Is it worth to have my TV professionaly calibrated

[Stephan.klose]

I have the Samsung LE37 A 552. (For about 3 weeks now).

I heard from a friend that you can have your TV professionally calibrated.

I watch mostly Blu Ray and HD-DVD.

I also heard it's pretty expensive.

My question: Does is pay off? I mean is it worth it?

Does anyone had it done to their system?

Is it even sensible to have $2000 (yeah, that's what it cost in Austria) TV calibrated or should I just go with the factory settings. Although I know a lot about all the technical aspects and such of TV's I really am not that well versed in matters of calibration. In the store, where I work I would doubt that anyone else would know more than any of you guys. That's why I am asking. (If you have Hi-Fi Questions, I am your man)

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Stephan.klose

I really don't know much about TV's.

Really? You certainly haven't come off that way with some of your previous comments in other threads.

Factory settings are almost always brutal. It's never a bad idea to have your TV calibrated using a calibration disc or getting a professional calibration done. The latter shouldn't cost more than $200.

[arush5268d]

There's tons of threads about this very subject.


If you must have perfection, get it ISF calibrated. As was just said you can also get a calibration disk and do most of it yourself.

[SS316SRV]

The calibration discs will get the picture to look very close to an ISF calibration. The ISF, however, will make the set more power efficient. If the set is in the permanent location and you take your experience seriously, get it ISF calibrated.

[Stephan.klose]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

The calibration discs will get the picture to look very close to an ISF calibration. The ISF, however, will make the set more power efficient. If the set is in the permanent location and you take your experience seriously, get it ISF calibrated.

I now used a THX Demo Disc that had a Picture Optimzer. It already looks a lot better. You said $200.. I am not sure if I wanna spend that

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Stephan.klose

IYou said $200.. I am not sure if I wanna spend that

Then don't. Use a calibration disk and be happy with the results.

[Stephan.klose]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Really? You certainly haven't come off that way with some of your previous comments in other threads.

Factory settings are almost always brutal. It's never a bad idea to have your TV calibrated using a calibration disc or getting a professional calibration done. The latter shouldn't cost more than $200.

I mean I know still more than the average user but I wanted to clarify that I am not a professional when it comes to TV's. As I said, I am in the Hi-Fi Dept.

[Stephan.klose]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Really? You certainly haven't come off that way with some of your previous comments in other threads.

Factory settings are almost always brutal. It's never a bad idea to have your TV calibrated using a calibration disc or getting a professional calibration done. The latter shouldn't cost more than $200.

May I ask what TV (Brand and Model) you own? Since you seem to know a lot I am just curious as what you decided to buy

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Stephan.klose

May I ask what TV (Brand and Model) you own? Since you seem to know a lot I am just curious as what you decided to buy

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ700U, but I'm looking at getting a Pioneer PDP-5020FD before the end of the year, maybe even a PDP-6020FD if some money falls out of an airplane into my back yard!

[Monkey]

IMO just go with a calibration disc such as DVE or AVIA (does AVIA have a blu-ray disc yet)..

I ask on AVIA because DVE's DVD calibration disc was horrible to navigate but supposedly the blu-ray version is much better.


ISF's were great for old school CRT rear projections sets as it took a lot more work to get them looking great for some people.

[househead]

Originally Posted by Monkey

ISF's were great for old school CRT rear projections sets as it took a lot more work to get them looking great for some people.

Don't be fooled. ISF applies to new technology too.

My DLP and friend's LCD look incredible after calibration. They blow away any other sets I've seen. No matter how much tweaking you do by eye or with avia/dve you are only getting a step closer to an image that meets the standards.

I spent hours with both displays and those discs. There was still a huge difference after the true calibration. We were both hesitant to ante up the cash ($450 for me, $250 for him), but it was the investment that gives me the most enjoyment per dollar in my HT setup - hands down!

$2000 is a lot of money though. OUCH!

[crackinhedz]

LCD TV Calibration - How to Calibrate Your Television

[Naka]

Should calibration be done after a plasma has been "broken in"? Reason I'm asking is that I'm purchasing a Pioneer 111FD and the ISF calibration is included in the price. I haven't asked if they do the calibration upon delivery or wait a week or two before coming back to do it.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by Naka

Should calibration be done after a plasma has been "broken in"?

Clear and simple answer: Yes

[BTBuck1]

The problem with "doing it yourself" is that it isn't scientific.

I prefer having the light meter connected to the laptop and knowing my tv is at the 6500k.

out of the box most tv's are arounf 9500k+

there is only so much you can do in the user menus you have to get into the service menu and have the light meter to get accurate brightness & Greyscale. (and many times color)


MaJor benefits of calibration:

*Better picture obviously. More accurate whites/blacks, fleshtones etc.

*Prolongs the the life of the tv since it's not running as hot/brite out of the box. (minimize risks of burn in on plasma).

*Reduces cost to run the tv everymonth [lower lightbill]. (can make a signifigant diff on a plasma)




Always wait 100 hours til calibrating (save LCD) or Watch Ice Age 4 times and the TV is broken in.