57's Home Theatre Optimization

[57]

Updated 2010.01.18 - Yes, I'm still doing this work. Pricing for mileage changed a bit, but Optimization charge has been the same for 4 years.

This post has been approved by Hugh (the admin).

Not optimizing your home theatre is like purchasing a furnace without a thermostat. (Home Entertainment Magazine - Paraphrased)


57’s Home Theatre Setup, Assistance, Optimization, Consulting and Training Service

Many of you know me as a moderator on this forum. I can be of assistance to people who are setting up their home theatres and wish them optimized. I specialize in optimizing all of the equipment in your home theatre, not just the TV.

I have done hundreds of optimizations for people with a huge variety of different equipment. Please read their comments on the pages that follow.

I am able to assist with the following:

- Setup/optimization of a TV using Spyder device, AVIA and your DVD player (user settings only).
- Connecting various components to each other, to optimize performance
- Recommending placement of the components, speakers
- Setting up and optimizing A/V receiver/speakers (SPL Meter, DSPs, Connections, input assignment, naming, etc)
- Optimizing the setup of all other equipment including DVD Players/recorders, STBs, VCRs, Game Systems, CD players, etc.
- Recommending alternate ways of connecting components
- Recommending alternate seating arrangements and lighting
- Recommendations regarding cables, connections, placement.
- Discuss A/V connections through A/V Receiver, or direct to TV, or through TV
- Help with “translation” of your operating manual(s) into layman’s English
- Show you how to operate your system best
- Tips on “better/easier” ways to do things
- Basic assistance with remote control(s).
- Assistance in getting your remote(s) to control other equipment
(not always possible depending on the remote and equipment)
- Assistance with spouses, children in operating the equipment.
- Consultation before purchase, including home survey, recommendations, etc.
- Supply of cables if requested (at prices much lower than most stores)
- Answering any questions you may have about your system.
- Yes I do front projectors, I use test patterns since Spyder cannot be used.

Quick Consultation:

When you're ready to arrange the Optimization, it's a good idea to contact me if you're planning on purchasing any new equipment just before the setup. Many people purchase equipment that they regret because it doesn't do what they expect.

For example, people buy a HTiB, but it doesn't have any digital audio inputs for DD5.1 sound, or it doesn't have enough of them if they need more than one device connected.

Also, many people are confused about HDMI inputs on AVRs. People assume that they will be able to use the HDMI for audio in the AVR, when, in fact, most less expensive AVRs don't handle the HDMI audio at all, requiring separate digital audio connections. etc.

This can usually be done in a few minutes at no charge. If it takes longer, then we can negotiate a fee depending on the time and location.

Operating Manuals:

Operating manuals for all equipment, remotes, etc should be available for me to assist you with that particular component, although I can usually find my way around without them. Downloads of operating manuals are often available from the manufacturers’ websites.

*Spyder Setup:

I have Spyder hardware/software that is useful for setting up TVs. It uses the “Spyder,” a setup DVD, your DVD player and my computer to adjust the user settings on your TV to the “optimum” (via user controls only). I do not, and will not, go into the service menu of your TV. Spyder doesn’t adjust sharpness, so I use AVIA for that, to confirm the Spyder settings and to optimize sound. Spyder uses the same Sencor sensor on the screen that ISF calibrators use.

Convergence for CRT-based RPTVs:

I would be pleased to assist in optimizing the Hitachi DCAM convergence and show you how to do it in future. If you have the convergence adjustment instructions for another make of TV, I’d be pleased to assist. There are certain models where a special remote is required. I can also usually assist with the manual convergence of other CRT-based RPTVs.

Price List:

The price for my optimization service is $100. This includes up to 3 hours of my time on-site for any of the items listed above, at your home, at your convenience. (this $100 covers about 4-5 hours total time, including travel, pre-discussions, some research on your equipment and my vehicle costs)

Additional or a shorter time is possible and can be negotiated. Additional time is usually $30/hour.

If your TV is in the default factory mode, the cost of my services can be recouped though energy savings alone over the life of the TV. A properly optimized TV uses significantly less power than one in the default mode.

Where available?

In and around the GTA. Distances of more than 20 km from Yonge & Eglinton will typically be priced at about $1 per additional km one way over 20 km. (So, if you're 40 km away, the price would be roughly $120 instead of $100) I don't think it'd be economical for me to travel more than say 200k one way, so that an overnight stay is not required.

Smokers:

I am allergic to cigarette smoke, so if you are smokers, I will come to your home, if no one smokes inside while I’m there. (Pets are fine)

My Background:

I’m a recently-retired professional engineer, who sold technology into the Oil/Gas industry for 31 years.

My hobbies and interests include: Home Theatre, computers, good red wine, good beer, X-C skiing, cycling, running, travel, BBQ’ing and cooking. I've always been very interested in audio video equipment.


I have no “store association”, therefore I act as an independent consultant if requested.

(I do not wish to assist with setting up HTPCs - not my specialty, but I can certainly work with an HTPC that's incorporated into the overall HT)

I am not interested in making a full time business out of this. I'm currently doing this a couple of days a week.

In the same way that people hire a contractor to add a deck to their home or for a bathroom renovation or an interior decorator or architect before renovating, they should not be embarrassed to hire someone to consult with or to properly set up and optimize their Home Theatre equipment.

For more on optimization, see the following article on Digital Home Canada:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/2009/10/wh...-home-theatre/


Please PM me with your contact information - e-mail and/or phone number as a minimum if you're interested.

[Nelly]

I would like to quickly let all of you know that using the above services by 57 was probably one of the best decisions I could have made. I am extremely happy with the results after he spent 3.5 hours both educating me and optimizing my home theatre set up.

If you might be the least bit hesitant, think about the amount of money you spent on your system, probably in the thousands, and figure that for only a fraction of that amount ($100), you can get everything working the way it should by utilizing this service by 57. (believe me, you may think that you have everything working properly as I did, but after 57 was done, I couldn't believe my eyes at the difference)

Trust me, its worth it!

[57]

Thank you for the kind words Nelly. Enjoy the World Cup games.

[otown47]

Nice retirement plan 57

[Frost]

Great service, Hugh - is there anyone in the Ottawa area that you might recommend for calibrating my HPR4252C Samsung? I've had the set a little over a month now, been careful re: the break-in period and really have NO major issues with the picture. I was one of the lucky ones, I guess in that the pic was great right out of the box.

On some forums though, the HDTV picture is so real you could touch the fields of wheat and get your hands wet in the babbling brook!! So although I am very pleased with this picture, I feel it could be just that much better with some sound (and knowledgeable) adjustments.

I'm looking for a professional in the calibrating field to take this set to it's full potential, so any help available for me in the Ottawa area?.

thanks in advance for any and all assistance.

[eljay]

You might want to check with Michael TLV of Keohi HDTV. He periodically comes to Ottawa to perform calibrations, and he's very well-regarded.

(FYI, he's a member of this site and accepts PMs.)

[filper]

For those who have had 'professional' installations, you may want to take advantage of 57's services to check the 'professional' work.

Last weekend I helped a neighbour hook up his new Samsung SIR-T451 STB to his Pioneer plasma display only to discover (in a neatly coiled and zip-tied bundle of connectors) that the 'pro' installer had used an excellent quality UltraLink component video cable to connect a BEV 4100 via composite and R & L analogue audio OUT to the plasma control unit.

$100 for a piece of mind considering the thou$and$ $pent on a home theatre, seems like a heck of an investment to me.

[Terry Fraser]

I've always wanted someone to look at my home theater setup more closely. I never knew anyone that I could hire for a professional calibration on my Hitachi RPTV. I suppose Brantford would be too far for you to go. I'm about an hour west of Toronto.

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

Originally Posted by filper

$100 for a piece of mind considering the thou$and$ $pent on a home theatre, seems like a heck of an investment to me.

Considering the markup on UltraLink cables I suspect the installer can buy a lot of 'peace of mind.' Using these on a 4100 is a total waste of money and a misapplication of the product. I doubt anyone will see or hear any difference over the cables supplied with the 4100. A difference may be seen with a 9200 HD PVR but many will dispute even that. BTW, I have several UltraLink component cables I no longer need since getting a HDMI capable TV.

[Cyclism]

Originally Posted by I_Want_My_HDTV

Considering the markup on UltraLink cables I suspect the installer can buy a lot of 'peace of mind.' Using these on a 4100 is a total waste of money and a misapplication of the product. I doubt anyone will see or hear any difference over the cables supplied with the 4100. A difference may be seen with a 9200 HD PVR but many will dispute even that. BTW, I have several UltraLink component cables I no longer need since getting a HDMI capable TV.

I don't think the complaint was about the Ultralink Cables, but about the "pro" installer using Component Cable to connect the devices using the Composite and L+R audio terminals. A "pro" installer would have connected the component cables to the component terminals.

[57]

Originally Posted by Terry Fraser

I suppose Brantford would be too far for you to go.

Not if I get a little compensation for time and gas. I've sent you a PM.

[Frost]

"57", could you please email me (frost147 at rogers.com) concerning some "Qs" regarding your availability and $$$ charges?

[57]

E-mail sent. For the benefit of others in similar situations (outside the GTA), here's my response.

Hello, you asked me to e-mail you about my assistance. I am pretty flexible on times, but I noticed that you're in Ottawa. I have no plans to work outside the GTA, since this is just part-time for me and I'd need to charge too much for travel. Ottawa is definitely too far.

My charges are as outlined in this thread and I have worked within an hour of my home (one way) for a minor additional charge.

Let me know if there's anything else you need to know.

Thank you for your interest, 57

I've modified my original post to discuss travelling distances.

[Diamonddogs]

I would like to thank 57 for help (for complete) setup of my new home theatre system.

He helped in so many ways to optimize the sound quality and video image of my new Plasma and home theatre components. Our family was fighting last night to see which movies and channels to watch first as it looked and sounded so great.

He even saved me money in cable (HDMI) purchases and other rip-off products the big box stores try to sell you.

All I can say after spending all that money on equipment is the small fee of $100 for three hours was truly the best money spent.

I would 100% recommend 57 to anyone who purchases a new unit and wants a professional setup.

Thank you 57!

[barryschafer]

Thank you 57 for your great service and terrific advice.

My picture looks great. Your impressive knowledge about the various settings helped me to make decisions about the set up of the SA8300HD that has sped up and simplified my surfing and improved my picture quality even more than I expected was possible.Your adjustments to my audio receiver settings and speaker placement has dramatically improved the balance of my sound. All the video and audio questions I had and could not get answers to elsewhere you had easy to understand answers to.

We ended up accomplishing way more than I had expected:

- Answering questions regarding the SA8300HD and optimizing the various settings.
- Answering questions regarding my A/V Receiver + speakers and assistance with setting all the speaker levels, as well as speaker positioning. (subwoofer, center).
- Optimizing the picture on my HDTV using the Spyder and providing a pdf report on that optimization.

Thank You!