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

[trellaine]

LOL I had the TV repair come by to look at my TV last week. He did a small tweak and then wanted to try a DVD out. He, for some reason, took it upon himself to start looking through my DVDs LOL which included several pornos ....Luckily enough I was quick enough to more or less make him move back. I was shocked he took it upon himself to go through my dvds. Hahha.

[Ready123]

I expected that having my TV calibrated a'la ISF would improve things but not this much. The results really blow me away... the fine detail, improved picture depth in the darker backgrounds etc: WOW
Worth every $$$ and he even adjusted the geometry within the price... took out a little bow at the bottom of the screen and centered the picture.
He adjusted 3 of my inputs... 2 @ 1080i for my DVD/HDMI connection and the HD component input for 6214 box and the regular cable input also.

The diagram below shows the before and after readings... I was not expecting the before to be off as much as it was... way over on the blue side of the chart.

Note how tight the final results are within the circle which represents changes within which the human eye finds it much harder to detect any difference.

My Sony rocks now...... I would suggest that every serious TV watcher should get this ISF calibration done.

[watermark]

I just moved from Guelph, ON to Abbotsford BC. With my Hitachi 51S500 being moved up one set of steps, shipped 3,000 miles, and then down another set of steps, I'm sure that it's time to get it calibrated professionally. As well, my new home has a dedicated "theater room", and I'd like to get the audio calibrated as well. Looking at the HDTV FAQ's, I found the ISF site, and saw that there are a number of people in the area who offer the service, unfortunately, most of them don't have web sites, so I'm looking for some advice as to who to use. The one I'd most like to hear people's experiences with is:

Custom Installations Group (Div. of A&B Sound)

Mostly because with an A&B in Abbotsford, I may be able to schedule them soon.

Good, bad? Or, does anyone know of the perfect technician?

Thanks.

[beanagee1]

This has been discussed before so it will be worth your while to search. I used Richard Stokes at Scala and he is excellent.

[watermark]

beanagee1, I followed you advice and found some threads with some answers, thanks. I've already decided that I want to get my set calibrated, so no need to argue the + or - of it, I'm curious though if you got your entire home theatre calibrated by Skala, or just the tv.

Thanks.

[ranjy]

I have a friend that is ISF certified that did my unit. Not sure about the rules for posting info like that, so send me a private message if your interested and I'll send you his info.

[tstav]

Hi,Watermark
I'm from Abbotsford and I also have used Richard for my Pioneer elite, as well as my Toshiba,both times he did a great job.He can and will calibrate your audio as well. Tell him Tom from Abbotsford recommended you.You will be happy you called him,I might be calling him soon myself.
Cheers
Tom

[watermark]

tstav, mind if I ask how much he charged for the entire calibration?

[tstav]

Hi,
Sorry for not answering earlier was out of town
his prices vary also I didn't have my audio calibrated,I'd give him a call,he's a nice guy and easy to get along with.
Cheers
Tom

[henning]

Has anyone used Advanced Home Systems in Ottawa to do an ISF calibration? I need my Hitachi 57T500 done.

henning

[lvfoster]

I am coming up to 100 hours on my Optoma H78DC3 and have read it is a good time to get an ISF calibration done. Can anyone recommend (or advise on who to stay away from) a good calibrator and approximate cost to get it done in the Kitchener/Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph area?

Thanks!

[AndrewM]

I know JohnnyG who's a DHC member comes up this way, he's doing my Toshiba 65H84C this weekend

~Andrew

[Yaamon]

You can give this guy a shout he is local to your area and his rates seems very reasonable and he has good equipment.

http://www.basementcinema.com/

He is also ISF certified.

[SmokeyRay]

Hi,

Well the wife shot down my budget once again, so I settled for the Toshiba. Compared to my last TV it is great, but I am not happy with a few things.

The geometry seems a bit off on the sides. The picture appears to be too high and even with the sharpness at zero, hard edges still get a shadow (not sure if this is the right term).

I used DVE to calibrate and I have got a better picture than out of the box, but I'm hoping it can get better.

Anyone know if these issues are fixable in the service menu? How hard would it be to change them myself?

Would it be worth it to hire an ISF pro to calibrate this set? If so, can anyone reccommend a reputable guy in the Vancouver area?

[Ghost]

I'm thinking to do ISF calibration to my set.
How much is going to cost and who can recommend a good person/place to do it in Toronto area ?

Is ISF calibration voids manufacturer warranty ?