[mcgsxr]

So, I have recently purchased my first HD set (a 720p plasma unit), and now need to figure what to do, to optimize it for my sources.

My satellite receiver can output 720p, or 1080i, or 1080p.  So too my upconverting DVD player.

What settings should I set my gear at?

I presently have them both feeding my 720p unit with 720p, assuming that allows the tv to display in its native format.

Am I missing anything?

[zybar]

Nope.

That should produce the best results.

Of course, you can try the other settings and compare for yourself.

George

[mcgsxr]

Thanks George, I appreciate the noob help!

[satfrat]

So, I have recently purchased my first HD set (a 720p plasma unit), and now need to figure what to do, to optimize it for my sources.

My satellite receiver can output 720p, or 1080i, or 1080p.  So too my upconverting DVD player.

What settings should I set my gear at?

I presently have them both feeding my 720p unit with 720p, assuming that allows the tv to display in its native format.

Am I missing anything?

I can only imagine the only reason you're even asking this question is because you have a crappy picture. If this is indeed the reason, you migh want to try other resolutions but like George says, you should be spot on with 720P. If you're not happy with your picture, you might want to consider having the plasma ISF-calibrated. Just a thought.
 
Cheers,
Robin

[mcgsxr]

I am not unhappy with the picture, though I am quite confused about my options to mess with the format - both my satellite receiver and tv have settings that can adjust for both SD and HD:

Zoom
Justify
Full (called Normal on my satellite receiver)
4:3

So, as a guy who has owned an HD set for 2 weeks now, I am still playing around with things, to see what this new technology represents.

I am presently using the TV setting for HD set to Full, and the satellite receiver setting for HD set to Normal.  This appears to be the most natural combo.

ISF calibration sounds nice, but I am familiar with what it costs...

I have researched the settings used by the website Plasma TV Buying Guide, and have my custom setting done this way, but I am respecting the break in period (using standard setting) at present.

[satfrat]

Are you using the HDMI connection? If so, then you should have no control over the size of your picture, it's digital and it is what it is. If you have control over the size of your picture, then you're probably using component video cables. Even tho you can't resize a digital picture, the HDMI will give you the best picture quality.

[mcgsxr]

Quite odd - I am using hdmi for both the dvd and satellite connections, but I am able to alter the picture with different ratio's.

Was able to do so at eg1's house too, when we setup his new display, using hdmi cables.

[Crimson]

You absolutely can adjust picture size and aspect ratio using HDMI, either in the TV or source.

And yes, leaving everything at 720p should be fine.

[satfrat]

You absolutely can adjust picture size and aspect ratio using HDMI, either in the TV or source.

And yes, leaving everything at 720p should be fine.

   That's strange as my neighbor has HDMI connections and he can't stretch a 4:3 picture to fill his screen with his DirecTv remote. Maybe it's different with the TV remote?    Thanks.
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Doublej]

If it's an X1 you can get near ISF calibration for free by heading reading the thread on settings over at AVS forum.

[Mag]

Based on your discription I don't think you are getting a 1080i signal. Your HDTV should go to full HD resolution if it has 1080i.
With a upscaler you can then down convert. Without 1080i your tv will operate how you're are saying.

Satellite has to be an HD receiver.

[mcgsxr]

It is a Panny X1, I will troll the AVS forum to scoop some good settings, once the burn in period is done.

I have an HD satellite receiver, I can set the output anywhere from 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p.

Given that my display is a 720p, I assumed that setting it to 720p was right, but it sounds like there are different ways to do this.

I am happy with the picture, the nature of this thread is just for tweaking of course - having never had HD at all before, it is leagues better than my old SD display, but now I want to know just how to optimize it overall.

Sounds like maybe I should set the DVD and Satellite to 1080i, and let the Panny downconvert to native 720p?

[Mag]

When I got my first Panasonic 32" HDTV, I was doing what you're discribing thinking I had HD. But reading the manual very carefully I thought something was amiss. So that's when I went out and got an upscaler to check 1080i. With a 1080i the tv will go into HD mode.

Your tv being 720p will then down convert to its native resolution. It is possible though that your tv being newer works differently, but I'm pretty sure the HDMI connection shakes hands at 1080i.

[eg1]

I am not unhappy with the picture, though I am quite confused about my options to mess with the format - both my satellite receiver and tv have settings that can adjust for both SD and HD:

Zoom
Justify
Full (called Normal on my satellite receiver)
4:3

So, as a guy who has owned an HD set for 2 weeks now, I am still playing around with things, to see what this new technology represents.

I am presently using the TV setting for HD set to Full, and the satellite receiver setting for HD set to Normal.  This appears to be the most natural combo.

ISF calibration sounds nice, but I am familiar with what it costs...

I have researched the settings used by the website Plasma TV Buying Guide, and have my custom setting done this way, but I am respecting the break in period (using standard setting) at present.

Um, what break-in period? Is this something I should be concerned about? 

[mcgsxr]

Break in period - plasma issue, not likely relevant for LCD users eg1 - and likely only relevant for the most neurotic plasma buyers too...

I am not following the prescribed break in (there are dvd's you can buy to evenly burn in the individual phospors in your plasma) for X many hours, and then you go into the Service Menu and make adjustments to the settings, and apparently you can rival an ISF calibration (~$300-$500 CDN).

I am not unhappy with the picture quality at present, and have found settings I will try once the panel has 100+ hours on it - most agree that keeping the contrast setting at or below 50 (out of 100) for a new plasma is a wise preventative idea.

With your LCD, you are good to go as I undestand it.

[Mag]

On my Sony LCD HDTV, you can set the picture to cinema, vivid, normal, custom. Cinema or theatre, gives the picture a plasma look. I find though that the best picture is with custom, if you can find the right settings.
Some HD broadcasts are not 16x9 ratio or 1080i. You can then adjust the picture to wide angle, full, stretch or zoom, to fit the screen. I like the wide angle for these types of shows.
Anyway HD picture quality is outstanding. Watching football in normal digital broadcast looks like it's snowing in comparison to HD.

[satfrat]

Any ISF-dealer will advise an owner to wait 3 months for the display device to settle (break in) before having a calibration done. Calibration settings are not "made in stone" and will fluctuate even after having a calibration done. This is why it's recommended that a calibration be done every 2 years, a must for the most neuronic videophile anyways. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Doublej]

For those of you looking for X1 calibration settings I think it's buried in this thread. Be forewarned you need to go into the service menu so consider taking pictures of the screens before you change them in case you run into problems. Supposedly the same panel is used for the 42 and 50 inch sets so you can use the same calibration settings for both.  There's also a recommendation for 100 hour burn in with color slides when you first get the set.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17210257#post17210257

More than a lifetime's worth of banter on the X1:
 
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1124476