HD DVD calibration question

[XavierMike]

I'm connecting the RCA player to a Toshiba CRT display via HDMI (analog adio). I don't have DVE or AVIA, so I'm using the THX Optimizer. On the blackness test I can only see 7 boxes of black not 10 or the shaddow. Is this black crush? Anyone have any suggestions?

Oh, RCA has only released firmware 1.4 so far.

Thanks

[Suprmallet]

There is btb and wtw clipping on these players over HDMI with any firmware under 2.0.

Head over here to download the 2.0 "bootleg": http://rapidshare.de/files/30453167/2.0firmware.nrg.html

[XavierMike]

Thanks Super. I'm a bit nervous about using a "bootleg". I just don't want to mess up my system. I know they are techically the same but I wonder if being an RCA would affect the bootleg's compatability.

[Suprmallet]

FWIW, I downloaded the bootleg the day it was put up, and had no problems with it. The official version came out and had the same numbers, so I never bothered to change to the official. Not one single problem, and many tangible benefits.

I suggest going to AVS and reading up on people who have used the bootleg on their RCA. Either that or live with the clipping until RCA updates their servers.

[ShagMan]

I did the 2.0 "bootleg" because my ethernet was acting weird. worked great! Any funny enough, it fixed my ethernet :)

FYI: FW update via disc takes 10-15 minutes, it takes hours over ethernet for some reason.

[bboisvert]

FYI: FW update via disc takes 10-15 minutes, it takes hours over ethernet for some reason.

That, and the fact that I don't own a single HD DVD that uses TrueHD at this point, is the main reason I'm waiting for my CD to arrive. :)

[Spiky]

You may not find a DVD to give a perfect calibration once you switch to playing an HDDVD since they use different color systems. If it doesn't work great for you, try mixing in the HD test screens from HDNet, if you get that channel. That wouldn't be perfect, either since it comes through a different machine, cable box or whatever, but it's an option.

Hopefully there will be an HDDVD calibration disc sometime soon.

[Suprmallet]

DVE is working on an HD/BD calibration disc.

[XavierMike]

Just installed firmware 2.0. Thanks again Super. But, I seem to still be having Black clipping issues according to the THX Optimser. Any ideas?

[Suprmallet]

For some people 2.0 didn't resolve the clipping, for others it did. The only other option is to use component, which works fine for HD DVDs, but you cannot upconvert your SD DVDs like that.

[nazz]

I just ordered a Toshiba player and it's on its way so I've been reading up today. I'm a little concerned about this black crush issue since I've been seeing quite a few people talking about it being a significant problem when going HDMI>DVI with 2.0 but not with 1.2.

I don't know what version my unit will arrive with but the DVI thing worries me and the fact you can't revert back from 2.0. I have a Mits 65819 with component 1080i in only so it won't be an issue at first. Later this fall I should have an upgrade coming that will give me DVI on the TV and I'd like to use it so I can get the SD upconversion.

This leaves me with the puzzle as to if I should upgrade my firmware or not. What advantages does it give to a component user?

[Suprmallet]

It gives you DolbyTruHD and improved 720p resolution.

Again, the black crush issue isn't on every setup. I use DVI and 2.0 eliminated my black crush.

[XavierMike]

Looks like I'm going to go w/componant as it gets my BTB acording to THX. Will this loose me an picture quality on HDVDs? I know I can't up convert, but my TV displays everything in 1080i anyway. So, I don't think I'll be hurting to much.

[Suprmallet]

It has no effect on HD DVDs.

[nazz]

It gives you DolbyTruHD and improved 720p resolution.

Again, the black crush issue isn't on every setup. I use DVI and 2.0 eliminated my black crush.

Thanks. That's a mixed bag for me because my Mits is 480/1080 with no 720 and I do want DolbyTruHD. I think I'll roam around the Mits forum and see what people that have DVI are seeing with this unit if I can find anything. I'm leaning towards loading 2.0.

[Josh Z]

Looks like I'm going to go w/componant as it gets my BTB acording to THX. Will this loose me an picture quality on HDVDs?

The A1's component output is a little softer than its HDMI.

[dtcarson]

What is black crush?
What is blacker than black?
What is whiter than white?

If I have to ask, should I not worry about it? [No, I don't have an HDDVD player yet; I would be using HDMI -> DVI].

[dkny75]

DeepDiscountDVD has the DVE HD available for pre-order. They have a release date of 11/14 although I'm not sure how accurate that date is.

[Spiky]

What is black crush?
What is blacker than black?
What is whiter than white?

If I have to ask, should I not worry about it? [No, I don't have an HDDVD player yet; I would be using HDMI -> DVI].
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7024630&postcount=460

Blacker than black and whiter than white are the ranges outside of the NTSC system I described in that post.

[XavierMike]

I just tested my system w/componant. I must have had colorspace issues with HDMI as well, because now the menu on the A1 changes colors depending on what tier I'm on. Rewatched som e of Pitch Black-WOW. I was amazed.

Also, I got new speakers today (Infinity 750's) to replace HTIB. I was completely blown away. Hooray for HD DVD!!

[chente]

I'm experiencing Black Crush on my setup. Frown.

[XavierMike]

Which firmware do you have, and how are you connected?

[MBoyd]

I think I must be experiencing it also. I Netflixed Borune Supremacy and noticed some dark scenes that lost all detail. I also notice a ghosting sort of image once in awhile when a very light area is in a dark area. The ghosting image will carry over to the next scene. An example would be car head lights at night. If the car is moving, I briefly see a trail.

I have the HD A1 (2.0) connected via HDMI to a Sony 34" XBR970

[chente]

Which firmware do you have, and how are you connected?

v2.0 and connected via a HDMI-DVI connection to my Sony KV-34-HS510 TV.

[XavierMike]

The HDMI-DVI bug is fairly well known. Have you tried componant?

[chente]

The HDMI-DVI bug is fairly well known. Have you tried componant?

Not yet. The player won't upscale SD-DVDs via component, though.

[Spiky]

mboyd,
Ghosting is a different issue than clipping of black/white. Do you mean there is just ghosting after the scene changes for a moment, or there is some sort of ghosting both during the contrasty scene and after?

I wouldn't expect a CRT tube to have that much image retention that you see a trail. An LCD would be more susceptible to this. But this part would likely be a TV issue, nothing to do with the disc or player.

[Suprmallet]

The HDMI-DVI bug is fairly well known. Have you tried componant?

My little baby's all grown up. *tear* ;)

[MBoyd]

mboyd,
Ghosting is a different issue than clipping of black/white. Do you mean there is just ghosting after the scene changes for a moment, or there is some sort of ghosting both during the contrasty scene and after?

I wouldn't expect a CRT tube to have that much image retention that you see a trail. An LCD would be more susceptible to this. But this part would likely be a TV issue, nothing to do with the disc or player.

Right it's just a moment after the scene changes. Hmmmm.

[nazz]

The HDMI-DVI bug is fairly well known. Have you tried componant?

What do you guys predict in regards to more firmware fixes after this unit is discontinued?

[chente]

Switching to component from HDMI-DVI solved my "black crush" problems or whatever they were. The image is noticeably improved via component which makes me very happy. I really hope Toshiba addresses this problem promptly so that I can use the player to upscale my SD DVDs correctly.

[MBoyd]

I dont seem to have the black crush issue when I watch SD DVDs.

[Suprmallet]

What do you guys predict in regards to more firmware fixes after this unit is discontinued?

My personal guess is that they will continue to update it to match the specs of the G2 machine as best as they can (it sounds like 1080p cannot be done on the HD-A1, but we might still be able to get DTS HD MA decoding). Other than that, I expect a few more issues to help with freezing and skipping.

[XavierMike]

What do you guys predict in regards to more firmware fixes after this unit is discontinued?


Yeah,

I would think that they would cater to the early adopters as much as possible by releasing as many updates as they can.

BTW, it looks like my TV has color issues accepting a 1080i signal over componant. So, my options are 1080i over HDMI with BTB clipping or 720p over componant that my TV scales to 1080i (it olny displays 1080i or 540p). I'm going HDMI for now, but I'm open to persuation.

[dtcarson]

I dont seem to have the black crush issue when I watch SD DVDs.

over component or HDMI?

if the latter, then I guess a reasonable compromise would be HDDVD over compenent, and SDDVD over hdmi for upconversion [though that would quintuple the wiring].

[XavierMike]

But, I think it would be worth it, IMHO.

[MBoyd]

over component or HDMI?

if the latter, then I guess a reasonable compromise would be HDDVD over compenent, and SDDVD over hdmi for upconversion [though that would quintuple the wiring].

I was thinking about that. I have a set of component cables I can use.

[RocShemp]

Any clue when RCA will release the 2.0 update for the HDV5000?

[nazz]

I hope you're right about future upgrades, they've certainly done well so far. I've been abandoned as an early adopter before so I'm a little shy about that.

MBoyd - does your set have the abilty to adjust picture settings by input? I'm not sure what color problems you're having but maybe that input needs adjustment? My set is like that.

[XavierMike]

Any clue when RCA will release the 2.0 update for the HDV5000?


I'm not sure, but I used the link that Supermallet gave to get firware 2.0, and everything works fine.. I haven't had a chance to test out TrueHD yet though.

[dtcarson]

If it required two separate hookups to get full use, and the issues wouldn't be relevant anymore, it would be worth it. The preferable solution is that Toshiba fixes the problems :(.
I don't want to get yet another set of component cables, and add yet another level of complexity to my hookup, but if i have to, I have to.

[RocShemp]

I'm not sure, but I used the link that Supermallet gave to get firware 2.0, and everything works fine.. I haven't had a chance to test out TrueHD yet though.
Okay. I downloaded the "bootleg" 2.0 and burned it to a DVD. But it doesn't recognize the disc. What am I doing wrong?

[XavierMike]

If you look on the second page of the "Toshiba firmware Update" Thread, there is a great step by step instructions post. Thats what I used and it worked flawlessly.

[RocShemp]

Thanks, XavierMike. But it's okay. A guy at work helped me out and burned a new disc (apparently I did it wrong). The new one worked and now the HDV5000 updated. I can't wait to get my hands on discs with Dolby TrueHD. :D