I have a Sony Plasma PFM42B2, a Progressive Scan DVD and a RCA Directv Sat Receiver with Component Video OUT. My problem is this: I can't get a real skin color with the plasma and the Sat Receiver because when the plasma is in VGA input, I can't adjust "phase" or Tint. The DVD player has this control built in it, so I can adjust it there, but the Sat Receiver doesn't have this.

The plasma has a Temp Color adjustment though and I can manipulate RGB there, but still can't get the right color for the skin.

The color I get is more red and should be a little bit more green in the tint settings. I can't get this in color temp.

How can I set up this plasma with the Sat Receiver to get a better color adjustment?

There is no phase control in RGB or component, as there is no subcarrier.
To adjust the hue, you have to adjust the relative levels of R,G and B.

I was afraid of this answer. I called Sony and they will call me back, but I don't think they will help me. I was hoping to enable this feature in the VGA input by some hidden menu or something. Does this happen with any plasma or TV with VGA input?

The fact is I can't get the right color manipulating RGB in the color temp menu, I need Hue.

" Does this happen with any plasma or TV with VGA input?"

As i said, with RGB or component, there is no subcarrier, therfore there is no way to adjust the relative phase of the subcarrier to burst resulting in a hue change.
To adjust the 'hue' with an RGB signal, the levels of R, G aand B have to be adjusted.

"The fact is I can't get the right color manipulating RGB in the color temp menu"

you're either in the wronge menu, or you're not trying hard enough.

Is the VGA input in this plasma the only input you can utilize with your cable box ? Why not using S-Video or composite Video and set the color saturation and tint with the normal controls ?
JJ Bugsy

The thing is that I get great contrast and quality with the component output ti the VGA input that I don't want to go back to svideo. The blacks are better and there are less noise in the image. The plasma has only two VGA and 1 svideo. I will try harder with the RGB settings, although I have really tried.

The problem your having is because you're going to the screen VGA. The screen thinks it is look at a computer so gthat is why you're not getting color and tint control. What you need is a Audio Authority 15 pin to component adaptor. When you go to the screen screen component, you will regain your tint and color controls. If you need more info email me at [email protected]. We insatlled over 70 plasma's last year.

"The screen thinks it is look at a computer so gthat is why you're not getting color and tint control."

It's been explained already...RGB doesn't have a 'hue' control, because 'hue' controls the relative subcarrier phase in composite video.

"What you need is a Audio Authority 15 pin to component adaptor. When you go to the screen screen component, you will regain your tint and color controls"

As mentioned already, component video doesn't have a subcarrier either, therefore no 'hue' control.

Ok.

I have a question.

Are those cables VGA-RCA component the right thing to use?

I have one of those cables connected to my Progressive Scan DVD player and it works.

Or using the Audio Authority 15 pin to component adaptor is needed to get a better picture?

Audio Authority says that a simple cable, like the one I have, won't do, that I needed their adaptor, but the cable works, so what is the right thing to do?

Another Question:

Is there a DVD or something to help me set up the RGB values on my plasma for that input, to get the right white balance, black, and Red-Green-Blue?

Try Avia or Video Esentials.