4. Television

I connected the HP SLC3760N to several HD sources and sampled many types of high definition content, including movies, sports and regular television programming. HP's factory defaults set the video to "Standard" mode, and I made several slight adjustments during calibration. The table below shows the factory defaults and the settings I used.

Unlike many LCDs I have tested, I did not immediately notice the lack of contrast, which is a big compliment for the SLC3760N. Contrast performance was respectable if not spectacular, including black levels and shadow detail. I was able to see a decent amount of detail during dark scenes, and only occasionally was I distracted by the "pasty grays" that are common in LCD displays.

Color accuracy and saturation after calibration was very impressive, with natural hues and flesh tones with film-based material, as well as punchy color and contrast with live broadcasts. As with most newer LCDs, there is plenty of brightness regardless of the amount of ambient light. Video noise was just about non-existent, and there was only a slight hint of false contouring (posterization) during some scenes.

Here are a few sample images from the SLC3760N. (The bottom images in the comparisons, called the "reference images", are photographed images from a Dell 1905FP 19" LCD Computer Monitor).

A broadcast video feed that displays excellent resolution and good contrast. Flesh tones are accurate and colors are well saturated.

Korean Broadcast - SBS HD - 1080i
TOP: HP SLC3760N - BOTTOM: Reference Image

This snapshot from Pirates of the Caribbean illustrates very rich color saturation and good color accuracy. There was a slight tilt towards red, but a couple of clicks toward "Green" in the Tint control solved the issue easily.

Pirates of the Caribbean - INHD2 - 1080i
TOP: HP SLC3760N - BOTTOM: Reference Image

This scene from the movie Invincible again illustrates good contrast, with a good deal of shadow detail in the darker portions of the image.

Invincible - INHD2 - 1080i
TOP: HP SLC3760N - BOTTOM: Reference Image

This scene from Departed illustrates vibrant color and excellent detail, but is perhaps just a touch oversaturated. There is a good amount of detail in the dark portions of Jack's robe.

Departed - Computer Image - 1080p
TOP: HP SLC3760N - BOTTOM: Reference Image