Calibration and You: A Tale of A Stubborn HDTV

[CaptainKirk666]

Alright, I'm plenty good at Guitar Hero...that is, until I got my Magnavox 42 inch HDTV. I'm not as good as I used to be anymore, I find myself getting around 50k lower than my average scores. I've tried auto calibrating with the strumming and shit but nothing seems to work.

Any tips or guides on calibrating this damn thing so I can be good again?
_________________

My Accomplishments | My Custom GH:WT Songs

[CaptainKirk666]

Alright, I'm plenty good at Guitar Hero...that is, until I got my Magnavox 42 inch HDTV. I'm not as good as I used to be anymore, I find myself getting around 50k lower than my average scores. I've tried auto calibrating with the strumming and shit but nothing seems to work.

Any tips or guides on calibrating this damn thing so I can be good again?
_________________

My Accomplishments | My Custom GH:WT Songs

[NfskMjmMal2]

Don't use an HDTV. There are calibration issues that are almost impossible to fix using one. Pretty much the only thing you can do is switch back to a regular TV, or just live with being worse. I'm not sure if there are really any other practical options.

[NfskMjmMal2]

Don't use an HDTV. There are calibration issues that are almost impossible to fix using one. Pretty much the only thing you can do is switch back to a regular TV, or just live with being worse. I'm not sure if there are really any other practical options.

[HoorayItsMike]

[HoorayItsMike]

[NfskMjmMal2]

Yeah, that came off worse than I meant it, but I shouldn't have been so negative, so I apoligize for that un-needed comment. Solutions are out of my very limited knowledge of HDTV's, and being that I can't think of any practical solutions, I'm probaly not qualified to respond on the subject.

But to add on to what HoorayItsMike said, the two major constituents of lag calibration are Audio and Visual calibrations. "Bad Calibration" occurs when there's a difference between what you see and what you hear.

If you view the notes on the fret board as a guide to what you should play and when you should play it, then there's a problem; since there's a difference between what you see and what you hear, if you try to hit the notes when your sight tells you it's the right time, it will actually be off, due to the bad calibration.

If you view the notes only as what to play, and use the beat/music as a guide to when you should play it, it should be a little better, you're playing it on time instead of what you naturally think is on time; your eyes aren't deceiving you in that way.

[NfskMjmMal2]

Yeah, that came off worse than I meant it, but I shouldn't have been so negative, so I apoligize for that un-needed comment. Solutions are out of my very limited knowledge of HDTV's, and being that I can't think of any practical solutions, I'm probaly not qualified to respond on the subject.

But to add on to what HoorayItsMike said, the two major constituents of lag calibration are Audio and Visual calibrations. "Bad Calibration" occurs when there's a difference between what you see and what you hear.

If you view the notes on the fret board as a guide to what you should play and when you should play it, then there's a problem; since there's a difference between what you see and what you hear, if you try to hit the notes when your sight tells you it's the right time, it will actually be off, due to the bad calibration.

If you view the notes only as what to play, and use the beat/music as a guide to when you should play it, it should be a little better, you're playing it on time instead of what you naturally think is on time; your eyes aren't deceiving you in that way.

[CaptainKirk666]

[CaptainKirk666]

[saxmaniac]

OK, sorry if this is obvious. I struggled this for a while, and have never really found a good guide to do this. So here's what I do. (Now, haven't played GH3 in a while, but I think you'll need WT for this. I believe in WT the notes will disappear early when you hit them early, but not GH3. )

I have a 42" Sharp played over component. I've totally given up on the auto-calibration thing.

1. Calibrate the video.

Take a song with a bunch of slow strums like About a Girl. Avoid HOPOs for now, just concentrate on strumming.

Mute the sound, and play it visually. (I primarily play by listening, so this is quite different for me, but it works for this exercise.) Look at the strike line and see if the notes are disappearing above it (early), or if they making it are past the line (late). If it's consistently early, up your lag 10ms at a time, and start over. If it's late, reduce it. If you cross over from late to early or the reverse, then start adjusting by smaller amounts.

Once you think you've got it more or less centered, do a little squeeze practice and try to intentionally hit the note early or late.

Now do the same exercise with hammer-ons, say, Hotel California.

2. Calibrate the audio.

Again, start with About A Girl. This time, play by listening only. Look at the top of the highway and sync your strums with the audio. If you've never done this, it might take some practice. (This is how I play normally so it's natural for me, but then again, I suck.)

This is tricky to do, because you have to somehow look at the strike line to see if you're early or late, but you don't want actually be timing the notes visually. It helps to have someone else look at the strike line and tell you if you're early or late. Just don't fall back to playing visually.

Like before, start with strums. Switch to HC and repeat with HOPOs.

My audio is about 5 ms, and the video is anywhere from 40-70 depending on the weather and time of month.

P.S. Of course, now I discover that the drums and microphone lag differently than the guitars.

[saxmaniac]

OK, sorry if this is obvious. I struggled this for a while, and have never really found a good guide to do this. So here's what I do. (Now, haven't played GH3 in a while, but I think you'll need WT for this. I believe in WT the notes will disappear early when you hit them early, but not GH3. )

I have a 42" Sharp played over component. I've totally given up on the auto-calibration thing.

1. Calibrate the video.

Take a song with a bunch of slow strums like About a Girl. Avoid HOPOs for now, just concentrate on strumming.

Mute the sound, and play it visually. (I primarily play by listening, so this is quite different for me, but it works for this exercise.) Look at the strike line and see if the notes are disappearing above it (early), or if they making it are past the line (late). If it's consistently early, up your lag 10ms at a time, and start over. If it's late, reduce it. If you cross over from late to early or the reverse, then start adjusting by smaller amounts.

Once you think you've got it more or less centered, do a little squeeze practice and try to intentionally hit the note early or late.

Now do the same exercise with hammer-ons, say, Hotel California.

2. Calibrate the audio.

Again, start with About A Girl. This time, play by listening only. Look at the top of the highway and sync your strums with the audio. If you've never done this, it might take some practice. (This is how I play normally so it's natural for me, but then again, I suck.)

This is tricky to do, because you have to somehow look at the strike line to see if you're early or late, but you don't want actually be timing the notes visually. It helps to have someone else look at the strike line and tell you if you're early or late. Just don't fall back to playing visually.

Like before, start with strums. Switch to HC and repeat with HOPOs.

My audio is about 5 ms, and the video is anywhere from 40-70 depending on the weather and time of month.

P.S. Of course, now I discover that the drums and microphone lag differently than the guitars.

[patjean]

ive had quite the same problem, i have a small normal TV in my room playing Gh3 there but when i going downstairs and go playing on our big plasma HDTV i suck sooooo much i do like not even slow ride 5*.
it was a bit of lag but when i did calibrate lag it helped a but but still wasn't good enough..
soo i would say just stay at the TV you had even if you aren't like it.
_________________

goals:

complete TTFAF on expert [X]
complete TDWDTG expert [X]
25 FC on expert (WT/3/A) [] 22 so far
15 FC on GH3 expert [] 12 so far latest hit me whit you best shot.
5* all songs [] TDWDTG,TTFAF RaBl.
a proud 3 fingerer

[patjean]

ive had quite the same problem, i have a small normal TV in my room playing Gh3 there but when i going downstairs and go playing on our big plasma HDTV i suck sooooo much i do like not even slow ride 5*.
it was a bit of lag but when i did calibrate lag it helped a but but still wasn't good enough..
soo i would say just stay at the TV you had even if you aren't like it.
_________________

goals:

complete TTFAF on expert [X]
complete TDWDTG expert [X]
25 FC on expert (WT/3/A) [] 22 so far
15 FC on GH3 expert [] 12 so far latest hit me whit you best shot.
5* all songs [] TDWDTG,TTFAF RaBl.
a proud 3 fingerer

[freddo012345]

Im used to playing on a good hdtv and sound system with lag set at 0 on both which is all good but then i find strumming simple notes to be very weird and its like i really have to put effort in to strum them i think im strumming early.....how to fix?

_________________

Achievements

Rock Band
Gold Star 15 Expert songs [probably done]
Complete all on disc songs [67/67]

GH3

Complete Career [X]
TTFAF [X]
Perfect 5 expert songs [7 ish]
5* 40 expert songs [easily done]

[freddo012345]

Im used to playing on a good hdtv and sound system with lag set at 0 on both which is all good but then i find strumming simple notes to be very weird and its like i really have to put effort in to strum them i think im strumming early.....how to fix?

_________________

Achievements

Rock Band
Gold Star 15 Expert songs [probably done]
Complete all on disc songs [67/67]

GH3

Complete Career [X]
TTFAF [X]
Perfect 5 expert songs [7 ish]
5* 40 expert songs [easily done]

[Stona]

I got my HDTV (Samsung 46") back in December. Merry Christmas me lol. Anyway, needless to say, with my PS2 I can't play on it to save my life. I am going to try to upgrade my gaming system to a PS3 and get the better cables (GRB cables I think) and keep my TV on game mode. I have heard that this will nearly eliminate lag, although I am not positive, but I sure hope so, because I would love to be able to play on that TV. For now I'm stuck with the 24" in my bedroom lol.
_________________

Stona's Accomplishments - GH2H 40 FCs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stona]

I got my HDTV (Samsung 46") back in December. Merry Christmas me lol. Anyway, needless to say, with my PS2 I can't play on it to save my life. I am going to try to upgrade my gaming system to a PS3 and get the better cables (GRB cables I think) and keep my TV on game mode. I have heard that this will nearly eliminate lag, although I am not positive, but I sure hope so, because I would love to be able to play on that TV. For now I'm stuck with the 24" in my bedroom lol.
_________________

Stona's Accomplishments - GH2H 40 FCs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[weee911]

My lag issues with my 360 all turned out to be related to my 360 settings. Make sure you have the resolution set properly for your television, also play around with the stereo mode settings.

I was playing with 50-70ms audio lag for a long long time but now I can play on my tv with 0ms lag once I changed those settings. If i play on 50-70ms lag now, I can't hit a single note.
_________________

[weee911]

My lag issues with my 360 all turned out to be related to my 360 settings. Make sure you have the resolution set properly for your television, also play around with the stereo mode settings.

I was playing with 50-70ms audio lag for a long long time but now I can play on my tv with 0ms lag once I changed those settings. If i play on 50-70ms lag now, I can't hit a single note.
_________________

[tjalle89]

The answer is very simple. Use a HDMI cable, at least if you have the xbox360 elite or PS3.. HDMI eliminates the problem, at least it did for me.

[tjalle89]

The answer is very simple. Use a HDMI cable, at least if you have the xbox360 elite or PS3.. HDMI eliminates the problem, at least it did for me.

[CaptainKirk666]

[CaptainKirk666]

[yksi-kaksi-kolme]

OK, I have an HDTV, and it took a very long time to be able to do this right. The calibration test is incredibly unreliable. Also, this is regarding pre-GH:A tests... no "audio" vs. "video" crap. Just one test.

First of all, regarding the "Game Mode" option some HDTVs have, I find that it's really a random thing. Sometimes it'll make me better, other times it'll cripple me. I think it does actually help but I'm just too used to the blur after getting accustomed.

To start the actual calibration, do the calibration test in game. I know it's unreliable, but we're just using it to get a feel of the necessary lag settings. Now test a song that starts off very slow and easy, perhaps Radio Song. Play along with the beat. Does it feel right? Are you dropping notes you should easily hit? If so, note the timing window. How late can you hit it? How early? If you can hit it ridiculously early and can't hit it on time/late (as is my situation on 0 ms), turn it up. If you can hit it ridiculously late and can't hit it on time/early, turn it down.

That's pretty much all there is to it. You just need to mess around with it and find what works. I often get results far off from what the game originally gives me, so just use it as a starter and go from there.
_________________

My Accomplishments - GH | RB || My Youtube Channel || My Customs

[yksi-kaksi-kolme]

OK, I have an HDTV, and it took a very long time to be able to do this right. The calibration test is incredibly unreliable. Also, this is regarding pre-GH:A tests... no "audio" vs. "video" crap. Just one test.

First of all, regarding the "Game Mode" option some HDTVs have, I find that it's really a random thing. Sometimes it'll make me better, other times it'll cripple me. I think it does actually help but I'm just too used to the blur after getting accustomed.

To start the actual calibration, do the calibration test in game. I know it's unreliable, but we're just using it to get a feel of the necessary lag settings. Now test a song that starts off very slow and easy, perhaps Radio Song. Play along with the beat. Does it feel right? Are you dropping notes you should easily hit? If so, note the timing window. How late can you hit it? How early? If you can hit it ridiculously early and can't hit it on time/late (as is my situation on 0 ms), turn it up. If you can hit it ridiculously late and can't hit it on time/early, turn it down.

That's pretty much all there is to it. You just need to mess around with it and find what works. I often get results far off from what the game originally gives me, so just use it as a starter and go from there.
_________________

My Accomplishments - GH | RB || My Youtube Channel || My Customs

[puppyjuice]

let me prefice this by saying I'm not the greatest guitarist in the world but I am a CEDIA certified home theater installer some I might be able to add some insight here. Ill start by breaking down HDTV by most to least lag:

60Hz LCD (to OP I suspect this is the type of TV you have)
60Hz Projections
120Hz LCD
120hz Projections
Plasma (480Hz or higher)
CRT

While CRTs are the best at dealing with lag (there is almost none) Plasmas are not far behind with their repsonse times measured in nano-seconds as opposed to LCDs milliseconds.

Second, whenever possible use an HDMI cable, perferably 1.3a/b/c compliant. They have the largest bandwidth available to you.
Third, make sure your consoles settings are set to the TV's maximum capabilities.
Fourth, if your TV is 120hz (most likely LCD) enable it on the input you use for your games console, it is likely not turned on out of the box.
Fifth, like an above poster said turn off your sound on the TV and play a very simple song, start at zero and then go from there.
5B. If you have a surround sound that you are going threw that allows you to adjust the audio/video delay go that route first, as the software in the reciever is likely to be better then that of GH.
5C. If you are running audio into a surround sound that does not have the ability to audjust the delay you have to use the GH but you will find its a teadious task.
Sixth, if you have it the best you think you can get it and its still a little off you may need to adjust your overscan on the TV's service menus. Be aware make sure you write down all settings before changing anything in here as it very well may mess up your picture if you change the wrong thing.
_________________

On Disc-
XDrums - 130/142
XGuitar - 140/142 (GGaHT, Panic Attack) Most Recent - Battery
XBass - 141/142 (Panic Attack) Most Recent - Visions Finally!!
Thrasher:
XBass [X]
XGuitar [ ]

[puppyjuice]

let me prefice this by saying I'm not the greatest guitarist in the world but I am a CEDIA certified home theater installer some I might be able to add some insight here. Ill start by breaking down HDTV by most to least lag:

60Hz LCD (to OP I suspect this is the type of TV you have)
60Hz Projections
120Hz LCD
120hz Projections
Plasma (480Hz or higher)
CRT

While CRTs are the best at dealing with lag (there is almost none) Plasmas are not far behind with their repsonse times measured in nano-seconds as opposed to LCDs milliseconds.

Second, whenever possible use an HDMI cable, perferably 1.3a/b/c compliant. They have the largest bandwidth available to you.
Third, make sure your consoles settings are set to the TV's maximum capabilities.
Fourth, if your TV is 120hz (most likely LCD) enable it on the input you use for your games console, it is likely not turned on out of the box.
Fifth, like an above poster said turn off your sound on the TV and play a very simple song, start at zero and then go from there.
5B. If you have a surround sound that you are going threw that allows you to adjust the audio/video delay go that route first, as the software in the reciever is likely to be better then that of GH.
5C. If you are running audio into a surround sound that does not have the ability to audjust the delay you have to use the GH but you will find its a teadious task.
Sixth, if you have it the best you think you can get it and its still a little off you may need to adjust your overscan on the TV's service menus. Be aware make sure you write down all settings before changing anything in here as it very well may mess up your picture if you change the wrong thing.
_________________

On Disc-
XDrums - 130/142
XGuitar - 140/142 (GGaHT, Panic Attack) Most Recent - Battery
XBass - 141/142 (Panic Attack) Most Recent - Visions Finally!!
Thrasher:
XBass [X]
XGuitar [ ]

[DomCas]

i also went through this problem, i got a nice big LCD hdtv and it was just awful playing on it. but i refused to play on non-hd because i'm like that and got used to it in time, i fc'd 67/70, soon to be 68, songs on it so just tough it out, you'll get used to it. the only problem is going on other tv's can be annoying.

calibrating only made it way worse, i use 0/0.
_________________

GH3x -24.5m+ (top 40 world)
ttfaf 872k
http://www.youtube.com/emericadom1126

[DomCas]

i also went through this problem, i got a nice big LCD hdtv and it was just awful playing on it. but i refused to play on non-hd because i'm like that and got used to it in time, i fc'd 67/70, soon to be 68, songs on it so just tough it out, you'll get used to it. the only problem is going on other tv's can be annoying.

calibrating only made it way worse, i use 0/0.
_________________

GH3x -24.5m+ (top 40 world)
ttfaf 872k
http://www.youtube.com/emericadom1126