Best buy calibrated tvs - Blu-ray Forum

NJ_RAMS_FAN · 07-08-2008, 02:02 AM

So after reading crackinhedz thread on calibrating tv's I went to best buy. I went to their ISF calibrated tv on the wall and it look awesome. ( that's not the point). next to it was the same movie playing on a non calibrated tv and it look like crap. My question, more like a comment, are they trying to deceive people? are they trying to sucker people into dipping $300 bucks without even giving them a shot to calibrate their tvs? That tv looked like it just came out of the box and straight to the wall without picture tuning. I know it's supposed to be better picture but it really bothered me that the other tv didn't have some tuning to give a better comparison. i asked an employee about it and he did comment it came straight from box to the wall. I told him that it should have some picture tuning to give it a better look. he just gave me this shut up look.

sokrman14 · 07-08-2008, 02:31 AM

You can try to do some tuning, but the guys who do the ISF calibration don't touch any of the menu system to do the tuning. All of that is done in the internal service menu.

EManT2200 · 07-08-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melsbluespecv

So after reading crackinhedz thread on calibrating tv's I went to best buy. I went to their ISF calibrated tv on the wall and it look awesome. ( that's not the point). next to it was the same movie playing on a non calibrated tv and it look like crap. My question, more like a comment, are they trying to deceive people? are they trying to sucker people into dipping $300 bucks without even giving them a shot to calibrate their tvs? That tv looked like it just came out of the box and straight to the wall without picture tuning. I know it's supposed to be better picture but it really bothered me that the other tv didn't have some tuning to give a better comparison. i asked an employee about it and he did comment it came straight from box to the wall. I told him that it should have some picture tuning to give it a better look. he just gave me this shut up look.

If the non-calibrated tv looked like CRAP, I doubt that it went straight from the box to the wall. It was probably re-set by someone to look alittle worse than usual. If you don't see a huge difference, then why would someone pay $300.00 for just a SMALL improvment, sooooooo, chances are it was re-set to show a bigger difference in picture quality, therefore, peaking customers interest in a calibration. I work in electronics sales, I can't say that our tv pictures look like CRAP right out of the box, sure, any tv can use a grey scale calibration, but, alot of people don't want to pay $300.00 to $400.00 to get one. I, myself, believe that a grey scale is a worthwhile improvement , but not to the tune of that much money. Have you thought about calibrating your set yourself, with an Eye-One ? It would only cost you about $125.00 or so, and you get to KEEP the equipment because you paid for it. Rent it out to friends to use, to get your money back, about $30.00 or so each, LOL !

theprophecy247 · 07-08-2008, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EManT2200

If the non-calibrated tv looked like CRAP, I doubt that it went straight from the box to the wall. It was probably re-set by someone to look alittle worse than usual. If you don't see a huge difference, then why would someone pay $300.00 for just a SMALL improvment, sooooooo, chances are it was re-set to show a bigger difference in picture quality, therefore, peaking customers interest in a calibration. I work in electronics sales, I can't say that our tv pictures look like CRAP right out of the box, sure, any tv can use an grey scale calibration, but, alot of people don't want to pay $300.00 to $400.00 to get one. I, myself, believe that a grey scale is a worthwhile improvement , but not to the tune of that much money. Have you thought about calibrating your set yourself, with an Eye-One ? It would only cost you about $125.00 or so, and you get to KEEP the equipment because you paid for it. Rent it out to friends to use, to get your money back, about $30.00 or so each, LOL !

+1
its all a marketing hype

vektar · 07-08-2008, 02:50 AM

I can see why they did that, most avg people who buy HD tvs dont know they have to be calibrated so they just set it up right out of the box. They also wouldnt even know where to start so its a good way for the avg. buyer to see the difference from out of the box to what it can trully look like.

Kyzer the Medic · 07-08-2008, 03:02 AM

I used to be a Best Buy faithful customer. But this is just another example of the marketing hype they force feed people. I guess the day it dawned on me was the day the "expert" told me on the day that I bought my TV there, that NOTHING would sound better with it than a Bose Lifestyle system..and that I wouldn't get a good picture unless I added the $160 monster cables..Avoid Best Buys "services" at all cost..

Chris60119 · 07-08-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EManT2200

If the non-calibrated tv looked like CRAP, I doubt that it went straight from the box to the wall. It was probably re-set by someone to look alittle worse than usual. If you don't see a huge difference, then why would someone pay $300.00 for just a SMALL improvment, sooooooo, chances are it was re-set to show a bigger difference in picture quality, therefore, peaking customers interest in a calibration. I work in electronics sales, I can't say that our tv pictures look like CRAP right out of the box, sure, any tv can use a grey scale calibration, but, alot of people don't want to pay $300.00 to $400.00 to get one. I, myself, believe that a grey scale is a worthwhile improvement , but not to the tune of that much money. Have you thought about calibrating your set yourself, with an Eye-One ? It would only cost you about $125.00 or so, and you get to KEEP the equipment because you paid for it. Rent it out to friends to use, to get your money back, about $30.00 or so each, LOL !

Ok, so we buy the 125.00 calibrating tool. 1, where do I get one and 2, is it easy enough to use a figure out on our own?

NJ_RAMS_FAN · 07-08-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EManT2200

If the non-calibrated tv looked like CRAP, I doubt that it went straight from the box to the wall. It was probably re-set by someone to look alittle worse than usual. If you don't see a huge difference, then why would someone pay $300.00 for just a SMALL improvment, sooooooo, chances are it was re-set to show a bigger difference in picture quality, therefore, peaking customers interest in a calibration. I work in electronics sales, I can't say that our tv pictures look like CRAP right out of the box, sure, any tv can use a grey scale calibration, but, alot of people don't want to pay $300.00 to $400.00 to get one. I, myself, believe that a grey scale is a worthwhile improvement , but not to the tune of that much money. Have you thought about calibrating your set yourself, with an Eye-One ? It would only cost you about $125.00 or so, and you get to KEEP the equipment because you paid for it. Rent it out to friends to use, to get your money back, about $30.00 or so each, LOL !

not a bad idea to buy and rent it out..lol.. but yea, it really bothered me that they had such a crappy picture next to it to "scammed" buyers to buy that service.

so7o · 07-08-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melsbluespecv

not a bad idea to buy and rent it out..lol.. but yea, it really bothered me that they had such a crappy picture next to it to "scammed" buyers to buy that service.

its the settings out of the box...wtf

even if employees would change the setting to what you feel are best....colors would still be off....whites would be grey and not white.....tvs will look blueish purple....

its a double edged sword...OO YOU DIDNT CHANGE THE SETTINGS...BOO HOO

OO YOU CHANGED SETTINGS WTF YOUR SCAMMING ME

it can go either way...some people are funny

best part is the calibrate different inputs...so your tv source through hdmi...your ps3 through hdmi or component..and so on

so7o · 07-08-2008, 04:03 AM

wanna talk about pricing btw?

http://www.21stcc-isf.com/shopping_page.html
400-500 bucks

wow...300 doesnt seem so bad..lol

especially when you can go to the isf website and see that those best buy calibrators are isf-trained...you can serach and view for yourself

=)

http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

zenstorm311 · 07-08-2008, 04:13 AM

I read your comment about calibration and I believe your right to some extent. I'll be honest with you I do work for a local best buy but mainly for Magnolia Hometheater division. I am not going to act like an expert that knows everything because I dont. However I do believe there is a huge difference between an ISF calibrated tv vs. a do it yourself calibration disc or consumer pc based cal program. There are just somethings you can't access without passcodes to the hidden menus and the proper equipement which usually cost thousands of dollars.
If you were to set the non calibrated tv to the same settings as the isf calibrated one via the consumer accessible screen the picture would still look completely different. On the exact same settings the isf calibrated tv is lighter and has a much more noticable definition where the non calibrated one is normally darker. Basically the isf calibrated tv becomes more effencient on the same level of setting which makes it run cooler/use less power. Its kindof like how most people are recommended to take thier car in for a tuneup every now and then to get better gas mileage and reduce pollution. 9 times out of ten they will hooked it up to some computer to do some diagnostics sometimes even reflash your cars cpu. Is it recommended yes, is it needed no, just go by what looks best for you after all we are all different.

By the way I also used to work for Frys and Circuit City. Not the best places to work in.

ToonyLoons · 07-08-2008, 04:55 AM

When the Best Buy I go to had the ISF TV next to the non calibrated TV, there was a nice difference. The colors were better and the over all image was better. The one that was not calibrated did not look like crap, but I could tell the difference.

The next TV I purchase, I plan on getting it ISF calibrated because I want it to look the best it can, and I want to insure that I have no over or under scan.

fdm · 07-08-2008, 05:13 AM

My TV, out of the box, did look like crap. So I can believe that Best Buy's demo non-calibrated TV also looked like crap when compared to a properly calibrated set. Wouldn't really be all that difficult.

I don't doubt that my TV could still look better (a good ISF calibration), but I think I've managed to adjust it reasonably well so that I feel I can get by okay without the calibration. Did use calibration DVD, didn't mess with the gray scale. I mean the thing looks pretty damn awesome all in all. (Black & White has no noticeable color to it (watch a lot of Black & White), fleshtones look pretty close to perfect, greens seem to be about right, etc.)

Chris60119 · 07-08-2008, 03:12 PM

Can I calibrate my tv now or should I wait until I move into my new place in 3 months cause of different lighting?

SS316SRV · 07-08-2008, 03:38 PM

Do independent research...make own decisions...don't be

Bluoholic · 07-09-2008, 08:27 PM

[QUOTE=SS316SRV;1004211]Do independent research...make own decisions...don't be

word of the wise

Anyway, on topic though. I think BB is messing with the settings to make some TVs look worse than others. I saw a Panny 42" 800u I believe it right next to a Sammy 750 (me thinks) also 42" and Sammy looked waaaaay better than Panasonic TV. Go figure.

Beta Man · 07-09-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprophecy247

+1
its all a marketing hype

I wouldn't say "all" marketing hype..... the calibration has it's benefits.... Best Buy is just exagerating them a little (or a lot)

Beta Man · 07-09-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frettless5

Can I calibrate my tv now or should I wait until I move into my new place in 3 months cause of different lighting?

now is fine..... you should always try to view with as little light as possible anyways.

EManT2200 · 07-10-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frettless5

Ok, so we buy the 125.00 calibrating tool. 1, where do I get one and 2, is it easy enough to use a figure out on our own?

Hi,it took awhile to get back to you guys. So, try this, www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457 . You will learn alot about what greysacle is and does. You will even learn to do it yourself, as everything thing is explained in laymans terms. You can get the X-Rite Eye-One Display LT at Amazom.com and even on EBay. Come on guys, try this, you'll learn ALOT about your television in doing so. Although the site talks mostly about CRT tv's, the method is exactly the same for CRT's, LCD's, DLP's and plasma tv's. I don't believe you will regret it, have fun, and then, tell Best Buy that you did it yourself, LOL ! ! ! ! !

SellmeyourDVD · 07-10-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by so7o

wanna talk about pricing btw?

http://www.21stcc-isf.com/shopping_page.html
400-500 bucks

wow...300 doesnt seem so bad..lol

especially when you can go to the isf website and see that those best buy calibrators are isf-trained...you can serach and view for yourself

=)

http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

Cicuit city only charges $200 for their ISF calibrations

07-08-2008, 02:02 AM	#1
NJ_RAMS_FAN Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2008 Location:North Jersey Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:369 DVD collection:21 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:103	Best buy calibrated tvs So after reading crackinhedz thread on calibrating tv's I went to best buy. I went to their ISF calibrated tv on the wall and it look awesome. ( that's not the point). next to it was the same movie playing on a non calibrated tv and it look like crap. My question, more like a comment, are they trying to deceive people? are they trying to sucker people into dipping $300 bucks without even giving them a shot to calibrate their tvs? That tv looked like it just came out of the box and straight to the wall without picture tuning. I know it's supposed to be better picture but it really bothered me that the other tv didn't have some tuning to give a better comparison. i asked an employee about it and he did comment it came straight from box to the wall. I told him that it should have some picture tuning to give it a better look. he just gave me this shut up look.

07-08-2008, 04:13 AM	#11
zenstorm311 Junior Member Member since:Apr 2008	Hello, all I am new to this forum but not new to the hometheater scene I read your comment about calibration and I believe your right to some extent. I'll be honest with you I do work for a local best buy but mainly for Magnolia Hometheater division. I am not going to act like an expert that knows everything because I dont. However I do believe there is a huge difference between an ISF calibrated tv vs. a do it yourself calibration disc or consumer pc based cal program. There are just somethings you can't access without passcodes to the hidden menus and the proper equipement which usually cost thousands of dollars. If you were to set the non calibrated tv to the same settings as the isf calibrated one via the consumer accessible screen the picture would still look completely different. On the exact same settings the isf calibrated tv is lighter and has a much more noticable definition where the non calibrated one is normally darker. Basically the isf calibrated tv becomes more effencient on the same level of setting which makes it run cooler/use less power. Its kindof like how most people are recommended to take thier car in for a tuneup every now and then to get better gas mileage and reduce pollution. 9 times out of ten they will hooked it up to some computer to do some diagnostics sometimes even reflash your cars cpu. Is it recommended yes, is it needed no, just go by what looks best for you after all we are all different. By the way I also used to work for Frys and Circuit City. Not the best places to work in.

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07-08-2008, 02:31 AM	#2
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	You can try to do some tuning, but the guys who do the ISF calibration don't touch any of the menu system to do the tuning. All of that is done in the internal service menu.

07-08-2008, 02:50 AM	#5
vektar Senior Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:san jose ca 4K collection:162 Blu-ray collection:546 DVD collection:24 Blu-ray reviews:28	I can see why they did that, most avg people who buy HD tvs dont know they have to be calibrated so they just set it up right out of the box. They also wouldnt even know where to start so its a good way for the avg. buyer to see the difference from out of the box to what it can trully look like.

07-08-2008, 03:02 AM	#6
Kyzer the Medic Active Member Member since:Jan 2008	I used to be a Best Buy faithful customer. But this is just another example of the marketing hype they force feed people. I guess the day it dawned on me was the day the "expert" told me on the day that I bought my TV there, that NOTHING would sound better with it than a Bose Lifestyle system..and that I wouldn't get a good picture unless I added the $160 monster cables..Avoid Best Buys "services" at all cost..

07-08-2008, 04:03 AM	#10
so7o Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	wanna talk about pricing btw? http://www.21stcc-isf.com/shopping_page.html 400-500 bucks wow...300 doesnt seem so bad..lol especially when you can go to the isf website and see that those best buy calibrators are isf-trained...you can serach and view for yourself =) http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

07-08-2008, 04:55 AM	#12
ToonyLoons Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray collection:130	When the Best Buy I go to had the ISF TV next to the non calibrated TV, there was a nice difference. The colors were better and the over all image was better. The one that was not calibrated did not look like crap, but I could tell the difference. The next TV I purchase, I plan on getting it ISF calibrated because I want it to look the best it can, and I want to insure that I have no over or under scan.

07-08-2008, 05:13 AM	#13
fdm Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Way Out West 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Prime collection:- Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:3	My TV, out of the box, did look like crap. So I can believe that Best Buy's demo non-calibrated TV also looked like crap when compared to a properly calibrated set. Wouldn't really be all that difficult. I don't doubt that my TV could still look better (a good ISF calibration), but I think I've managed to adjust it reasonably well so that I feel I can get by okay without the calibration. Did use calibration DVD, didn't mess with the gray scale. I mean the thing looks pretty damn awesome all in all. (Black & White has no noticeable color to it (watch a lot of Black & White), fleshtones look pretty close to perfect, greens seem to be about right, etc.)

07-08-2008, 03:12 PM	#14
Chris60119 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:May 2008 Location:Savannah GA Blu-ray collection:850 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 35	Can I calibrate my tv now or should I wait until I move into my new place in 3 months cause of different lighting?

07-08-2008, 03:38 PM	#15
SS316SRV Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Appleton, WI Blu-ray collection:74	Do independent research...make own decisions...don't be

07-09-2008, 08:27 PM	#16
Bluoholic Expert Member Member since:Dec 2007 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:482 Trading Score:1	[QUOTE=SS316SRV;1004211]Do independent research...make own decisions...don't be word of the wise Anyway, on topic though. I think BB is messing with the settings to make some TVs look worse than others. I saw a Panny 42" 800u I believe it right next to a Sammy 750 (me thinks) also 42" and Sammy looked waaaaay better than Panasonic TV. Go figure.

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