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ISF HDTV Calibration Discussion (Who, Where, Why, How)

57K views 255 replies 111 participants last post by  superstring 
#1 ·
#2 ·
There are certain issues that are somewhat unique to each brand. Differences between Toshiba and Hitachi and Sony for example. I'd try to find someone who specializes in Hitachi, the way JohnnyG does for Tosh & Panny". I'm not saying JG couldn't do a Hitachi, just that a "specialist" may be more aware of certain issues.
 
#3 ·
Yes there would be difference between the makes, but given the small markets in Ottawa and Canada in general, I would find it hard to believe that any "specialist" would be available.

As long as they are ISF certified, then they should do a good job? I am new to this, having only recently purchased my RPTV.

This is similar to bring your car to Goodyear vs a Ford dealer for maintenence. The Ford dealer should do a better job because all they fix are Fords but the Goodyear guy might be just as good. But if there are no Ford dealers in your town then Goodyear will still do a good job.
 
#6 ·
Opinions on ISF Calibration

Hello All and Happy New Year...

Just wanted to know if any of you have any opinions on getting an ISF technician to calibrate your HDTV. Are the improvements worth it? I just got a Sony KDE42XBR950 Plasma and I am wondering if I would get a noticable benefit from doing so.

Any idea on expected cost or a good tech in Toronto would also be appreciated.

Toy Nut
 
#7 ·
Calibrations can run into the hundreds of dollars and, depending on the PQ you currently have, you may (or you may not) notice a difference.

My take on it: If you're having problems with your PQ (or if you simply have some cash lying around that you want to play with), consider having a calibration done. If you're happy with your PQ, leave well enough alone. A bit of tweaking with a set-up DVD is all you'll need.

Either way, all the best! :D
 
#10 ·
57 said:
This has been discussed in the following thread:

http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8554
That was quite the cat fight on this previous thread. Not quite what I was expecting so I will rephase the question...

Has anyone with a high-end plasma had an ISF calibration done with appreciable results? Do plasmas coming from the factory typically have have more or less of an issue requiring calibration? I am just looking for experiences specifically from plasma owners so I can set my expectations when I have it done?

- I just spent over 10K so another $2-300 is not the issue here. This is not a RP TV so I will not have focus issues. I have performed a basic Video Essentials calibration and am pretty happy with the picture but I am comparing this to my former 7 year old non HDTV and non-scaled picture - so anything would look better.

And yes I am the kind of guy that will change the oil or have the alignment done on my sport car on a regular basis before the regular service intervals - but I know that this has a definite benefit for longevity.

Thanks.
 
#11 ·
Toy Nut said:
That was quite the cat fight on this previous thread.
It was "pro-calibration" subjectivity duking it out with "pro-choice" subjectivity. Thankfully, no blood was shed. :D

Toy Nut said:
I just spent over 10K so another $2-300 is not the issue here.
Then there's no reason not to have one done and, quite sincerely, I hope you are satisfied with the results.

Toy Nut said:
And yes I am the kind of guy that will change the oil or have the alignment done on my sport car on a regular basis before the regular service intervals ...
I'm also very particular about my car's maintenance, but there is a big difference between maintaining a car/TV and having it specially tuned/calibrated. Neither is required and neither will necessarily provide significant benefit, although they both might.

All the best! :D
 
#12 ·
Hopefully you'll get some real owners chiming in, but from my experience, I've calibrated one plasma set - a 42" Panasonic - while I had an appropriate colour analyser on evaluation (the unit I own now is not accurate for plasma sets). The factory grey scale, in the most accurate user setting, was WAY off the standard and visibly blue right across the output sprectrum. This person is not a member of this forum, but I can assure you that he was absolutely delighted with the results.
 
#14 ·
At 5% (give or take ???) of the purchase price, I would think a professional ISF calibration to make the display 'shine' would be worth it.

In perspective if I was to pay $3000 for a HDTV, 5% of the purchase price $150 for calibration wouldn't even be an issue (not that it could be done for that amount, just an example).
 
#15 ·
What can I say? Some people would light the Mona Lisa with a regular household 60 Watt incandescent bulb. Looks fine to them, but an art collector would cringe.
And others would take the Mona Lisa and want to touch up the paint because it is not to original palette specification. In this case, too, the art collector would cringe.

In perspective if I was to pay $3000 for a HDTV, 5% of the purchase price $150 for calibration wouldn't even be an issue (not that it could be done for that amount, just an example).
I agree that the availability of a good calibration for that kind of money would be a real incentive.

However, the issue of subjective necessity still comes into play and this is where derogatory and condescending comments against people who choose not to follow these "higher standards" are both unnecessary and unappreciated.
 
#17 ·
filper, that comment was not aimed at you. It was intended for those who deride others for not "living up" to the same "high standards" they do.

While I don't disagree that a calibration could be very useful, I find snide, condescending comments such as JohnnyG's "art collector" analogy to be quite unnecessary and completely unhelpful to anyone. (Oddly enough, though, but not surprisingly, art and the love of it is a very subjective thing.)

So, to sum up as I have before: Calibrations may be useful, especially if you have PQ problems. If you don't, and you like your PQ, you should not bother with a calibration. Doing so does not make you a rube who "lights his Mona Lisa with a 60-watt bulb" - it simply makes you a person who appreciates what he has. And that's not something that anyone should be putting down.
 
#18 ·
This post asked for opinions, and that's all I've seen.

I used the Mona Lisa as an example for mp3 vs. wav. She's an icon of the best.

I am not trying to speak for the original poster, but if I had spent the $$$ for such a state-of-the-art display, I would certainly want it to be set up perfectly. :)

These folks is only givin' their $ .02.
 
#20 ·
This post asked for opinions ...
And it got opinions, but unfortunately it also got put-downs. I did not start the cat-fight, and I would very much appreciate JohnnyG laying off the put-downs.

When Toy Nut re-stated his question, I fully supported his decision to get a calibration. However, as I am not a "real owner", I will defer to those who have specific information for Toy Nut and bow out of this thread.

Peace to all! :D
 
#21 ·
Hey Guys,

I appreciate everyone's input! Whether or not it has been directly relevant - I have found the comments informative or at least the 'back-and- forth' rather entertaining. I didn't know that I had hit on such a controvercial topic :lol:

Anyway, I'm going to have it done. I'll repost the results after I locate someone to do it.

Thanks All.
 
#24 ·
eljay said:
I'm also very particular about my car's maintenance, but there is a big difference between maintaining a car/TV and having it specially tuned/calibrated. Neither is required and neither will necessarily provide significant benefit, although they both might.

All the best! :D
I'm not going to slam you, but having seen the difference side by side and having had a calibrated tv for over a year, I think your analogy is off. If your new car came with water in the gas tank, dirty oil, and misfired on half the cylinders then that would be closer to the state of affairs of a new RPTV. That's the problem with analogies - hard to know when they're representing the truth in a way someone can understand or grossly distorting it - I don't think my version is much better. I can't really speak about the plasma specifically not having one of those.
 
#25 ·
It seems that when one spends the kind of money these sets require, it would follow that a relatively small cost to bring out its best qualities is a small and worthwhile endeavour. It is not that those who don't do this are in some way inferior, but rather they may not realize the benefit until they see it first hand. I have yet to read a review of a display in Video Mags, without a technical addition showing the picture before and after calibration. Only in rare cases does it make only a small difference. Be it LCD, Plasma, LCOS or RPTV, the greyscale, which is fundamental to good color rendition, is always improved. I used a calibrator who lives in Calgary but makes regular trips to the Toronto area as well as other areas in Canada. His rates are reasonable and he is well recognized in the Video business for his contribution to the improvement of Manufacturer's new products. BTW Avia and VE are fine for setting color, tint, brightness and contrast generally after calibration of the grayscale, otherwise you are tweaking on a faulty foundation. Calibration is done using software settings in the TV. This requires special color analyzing equipment and someone who knows how to use it.
 
#26 ·
If your new car came with water in the gas tank, dirty oil, and misfired on half the cylinders then that would be closer to the state of affairs of a new RPTV.
I do not know the state of new cars today but this is how many cars arrived at dealerships at one time. The dealerships had to get them in decent working order for the customer. I even had one salesman try to sell me a new car that had obvious engine problems. He said they were going to fix it. I told him where to stick his car and never went back. 8)

Maybe this is one area where smaller A/V dealerships can really differentiate themselves from the big box stores. One store here set up the brightness, contrast, etc. on a small TV on delivery. Another A/V store is making efforts to train their service person in the basics of ISF calibration. This is not the same as a full ISF calibration but it is a step in the right direction.
 
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