by Ted Bollinger | Oct 4, 2016 | All posts, AV Solutions, Home Theater | 0 comments
Fourth Secret to Best Picture Quality: TVSharpness
The fourth secret to getting the best picture quality is TV sharpness. It is probably the most confusing secret of all the picture quality fundamentals we will be exploring.
Here is where the confusion usually is: Perceived image sharpness is not the same as resolution or the total number of pixels – although there is a correlation.
Many people, for example, are being told that a 4K TV is four times the quality of HD. The reality is that if you were to take two full HD images, flat screen or projected, and have them at the same sharpness (and without some of the new intelligent detail enhancement that we will talk about in a minute), most people would have a very difficult time seeing any difference between the two images. Here’s the really interesting thing: even if one of the images was UHD (ultra hd) or so-called 4K resolution, and if the two images (one full HD the other 4K) were watched at the same distance, most people would have a hard time telling the difference. However, if the sharpness, or fine detail enhancement, was better on either of the two examples above, almost anyone could see the difference.
Here is an example of a landscape (also on the Extron Shootout disc) that has been slightly modified (edge sharpness reduced) to show the effect of what good image sharpness can do for an image (below). View at a screen size of at least 8″ wide if possible.
Here the detail and perceived picture quality is much higher and you can see detail in the leaves and detail in the rocks and grass. This example is very balanced if your monitor or display is set to its optimum settings.
This is an example of too much sharpness and a detail setting that is too high. Sometimes we call this a cartoon or artificial look find more information. It may look sharp at first glance, but to watch a movie or TV program in this mode is very annoying for most people. There is no fine detail or texture to this image. View at 8″ or larger.
The last image above is a good example of what many TVs look like at many retail stores. Why? Each manufacturer is trying to grab the attention of the prospective customer and they will sacrifice true best picture quality for a very high contrast, high color, and overly enhanced or sharpened image to make their TV stand out to the typical walk-by in-store traffic. The sad thing is that many people will purchase the TV based on what their first impression was and not from a more critical or researched evaluation first – and when they get it home and plug it in with the “out of the box” settings they never really see the true potential or best picture of the TV or projector. Most manufacturers also have a lot of auto features and noise reduction features that can further reduce the quality of the image. Most “auto” settings are determined to get the attention of the shopper from a distance and very rarely are the best settings for actually watching a program.
So, how do we get the best picture settings or quality in a new TV or projector? Here’s a few key points to consider.
1. In the last few years there are newer and much more effective sharpness and detail processing circuits in many manufacturer’s top tier products that take into account the texture, contrast, and color of an image. I call these new methods of image sharpness Intelligent Detail Enhancement – with names like X- Reality Pro, Super Resolution, Darbee Vision, and Digital Reality Creation. How good are they? Some are very good and some are a lot of hype.
2. Almost all TV’s and projectors have at least a sharpness control. Setting this level to mid point or low is generally safer than putting it too high as an overly sharp image is generally much more distracting and annoying to watch than a slightly-under or normal sharpness setting. Although seen less in projectors, most TVs come out of the box with a setting that is way too high for normal watching at normal viewing distances.
This image is an example of one of the new Intelligent Detail Enhancement features that take image sharpness to a whole new level without the downsides of traditional sharpness controls. It takes into account and actually analyzes the image texture. color, contrast, and gamma based on an internal database, and applies image enhancement without using the sharpness control.
3. Picture Sharpness is related to, but not the same as, resolution or pixel density. The ideal picture is a combination of high resolution and good or very good image processing with Intelligent Detail Enhancement. This combination can be very dramatic and can even exceed the look of a 4K resolution picture with full motion – and in some cases even 4K with HDR (high dynamic range) contrast.
FAQs
We suggest you turn the sharpness control down to zero, then add sharpness sparingly only if the image looks soft, with poorly defined edges. Also turn off any noise-reduction and image-enhancement or “dynamic” modes; these tend to reduce image quality.
What is the best picture setting for sharpness? ›
We suggest you turn the sharpness control down to zero, then add sharpness sparingly only if the image looks soft, with poorly defined edges. Also turn off any noise-reduction and image-enhancement or “dynamic” modes; these tend to reduce image quality.
What number should sharpness be on TV? ›
So, you want to set the sharpness value to be fairly low. Depending on what TV you have, you should set your sharpness to 0% or anything under 50%. If you notice a halo appearing around objects or if the image is too grainy, your sharpness setting might be too high.
What gives the best picture quality on a TV? ›
We recommend opting for 4K or even 8K technology for TVs over 50-inches to ensure the best picture quality. Without this superior display technology the images you see on the screen may actually deteriorate as the size of your TV increases.
Which TV standards gives better picture quality? ›
PAL has a frame rate of 50 per second and NTSC 60 frames per second. The longer time for a frame allows PAL to get in 625 scan lines vs 525 for the NTSC system so PAL has higher resolution.
How to improve image sharpness? ›
The basic rules are this:
- Take a burst of images. ...
- Use a tripod when possible.
- Use a Sharp Lens. ...
- Have as little air between you and the subject. ...
- Use a fast shutter speed. ...
- FOCUS on what you want to be sharp. ...
- Pick the sharpest aperture for your lens, or if that isn't known, stick to f4-f8.
- Use sharpening in post.
Turning down the sharpness control can actually improve your TV's picture quality. Since you've likely paid good money for a 4K TV, you might think you want the most sharpness possible. That's fair, but the issue is the sharpness control doesn't actually increase sharpness. With most TVs, it actually masks fine detail.
What is the best picture setting for Sharp TV? ›
The 'Movie' picture mode is the most accurate one out of the box and allows for the most customization. For our calibration, we set TV Brightness to 'Brighter', and from the Customize picture menu, we set Contrast to '50', Brightness to '50', and Sharpness to '25'. We also set Color to '40' and Tint to '0'.
How do I calibrate the sharpness on my TV? ›
How To Calibrate Sharpness Settings On A Home Theater Projector or Television
- Open your display picture settings and write down your current sharpness level. ...
- Now, increase your sharpness all of the way up. ...
- Next, run your sharpness down until you see the extra white go away.
You'll need to avoid setting the backlight too high, which can result in a washed-out image and reduce the overall picture quality. Setting it between 10-20% is a good starting point for most environments. From there, you can adjust the settings based on your preferences and the specific content you're watching.
Select large-screen resolutions
| Resolution name | Horizontal x vertical pixels | Other names |
|---|
| UHD | 3,840x2,160 | 4K, Ultra HD, Ultra-High Definition |
| 2K | 2,048x[unspecified] | None |
| WUXGA | 1,920x1,200 | Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array |
| 1080p | 1,920x1,080 | Full HD, FHD, HD, High Definition |
4 more rowsJan 25, 2024
Ways To Improve TV Image Quality
- Changing the Resolution. ...
- Turn On Noise Reduction. ...
- Balance the Blue Light Filter. ...
- Adjust Motion Smoothing. ...
- Check Your Settings When Using Apps. ...
- Remove Sources of Interference. ...
- Switch HDMI Ports. ...
- Reset the TV.
Poor picture quality is often experienced when lower-quality video content is upscaled and viewed on higher resolution TV models. When watching a DVD (720x480) or another video source with SD quality on an HDTV (1920x1080), upscaling the video to something resembling 1920x1080 can cause the quality to look poor.
How to make a TV image sharper? ›
The edge enhancement hides details and makes the picture look less natural. If you're using one of your television's preset cinema or movie modes, sharpness is turned down by default. To tweak this setting on your own, turn the sharpness down until you don't see any outlines.
Which TV brand is good in picture quality? ›
Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Skyworth are all reliable brands that offer a range of televisions with different features, specifications, and price points. Whether you're looking for exceptional picture quality, smart functionality, or budget-friendly options, these brands have something to offer.
What is the best ISO for sharpness? ›
To get sharp photos, you need to keep your camera steady and stable. Set your aperture between f8 and f11, set the ISO to 100 and then change the shutter speed to get a good exposure.
What is the best shutter speed for sharpness? ›
All you have to do is make sure the shutter speed number is higher than the focal length number ... so if you are using a 50mm lens on a full frame camera, use 1/50 or faster. Or if you are taking a photograph at 200mm, make sure the shutter speed is at least at 1/200 second. This will help you get sharper photographs.
What is the best setting for picture quality? ›
The basic rule of thumb is Cinema or Movie mode is going make the TV look it's most "accurate." This means it will make the image look as close to what the director or content producer intended. Picture mode is usually the first setting in the picture menu.
