Calibrations Wanted: Samsung UN40MU7000FXZA (1 Viewer)

[PMF]

I am experimenting with a Samsung UN40MU7000FXZA. Again, that's 40 inches. The emphasis on settings should be placed upon the viewings of Blu Ray. Being that we are such an exacting group, in terms of film and how they should look, I am hoping that an HTF member might be able to supply me with their best set of calibrations.

Short of having only 6 4K/UHD discs; the rest of the collection being viewed will consist of standard BDs.

From Backlight to Gamma settings, anyone's input and expertise would be appreciated.

Thanks,
PMF

 

[atfree]

Philip,

Here's a site I've used before for self-calibrating over the years...

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/mu7000/settings

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Philip,

Here's a site I've used before for self-calibrating over the years...

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/mu7000/settings

I used the recommended settings from this site to calibrate our Samsung UN49MU8000 and was able to get a much better picture than my initial settings using a calibration disc. For some reason I found the Samsung much more difficult to calibrate than our Vizio M70-D3, where I initially used a calibration disc until I found settings posted on another forum by an ISF calibration specialist who happens to own the same Vizio model. Those ISF settings (separate ones for SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision) really brought out every last ounce of picture quality -- the set looks amazing with any type of material.

I also used the recommended settings from rtings.com for my parents 1080p Vizio display. My dad had really messed up the picture "trying to fix it" and I had no calibration disc with me when I visited. Even my stubborn father agreed the picture looked much better after I fixed the settings.

 

[PMF]

Philip,

Here's a site I've used before for self-calibrating over the years...

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/mu7000/settings

Thank you atfree. Yes, I've initially tried them out before posting my question; and ended up giving their site a second round, due to your recommendation. In-between their site, I had dug and dug on the internet for other alternatives. I wasn't completely certain if some of the stronger colors palates were due to the Up-Rez of certain BD's or if it was my settings. For example, looking at "Legends of the Fall" on BD produced a color of grass that even the TruGreen company couldn't lay claim to supplying. Is it the calibration or is it the Up-Rez of the disc? This is the question based upon my returning to rtings.com. But, certainly, I would say that this group gets me closer than the others. In-between, I had tried one site that had every conceivable model offered for calibration tips; except for mine. Their system was marked as being down for updates and remained in their freeze for a couple of days. Another group leads consumers through a series of trouble-shooting questions and just when they are about to provide the needed calibration, they ask for your credit card. The fee was a mere $5.00, but I didn't trust it. And then there was YouTube. My specific model was cited and there was a 7 to 8 minute video narrated by a British voice; yet those settings created a muted, less vibrant palate. Which of Goldilocks' calibrated beds are just right? Your recommended site does bring me closer, but I return to the initial question. Is this now a case of the calibration settings or is this the characteristics of certain older BDs when being Up-Rezzed?

 

[PMF]

I used the recommended settings from this site to calibrate our Samsung UN49MU8000 and was able to get a much better picture than my initial settings using a calibration disc. For some reason I found the Samsung much more difficult to calibrate than our Vizio M70-D3, where I initially used a calibration disc until I found settings posted on another forum by an ISF calibration specialist who happens to own the same Vizio model. Those ISF settings (separate ones for SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision) really brought out every last ounce of picture quality -- the set looks amazing with any type of material.

I also used the recommended settings from rtings.com for my parents 1080p Vizio display. My dad had really messed up the picture "trying to fix it" and I had no calibration disc with me when I visited. Even my stubborn father agreed the picture looked much better after I fixed the settings.

"Every last ounce" sounds great to me. Do you remember the name of the other forum that supplied the ISF calibration? Meanwhile, I bought the Disney calibration disc a few years back, when I had purchased a 1080 panel. Very cool concept and helpful; but, without any research, I wonder if this calibration disc is adaptable to the age of 4K. Guess I should dig it up for these experiments.

Well, at least it was your Dad who messed up the picture. It's a bit more difficult when it's a guest. A few years back I used to have this couple come over on Sunday nights to experience some of the catalog titles that had received their new and amazing restorations and/or digital clean-ups. Thanks to the Disney disc, I had the calibration set nicely, but the husband - a control freak supreme - felt he could provide a better calibration. Every Sunday evening, after they left, I would re-set the image to my desired specs. And luckily, I had marked down the numbers from the Disney disc, as this guy's numbers were way over the wall and out of the park. I eventually stopped the invitations. I mean, really, what moron calibrates a films perfect image back to the faded way it had looked before its restoration? As it was, they didn't even own a television; but I am certain that they do now.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

"Every last ounce" sounds great to me. Do you remember the name of the other forum that supplied the ISF calibration? Meanwhile, I bought the Disney calibration disc a few years back, when I had purchased a 1080 panel. Very cool concept and helpful; but, without any research, I wonder if this calibration disc is adaptable to the age of 4K. Guess I should dig it up for these experiments.

Well, at least it was your Dad who messed up the picture. It's a bit more difficult when it's a guest. A few years back I used to have this couple come over on Sunday nights to experience some of the catalog titles that had received their new and amazing restorations and/or digital clean-ups. Thanks to the Disney disc, I had the calibration set nicely, but the husband - a control freak supreme - felt he could provide a better calibration. Every Sunday evening, after they left, I would re-set the image to my desired specs. And luckily, I had marked down the numbers from the Disney disc, as this guy's numbers were way over the wall and out of the park. I eventually stopped the invitations. I mean, really, what moron calibrates a films perfect image back to the faded way it had looked before its restoration? As it was, they didn't even own a television; but I am certain that they do now.

The site is AVS Forum, but those ISF calibration settings were specifically for a Vizio M70-D3 display that someone with the training and equipment just happened to own. I did not find anything similar in the Samsung MU8000 thread, hence why I ended up using the settings from rtings.com. Maybe you'll be luckier with the Samsung MU7000 thread in finding settings from an ISF calibrator. FYI, the Vizio is the display in our main home theater, and we picked up the Samsung as a Christmas present to ourselves for our master bedroom.

As for that guest of yours, I would not have let him anywhere near my remote control to change any settings on my display. That takes a lot of nerve for a guest to do that in someone's home. I usually leave even my parents TV alone, but the picture was almost unwatchable, so I asked my dad what happened, and then asked if I could attempt to fix it -- but would put the settings back if he didn't like the results. I even sent him a link to the page where I found the settings if he wanted to read it... I doubt he ever did, though.

 

[PMF]

Thanks for clarifying everything. Also, it was nice to learn that I wasn't alone or unreasonable within my decisions as a host. Whenever I see that scene from "Heat" where Al Pacino lays claim to his television, I find myself cheering and relating.