Want to buy 3D content
Download the sample here http://www.3dtvworld.com.au/3d-downloads/

2011 3DTV LIST
Panasonic: Plasma; ST30, GT30, VT30; LED; DT30
Samsung: Plasma; D490 (HD Ready); D550, D6900, D7000, D8000, LED; D6600, D7000, D8000
Sony: LED EX720, NX720
Sharp: LED LE830
LG: Plasma PZ950, PZ750, PZ550, LG PZ250, PW350; LED LW9500, LW7700, LW6500 (Passive), LW5700 (Passive), LW4500 (Passive)

3DTV CONSIDERATION

HD Ready or Full HD Ready.
The least important based on other HD expert from various reviewers. Unless you planning to use this TV as a computer screen or viewing it in a very near distance (perhaps less than 1m). And if the price difference is insignificant, may opt for the Full HD spec.
Point to ponder: If you buying a 40" flat panel display, are you planning to watch it in less than 1m, seriously??? Check this 3D TV Resolution Chart here; http://3dtvscdn.3dtvs.netdna-cdn.com/wp-co...ution-Chart.png
Additional Info: I have a 37" Full HD LCD... initially set the DVI output to resolution 1920 X 1080.. watching the screen from approx 2.5m distance is a hassle.. Now I set it to 1366 X 768. HD and Full HD source is indistinguishable whether is gaming or movie. If i'm buying a 55" TV perhaps I'll chose a Full HD (since I usually watch TV around 2.5m distance)

Full HD is not Full HD... Wow
Interesting fact to know about your TV, not all Full HD TV is Full HD
A 1920X1080 resolution, does not actually make the TV a real Full HD... a real Full HD TV will hav the scanning rate / moving picture resolution of 1080lines... Currently, only plasma TV can achieve this full HD scanning rate (top end).
For LCD/LED, best is 900lines, normal LCD/LED is 600lines, low end is 300lines. (Oh yeah, so far only one manufacturer claim their LCD/LED is full HD with scanning rate of1080lines)

Typical HD ready plasma uses 720lines scanning rate
Typical HD ready LCD/LED uses 600lines (older use 300lines)
Typical full HD plasma uses 900lines
Typical full HD LCD/LED uses 600lines

oh yeah, but no need to worries about the no... nowadays most tv whether lcd/led or plasma will display 600lines or a bit more.. if the tv scan at 300lines, it may pose problem to those who has really2 sensitive eyes... more than 600lines, the eyes can't tell the difference....

another reason why full hd is not important

HD ready with 1024 X 768 resolution.
Best avoid if possible as this resolution is not native 16/9. A HD ready TV with 1024 X 768 resolution requires additional interpolation for 16/9 viewing and also 4/3 viewing. Some viewer may notice uneven scaling of pictures. To avoid if user planning to connect this with a PC.

LCD, LED or Plasma for 3D viewing:
As of 2011, watching 3D content using LCD/LED 5U5KS big time... a lot of crosstalk/ghosting. This crosstalk/ghosting can be reduce, if you watch the 3D content in a extreme low brightness and contrast. This will loses lose most of the picture quality especial the shadow detail...
Quick Shop Test: If you insist getting LED 3D TV, do a quick shop test. Just ask the seller to test the 3D content using Sony 3D demo disk, and play the San Paolo Indy video. If you don't notice any crosstalk/ghosting. Then go ahead...

ISSUES

Reflection and Glaring
Plasma reflection and glaring are extremely, extremely annoying. Is this an issues. Definitely. Watching plasma TV in natural lighting 5U5K5 big time... I feel I just wanna throw the TV to the bin... Is this manageable? Yep, but a lot of hassle. I spend additional rm150 to install shades and plain curtain to reduce natural light entering the room.
Under the natural-lit room, the setting is (with no shades and curtain, the TV is unwatchable because of the reflection and glaring)
Cell Light: 15
Brightness: 80
Contrast: 45
Sharpness: 40
Colour: 40
Tint: G50/R50
Gamma: 0
Flesh tone: 0
If you planning to restrict yourself in viewing the TV from 7pm till 7am... then, this is non-issues.

This is how the TV look when watching at 3.30pm-5.30pm, with curtains n shades was pulled away

5uck5 right, but with the shades and curtain, not a big issues


Other high end model has a very good anti-reflection coating such as Panasonic Infinite Black or Samsung Real Black Filter which significantly suppressed reflection and glaring. Thus this maybe not an issues depending on Model

Lost of communication between 3D glasses and 3DTV
Non Issues except for 2010 Samsung IR communication active shutter which losses sync a lot of time.
Based on quick shop 3D demo. Pana, Sony, Sharp Infra Red communication active shutter is non issues as long as the 3D glasses within the IR transmitter line of sight.
2011 samsung bluetooth, has the most range and has little limitation on its line of sight. Samsung bluetooth active shutter does not support 2010 3D TV....

Other so called issues
Each manufacturer has their own pros and cons.. so at the end of the day... u need to trust yourself what TV y wanna buy and conformtable with. As an example
When I wanna buy the 3DTV, I have look several TV... at the end of the day, the competition was between 2011 Samsung Plasma n 2010 Pana Plasma
I didnt get 2010 Pana Plasma (the VT20 series) because when I demoed it, the 3d glasses will be out of syn with the TV at certain position (i feel this limit myself in term of gaming, like playing SOCOM4 n Killzone 3 cause I use sharpshooter)
2010 Pana Plasma hav other issues which is floating black. I experience it, but I dont think its an issues cause I dont mind it. (So, i have problem with non-native 16/9 ratio using 1024X768, but other user may find it as no issues)
So different people hav different criteria. So, trust yourself n ur eyes.. cause its your money, n u going to watch it


3D CONTENT: MY IMPRESSION
3D rating: 1 poor; 3 good; 5 excellent (content with 4 and above rating, you can 100% view it from start to beginning with no issues)

3D viewing setting for Movies and Games

Game tested: Super Stardust HD, PS3 Console
3D rating: 5/5 (Excellent)

Game tested: Killzone 3 (3D Demo), PS3 Console
3D rating: 3/5 (Good, occasional ghosting/crosstalk)

Game tested: Motorstorm Apocalyse, PS3 Console
3D rating: 4/5

Game Tested: Mortal Kombat, PS3 Console
3D rating: 3/5

Game Tested: SOCOM 4, PS3 Console
3D rating: 4.5/5 (near excellent).
similiar to Motorstorm 3D setting. if u hav a 3DTV n like tactical shooter.. u should play this.. hei.. if u hav 3D TV... i think u should just get this game..

Game Tested: Top Spin 4, PS3 Console
3D rating: 4.5/5 (near excellent)
if u have the PS3 move, the game is much more enjoyable

Game Tested: Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy 3D
3D rating: 4/5
since this is a remake from PS2, the textures count for this game is less compared to normal PS3 games... but they have sharpen the model... n it really look good...

Content tested: Tangled 3D, 3D Blu Ray, PS3 Console
3D rating: 5/5

Content tested: Shakira Waka Waka 3D, half SBS, DVICO Media Player
3D rating: 4.5/5

Content tested: Looney Tunes Rabid Rider 3D, half SBS, DVICO Media Player
3D rating: 4/5

Additional note: Most of the time, when playing 3D sbs content, to achieve a more pleasurable viewing, I need to swap L/R to R/L.


SAROWIN ANTI REFLECTION SCREEN

Recently I bought the sarowin anti reflection/glare screen for my plasma... and since a lot of people ask... below are my impression on this screen

The GOOD
The best thing about the the screen protection, it turns ur highly reflective flat panel tv to a matte screen. The screen is extremely good in toning down the reflection and thus your viewing will not be distracted by all the glare and reflection during daytime viewing (or at brightly lit area). But of course this screen is not perfect... when u put this screen on ur flat panel tv u will definitely lose some picture quality...
but the important thing is... does the lost of pq make a lot of difference????
For this test, I purposely play a copy of HD the Corpse Bride (since this movie has a lot of dark scene content) and i purposely open up my curtain and shades to let all the light entering the room... the test was conducted around 4.45pm, where during this time, the room is at its brightest condition

FRONT VIEW
With No Screen
With Screen
The image with no screen, the reflection is clearly visible... u can even see my taking pic reflection
The image with screen, the reflection is effectively tone down... u can't see my reflection at all.
To me, the image with screen does not strain my eyes much... im more comfortable viewing the dark content with the screen on.. (+1 adv)
but the problem with the screen, it does not only muted the reflection, it also muted the brightness and sharpness of the images. brightness of the image is non issues cause you can increase the brighness and contrast of the flat panel.
the lost of sharpness, maybe an issue to some people.. but for me, for HD content, lost of sharpness is not an issue at all, but for SD content, it does annoy me a bit (-1 cons)

SIDE VIEW

again, with the screen is on, the image is more comfortable to view...
at this angle of viewing, lost of contrast was identify.. but the good news is... the lost of contrast is extremely gradual n to me personally, it doesnt effect my viewing pleasure (a LED/LCD lost of contrast is more noticeable) (-1 cons since the lost of performance cant be compensated by other means)

SIDE EXTREME VIEW

the angle of view for this test was approximately around 80degC.. (giving a viewing angle of 160degC, compared to LED/LCD with 178degC)
to me at this angle, the image is non-viewable at all... (-1 cons since it has limit the plasma viewing angle)
again, to me this is not issues because i dont think any people will actually sit at this angle to watch the movie. and if compared to most LED/LCD, the LED/LCD at this viewing angle performance is worst... usually a tolerable angle of view for LED/LCD is around 65degC (giving viewing angle of 130degC, due to lost of contrast, to add some note, also not a big problem as i dont think people are watching tv at this angle, usually angle of view is at 0degC, perpendicular to 60degC)

CONCLUSION
only +1 pro with the screen, n 3 cons with the screen.. mathematically, the anti reflection screen is not a good solution at all... but to me personally, its definitely a recommended product to buy especially if you hav a plasma tv which doesnt hav its own reflective coating
all the 3 cons, doesnt bother me at all.. ( for me, its +1).. but for other it may not be....


MY REVIEW

Quick spec of the TV
Manufacturer: Samsung
Model: PS51D490
Resolution: 1365 X 768 pixels
Aspect ratio: Native 16:9

3D setting for Movies and Games

Cell Light: 8
Brightness: 65
Contrast: 42
Sharpness: 40
Colour: 45
Tint: G50/R50
Gamma: -2
Flesh tone: 0

White balance
R-Offset: 27
G-Offset: 25
B-Offset: 26
R-Gain: 32
G-Gain: 20
B-Gain: 25

All other settings is set to OFF

Crosstalk/Ghosting Performance: refer to this post; http://www.avforums.com/forums/3d-plasma-t...3d-tv-test.html

With Nvidia 3D Vision Player or PS3 Console (uses 3D MPO image); setting set to 720p@60Hz
Left eye open/right closed -> top half screen smaller visible number -> 1
Left eye open/right closed -> bottom half screen smaller visible number -> 11
Right eye open/left closed -> top half screen smaller visible number -> 11
Right eye open/left closed -> bottom half screen smaller visible number -> 1

My opinion, the 3D performance on this TV is not really that good. It just acceptable under this setting. Under this setting, no significant crosstalk is noticeable, I dont get a headache, and I enjoy the picture quality. I was hoping under this setting I'll get measurement as below
Left eye open/right closed -> top half screen smaller visible number -> 1
Left eye open/right closed -> bottom half screen smaller visible number -> more than 20
Right eye open/left closed -> top half screen smaller visible number -> more than 20
Right eye open/left closed -> bottom half screen smaller visible number -> 1

To get to the above setting, I need to reduce the cell light, brightness and contract. and decreases the gamma. By doing that, the picture quality degrade.. So, i'll stick to my preferred 3D setting.

3D impression.
Crosstalk and Ghosting is still an issues. After a quick shop 3D test, plasma crosstalk/ghosting is the least noticeable compare to its LCD/LED counterpart. Will it be resolved... hopefully in 2012, and I do hope manufacturer will increase the refresh rate of 3D glasses to 240hz.
Other 3D technology to look forward is the 3D ZScreen technology (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsung-reald-announce-rdz-tech-that-puts-active-shutter-3d-int/)
Thinking to get a new 3D tv... why dont wait after Apr 2011, this is the time where 3D TV price will be very very competitive since most majpr player will completely release most of their new 3DTV model.


CONTROL BREAK-IN METHOD
Control Break-in Period: Approx 150hrs

Two Picture setting (other setting which can be set to OFF to be set OFF, such as edge enhancement; colour temperature standard; other setting is default like flesh tone, white balance, gamma). Use the break-in images from this sites http://www.eaprogramming.com/downloads/download_main.htm

1. 3/4 Brigtness and Contrast
Cell Brightness: 15%
Contrast: 75%
Brighness: 75%

2. Maximum picture setting
Cell Brightness: 20%
Contrast: 100%
Brighness: 100%

My break-in procedure (assuming start monday).
First Day:
i. First 2hours set to 3/4 Brigtness and Contrast
ii. Rest one hour, run the TV for 1hr brighness 100, contrast 100, and cell 20. Continue next day

2nd, 3rd and 4th day:
i. Run the tv under Maximum picture setting for 3hrs (7pm start)
ii. Rest one hour, run the TV for 8hr brighness 75, contrast 75, and cell 15. (11pm start, tidur, wake-up tutup TV)

5th day
i. Run the tv using brighness 75, contrast 75, and cell 15 for 24hrs (7pm start)

6th day
i. Run the tv using brighness 100, contrast 100, and cell 20 for 18hrs (10pm start)

Additional Break-In
i. Run the tv at maximum setting for 12hrs (start at 7pm)

Other methods
Taken from AVSForum.com and AVforums.com
Continous run the TV 24h/3d with TV dynamic setting with the break-in images. Each images run at 30sec durations.

Other method can be obtain from ISF Guide, HDGuru, etc.


To comment and discuss the 3D issues, please state your reference when giving your opinion.

This post has been edited by azsace: Jul 4 2011, 12:55 PM

nice review. thanks.
quite noob at this. can u give me your reasoning on gamma +1 and the white balance setup?<---can it eliminate "yellowish" white

Most common comment on Plasma: This is old technology so cannot be good. Going to be out-of-production soon. Don't buy bla bla bla rubbish.

Thanks for the first hand experience write up. Basically confirm that for 3D TV, go for plasma. After considering all the 3D technologies available, I finally go for Acer H5360BD which is a 720p 1.4a certified projector. So far the review pointed that DLP had zero crosstalk issue due to the tech is using micro mirror for light reflection thus no phosphor decay time issue or LCD slow refresh issue. Personally I feel that crosstalk and brightness are the no 1 issue in 3D using active glasses.

Based on some feedback from avsforum, it seems that Panny 3D TV had better 3D performance due to their fast phosphor tech which reduce phosphor decay time. It exist in last year VT20 model. Not sure if this tech will exist in ST30 model.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Apr 7 2011, 12:57 PM

fuiyo... maut nye soalan.. good question.

To get an ideal white, u need to do a white balance calibration and also the colour temperature. My white calibration is not actually the ideal white because some people have difference preference. like eg, some people like hot white, yellowish to njoy the picture quality.
For my setting i use standard colour temperature (some may prefer warm, cool n others colour temperature). Adjust the RGB gain and Cut-off until the picture looks good.
If you dont have a proper equipment, the best way to do a white balance setting it just take some sunny outdoor picture and calibrate it with the TV... u just tweak the RGB value until the picture u taken is similiar to what you see.
Read it here http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-...wb-concept.html

The Gamma +1 setting is used to set the luminance. I used this to compensate for the crosstalk when view in 3D. When i offset it to +1, the picture quality is reduced and I lost some shadow details of the image i'm viewing. But offsetting the to +1 increase the luminance and reducing unwanted (and also wanted) shadow effect from the crosstalk/ghosting

Usually, people will leave the gamma to its factory setting or reduce it.

Hope this clear...

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Added on April 7, 2011, 1:15 pmWell... since I have the another LCD and LED tv, i will say plasma will not die off soon. Its old technology but they have put a lot of improvement... eg, last time burn in was an issues. now its no more... a year ago image retention was annoying, but newer plasma is less susceptible to IR. It just they havent make anti-reflection technology reasonable is plasma. Anti-reflection technology like Samsung Real Black Filter is really superb. My friend has a 2010 C7000 plasma and it uses the Real Black Filter... really reduces the annoying reflection and glaring. Its as good as its LED counterpart
for 2011, samsung use the RBF to its plasma D8000 series.. the high end series.. n its expensive...
I hope RBF will be a common tech for plasma...

This post has been edited by azsace: Apr 7 2011, 01:18 PM

How does Samsung Read Black Filter compares with the higher end Panasonic Plasma anti reflective coating?

This one, maybe other forumer can share their view. I dont have the opportunity to actually test side by side samsung and pana anti reflective coating..
I manage to test my friend plasma C7000 with my samsung LED ultra clear panel, side by side. I purposely bought my tv to his house just to do the comparison, because when I saw the plasma C7000 at the shop, i thought it was an LED tv, because the reflection and glaring reduction is really, really impressive.
I did saw a pana VT20 at best denki, but it didnt impress me on reflection and glaring. Actually I was thinking to get the pana GT20 (the GT was around rm4.5k)... but opt for a bigger screen. so samsung

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Added on April 7, 2011, 1:54 pmYep.. I do agree that DLP has a near zero crosstalk. But crosstalk cant be totally eliminated because of the 3D system design with active shutter. Since active shutter is LCD based, it still leak lights (as typical LCD screen) and also current active shutter uses 120hz.
A more promising technology is the RealD ZScreen technology which uses polarised 3d glasses..
To reduce crosstalk with active shutter, perhaps require to use 240hz active shutter and higher contrast ratio for the glass...
Hmmm

This post has been edited by azsace: Apr 7 2011, 02:15 PM

bro, where u bought this projector?thanks

Had to get it from Amazon.de. Looks lke Acer launch this projector in Europe first.

Agreed that current Active glasses LCD can't block 100% of the light, the best case scenario at around 90% to 95%. Also another report mention why samsung had higher crosstalk issue is the sync timing issue. The previous model had a firmware upgrade that improve the sync thus lower the crosstalk. So far, my understanding that Passive display is not immune from the crosstalk issue. Most expert agree that Active shutter with good implementation is still better from passive display using polarizer. Plus the current tech, you have the resolution cut half for each eye due to the nature of polarizer having to split the image half for each eye.


This post has been edited by pierreye: Apr 8 2011, 09:38 AM

Thanks for the info on the side by side...
Yep, seems that my TV have some problem playing the SBS 3D content. Now I understand why the SBS film looks bit weird and lose some fine detail...

I had done more testing with Acer H5360BD and overall I would say the 3D is awesome. It's better than local cinema 3D because the color is still saturated and zero crosstalk. I try few movies and also play some 3D pc game such as MOH and the 3D experience is superb. Total cost is quite cheap compare to 3D TV and the big screen does make a huge different for 3D.

If you are using 1080p SBS and using HTPC for playback, download the nvidia stereo player. Then use ffdshow as the codec, resize the video to 2560x768. This will give you a very sharp picture.

Overall, in 2D, full HD projector is sharper than 720p projector. But once in 3D mode, you no longer can differentiate the pixel in 720p.

hahahah.. me also beginner. still learning. other forumers are welcome to give feedback

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Added on April 11, 2011, 9:36 amThanks for the tips. Really appreciate it. Will definitely try it...

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Added on April 12, 2011, 11:16 amOut of curiosity, what 3D tv did you get... is it sony ex720 series... Care to share your 3D view setting
Anyway, I found this in a forum, seems that this TV does not handle 3D content that good
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1323189




This post has been edited by azsace: Apr 12 2011, 11:16 AM

nice review ....but sad i knew this thread after buying 3d tv....now the Bravia ex720 will be my 1st lesson...

i will give my review on ex720 soon...

Its a Sony, should be good right?

Well, i think when we buy stuff we should not have the mentality.. of one manufacturer is good. Actually every manufacturer has their advantages and disadvantages.

Anyway, on Sony.. do they make a very good advertisement and marketing strategy.

Perhaps you can ask dausmat n kakigamer69 on their sony 3d LED tv experience.. I do hope kakigame69 will share his experience..

This post has been edited by azsace: Apr 22 2011, 11:26 AM

hi bro, forgot to ask, how much u bought this?tq

bravia not good meh... i love them!

Different people like different thing. I don't like Sony's color. Too vivid or fake to me.

if plasma .. panasonic should be the one u should looking for .. panasonic is more focus on plasma ..