Calibration - Blu-ray Forum

Vagrant_1 · 09-14-2009, 02:41 AM

Hey everyone, I just wanted to know if any of you have experienced Best Buy's Calibration from their Geek Squad? It seems priced lower than most places and wonder if it's cheaper because of cheaper quality of service / lcd performance. Right now I believe they are charging $199 and I have like $150 of reward zone cash to use on it (if it's worth it)

Bizi Jones · 09-14-2009, 03:27 AM

have only heard horrible stories about geek squad doing any sort of repairs...don't know about their calibration, however you can always just get a calibration disc...

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=4831

Mr. Joshua · 09-14-2009, 03:33 AM

I pulled the calibration settings from cnet.com for my XBR9, they had them for the 52" but I have the 46" and man does it make a difference. I venture to guess that most say well that is not professional calibration, but I would venture to guess when cnet.com had the 52" XBR9 calibrated it was done professionally so the settings they posted are based off that, so save yourself some money and go to cnet.com....

Ozz · 09-14-2009, 05:01 AM

Greetings,

I am not a fan of pulling settings from other people just for the fact that rooms play too much a factor in setup. Being different wall colours,rugs,light control and not to mention that not all the monitors even in the same brand and model are not sent from the factory exactly the same.
I would suggest getting something like DVE.(digital video essential) and start from the beginning of the disc to fully understand what and why each setting does and what it is intended for.

You may find other persons settings useful but in the long run getting a disc, learning and understanding how to use it will benefit you more in the long run.

If you were going to get someone from GS to come and calibrate for you, i believe most or some use the spydertv colour meter and software which you can buy between 179.00 and 200.00. I myself use the spyder3 sensor with calman software and once learned, you can pretty much do what an isf guy will do.

Vagrant_1 · 09-14-2009, 05:32 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I have seen that disk on Amazon. I guess I'll give that a go first. I like the idea of having that professional calibration stuff like spyder etc... because I own 2 46" LCD's and my 52" XBR9 and would be way to pricey to get them all done. Plus if I ever got any new TV's I could just do them myself.

All in all I have seen pro's for the disk and cons, same for isf calibration

Hammie · 09-14-2009, 06:01 AM

I've used KalW's Calibration for Dummies Guide. I picked up the EyeOne a while ago (2-3 years ago) to calibrate my computer monitor for photography, so I just use it to calibrate my TV. I find it very easy, especially with his guide.

I'm actually getting ready to do it again now that I am at 2500 hours on my plasma and feel like its looking a little off.

Just made me think to check the settings and make sure the kids did not change anything.

Vagrant_1 · 09-14-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I've used KalW's Calibration for Dummies Guide. I picked up the EyeOne a while ago (2-3 years ago) to calibrate my computer monitor for photography, so I just use it to calibrate my TV. I find it very easy, especially with his guide.

I'm actually getting ready to do it again now that I am at 2500 hours on my plasma and feel like its looking a little off.

Just made me think to check the settings and make sure the kids did not change anything.

Yes I am currently reading the KalW post on some site. I glad my xbr9 has a settings lock so kids can't mess it up

Hammie · 09-14-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant_1

Yes I am currently reading the KalW post on some site. I glad my xbr9 has a settings lock so kids can't mess it up

I don't have them setup on my Harmony, but I remember leaving the actual Panasonic remote out one day and they were using it, or at least trying to.

Vagrant_1 · 09-15-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I don't have them setup on my Harmony, but I remember leaving the actual Panasonic remote out one day and they were using it, or at least trying to.

I haven't even looked at my harmony lol. Ok I have read that post for the Kal Calibration wow looks like I would have to purchase things and I could get overwhelmed by the whole process but I'm not condemning myself from attempting it.

Hammie · 09-15-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant_1

I haven't even looked at my harmony lol. Ok I have read that post for the Kal Calibration wow looks like I would have to purchase things and I could get overwhelmed by the whole process but I'm not condemning myself from attempting it.

I agree.

At first glance it does look overwhelming. However, once you get the colorimeter and read it over (that's the key. read it before you attempt anything), you'll see its not that hard. The Guide is very well written and has been successfully written in layman's terms.

I've done it on three TV's since I found it.

repete66211 · 09-15-2009, 01:59 PM

I used the DVE disc to fine tune the settings I pulled from tweaktv.com and CNET's review of my TV. An ISF calibration would probably improve things further, but I do not believe the cost is justified.

Riff Magnum · 09-17-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant_1

Hey everyone, I just wanted to know if any of you have experienced Best Buy's Calibration from their Geek Squad? It seems priced lower than most places and wonder if it's cheaper because of cheaper quality of service / lcd performance. Right now I believe they are charging $199 and I have like $150 of reward zone cash to use on it (if it's worth it)

If you're gonna spend $200 on a calibration, have the guys at www.avical.com do it. Use your gift card for blu's.

warpig · 09-17-2009, 02:25 AM

i agree avical does great work my tv looks amazing.david abrams did mine and he explained everything he was doing.forget best buy

Riff Magnum · 09-17-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpig

i agree avical does great work my tv looks amazing.david abrams did mine and he explained everything he was doing.forget best buy

Did he do your audio as well, or is that an upgrade?

DavidAg02 · 09-17-2009, 04:09 PM

A calibration disk like Avia or DVE will get you 90% of the way there, and it can be reused for multiple TV's.

Pick up one of those to get you started. If you're still not happy (or just really want that extra 10%) then look into picking up some calibration equipment or hiring someone.

genkifd · 09-17-2009, 10:21 PM

i use a combination of CNet, THX (movie disc) calibration settings. So far pretty happy with the result....

alain turgeon · 09-17-2009, 10:58 PM

You can try this one too,seems very good.http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-benchmark/

Turkleton80 · 09-18-2009, 06:15 AM

I work for the Geek Squad in Washington State, and just a little FYI... all of the HT techs that do calibrations all went to the same training as any other ISF CCC tech, we use the same equipment provided by sencore and certified by the Imaging Science Foundation, plus have the same knowledge, I myself am listed on that site... http://www.imagingscience.com/ , so don't think we don't know what were doing or be disrespectful to a company because you feel you got burned by some dumbass kid working in a store that doesn't know shit and has only been there a few months when most installers with GS receive extensive training and have more than 5 years experience in the field. I would recommend a calibration not because it's cheaper now, that is only a promo price until october then it goes back up to $299.99, but because in order to do these adjustments correctly, that your eye can't do, and most consumers don't have access to the service panel of there tv or know what they are doing if they get in there... anyway, I still highly recommend ISF calibration on any tv for the pest experience with all HD sources. We adjust 4 inputs for optimal viewing, or 2 for night and day use, we also do audio adjustments, we adjust the service panel to true white and do pattern adjustments to determin that correct menu adjustments for that tv, and it's adjusted to the room you watch it in, not some presets listed online that where used for a room with specific lighting.

Riff Magnum · 09-18-2009, 03:22 PM

I'm sure there are some good tech's working for BB and you sound like one of them, but it's a little misleading to suggest that that all calibrators are created equal simply because you have to have the same certification in order to practice your trade. Not all techs have the same knowledge,experience, and equipment and like you said yourself, by hiring BB you're taking a chance of getting a lemon. Go with someone like Avical and you know you're getting the best and their basic calibration is always $199.

aramis109 · 09-18-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alain turgeon

You can try this one too,seems very good.http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-benchmark/

I use that disc, and outside of professional calibration, is easily the best $25 I ever spent.

09-14-2009, 02:41 AM	#1
Vagrant_1 Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:129	Calibration Hey everyone, I just wanted to know if any of you have experienced Best Buy's Calibration from their Geek Squad? It seems priced lower than most places and wonder if it's cheaper because of cheaper quality of service / lcd performance. Right now I believe they are charging $199 and I have like $150 of reward zone cash to use on it (if it's worth it)

09-18-2009, 06:15 AM	#18
Turkleton80 Junior Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Washington State Blu-ray collection:203 Blu-ray reviews: 11	Calibration I work for the Geek Squad in Washington State, and just a little FYI... all of the HT techs that do calibrations all went to the same training as any other ISF CCC tech, we use the same equipment provided by sencore and certified by the Imaging Science Foundation, plus have the same knowledge, I myself am listed on that site... http://www.imagingscience.com/ , so don't think we don't know what were doing or be disrespectful to a company because you feel you got burned by some dumbass kid working in a store that doesn't know shit and has only been there a few months when most installers with GS receive extensive training and have more than 5 years experience in the field. I would recommend a calibration not because it's cheaper now, that is only a promo price until october then it goes back up to $299.99, but because in order to do these adjustments correctly, that your eye can't do, and most consumers don't have access to the service panel of there tv or know what they are doing if they get in there... anyway, I still highly recommend ISF calibration on any tv for the pest experience with all HD sources. We adjust 4 inputs for optimal viewing, or 2 for night and day use, we also do audio adjustments, we adjust the service panel to true white and do pattern adjustments to determin that correct menu adjustments for that tv, and it's adjusted to the room you watch it in, not some presets listed online that where used for a room with specific lighting. Last edited by Turkleton80; 09-18-2009 at 06:18 AM.

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09-14-2009, 03:27 AM	#2
Bizi Jones Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:T.O. Blu-ray collection:190 Trading Score:1	have only heard horrible stories about geek squad doing any sort of repairs...don't know about their calibration, however you can always just get a calibration disc... https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=4831

09-14-2009, 03:33 AM	#3
Mr. Joshua Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:153	I pulled the calibration settings from cnet.com for my XBR9, they had them for the 52" but I have the 46" and man does it make a difference. I venture to guess that most say well that is not professional calibration, but I would venture to guess when cnet.com had the 52" XBR9 calibrated it was done professionally so the settings they posted are based off that, so save yourself some money and go to cnet.com....

09-14-2009, 05:01 AM	#4
Ozz Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Surrey, BC. Canada Home Theater Gallery:13	Greetings, I am not a fan of pulling settings from other people just for the fact that rooms play too much a factor in setup. Being different wall colours,rugs,light control and not to mention that not all the monitors even in the same brand and model are not sent from the factory exactly the same. I would suggest getting something like DVE.(digital video essential) and start from the beginning of the disc to fully understand what and why each setting does and what it is intended for. You may find other persons settings useful but in the long run getting a disc, learning and understanding how to use it will benefit you more in the long run. If you were going to get someone from GS to come and calibrate for you, i believe most or some use the spydertv colour meter and software which you can buy between 179.00 and 200.00. I myself use the spyder3 sensor with calman software and once learned, you can pretty much do what an isf guy will do.

09-14-2009, 05:32 AM	#5
Vagrant_1 Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:129	Thanks for all the responses. I have seen that disk on Amazon. I guess I'll give that a go first. I like the idea of having that professional calibration stuff like spyder etc... because I own 2 46" LCD's and my 52" XBR9 and would be way to pricey to get them all done. Plus if I ever got any new TV's I could just do them myself. All in all I have seen pro's for the disk and cons, same for isf calibration

09-14-2009, 06:01 AM	#6
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	I've used KalW's Calibration for Dummies Guide. I picked up the EyeOne a while ago (2-3 years ago) to calibrate my computer monitor for photography, so I just use it to calibrate my TV. I find it very easy, especially with his guide. I'm actually getting ready to do it again now that I am at 2500 hours on my plasma and feel like its looking a little off. Just made me think to check the settings and make sure the kids did not change anything.

09-15-2009, 01:59 PM	#11
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	I used the DVE disc to fine tune the settings I pulled from tweaktv.com and CNET's review of my TV. An ISF calibration would probably improve things further, but I do not believe the cost is justified.

09-17-2009, 02:25 AM	#13
warpig Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:ventura,ca.	i agree avical does great work my tv looks amazing.david abrams did mine and he explained everything he was doing.forget best buy

09-17-2009, 04:09 PM	#15
DavidAg02 Senior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Houston, TX Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:46	A calibration disk like Avia or DVE will get you 90% of the way there, and it can be reused for multiple TV's. Pick up one of those to get you started. If you're still not happy (or just really want that extra 10%) then look into picking up some calibration equipment or hiring someone.

09-17-2009, 10:21 PM	#16
genkifd Active Member Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Melbourne, Australia Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:259	i use a combination of CNet, THX (movie disc) calibration settings. So far pretty happy with the result....

09-17-2009, 10:58 PM	#17
alain turgeon Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada Blu-ray collection:670 Blu-ray reviews:5	You can try this one too,seems very good.http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-benchmark/

09-18-2009, 03:22 PM	#19
Riff Magnum Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Island Blu-ray collection:149	I'm sure there are some good tech's working for BB and you sound like one of them, but it's a little misleading to suggest that that all calibrators are created equal simply because you have to have the same certification in order to practice your trade. Not all techs have the same knowledge,experience, and equipment and like you said yourself, by hiring BB you're taking a chance of getting a lemon. Go with someone like Avical and you know you're getting the best and their basic calibration is always $199.

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