Hi there,

Frankly, I find it fraustrating that in all the stores (Future Shop, Best Buy, etc) none of the TVs are properly adjusted and therefore cannot be objectively compared... They all look as bad, and even if some look better than others you can't truly know if it's because the TV is actually better, or if it just happened to be better adjusted. This seems to leave one with only the following choices to go by:

a. Technical Specifications
b. Independent online reviews
c. User reviews
d. Sales person's opinion/recommendations

My concern is that, with the exception of technical specs, which still cannot replace the *experience* of what something would actually *look* like, one is only left with second-hand information to make a choice about something very personal that will stick with him for years (I can't imagine many of us can afford to spend a few thousand $ every year or so)

I don't see why there can't be a place (i.e. Electronics store) where several sets would be properly adjusted so that customers could see every set at it's best and make proper, first-hand distinctions...

Is/are there any place/s that offer this? If no, does anyone have any additional suggestions/recommendations as to how one can compare/evaluate different sets?

I just find it hard to believe one's only option is to buy first, and see what it would actually look like later... :confused:

Thanks!

I don't see why there can't be a place (i.e. Electronics store) where several sets would be properly adjusted so that customers could see every set at it's best and make proper, first-hand distinctions...


The truth is that sets are properly adjusted ..... to maximize sales. Most consumers want "bright" televisions hence why they come from the factory in torch mode. This has been a sore spot with home theater enthusiasts for years but the sad fact of life is that if you put a calibrated set beside one in torch mode then sales of the torch mode set will be higher.

This has been discussed many time here so search around.

My advice is to go to your local higher end electronics shop and ask what sets have been calibrated. They will let you know.

The reality is that even higher end shops will likely have not bothered calibrating their LCD sets for the same reason. One shop that I know typically does it for their higher end plasmas because plasma buyers tend to be more discerning. (their words not mine so don't flame me)

I share this frustration. I went inside this little electronics shop that I spotted by accident and was surprised by the inventory of high-end AV equipment. I was excited because they carried Kuros and I wanted to see one in action. They even had it set up for an A/B comparison with a Panny V10. Alas, I don't think the A/B comparison was fair at all because the Panny looked like the contrast was cranked too high. The Kuro, by comparison, looked fantastic with the black level blending seamlessly (to my eyes, at least) with the bezel. It would have been nice to see these two properly calibrated so that I could see for myself whether the $2K difference in price would be worth it for my purposes.

Thanks Hugh and Pradesian. Please let me know if you do come across a place that does offer this functionality. In all honesty, I would have been glad to pay a premium to have this option, as I'm currently debating between a few sets and feel that whatever my choice is going to be, it will mostly rely on secondary factors such as price.

For what it's worth, Trutone Electronics in the Toronto/Mississauga border have a very good set-up, in my opinion. They've got several dedicated rooms for various configurations. Though I'm not certain, I would think that the set-ups in the dedicated HTs would be calibrated given that they have ISF-certified techs on staff. Maybe they can even set up an A/B comparison on request.

Greetings

The marketing of a TV set has nothing to do with presenting accurate images. So goes the industry mantra.

Calibrated sets cannot compete on the showroom floor against sports modes and vivid modes and so forth under the showroom lighting.

Only bet is to go to the smaller places ... and hope. But note that calibrating sets in the store can be counter productive since 99% of the buying public like the sets out of the box anyway.

With smaller stores ... there is also reluctance at times since they take the care to do stuff like this ... and people just go buy the thing from the big box stores anyway. So they get the short end of the stick no matter.

Too bad you are not in Calgary or Edmonton. I could actually point you to stores that have many calibrated units on display. (Calibrated within limits of course ... given the lighting in the store and the constant swap out of equipment.)

regards

Greetings

From what I know of Trutone, their calibrator guy does not work on the sets in the store.

regards

You may want to try Bay/Bloor Radio. It has been a long time since I have been down there but they used to have seperate viewing rooms and the tv's calibrated for those rooms. Its been many years since I have been there though.

I think you will find that most stores (even Trutone and Bay/Bloor) have abandoned calibrating sets for reasons noted by Michael and myself.

From post 1, items b and c are probably your best options. One thing that you can to in a store is change the setting on the TV away from the Vivid mode. Most TVs have a "custom" or "user" mode that is not that bad. Remember also to set that mode to the factory default when you go to it because someone may have played with it.

Of course, once you've decided on a TV, the following post will be of interest.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76161

Hi everyone, thanks for your input! Bay Bloor Radio was actually on my list for tomorrow...but I guess Hugh has saved me the trip. Still, perhaps I'd go just to see what they have to offer. Thanks for the link, 57. Great article, and I'm sure it would come very handy.

I did not say Bay /Bloor doesn't calibrate any of sets. I just doubt they do. If you go, be sure to ask what sets are calibrated and report back.

If the TVs are all calibrated properly, then you'd hardly see any difference between them (for in-store experience, I mean). If you're looking for the absolute best... then why don't you just save the hassle and get the best brand in the industry?

^ And what brand would that be? :)

I am the only person I know (in real life) who prefers a calibrated piccy. [It does take some getting used to. But when you do, everything else just looks so wrong.]

That is why they don't "calibrate" showroom models. Presuming everyone else I know is "normal".

well, for my preference (and virtually all A/V magazines around the world), it's Pioneer.

I'm another person who's crazy about calibrated anything. All my laptops, PC screens, all 3 TVs (2 Pioneer, 1 Toshiba CRT), front projector, all of them are calibrated at least once a year and for my laptops and PCs, at least once a month.

^ I was just kidding that I didn't know. The OP could easily find out if he didn't already know, because as you say the opinion is essentially universal.

The problem is, most places around here that sell Kuro Elites have nothing else plasma that's reasonably comparable. Not even the best Pannys. And when they did, they weren't near each other. So hard to compare. Have to go a bit on faith of the professional reviewing world if a Kuro Elite is in your sights, extremely unlikely to be disappointed if the $$ are doable.

If you're looking for the absolute best... then why don't you just save the hassle and get the best brand in the industry? well, for my preference (and virtually all A/V magazines around the world), it's Pioneer.

I said I want to get the best I possibly can, not that I have an unlimitted budget... ;)

Went to B/B Radio today and, while the show rooms were nice, they had the most un-knowledgeable salesperson I've yet to come across...seriously--everything he mentioned was so wrong to the point it was insulting... overall very disappointed (first visit ever)

Decided today to put the Samsung deal on my card as a rain check, though seriously considering ordering from B&H (US)--at least $650 difference in price (depending on model, as I might opt for the 58"... very tempting :D) My only concern, assuming they'll ship their HDTVs to Canada, is whether or not the Manufacturer warranty would still be valid, and if it won't, if I can purchase something here to substitute it. Emailed B&H and waiting for an answer...

Also initially went for the Extended Warranty, but on second thought thinking I might opt out even if I'll stick with the FS purchase.

Exciting as all the searching and 'hunting' is--I can't wait to just settle on something, have it set up and calibrated, buy the Shawshank Redemptions BlueRay and just kick back and watch the movie :)

(but that's the attitude that makes one cut corners and compromise...)

Anyhow, just wanted to thank everyone for their input. This forum is great and has a wealth of knowledge geared specifically to shopping in Canada--wish there were more places with the same goal in mind.

I honestly think you'll be better off with Panasonic than Samsung. I'm biased against Samsung due to their extremely bad service record (my personal experiences on cellphones, BD players and HD displays)

Greetings

Although best to double check, but the Samsung warranty has been a NA one ... rather than restricted to the US or Canada.

The 1080p Sammy plasma I picked up from Seattle (5084 series) had a NA warranty which was a nice surprise.

Make sure you add PST to the cross border sale as well .. and add $400 shipping too.

That's the funny thing about warranties and bad experiences ... show me one person that hates Samsung, and I will show you one that hates Panasonic ... or one that hates Sony or LG or Sharp and so forth.

regards

Well I for one would take Panasonic customer service over almost any other manufacture. They do 48HR in home service as part of their warranty. Something goes wrong with your set they will come by and replace the offending part if possible or swap a new TV if needed. No waiting weeks without a set.

Add the fact that Panasonic plasmas are the best out there next to the Pioneer's you can't go wrong. Although the Kuro definately better than the Panny I don't believe its +$1000 better.