How to Adjust a 3D TV for Best Viewing Results

While 3D TV production has been discontinued, many 3D TVs are still in use, as are some 3D video projectors, 3D Blu-ray Disc players, and 3D internet content. In this guide, we show you how to make the most of your picture, ambient light, and motion response settings, and offer some guidance regarding 3D tech.

Picture Settings

The brightness, contrast, and motion response of the 3D TV or video projector need optimization optimized for 3D.

Check your TV or projector picture settings menu. You will have several preset options, typically they are:

• Cinema
• Standard
• Game
• Vivid
• Custom

Other choices might include Sports and PC. If you have a THX-certified TV, you should have a THX picture setting option (some TVs are certified for 2D and some for both 2D and 3D).

Each of the above options provides preset combinations of brightness, contrast, color saturation, and sharpness suitable for different viewing sources or environments.

Some 3D TVs and Video Projectors automatically default to a preset mode when a 3D source is detected. The mode might appear as 3D Dynamic, 3D Bright Mode, or similar labeling.

Toggle through each available setting to see which looks best through 3D glasses without being unnaturally bright or dark—note which one results in 3D images with the least amount of ghosting or crosstalk.

Another setting to check for is 3D Depth. If you still see too much crosstalk after using the presets and custom settings, see if the 3D depth setting will correct the problem. On some 3D TVs and video projectors, this setting only works with the 2D-to-3D conversion feature, and on others, it works with both 2D/3D conversion and real 3D content.

Most TVs allow setting changes for each input source independently. If you have your 3D Blu-ray Disc player connected to HDMI input 1, then the settings made for that input will not affect other inputs.

You don't always have to change settings. You also can quickly go to another preset setting within each input. It helps if you use the same Blu-ray Disc player for both 2D and 3D as you can switch to your customized or preferred settings when viewing 3D, and switch back to another preset for standard 2D Blu-ray disc viewing.

Ambient Light Settings

In addition to picture settings, disable the function that compensates for ambient light conditions. This function goes under several names, depending on the brand of TV: CATS (Panasonic), Dynalight (Toshiba), Eco-Sensor (Samsung), Intelligent Sensor, or Active Light Sensor (LG), etc...

When the ambient light sensor is active, the brightness of the screen will vary as room light changes, making the image dimmer when the room is dark and brighter when the room is light. However, for 3D viewing, the TV should display a more vivid image in either a darkened or brightened room. Disabling the ambient light sensor allows the TV to show the same picture brightness characteristics in all room lighting conditions.

Motion Response Settings

The next thing to check is motion response, as there can be blurring or motion lag during fast-moving 3D scenes. This response is not as much of an issue on Plasma TVs or DLPvideo projectors, as they have better natural motion response than an LCD (or LED/LCD) TV. However, for best results on a Plasma TV, check for a setting, such as Motion Smoother or similar function.

For LCD and LED/LCD TVs, make sure you enable the 120Hz or 240Hz motion settings.

Additional Settings for Video Projectors

For video projectors, check the Lamp output setting (set it to bright) and other settings, such as Brightness Boost. These settings allow the projection of a brighter image on the screen, which helps compensate for the brightness level decrease when viewing through 3D glasses. However, while in the short run, this works pretty well, it will decrease your lamp life, so when not viewing 3D, disable the brightness boost or similar function, unless you prefer it enabled for both 2D or 3D viewing.

3D Viewing Issues

3D TVs can provide an excellent or lousy viewing experience. Although some people have problems adjusting to 3D viewing, many enjoy it, when it is well-presented.

Three main issues when watching 3D are:

• Brightness – There is a reduction in intensity as a result of viewing 3D images through either Active Shutter or Passive Polarized 3D Glasses. It can reduce the brightness of the incoming images up to 50%.
• Ghosting/Crosstalk – An object(s) in an image appears to have a duplicate image that looks like a halo or ghost around the actual object. It occurs when the left and right eye images are not synced precisely with the LCD shutters or polarized filters in 3D glasses.
• Motion Blur – When objects move fast across the screen, they may seem blurry or stutter more than they might do on the 2D source material.

Despite the above issues, some steps can provide you with a pleasant viewing experience.

TVs and Video Projectors with 2D-to-3D Conversion

Some 3D TVs (and also some video projectors and 3D Blu-ray disc players) feature built-in real-time 2D-to-3D conversion. This option is not as good a viewing experience as watching original 3D content. Still, it can add a sense of depth and perspective if used appropriately and sparingly, such as with viewing live sporting events.

There are two takeaways regarding the use of a 2D-to-3D conversion feature, if available.

• When viewing real 3D content, make sure your 3D TV is set for 3D and not 2D-to-3D, as this will make a difference in the 3D viewing experience.
• Due to the inaccuracies of the 2D-to-3D conversion feature, the optimized settings you made for watching 3D will not correct some of the inherent issues present when viewing 3D-converted 2D content.

Bonus 3D Viewing Tip: DarbeeVision

Another option that you can be used to improve the 3D viewing experience is the addition of Darbee Visual Presence Processing.

Although designed to bring out more depth in 2D images, "Darbeevision" can also enhance 3D viewing.

• A Darbee processor (which is about the size of a tiny external hard drive) needs to be between your 3D source (such as a 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc Player) and your 3D TV via HDMI.
• When activated, the processor brings out more detail in both external and internal edges of objects by manipulating brightness and contrast levels in real-time.

The result for 3D viewing is that the processing can counteract the softness of 3D images, bringing them back to 2D sharpness levels. The degree of the Visual Presence processing effect is user adjustable. However, too much of the impact can make images harsh and bring out unwanted video noise that may ordinarily not be visible.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to watching TV, we all have slightly different viewing preferences, and we all perceive color, motion response, and 3D differently.

Just as there are good and bad movies, there are good movies with poor picture quality and bad movies with excellent picture quality. The same goes for 3D; if it is a terrible movie, it is a terrible movie. 3D might make it more fun visually. Still, it can't make up for lousy storytelling and terrible acting.

Also, just because a movie is in 3D, doesn't mean the 3D filming or conversion process was done well — some 3D films simply don't look that good.

The critical thing to remember is that you approach any 3D TV or video projector settings intending to get the best possible viewing experience, according to your preferences.