lamp should light only the wall behind the screen, not the screen itself. The Idealume is the correct color. If the brightness of the wall is made to be 5 to 10 percent the peak white of the display, you'll achieve greater perceived contrast and reduce eyestrain. You can check the backlighting intensity using the "Backlighting" pattern in AVIA, S&V's Home Theater Tune-up, or VE.

 

[Jay Mitchosky]

For so effective, simple, and cheap a display tweak, it is amazing how much resistance there is to even trying out mattes.

I couldn't agree more with Guy. It amazes me how much resistance there is to this tweak. I'd even have them if I owned a 16:9 set for 2.35 framed films! Congrats on your positive experience, James. You'll never go back.

 

[Gregg Loewen]

Every time I do a calibration I mention this simple tweek. If is funny...the looks I get.
Gregg

 

[Jerry Gracia]

Ditto on all the matte praises!
For such an inexpensive tweak that offers soo much improvement to the video performance of a home theater...it really boggles my mind how many folks simply do not want to try it out because of how weird it seems to put two pieces of black cardboard on their TV.
Or worse...those who have tried mattes and see no difference! Are you guys blind!
It's really simple...mattes do what no display device can do, calibrated or not...they eliminate the black bars, completely (in a dark room with little to no lighting).
I guess it depends on how much of theater-like experience you want.
I want as much as I can achieve!

 

[Jeff D.]

I'd even have them if I owned a 16:9 set for 2.35 framed films!

I've got them for my 16:9 Toshiba 56H80. Makes a world of difference. Combine the added resolution from 16:9 DVDs, with a matted 2.35 (0r 2.77!) image - and WOW!

Incidentally, I also use "side mattes" for viewing 4:3 material in its proper OAR. This will eliminate the pesky black bars on the SIDES and has the same wonderful effect.

Kudos as ever to Jay Mitchosky who first introduced me to this marvelous tweak.

/Jeff

 

[SHAWN SZILEZY]

Gregg,
I believe I gave you that look. With some apprehension I made a set and now I can't watch without them. This is the most cost effective tweak you can make. The difference is night and day. Build a set and see for yourself.