Topic: Sparkles or dithering on a Samsung plasma 51e550

[Macmon]

Hi
I am noticing during watching dark scenes like the ending credits that there is some snowy effect on the whole screen. It disappears on bright scenes but again show when in dark scenes.
Black background with snowy/grainy like appearance.
Is this the sparkles?
Been trying to isolate the issue but it seems it is there either of the ff setup
Panasonic BD>AVR>Plasma
Panasonic BD>Plasma
Changed the HDMI cables already.
Changed the HDMI in from HDMI1 or HDMI2
and yet it is still there.

Any other suggestions as to isolate the issue.

Thanks

[Stagea]

Hi
I am noticing during watching dark scenes like the ending credits that there is some snowy effect on the whole screen. It disappears on bright scenes but again show when in dark scenes.
Black background with snowy/grainy like appearance.
Is this the sparkles?
Been trying to isolate the issue but it seems it is there either of the ff setup
Panasonic BD>AVR>Plasma
Panasonic BD>Plasma
Changed the HDMI cables already.
Changed the HDMI in from HDMI1 or HDMI2
and yet it is still there.

Any other suggestions as to isolate the issue.

Thanks

You may be seeing dithering (how close are you to the screen?). If so, then that's normal for Plasmas.

[Macmon]

Thanks sir for the quick reply.
How does one know it is dithering?
Actually I just went to cable tv mode using Destiny cable and it also shows the same symptoms.
The snowy effect.
Actually I notice it when I am around 2 to 3 feet since I am adjusting the settings of the BD/AVR

[Macmon]

Tried the ending credits of Avatar BD
with BD player>Samsung plasma.
Noted the snowy effect on the blacks during the running credits at the center only.
But it went away when the ending credits occupied the whole width of the screen and was seen again when it occupied less.

So I guess it is dithering.
But how does one know if the dithering is okay or not okay?

[Stagea]

So I guess it is dithering.
But how does one know if the dithering is okay or not okay?

Plasma Dither:


This pic looks a bit exaggerated due to the slow shutter speed, but you get the picture. Dots turn on and off quickly (like mosquito noise all over). Plasmas do not modulate intensity like LCDs do. The subpixels blink off and on to give you that impression of grades between full intensity and zero intensity (this is Plasma dithering). It should be largely invisible at the proper viewing distance.

You can also reduce the brightness setting to hide this when displaying video black. Dynamic contrast may also exaggerate this in some scenes (so you can reduce or disable this, if the dithering bothers you).

[barrister]

 
Dithering nga yan sir. 
 
 
 

How does one know it is dithering?

It's dithering if you see it only when you're too close to the screen.
 
 
 

Actually I notice it when I am around 2 to 3 feet since I am adjusting the settings of the BD/AVR

And you really are too close to the screen.
 
 
 

But how does one know if the dithering is okay or not okay?

I'm not bothered by dithering because my viewing distance is 10 feet away.  I also like to see film grain rendered correctly.  I have a theory that the dithering even helps plasma TVs render film grain more accurately, so I actually welcome dithering.
 
If you like to sit up close to the TV, and you're really bothered by the dithering, then plasma is not for you, since all plasmas have it. 
 
 

[Macmon]

Thanks sir Barrister. Actually I am bothered if this is a TV/connection defect or part of the plasma technology. If it is part of the plasma technology then that is acceptable. First time to encounter one since this is my first plasma. I was worried that my cables or component units are the one that has the issue.

[barrister]

Your thread title mentions "sparkles."
 
"Sparkles" is a new term they use in the internet to describe how the picture looks like when the HDMI connection starts to fail.
 
They say all HDMI cables are the same, since you either get a perfect picture or no picture at all.  That's not entirely accurate.
 
If your HDMI cable is defective, failure starts with sparkles.  That looks like a snowy picture that's really unwatchable, not like dithering which is only visible when you're very close to a pasma TV.  A worse HDMI defect will give you total failure, where the TV displays no picture at all.
 
The defect is caused by a loose or faulty connection.  Usually the HDMI pins are not seated properly, due to faulty manufacturing that does not comply with standards.  You don't have to buy a very expensive HDMI cable, but avoid the ultra-cheap ones like the CDRKing ones.  In PinoyDVD, some say the CDRKing cables are OK; some say they got a bad cable.  The ones priced at about P1000 for 3 to 5 meters are reliable enough.   
 
Here's how HDMI spakles look like:
 

 
Those are sparkles, not dither.  They're very obviously different.  You'll know when you see it.
 
 
 
 
All HDMI Cables are the Same! Or are they… – Full Test
March 30th, 2011
 
 
http://hdguru.com/all-hdmi-cables-are-the-same-or-are-they-full-test/4373/
 
 
     

[Macmon]

+10 sir for the explanation on sparkles. Something learned today. Now that makes it clear on the difference between dithering and sparkles. I now assess that mine is dithering.. Thanks again.