To calibrate or not to calibrate?

[JimShaw]

On January 6th, I have an appointment to have my Samsung 55B8000 calibrated.

Here is my dilemma:

The picture on the set is great and every time I have tried a “custom display setting” from someone who had their 8000 done, I have always reverted back to the factory setting which I felt was better.

I don't want to spend the $$$$ to eventually set it back to the factory's.

What say you???? Leave it the way I like or have it calibrated and possibly have a better picture?

[DetroitSportsFan]

You can save a lot of money by using a calibration disc and doing it yourself.

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

You can save a lot of money by using a calibration disc and doing it yourself.

In the OPs case, I think this is an excellent idea. If you're happy with the factory settings and find a set of custom levels less satisfactory, paying for a pro-service could be an expensive risk.

[Teabaggins]

dude, was the factory setting on "vivid" or something similar?

[BRu-LAy]

If you really like it, then keep the settings. Ultimately it's your eyes that will be watching it and approving its quality.

But I recommend calibrating it, but do it yourself either through a calibration disc or a movie that has the free thx calibrator. It's almost like paying free.99 for it

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

You can save a lot of money by using a calibration disc and doing it yourself.

I have one but I am talking about calibration by a pro

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

dude, was the factory setting on "vivid" or something similar?

Dude, no. It is set on Natural

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by quirkmanly

In the OPs case, I think this is an excellent idea. If you're happy with the factory settings and find a set of custom levels less satisfactory, paying for a pro-service could be an expensive risk.

That is what I have been considering and the reason for this thread

[Psychonaut]

If you like it then why mess with it? Kinda odd that factory settings look the best. I didn't like mine initially after calibrating but got used to it in a couple hours and haven't tweaked it in about a year and a half.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

If you like it then why mess with it? Kinda odd that factory settings look the best. I didn't like mine initially after calibrating but got used to it in a couple hours and haven't tweaked it in about a year and a half.

I don't know if the factory's is the "best" but it does look good. I am afraid of spending a lot of $$$$ to find out that the factory's IS the best. That would be a bummer.

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I don't know if the factory's is the "best" but it does look good. I am afraid of spending a lot of $$$$ to find out that the factory's IS the best. That would be a bummer.

There are years of arguments on this topic in the display threads. The question is not whether you like it better, but whether it's correct. If you want to watch a display that's as close to standard for your environment, then you need a calibration. If you are happy with it and are not likely to be satisfied with the results, don't bother. I would be bothered every time I watched, if I thought I could have a more accurate display.

[Steelmaker]

Guys, I know I'm going to step on a LOT of toes by saying this here. However I personally believe that the in-home "professional" calibration industry is one of the single biggest scams going. To me, the picture settings on a television are COMPLETELY subjective to the owner! I don't care what is supposed to be "correct" regarding the settings of your TV. I know what looks good to ME and I'll be damned if I'm going to let someone else determine what that is, I don't care what he's certified at. Yes I know there are plenty of people who swear by their in home calibrations and that's fine. However I truly believe that some people convince themselves of this to justify the cost. My hdtv looks awesome and it's setting were determined by no one but me!

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

There are years of arguments on this topic in the display threads. The question is not whether you like it better, but whether it's correct. If you want to watch a display that's as close to standard for your environment, then you need a calibration. If you are happy with it and are not likely to be satisfied with the results, don't bother. I would be bothered every time I watched, if I thought I could have a more accurate display.

You could be correct. I e-mailed the pro that will be doing the calibration and following is his reply:

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"That set is extremely good. The point of calibration is to confirm that the set is properly calibrated to the 6500K color temperature, Gamma of 2.2 and has the proper luminance curve, and has no "automatic" features that are screwing the picture up by changing the values according to room light (those are the single worst idea in all of home theater technology)".



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