That's not entirely true Hugh, and I apologise to dts for not getting back to him.

I haven't kept very up-to-date on service menu access and that sort of thing, but I do still calibrate if it's a product I know or can easily find details on. In general, a basic calibration is much easier today than it was in the CRT days!

JohnnyG does not calibrate sets anymore.

Check the ISF imaging site to find calibrators in your area or ask the retailer you bought your set from. Any good A/V retailer typically has one or two guys on staff or on call that can do the work.
Do you think you can trust those A/V retailers and their so called technical guys? They don't even calibrate the sets to more realistic color using their bare eye in their showroom.

I assume that you're looking for an ISF calibrator, who will go into the service menu. If so, heed the advice above. If you're looking for someone to calibrate using the user menu and also optimize all of the other equipment in your home theatre, then see the following link. References galore:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=40306

This "holistic" approach to home theatre can have its advantages since many people don't have their STBs, DVD players, AVRs set up to optimize video and audio.

Do you think you can trust those A/V retailers and their so called technical guys?

Yes. The local high end A/V retailer that I deal with has a guy that has been calibrating for ten years and does an excellent job. The quality shops are in business for the long haul so they are concerned about all aspects of their service.

If you goto a discount or big box retailer and want it done "cheap" then yeah I guess you'll get what you pay for.

If you go with a calibrator that has ISF certification, then I would think that they would be capable of doing a good job. If you go with a calibrator that doesn't have ISF certification, then they may or may not do as good a job and they may charge less, therefore a check on references would be in order (in either case probably would be a good idea).

I haven't heard of anyone displeased with JohnnyG's calibration services for example.

An ISF calibration is really a pretty simple process but what I and other calibrators with any sort of reputation does is beyond that. We like to learn how certain displays react to their controls being altered and also to know what other "tweakability" might lurk within any given display's service menu in order to get that extra 10% of performance out of it. It's the stuff they don't teach at the ISF that can matter most!

For example, in the Toshiba CRT heydays, a basic ISF calibration would have left the display calibrated correctly for only one input resolution because there is only 1 set of CUTs and DRVs. All the other resolutions might be better afterward, but they might also be further away. After much testing and comparing notes with other calibrators, it turned out that some of the mysterious numbered codes that exist in the service menu would actually permit adjusting all the different input types so I devised a method that would leave the TV calibrated for all input types with no need to touch the picture controls ever.

So no, not all calibrators are created equal and "ISF Certification" is not a guarantee of quality or accuracy.

As in any field, there are people who excel, and/or go the extra distance, and those who are mediocre.

Please folks, this thread is for members to find Calibrators - not to discuss the merits of ISF calibration which is the topic of other threads

I do not see anything wrong with the discussion of how to choose a good or bad calibrator. I do NOT want an bad apple to touch my equipment.

In another forum thread, someone mentioned that you can be ISF certified without touching a TV ever. That's why in my original post, I do NOT mention ISF at all.

Does anyone know of a good ISF calibrator in Calgary? I am looking to get my plasma calibrated.

Thanks,

You want Michael Chen who is one of the best there is:

http://www.lionav.com/mmichaelchen.php

Thank you JohnnyG

In another forum thread, someone mentioned that you can be ISF certified without touching a TV ever.

I'm surprised to see this statement.

I took another class just recently, just like before, I get to "play" with 4 TVs and 1 projector. Everybody else get to "play" with the same number of units if they're inclined to (unfortunately almost all only willing to play with one and would rather leave early).

I've never been in a class where one can pass ISF certification without touching a TV.

I too highly recommend Michael Chen he has done both of my TV's
Sony KP46WT510 and my Panasonic TH42PX77U he is worth waiting for. I have seen other sets that were calibrated by other people locally (Ottawa) and was not impressed but was once he fixed them.
Here is his contact Info again also lists some of his accomplishments:
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/isf/isf_calibrators.html
As well as several of his coleages spread out accross North America.
Do yourself a favour be patient wait for him to come to your city. Once he is done write down the settings that he makes on your TV (in case someone alters them while you are not there). You will not regret it.
While you are waiting for him purchase The Avia Guide to Home Theater with color filters. It will help get your set close and help you get the most from your home theater setup.

Newbie here: i am the proud owner of a samsung 58" plasma,and with all the positive comments on having these screens professionally calibrated,i was wondering if anyone in winnipeg on this forum have had this done and by whom?i just sat through video essentials dvd but found it very hard to work with.

I actually had Michael Chen come from out West...to calibrate a Hitachi 51S500 RPTV 5 years ago...and he did a great job...expensive though.

I am looking to get a new plasma done this summer...so anyone in Winnipeg do this yet?

Late answer to a early thread, but David Sikorski-Thorn of Advance Electronics (ART division) has been ISF certified and is in routine contact with Michel Chen.

I'd hire David in a heartbeat, but I live too far from WPG to make it worthwhile to pay him the additional mileage - and I don't think I can bribe him with a round of golf (http://www.pinawaclub.mb.ca/public/index.php)

I also had Michael Chen do my Hitachi 57T500 here in Regina, almost 5 years ago and it still looks great. Highly recommend him.

Getting set to buy the Panasonic 54V10 or 58V10.Any suggestions on who might be the most experienced (recommended) ISF calibrator in the Halifax area? Thanks for input.

Michael Chen just did two Plasma's for us in Winnipeg.

This is the second time he has come to Winnipeg and calibrated our TV's.

Can't say enough of what a great job he does for the TV...and what a pleasure it is having him in our home.