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, 02:17 AM

I would love to, but I cant afford it

CasualKiller · 01-23-2009, 02:23 AM

I would but there's no ISF calibrator within 200 kms of me

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.

jsteinhauer · 01-23-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I would but there's no ISF calibrator within 200 kms of me

Look in the AVSForum locator thread and find a touring calibrator who will be in your area.

ControlCAL · 02-01-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I would but there's no ISF calibrator within 200 kms of me

Hello

Check this LIST of Professional Calibrators..

ControlCAL · 02-04-2009, 05:32 PM

hmm my Post from a few days ago never made it.

ControlCAL · 02-04-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I would but there's no ISF calibrator within 200 kms of me

Michael Chen at The Laser Video Experience / Lion AV Affiliate covers that area... he does Tours...

These two may as well:

Richard Stokes at Finely Tuned
Paul Thorsen at Experience Home Theatre

Suntory_Times · 02-04-2009, 09:56 PM

For me it is not worth it[has nothing to do with the quality of there service], firstly as I doubt they would be able to fully and quickly understand how to properly adjust my set-up [diy'ed projector] and secondly because part of the fun for me is setting it up and the endless tweaking that goes with it.

William H Pratt · 02-08-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

For me it is not worth it[has nothing to do with the quality of there service], firstly as I doubt they would be able to fully and quickly understand how to properly adjust my set-up [diy'ed projector] and secondly because part of the fun for me is setting it up and the endless tweaking that goes with it.

That's your decision & right. But if I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on a Pioneer Elite - I want it to look as PERFECT as possible! I can't accomplish this on my own thru endless tweaking. I want it done by an expect who has the expertise & equipment to make this HDTV as perfect as possible.

Blu-Dog · 02-08-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William H Pratt

That's your decision & right. But if I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on a Pioneer Elite - I want it to look as PERFECT as possible! I can't accomplish this on my own thru endless tweaking. I want it done by an expect who has the expertise & equipment to make this HDTV as perfect as possible.

How often will you have this done? Electronics always "drift" over time.

William H Pratt · 02-08-2009, 04:16 PM

It will be a balance between what the ISF calibrator recommends vs what I can afford vs what I'm actually seeing in terms of degraded picture. In the end I'll try to stick to a recommended schedule. Time will tell.

ControlCAL · 02-08-2009, 04:21 PM

For Plasmas (and FP), if you have calibration done around 150 hours, you should have a touch up done at 1000-2000 hours.... Many Calibrators offer a touch-up service to their work.

Of course, some go the DIY route and purchased their own Meter to do the calibrations when needed/wanted....

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?

02-04-2009, 09:56 PM	#16
Suntory_Times Blu-ray Champion Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The Grid Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:23	For me it is not worth it[has nothing to do with the quality of there service], firstly as I doubt they would be able to fully and quickly understand how to properly adjust my set-up [diy'ed projector] and secondly because part of the fun for me is setting it up and the endless tweaking that goes with it. Last edited by Suntory_Times; 02-05-2009 at 11:53 AM.

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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

01-23-2009, 02:17 AM	#9
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	I would love to, but I cant afford it

01-23-2009, 02:23 AM	#10
CasualKiller Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Brooks Alberta Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:15	I would but there's no ISF calibrator within 200 kms of me

02-04-2009, 05:32 PM	#14
ControlCAL Member Member since:Feb 2009	hmm my Post from a few days ago never made it.

02-08-2009, 04:16 PM	#19
William H Pratt Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Toledo, OH	It will be a balance between what the ISF calibrator recommends vs what I can afford vs what I'm actually seeing in terms of degraded picture. In the end I'll try to stick to a recommended schedule. Time will tell.

02-08-2009, 04:21 PM	#20
ControlCAL Member Member since:Feb 2009	For Plasmas (and FP), if you have calibration done around 150 hours, you should have a touch up done at 1000-2000 hours.... Many Calibrators offer a touch-up service to their work. Of course, some go the DIY route and purchased their own Meter to do the calibrations when needed/wanted....

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