Every aspiring videophile knows that correct settings can make or break a TV's picture quality. Many of today's HDTVs offer an overwhelming variety of settings, from basic preset modes to advanced options for color, video processing, and more. Adjusting them properly takes some doing--see HDTV tune-up tips and picture settings for specific TVs--but first the controls actually have to be available to begin with. In the following screenshots we'll take a look at the settings available in the latest, higher-end TVs we've reviewed (note that not every TV from the same maker has all of these settings).
First up is LG, which has historically offered the best selection of picture settings of any maker. In 2010 it's still superb--although Samsung is arguably as good now--and anchored by more presets than anybody, including two THX modes on many models.
Another preset mode LG uses exclusively on its plasma TVs is called the Auto Power Saver. It employs a sensor that takes over the other settings to adjust image parameters according to room lighting.
Panasonic's revamped 2010 menus still look somewhat basic compared with the competition, but functionality is solid. Its THX mode, available on higher-end models, is adjustable, unlike LGs'.
Vizio has mostly basic settings, but we do appreciate that its picture menu shares the aesthetics one of the company's apps, which enhances the integrated feel.
Samsung splits its advanced controls over two menus, and one, labeled "picture options," contains LED-specific settings not found on other makers' local-dimming sets.
The big-screen company definitely needs a big screen to contain all of its settings, which look more like a service menu than a polished user interface.
With the capability to adjust the color temperature, or grayscale, at 10 different points from black to white, LG offers obsessive tweakers hours of fun.
Following LG's lead, Samsung upped the ante to a 10-point system of its own in 2010. It doesn't work quite as well, but it still allows improvements over the two-point system.
Panasonic finally added fine color temperature settings to its two higher-end series, including the popular G models. For some reason, however, the company omits the green color control from its two-point system, which can make adjustment more difficult.
Samsung was the first to offer adjustment beyond the basic presets for its dejudder controls, and they work very well to both adjust and remove the smoothing effect, whether or not you want to maximize antiblur.
