[mythtv-users] Recording/live-tv video quality (aka do, PVR150 encoders suck?)

[Brian Wood]

Brad Fuller wrote:
>> Another problem is that computer video cards and monitors rarely seem
>> to have the contrast range of an NTSC TV.  This is especially true of
>> LCD monitors.  When watching TV or even DVDs on computers, I've often
>> had to choose between washing out the highlights or having the dark
>> areas disappear.
> 
> I think that's more the LCD. AFAIK, you still can't get blacker than
> black on LCDs. Can you?

Well there is "reference black" and there is "blanking".

With analog NTSC video reference black is technically 7.5 IRE units, 
while blanking is 0 IRE.

It has, however, become common for some video to go "blacker than 
black", meaning below 7.5 units.

Then there is "super black", used for key signals, but that should never 
see air.

You should be able to set up a monitor using the pluge signal in color 
bars, but most consumer monitors do not allow for a proper setup.

beww