THX Optimizer issue-Ideas?

mmadden28

Not sure why this is happening...maybe somebody can shed some light:
I can't seem to get the THX optimizer to work right.

I am using the THX Optimizer on the Star Wars I DVD.
It's in my Pioneer DV-46AV DVD player (which upconverts to 1080i). Its connected to my Onkyo SR805 via HDMI (which also upconverts to 1080i), which is then connected to my Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP via HDMI (which upconverts to 1080p) Not sure which upconversion takes precedence or if they all have a role.
Anyway, the first video calibration settig is the contrast, and I am finding it extremely difficult to make out any of the white boxes or all 7 shaded boxes at the top and bottom--unless I fly through the contrast settings and happened to see a slight change-I end up just above center.
In the Brightness setting, I am supposed to see a big THX logo in the center, but its simply not there, at all. I've tried both extremes of brightness settings.

In both cases above, I toyed with all the other color/contrast/bright/natural/brilliant, etc, etc settings with no change. I am pretty sure I don't have any custom settings setup on the DVD player either. The movie appears to play fine visually from the Pioneer.

Then for kicks and giggles, I tried the same optimizer in my Toshiba HD-A3 (which also only upconverts to 1080i and is also connected via HDMI). This time though everything worked as it was supposed to. I could clearly see the
white boxes and shaded squares, and I could also see the THX logo (although still not the drop shadow-but that, apparently, can be expected).

So any ideas on why my Pioneer would fail to work with the optimizer, while the Toshiba worked fine?

Thanks

kuntasensei

You shouldn't use the THX Optimizer to adjust your set. THX Optimizers can vary from disc to disc, and have no consistent standard comparable to NTSC standards. Buy a dedicated calibration disc such as Avia or DVE.

As for why one player works with it and another doesn't, some DVD players don't properly pass below black or above white, causing problems when you try to calibrate with discs that use that in their patterns. Also, gamma ramps can vary from player to player. As much as you'd think all DVD players would fit the standard, sadly, they don't. It may just be a matter of the Toshiba working right and the Pioneer not working right. Alternately, you may have one player set to enhanced blacks (i.e. extended HDMI range) and the other set to normal.

gonzalr

If HD-A3 was able to display the THX optimizer properly, I guess the Pioneer is not capable of displaying the proper brightness/contrast and this means HD-A3 is a better upconversion player.

mmadden28

Took awhile but I found the issue. On the Pioneer, Video Output setup (not in the normal Video Mode adjustments such as brightness, etc), there is an option for HDMI Color-It was set to Full Range RGB. I changed it to RGB, and I was now able to see the contrasts and brightness calibration screens properly.
Odd thing is the HD-A3 has the same option and its set for Full range as well, but didn't experience this issue.
Actually I was able to see the drop shadow on the THX words now on the Pioneer. Still not on the A3, but I haven't tweaked the A3s video settings yet...

Now I just have to optimize with the DVE disc.

Thanks
Peace
Thanks all!!