DVD Scenes to evaluate HDTV Technology

[Chuck]

I'm considering the purchase of a HDTV set and I'm trying to come to terms with the various display technologies - plasma panel, LCD panel, LCD rear projection, DLP rear projection, and the various flavors of LCoS. Can anyone recommend DVD scenes that can be used to help me evaluate the picture quality of HDTV display technologies and specific HDTV monitors? I'm looking for scenes that can help me examine/compare:

1) Display of the video primary colors - red, green, and blue
2) Black levels and grayscale detail
3) Diagonal line breakup
4) Pixel response time resulting in smearing or lag in fast motion sequences
5) The DLP 'rainbow' effect
6) LCD 'screen door' effect

Thanks in advance for the feedback,
Chuck

[jkerr]

I have a DLP front projector. I notice the rainbow effect more often during the credits, scrolling white text on black. When my eyes move to look at different areas of the image.

[danstone]

For checking #1, try either Avia or Digital Video Essentials

For checking #2, there are several to choose from (and I will just list a few), but if any of these are something you are very familiar with watching on your present display of choice then that would be the one to use for this test: Dark City, Underworld, Alien, Gothika, Lost In Space opening sequence, Panic Room

For checking #3, I would use some of the test sequences or montage sequences in Digital Video Essentials

For checking #4, Any Given Sunday would be a great choice (or any other football movie) where it shows up pretty clearly in the football field when they are panning to follow the action

For checking #5, the credits suggestion is a good one, but I've seen more rainbows on the two aspect ratio check screens on the THX optimizer (that is commonly available on THX discs) than anything else

For checking #6, most any bright scene with an even background (sky with clouds is especially well suited) will make this pretty apparent if it is a problem in the unit you are watching it on. You can also see this effect in opening/closing credits. Key thing is to make sure you are observing from the same distance (or even slightly closer) that you will normally be watching from to see if it will really be a problem.

Also, one bit of general advice with any of these tests, try to see if you can watch an entire movie on whatever display yoiu are contemplating. Something may pass a simple five minute test, but when you start to watch whole movies your feeling on particular flaws (or flaws you hadn't even contemplated) can sometimes be different.

Hope this helps. You're going about your quest in the right manner IMHO and I'm sure you'll be pleased with whatever display you ultimately decide upon.

[danstone]

One additional suggestion, try watching some black and white clips on any potential display choices. B&W will really show any rainbow/convergence/misalignment issues as well as highlighting any contrast/black level/grayscale issues. It seems once colors are no longer grabbing our attention, we can more easily focus in on the other issues that all contribute to a pleasing picture.