Was your TV professionally calibrated?

[Streamingsux]

No. But I wish it was lol. My 4K TV crapped out recently. Like....irreparably. It will not live again. So I'm currently watching everything on an almost 15 year old Sony Bravia that is less than 50". ...and, I gotta admit....after playing with the settings (got most things just set dead center or set to OFF).....I think it looks really good still. I mean, I miss my 4K but this is good enough that I'm not suffering. Blu-rays and 4Ks look great still. I can't believe this TV still works as well as it does. It's a beast. I wish I'd had it calibrated back in the day but...I'm satisfied with it for now. Next 4K I get, I will get it actually calibrated though..

[cuzzin]

I did. I'm willing to bet there's a correlation between amount spent on the TV/projector versus how many voted "yes." I wouldn't calibrate a $500 TV set either. But the more you spend, the better the set, thus greater ability to present a truly accurate picture when professionally calibrated.

[d3nt0n]

Originally Posted by cuzzin

" I wouldn't calibrate a $500 TV set either

I would (assuming you even can, some cheap ones don't have a lot of options available). You could probably get a pretty good picture out of a cheap set calibrated correctly.
But also I already have all the equipment, all I'd be losing is about an hour of time.

[cuzzin]

Originally Posted by d3nt0n

I would (assuming you even can, some cheap ones don't have a lot of options available). You could probably get a pretty good picture out of a cheap set calibrated correctly.
But also I already have all the equipment, all I'd be losing is about an hour of time.

Well fair enough, but those less skilled of us would be doubling the cost of that set with a reputable calibrator. Wouldn't make a whole lot of sense.

[RevolverOcelScott]

I might get my next one calibrated when this one dies, but that's a big might.

I don't know if the $500+/- would be worth it for minimal gains. When I was looking at some of the recomended ones it was coming out to near 500 bucks, and I ended up doing what I could with the basic settings.

[Streamingsux]

My next 4K TV is going to be a major investment. Probably several thousand dollars. Size is less important than straight up quality but I'm certainly not looking to get a small one lol. As of now I'm thinking of going with Sony because I've been happy with all my Sony TVs. I like Sony TVs and Panasonic 4K players. If I spend that much money then I'm sure I'll go the extra mile and get it calibrated. No point in not squeezing every last drop of quality out of it possible..

[Robert Zohn]

Our calibration service includes a full Q/C to ensure we select a very good sample of the TV.

After we Q/C and select the TV it goes into our proper break-in process, then our pro calibrator, DeWayne Davis, aka D-Nice takes care of the calibration.

DeWayne calibrates IP so all streaming applications are calibrated, and all of the HDMI inputs. We calibrate FHD/SDR and 4K HDR, including HDR10. For all TV brands except Samsung we also calibrate Dolby Vision HDR, and for all Samsung TVs we also calibrate HDR 10+.

[stvn1974]

I just turned 50 and have the eye site of Mr Magoo, I just use the settings that work best for me.

[d3nt0n]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Our calibration service includes a full Q/C to ensure we select a very good sample of the TV.

After we Q/C and select the TV it goes into our proper break-in process, then our pro calibrator, DeWayne Davis, aka D-Nice takes care of the calibration.

DeWayne calibrates IP so all streaming applications are calibrated, and all of the HDMI inputs. We calibrate FHD/SDR and 4K HDR, including HDR10. For all TV brands except Samsung we also calibrate Dolby Vision HDR, and for all Samsung TVs we also calibrate HDR 10+.

What about game mode? A lot of people won't do that

[Robert Zohn]

Optionally we can add the Game Mode full calibration for $50. We calibrate the Game Mode in two Picture Modes so you can enjoy gaming in High Ambient Light and Low Ambient Light conditions. We fully calibrate the Game Mode for FHD/SDR, 4K HDR including Dolby Vision HDR.

[drb999]

I use filmmaker mode on my tv. That’s all I need.

[Lanegan]

Semi-pro. By me.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by David M

Test patterns, and a probe with measurement software.

Some things can be checked with test patterns (eg black level, sharpness) but to know what you're looking at in regards to grayscale tracking, color tracking etc., the only way to know for sure is to measure it.

The good news is that on many of the better modern displays, you can get a lot of the way there by using the accurate modes.

The bad news is that you have to know what those modes are and how to find them.

It breaks my heart when I see photos of peoples' displays online and even through the off-screen photo, you can tell they're looking at stuff in the blue-tinted, edge enhanced modes. And it's not those people's fault. It's the manufacturers' fault for hiding the "hands off" modes the way they do.

Same: did it myself with test patterns, probes, and measurement software.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

I did. I'm willing to bet there's a correlation between amount spent on the TV/projector versus how many voted "yes." I wouldn't calibrate a $500 TV set either. But the more you spend, the better the set, thus greater ability to present a truly accurate picture when professionally calibrated.

It's quite the opposite in my experience of selling TVs for 15-ish years: the more money spent the more likely the viewer is to be the "I'll set it up how I want it" type. But to be fair, those people who just eyeball it have always made up the majority no matter what display they have, even on an 'enthusiast' forum like this. Then there's the inbetweeners, the ones who plug in settings from rtings or whatever, and that's a start. Folks with proper measured calibrations can prolly be counted in the single digits on here.

[Better in Blu]

I did have my 2020 LG GX calibrated by D-Nice. The picture still looks great, so definitely worth the $500 dollar cost. It's probably lengthened the time between upgrades, so I'll wait another year or two before getting the upgrade itch happens.

[meremortal]

Never even really thought about it.

[CSM101]

So if one has a calibrated set, what would the purpose of the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray’s/ UHDs be for or would that better serve someone who doesn’t have a calibrated set but wants the next best thing?

[d3nt0n]

Originally Posted by CSM101

So if one has a calibrated set, what would the purpose of the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray’s/ UHDs be for or would that better serve someone who doesn’t have a calibrated set but wants the next best thing?

It has test patterns that could be more helpful dialing in settings then what your pattern generator might have. But really it seems tailored for benchmarking displays and to review/compare them.
Unless you review or calibrate for a living I don't think it's worth it tbh. Your money is better spent on a meter and calman license.

[ronboster]

I finally had my projector calibrated. I was adding the Envy Core and wanted to make sure I got the most out of the marriage between the JVC and the Core.

I was really fortunate to have ChadB coming through town the day I sent an email inquiry. Literally sent the site email and that afternoon I got a call from his dispatcher. Chad would be in town on Sunday and could do my calibration (vs using Sunday as a travel day).

I thought I was going to have to wait till this Summer based on his travel agenda. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I had contiplated upgrading sooner than later...but with the calibration, Chad was able to get the most out of the projector/core combo. I was amazed at how well it turned out.

I highly recommend ChadB as a calibrator and person. He makes sure he has your set or projector properly dialed-in. He won't stop untill he's satisfied (and that's a really high bar).

https://www.hdtvbychadb.com/home-1.html

[bhampton]

I have always done my own calibrations and now it's easier than ever because my current projector comes with a great automated program that supports high quality meters including a photospectrometer.

Some years ago my Best Buy membership had a free calibration bonus. So, I figured why not take them up on it. The guy who showed up was ISF certified but had no idea how to calibrate my projector and his test pattern generator stopped working (I think it was just out of batteries.) The whole thing was a waste but the price was right.

[d3nt0n]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Some years ago my Best Buy membership had a free calibration bonus. So, I figured why not take them up on it. The guy who showed up was ISF certified but had no idea how to calibrate my projector and his test pattern generator stopped working (I think it was just out of batteries.) The whole thing was a waste but the price was right.

Pretty much my experience with Best Buy's calibration service. It's actually what motivated me to buy a meter and learn to do it myself because I got the impression that I could do a better job at this then him (which I did).