EDID thread (RTD1619BPD players)

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@Markswift2003 I am hoping you can help me with my investigation/optimization of DV picture quality with my setup.
I have the Z9X Pro connected through receiver Sony DH590 and then to Sony A8H OLED tv. Picture in DV has been an improvement from the previous setup with the ShieldTV, but still not hitting the same level as when I play DV files through the native AndroidTV apps (Plex/Kodi) on the tv itself.
I think it is a known drawback with Sony's player-led DV restriction, which my A8H suffers from unfortunately. Vincent Teoh has made a good video explaining the concept and results, and I am sure you have heard some complain about the same already... Since then, Sony has implemented TV-led DV, but I am not ready to buy a newer panel just yet for that feature!

I still decided to investigate if there was a way to improve the LLDV output from the Zidoo so that I can get closer to the color/brightness obtained from native tv apps. I downloaded the EDID through the Z9X (see attached) and fooled around in Deltacast, trying to find the min/max values for DV, without any luck. I figured I could play around with those values (and possibly the primaries as well) to get a better LLDV output.
I tried the Sony X8000H EDID available from the short list on the Z9X, and it seemed to have improved colors/brightness, but it created other issues and prevented full testing.

So in summary, if you could have a look at the attached EDID and comment on your findings. I love the Zidoo as a unit and am having a hard time getting past the difference in PQ... "once you've seen it, you can't unsee it!".

 

HDR, Dolby Vision included, is not about brightness at all. The average APL (average picture level) in an HDR image should not be that much more than the APL in an SDR image. It's only the specular highlights and dynamic range that are improved with HDR (assuming the same colour space) - so ok, an explosion may look brighter and more detailed, but don't look at HDR as "brighter", when used correctly, it isn't.

Your EDID shows the Sony has a maximum nit value of 670 and changing this value in the EDID may increase perceived brightness at the expense of specular highlights (ie less tone mapping):

DV Version: 2
DV DM Version: v3.x
DV Interface: LLDV 12-bit 422
YUV422 12bit: Not Supported
Global Dimming: Not Supported
Backlight Control: Not Supported
RED Primary: Rx=0.680 Ry=0.320
GREEN Primary: Gx=0.266 Gy=0.691
BLUE Primary: Bx=0.148 By=0.059
MAX/MIN Luminance: 670 / 0 nits

Try the attached EDIDs - they might make a difference, they might not - I've set max nits to 1000 and 2000 which means a less agressive gamma curve is used so less roll off at the top end - more APL in the middle.... Theoretically!

 

Very informative, I always appreciate reading your responses. Referring to contrast instead of brightness might also have been more appropriate, in order to convey how the PQ differs between the internal app and external source playback methods. But your explanation makes a lot of sense.

I have tried the 2 provided EDIDs briefly this evening. I need more time to analyze, although I can say there seems to be an improvement, not yet reaching the PQ of the internal app output.

I am still hopeful, and very thankful for your help!
Updates will be provided.

UPDATE:

It took a while before finding time to do proper testing and comparison. On my setup, with the Sony A8H and the 2000-nit custom EDID provided and loaded on the Z9X Pro, it helped getting closer to the image obtained from the Kodi app installed directly on the TV... but it really isn't the same quality.

I am speaking specifically about the picture quality when playing dolby vision remux files. The picture settings on the TV are the same, whether it is internal app or HDMI input. There is just a noticeable difference in colors, contrast and details, largely in favor of the playback from the TV app (kodi, but also plex as I have tested it as well).

Of course, this comes with much disappointment, as there is so much to gain from using an external device, such as lossless audio, more responsive UI, subtitle compatibility, video codec support. I am torn on what to do next. I've seen many posts about how dolby vision is a PITA. I am tempted to take the road of HDR and disabling dolby vision on the external devices (zidoo and shield), and see how it compares. Nothing to lose, right?

It's a journey and certainly an entertaining one!

Thanks @Markswift2003 again for the help. If you have more ideas, suggestions or rants, I always enjoy reading your comments. Cheers!