Why is TNT / TNT-HD so #$%#@%#ing dark?

[hancox]

To preface this:

1) Yes, I have an 811. No, no other channels appear dark

2) My DVI input has been ISF calibrated

For one reason or another, most of TNT's programming appears horrendously dark. This is on both SD and HD versions of TNT. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[charper1]

811 here also, on a calibrated UltraVision 65x500 and I have no darkness on any channels. I use the componant output.

 

[NightRyder]

No dark problem here. 811 to Samsung HLN507W1 thru DVI.

Many of the shows on TNT are what I would term darker shows (Law & Order, Angel, X-Files) but that's the way they were filmed. They don't seem noticeably darker than when they ran originally on their respective networks. In fact they look pretty damn good on TNT-HD. IMHO

NightRyder

 

[DWS44]

Can't say that I've noticed it either on mine. 811/DVI, thought mine hasnt been properly calibrated yet.

 

[LeeS]

Ok here too. DVI and component. Tosh MT8 calibrated with Avia.

Lee

 

[BobMurdoch]

Um, Angel and Charmed ALWAYS look that dark.........

Just kidding, it looks fine on mine.

 

[8ohms]

I too find it dark as well compare to all the other HD channels. Hancox! you're not going nuts. It's not so dark to the point it's unwatchable, but it's still dark.

 

[melnikok]

I have a 811 and Sony 50" LCD. TNT is so dark it drives me nuts. You are not crazy!!

 

[Kevinw]

811 and nothing dark about it..on my very calibrated Toshiba

 

[Spatch]

I find TNT HD to be dark but I think it is the nature of the programing. Last night when I watched law and order on an OTA channel I had the same problem. Also it may have something to do with the stretch mode they use.

 

[long_time_DNC]

Some TNT-HD programming I find to be dark on my 50" Samsung DLP, but then it looks dark on the SD channel too. I don't think it's the 811, I think it's TNT.

 

[hancox]

I agree - that's why I put it in the general Dish forum, as I do *not* see this as specific to the 811 (it's dark on my 301 too).

 

[Carl B]

Just watched Tomestone on TNT-HD on my 50" Sammy DLP. Brightness and contrast were excellent. Good as Discovery-HD and HDNET. Much better than most of the HD stuff on the OTA major networks. It's the content, not the station. Most of the filmed drama series shown on TNT-HD and the major networks HD series like CSI, are shot with a lot of dark settings, indirect lighting, and heavy shadowing. I think they are all trying to copy the X-Files technique. I don't like it for most shows, but I guess I don't know artistic expression. A good test is watching NBC's Vegas or whatever that James Caan casino show is called. Most of it looks dark and shadowed, but at least once a show there is a pool shot and it is bright and colorful as can be.

 

[jerryez]

That is why they use flashlights on CSI so much!

 

[Stalker]

Mine is fine..no darkeness issues and I have an RCA HDTV 52" rear projection.

How come TNTHD isn't on my channel listings all the time though?

I sometimes go for days without seeing it on at all.

 

[Bobby]

Mine is fine..no darkeness issues and I have an RCA HDTV 52" rear projection.

How come TNTHD isn't on my channel listings all the time though?

I sometimes go for days without seeing it on at all.

You should see it everyday, all the time. Do you have Favorites set up? Maybe you are going into a favorites area and TNT-HD isn't there.