Looking for ISF calibration in Michigan

[SellmeyourDVD]

I've been searching the internet relentlessly to find a good isf calibrator in the mid michigan area and can't find any (or at least any that are well known). The only person i've heard of that is even close to me is down in the cleveland,oh area. I know someone on here has to know someone! I really don't want to end up going to circuit shity since i've recently had a huge problem with them and don't want to fork over a couple hundered dollars to have them do it. Hopefully someone can chime in,

Ethan

[BTBuck1]

Have you tryed your local Best Buy?

They charge less than anyone, they are ISF certified and most markets offer the service for $300 (two inputs).

Your average ISF Guy in the phone book charges $550 and does 1 input.

[SellmeyourDVD]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

Have you tryed your local Best Buy?

They charge less than anyone, they are ISF certified and most markets offer the service for $300 (two inputs).

Your average ISF Guy in the phone book charges $550 and does 1 input.

I would rather burn best buy down to the ground than pay them any money for any reason. They screwed me way worse that circuit city did. I'd go with CC before BB.

[BTBuck1]

if you went with CC you'd get a sub-par calibration that isnt ISF.

Firedog does what you could do with an AVIA or video essentials disc. which is to say the least, not much. No lap top, no light meter...nothing. WASTE OF MONEY!

I am wondering what "Best Buy" did now that has you so bitter you'd prefer to pay more or get sub par services in place of.

[olds403]

From what I have read from people that have dealt with BB calibrations, BB has sub-par calibrators and does not do a thorough job. One guy wrote that they would not go into the service menu and basically did what he could have done with DVE, most grayscale calibrations require getting into the service menu. I would pay the extra money for an independent calibrator with references. To the original question, check out AVSforum.com, they have a calibration forum where you can probably find what you are looking for.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by olds403

From what I have read from people that have dealt with BB calibrations, BB has sub-par calibrators and does not do a thorough job. One guy wrote that they would not go into the service menu and basically did what he could have done with DVE, most grayscale calibrations require getting into the service menu.

I think you should referance it as "SOME PEOPLE" your blanket statement implies "ALL".

I sell approx. 130+ calibrations per month out of my location and haven't had one upset customer, matter of fact i've gotten several referals from thrilled customers.


The equipment Best Buy uses is over $10,000 and the installers are sent to minnesota for training. The do dive into the service menu anytime it is possible to make neccessary adjustments.

I would not classify that as "Sub-par" I think maybe one or two people may have been misled, or gotten their facts incorrect. Where I live/work, Our calibrators (Best Buy/Geeksquad) are all certified and do excellent work.

Only TV's i've heard of them having trouble with are newer Sony s4100 series lcd's (apparently dont have service menu tweeks) and older sharp LCD's.
We inform customers of the limitation of their sets should they be interested in calibration as they wont benefit from any of the energy savings etc from their set as it isnt as percise.

[olds403]

The information I got on the training was that ONE person from the BB location was sent for ISF "train the trainer" training, that person then went back and trained the rest of the personnel that would actually be doing the calibrations. I would prefer a calibration from someone that had experience on my particular TV and actually had references I could contact. I am not trying to slam your location, I am fairly sure that the person I am talking about did not get their ISF from your store, but it did not sound good after hearing about their experience and how the people were trained at that particular store.

[SellmeyourDVD]

Originally Posted by olds403

The information I got on the training was that ONE person from the BB location was sent for ISF "train the trainer" training, that person then went back and trained the rest of the personnel that would actually be doing the calibrations. I would prefer a calibration from someone that had experience on my particular TV and actually had references I could contact. I am not trying to slam your location, I am fairly sure that the person I am talking about did not get their ISF from your store, but it did not sound good after hearing about their experience and how the people were trained at that particular store.

That seems like a pretty universal answer for all BB and CC isf calibrators. I did have an opportunity to talk to the CC calibrator (he was actually calibrating a TV while i was there looking to see what i may want) and he seemd alright, but i'm still nervous about getting CC to do anything of importance since they attempted to screw me on a hdtv purchase. It's just difficult for me to fork over money to someone who has diliberatly tried to take advantage of me.

Also one thing i did notice with the CC calibrator, he was using this trip pod "spider" i want to call it that attches to the tv to his laptop and he was adjustings the black levels that way. Does that sound normal? Seem'd odd but he was going through showing me what the blacks used to be compared to what they were when he was done and it did impress me.

[SellmeyourDVD]

i just bought the Digital Video Essentials and i'll see what the tv looks like after that. If i'm pleased i'll pass on the calibration since i'm betting i can get into about the 80-90% range of what i'd get with an isf calibration.

[SS316SRV]

^ That is not the entire point of a calibration, but ok.

[SellmeyourDVD]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

^ That is not the entire point of a calibration, but ok.

I know, but all i want is the best picture possible out of my tv, if i don't like the disk that i'm only spending $15 on and feel that i should get a ISF calibration done than that's what i'll do.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

That seems like a pretty universal answer for all BB and CC isf calibrators.

AGAIN, CIRCUIT CITY IS NOT ISF CALIBRATION!!!!

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by olds403

The information I got on the training was that ONE person from the BB location was sent for ISF "train the trainer" training, that person then went back and trained the rest of the personnel that would actually be doing the calibrations. I would prefer a calibration from someone that had experience on my particular TV and actually had references I could contact. I am not trying to slam your location, I am fairly sure that the person I am talking about did not get their ISF from your store, but it did not sound good after hearing about their experience and how the people were trained at that particular store.

I can't speak for every location but in my district EVERY installer is sent to minnesota that will be an ISF calibrator and has to get the certification FIRST.

ISF calibrators for Best Buy are level 4 installers automatically. So they are the highest paid installers.

Also, I would think a guy who does 5-6 calibrations a day (GS ISF Calibrator) would end up with more familiarity with your set than someone who does a 2-3 a week.