First time Plasma buyer here...need info on setup concerns / calibration (1 Viewer)

[FuzzyReets]

Hi folks. So I just ordered the Samsung 58" PN58B550 which I should get sometime next week. I wanted to do some further research on the setup and such before I get it. I have done a little reading and have a couple concerns being that this is my first plasma TV.

I've been reading that you have to "baby" it for the first 200-300 hours by lowering contrast levels and such. I'm not sure what the parameters for this are but I'd like to know to make sure I take care of it correctly right out of the box.

Secondly I'm reading that this TV has a lot of calibration options and that these need to be setup correctly. I'm a novice to most of this stuff especially calibration which I have never done. I read the calibration information from here (http://reviews.plasmatvbuyingguide.c...libration.html) but I cant' imagine that one group of settings will just be best for everyone or am I wrong?

Need help with this stuff. Much appreciated!

 

[SethH]

For the first 100-300 hours you should keep your brightness and contrast below 50%. Some new plasma owners use a slideshow of different colored slides to break-in their plasmas. It is something you should read up on . . . I don't have a strong opinion on the break-in vs "no need to break-in" debate.

Once you have done your initial 100-300 hours is when you should calibrate. There are several sites where people post their post-calibration settings. Using these is a good place to start . . . then you can use a good calibration disc to dial it in a little tighter for your specific set . . .because all sets will be slightly different.

 

[FuzzyReets]

Hi Seth,

Thanks for the reply. Do you know where I can find more info about these slides you mention? Also, what sites post the calibration information? Thanks again for your information.

 

[Michael TLV]

Greetings

Just use the tv normally and reduce the amount of static images on the tv. forget about the break in patterns. A waste of energy. Just watch the tv and be responsible about it.

regards

 

[FuzzyReets]

Hi folks. I ordered a Samsung PN58B550 58" Plasma last night and I'm looking around for a wall mount. I like the Omnimounts but they are so expensive compared to others and I'm trying to find out if others have experience with other brands. I saw the "Hercules(by Opteka) HRM-100" on amazon and that looks like it gets good reviews. Also saw some on toptvmounts.com. I just don't understand why the Omnimounts cost so much. Looking for good alternatives but don't want to have to worry about it falling off the wall. Thanks.

 

[Cees Alons]

Brant,

Your new post/thread was moved to this one. Please keep communications concise!
Thanks.


Cees

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Originally Posted by Michael TLV

Greetings

Just use the tv normally and reduce the amount of static images on the tv. forget about the break in patterns. A waste of energy. Just watch the tv and be responsible about it.

regards

Precisely,

I owned a 57" CRT based Sony rptv for over 5 years. This was the tech that had 3 crts blazing away pointed at a mirror in the back which reflected the image onto the back of the screen--huge, heavy, and more prone to burn in than any modern plasma ever dreamed of being.

I kept contrast and brightness below 50% and used common sense about static images (kept 'em down to less than 15 minutes or so when new). Once it was broken in I played hours of video games, countless 2:35 AR movies, and always set my Directv box for black rather than the gray sidebars--not a trace of burn in ever. That set's now in it's 9th year and with it's third owner (sorta kept it in the family) and still looks pretty damn good.