HDTV picture settings forum: Samsung PN51E550 picture settings

Review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-pn51e550/4505-6482_7-35169620.html

Related products:
Samsung PN60E550
Samsung PN64E550

Calibration report using these settings:
http://scr.bi/OrCRA7

TV software/firmware version tested: 001017

Below you'll find the settings I found best for viewing the Samsung PN51E550 in a dim room via the HDMI input. Your settings may vary depending on source, room conditions, and personal preference. Check out the Picture settings and calibration FAQ for more information.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9996461-1.html

Calibration notes: Movie mode came closest to our ideal picture without any tweaking, and it was very good overall, with excellent gamma and color, albeit a bit dim. For calibration I maxed out the light output (controlled by Cell Light and Contrast) and while the TV wasn't quite able to achieve the target of 40 fL, it came close at 36. Other tweaks included dialing back the color a smidge--I would have loved to have Samsung's excellent CMS to help negate the slight red push--and using the 2-point grayscale.

Unfortunately the charts were a bit spoiled by the fact that the 40 and 50 IRE light levels varied by as much as 500K, and happened to show minus-blue on the run I used for post-calibration. That brought the overall numbers into "average" territory, but isn't really a visible issue.

--Picture menu
Mode: Movie
Backlight: 20
Contrast: 100
Brightness: 45
Sharpness: 0
Color: 48
Tint: G50/R50

Screen adjustment submenu:
Picture Size: Screen Fit
Position: [no change]

Auto Adjustment submenu: [Grayed out]

3D submenu: N/A

Advanced settings submenu:
Dynamic contrast: Off
Black tone: Off
Flesh tone: 0
RGB Only Mode: Off
Color space: Auto
White Balance: [see below]
10p White Balance: On
Gamma: 0
Motion Lighting: Off [grayed out]

White balance submenu:
R-Offset: 28
G-Offset: 26
B-Offset: 25
R-Gain: 25
G-Gain: 26
B-Gain: 26

Picture options submenu
Color tone: Warm2
Digital Noise Filter: Off
MPEG Noise Filter: Off
HDMI black level: Normal [grayed out]
Film mode: Cinema Smooth

Note: This post was edited by its original author added link to calibration results on 08/29/2012 at 12:12 PM PT

Note: This post was edited by its original author updated "Film mode" to reflect the correction in the review; the TV can successfully pas 1080p/24 when CinemaSmooth is engaged. on 09/05/2012 at 12:26 PM PT