Who called ISF to tune-up their TV's? - Blu-ray Forum

franklinpross · 01-13-2009, 06:28 PM

What made you spend close to $500 for this service.

Are you sorry you did this?

Is your set now THE PERFECT HDTV you were promised in the review you first read?

Did you use the rent money for this expenditure?

Driver_King · 01-13-2009, 06:35 PM

Even though I didn't pay the $500, the person I bought my projector from had it ISF calibrated last year and I can tell you it looks significantly better calibrated than not. It is better than going to the theaters for me now (huge screen+small room=awesome!

). Plus Blu-ray's lossless audio!

coolmilo · 01-13-2009, 06:56 PM

I think the ISF calibration service from a skilled person is more like $350 - $400. In my case, after I broke-in my Pio Plasma, I purchased ControlCal and input DNICE settings. This made a good improvement over the factory settings.

I am planning an ISF calibration as soon as I can find out when one of those top calibrators over at AVS Forum plan a tour to the Bay Area.

So to sum up your questions, yes it is worth it.

MoPe · 01-13-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklinpross

What made you spend close to $500 for this service.

It's not even remotely close to $500 for the service.

To answer the question, I exchanged my service (auto detailing) for his (ISF). I paid nothing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklinpross

Are you sorry you did this?

No

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklinpross

Is your set now THE PERFECT HDTV you were promised in the review you first read?

No. But it is as perfect as it's going to get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklinpross

Did you use the rent money for this expenditure?

See above.

franklinpross · 01-15-2009, 05:01 PM

After reading tons of input here and there, I re-calibrated my XBR 2.

Whoa! was I shocked.

Lowered the BACKLIGHT to 3
COLOR to 48 (factory)
NR to off
GAMMA to off
D. Enh. to HIGH
DRC Palette 73/23 (TV only)

Movies look great. Blacks are so rich it scares me.
Details are crisp and sharp.

ONE THING REALLY ANNOYS ME:

Last night -- DAMAGES on FX. in 720p (Time-Warner). Is it me
or do they really compress that HD broadcast?
Why?
There is so much noise that I have to make adjustments and soften the
picture. Also, Ch. 7 (ABC) (720p) has more noise than other channels.
Most HDTV in NYC is great. Is Time Warner Cable playing games?

Halcro 1 · 01-16-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklinpross

After reading tons of input here and there, I re-calibrated my XBR 2.

Whoa! was I shocked.

Lowered the BACKLIGHT to 3
COLOR to 48 (factory)
NR to off
GAMMA to off
D. Enh. to HIGH
DRC Palette 73/23 (TV only)

Movies look great. Blacks are so rich it scares me.
Details are crisp and sharp.

ONE THING REALLY ANNOYS ME:

Last night -- DAMAGES on FX. in 720p (Time-Warner). Is it me
or do they really compress that HD broadcast?
Why?
There is so much noise that I have to make adjustments and soften the
picture. Also, Ch. 7 (ABC) (720p) has more noise than other channels.
Most HDTV in NYC is great. Is Time Warner Cable playing games?

All HD OTA is compressed .. Why do they do it ??? Bandwidth...Thats why people have IPods Compressed music fits on a smaller footprint , the downside is poor quality.... MP3s sound poor unless you use Loseless which suchs up band with or space on you IPod ... Cable and Sattelitte pay for bandwith to fit all those 250 channels ... so something has to give ....Thats why a Blu movie looks so good

warpig · 01-23-2009, 02:07 AM

David Abrams from Avical is calibrating my tv next friday i cant wait to see the results.

bassbone57 · 01-23-2009, 02:11 AM

I hope you all enjoy your calibrated displays. I can tell you, the more TV's I calibrate (I've done over 200) the more I can't watch a TV without it. You might at first glance not like it, but when you get used to it (1-2 weeks or so) you can't ever go back to watching a non calibrated set. But then again, you may appreciate it's better picture quality right away, and feel vindicated in your purchase of the service.

-K

sokrman14 · 01-23-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoPe

It's not even remotely close to $500 for the service.

To answer the question, I exchanged my service (auto detailing) for his (ISF). I paid nothing.

No

No. But it is as perfect as it's going to get.

See above.

There are two types of ISF calibration, ISF and ISF-CCC. ISF-CCC can only be done on tv's that are certified for it and it usually costs closer to that $500 mark. All LG's are ISF-CCC certified, as well as the Pioneer Elites, and some other high end brands. Most other sets can be just ISF calibrated. The CCC is a lot more comprehensive and there are more adjustments that can be done, dont ask me what they are cuz I don't know.

William H Pratt · 05-16-2009, 01:30 PM

I'm having my Pioneer 111FD professionally calibrated today at Noon by a Mr Chad Billheimer.

I expect it to be worth EVERY penny that I pay this gentleman today.

The PQ is already wonderful & I expect it to be better after calibration.

Sonny · 05-16-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William H Pratt

I'm having my Pioneer 111FD professinally calibrated today at Noon by a Mr Chad Billheimer.

I expect it to be worth EVERY penny that I pay this gentleman today.

The PQ is already wonderful & I expect it to be better after calibration.

It will be, congrats!!!

ControlCAL · 05-16-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William H Pratt

I'm having my Pioneer 111FD professinally calibrated today at Noon by a Mr Chad Billheimer.

I expect it to be worth EVERY penny that I pay this gentleman today.

The PQ is already wonderful & I expect it to be better after calibration.

You are in good hands with Chad.. he has a lot of experience with the Pioneers and does have ControlCAL.

Please do post a Owner's Calibration Report

crackinhedz · 05-16-2009, 04:27 PM

My dad had his Pioneer 6020 calibrated by Barry Vandenberg down in Orlando, Florida...worth every penny.

William H Pratt · 05-16-2009, 10:56 PM

I'm sorry to plead ignorance,

but what is the procedure to follow to post &/or upload the 1.5 MB Word Document report that Mr Billheimer generated for me. I tried to copy & paste - but only the text pasted in, not the images. Thanks for your help

Mr Billheimer's session with me was quite enjoyable. He explained everything & I asked him a number of questions. I had one of the inputs calibrated strictly for B&W as Chris Eberle suggested here: http://www.controlcal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272

bigpapy · 05-17-2009, 12:08 AM

I have a question, if I replace my RPTV lamp I have to calibrate my tv again?

billt928 · 05-17-2009, 02:20 AM

I use this guy, not the cheapest but one of the best.

He tours the USA doing this

http://cir-engineering.com/

01-13-2009, 06:28 PM	#1
franklinpross Senior Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:not from here Blu-ray reviews: 3	Who called ISF to tune-up their TV's? What made you spend close to $500 for this service. Are you sorry you did this? Is your set now THE PERFECT HDTV you were promised in the review you first read? Did you use the rent money for this expenditure?

01-13-2009, 06:35 PM	#2
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Even though I didn't pay the $500, the person I bought my projector from had it ISF calibrated last year and I can tell you it looks significantly better calibrated than not. It is better than going to the theaters for me now (huge screen+small room=awesome!). Plus Blu-ray's lossless audio!

01-15-2009, 05:01 PM	#5
franklinpross Senior Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:not from here Blu-ray reviews: 3	Finally broke down and CHANGED my settings: After reading tons of input here and there, I re-calibrated my XBR 2. Whoa! was I shocked. Lowered the BACKLIGHT to 3 COLOR to 48 (factory) NR to off GAMMA to off D. Enh. to HIGH DRC Palette 73/23 (TV only) Movies look great. Blacks are so rich it scares me. Details are crisp and sharp. ONE THING REALLY ANNOYS ME: Last night -- DAMAGES on FX. in 720p (Time-Warner). Is it me or do they really compress that HD broadcast? Why? There is so much noise that I have to make adjustments and soften the picture. Also, Ch. 7 (ABC) (720p) has more noise than other channels. Most HDTV in NYC is great. Is Time Warner Cable playing games?

05-16-2009, 01:30 PM	#10
William H Pratt Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Toledo, OH	I'm having my Pioneer 111FD professionally calibrated today at Noon by a Mr Chad Billheimer. I expect it to be worth EVERY penny that I pay this gentleman today. The PQ is already wonderful & I expect it to be better after calibration. Last edited by William H Pratt; 05-16-2009 at 11:58 PM.

05-16-2009, 10:56 PM	#14
William H Pratt Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Toledo, OH	I'm sorry to plead ignorance, but what is the procedure to follow to post &/or upload the 1.5 MB Word Document report that Mr Billheimer generated for me. I tried to copy & paste - but only the text pasted in, not the images. Thanks for your help Mr Billheimer's session with me was quite enjoyable. He explained everything & I asked him a number of questions. I had one of the inputs calibrated strictly for B&W as Chris Eberle suggested here: http://www.controlcal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272 Last edited by William H Pratt; 05-16-2009 at 11:57 PM.

01-13-2009, 06:56 PM	#3
coolmilo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Silicon Valley Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	I think the ISF calibration service from a skilled person is more like $350 - $400. In my case, after I broke-in my Pio Plasma, I purchased ControlCal and input DNICE settings. This made a good improvement over the factory settings. I am planning an ISF calibration as soon as I can find out when one of those top calibrators over at AVS Forum plan a tour to the Bay Area. So to sum up your questions, yes it is worth it.

01-23-2009, 02:07 AM	#7
warpig Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:ventura,ca.	David Abrams from Avical is calibrating my tv next friday i cant wait to see the results.

01-23-2009, 02:11 AM	#8
bassbone57 Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Huskerland Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:140 Digital collection:9	I hope you all enjoy your calibrated displays. I can tell you, the more TV's I calibrate (I've done over 200) the more I can't watch a TV without it. You might at first glance not like it, but when you get used to it (1-2 weeks or so) you can't ever go back to watching a non calibrated set. But then again, you may appreciate it's better picture quality right away, and feel vindicated in your purchase of the service. -K

05-16-2009, 04:27 PM	#13
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	My dad had his Pioneer 6020 calibrated by Barry Vandenberg down in Orlando, Florida...worth every penny.

05-17-2009, 12:08 AM	#15
bigpapy Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Houston,Tx Blu-ray collection:303 Trading Score:26	I have a question, if I replace my RPTV lamp I have to calibrate my tv again?

05-17-2009, 02:20 AM	#16
billt928 Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Planet Earth Home Theater Gallery:3 Blu-ray collection:72 Trading Score:221	I use this guy, not the cheapest but one of the best. He tours the USA doing this http://cir-engineering.com/

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