Reason behind washed out colors via HDMI in some TVs

[hanwiz]

Video output signal via HDMI can be YUV (YCbCr) or RGB. RGB also can be either DVI-PC signal or DVI-VIDEO signal. DVI-PC uses full range from 0 to 255 while DVI-VIDEO only limited range from 16 to 235.

( Look at the following HDMI Specification on page 32 for table 6-1. http://www.hdmi.org/pdf/HDMISpecInfo...nalVersion.pdf )

Black and white levels for video components shall be either “Full Range” or “Limited Range.” YCBCR components shall always be Limited Range while RGB components may be either Full Range or Limited Range. While using RGB, Limited Range shall be used for all video formats defined in EIA/CEA-861B, with the exception of VGA (640x480) format which requires Full Range.

PS3 inherently conforms to HDMI specification and outputs DVI-VIDEO signal. Thus, 16 is pure black and 235 is pure white. When a tv accepting only DVI-PC signal receives DVI-VIDEO signal, 16 becomes washed-out black and 235 washed-out white.

Initially Xbox 360 also used the range 16~235 via VGA. (It seems to be changed to 0~255 via recent patch on 360, but I'm not sure since I'm not a Xbox user, but recent IGN reviews supports this assupmtion. ) This was easily confirmed by comparing component input to VGA input. Thus, some AV manias try to fine-tune their TV sets to match the colors. Some TVs in current generation also supports both DVI-VIDEO and DVI-PC allowing users to select one.

PS3 users can select YUV or RGB for BD/DVD video output signal in system settings from firmware 1.30. If you have experienced washed-out colors with BD/DVD, you can select YUV to enjoy the full color range. However, game video is not affected by this option.

The best solution for Sony and PS3 is to support choice between RGB or YUV or between DVI-VIDEO and DVI-PC via firmware updates. The latter method, I think, is easier for PS3.

[majinvegeta]

ok so...wth is DVI-PC and DVI-VIDEO?

do you mean, DVI input on a TV vs DVI input on a PC LCD Monitor?

Cuz I have a LCD Monitor that I am using to display my input, maybe I should look at those settings...

[hanwiz]

DVI-PC is a typical RGB signal usually from PC graphics card whether it's analog or digital, but in the case of HDMI, DVI-PC means DIGITAL signal either to DVI or HDMI connector.

I mean DVI-PC is just a type of RGB signal through any kind of DVI or HDMI or VGA cables.

Look at the following HDMI Specification on page 32 for table 6-1.

http://www.hdmi.org/pdf/HDMISpecInfo...nalVersion.pdf

Black and white levels for video components shall be either “Full Range” or “Limited Range.” YCBCR components shall always be Limited Range while RGB components may be either Full Range or Limited Range. While using RGB, Limited Range shall be used for all video formats defined in EIA/CEA-861B, with the exception of VGA (640x480) format which requires Full Range.

Yes, PC LCD monitor usually accepets only DVI-PC input and TV makers wanted to advertise their TVs as a PC monitor accepting DVI-PC input which was a natural choice as there are not many devices with DVI-VIDEO output, one of them is PS3.

do you mean, DVI input on a TV vs DVI input on a PC LCD Monitor?