Scarhead Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Has anyone here had their televisions professionally calibrated? For those who don't know what I am referring to it is when a professional comes to your home (or wherever the TV is) and adjusts the settings (contrast, brightness, tint, etc.) to get the best possible picture. It is possible to do it yourself using a DVD with test patterns. If you have done this what DVD did you use?
CanuckSARTech Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 There's a couple of movie DVD's that actually have the THX calibration test/program on them. For the life of me, I can't remember, but it was something like the "Independence Day" special edition 2-DVD set, something like that. I have a few movies at home that have that to it. IMO, easy enough to do it yourself, no need to pay anyone big bucks for that.
Scarhead Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 There's a couple of movie DVD's that actually have the THX calibration test/program on them. For the life of me, I can't remember, but it was something like the "Independence Day" special edition 2-DVD set, something like that. I have a few movies at home that have that to it. IMO, easy enough to do it yourself, no need to pay anyone big bucks for that. I watched a video on YouTube that pointed out that current DVDs have the THX option. In addition to this, there are discs put out by Monster Cable and other companies specialising in audio/video. The best one, according to reviews I've read, is put out by DVE, I think. I definitely agree that calibration is something that can be done yourself. So far, I've found that the pros charge anywhere from $200 to $400 and up to do it. I'm not willing to pay that much.
CanuckSARTech Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 I think you made your own decision then. I'd rather pay a couple bucks on a configuration DVD / Blu-Ray, than fork over a couple hundred (of cigar money) for some high-school student to do exactly what you could with your own disc. IMO anyway.
Roy R. Frush Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Try www.tweaktv.com. You should be able to find optimal settings for your particular set.
Dbone Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Yes I had my TV calibrated. I purchased a Panasonic Plasma, waited 500hrs, then called in my ISF certified calibrator. I made the appointment and paid around $400 for a 5 hour calibration. The service provided three inputs with THX and ISF day and night modes calibration. Its important the calibrator has experience with your particular TV or at least the brand. Previously I had a Pioneer Kuro and did the same thing. Around every 2,500 to 3,000 hours I had the calibration tweaked which my calibrator offers for a fraction of cost vs. the initial calibration. Modes like THX on the Panasonic require adjustment within the service menu which can't be accessed without the proper equipment. Is it worth it? To me it sure is. The color, brightness, contrast are so accurate they amaze me every time I watch a movie. Cable and satellite feeds are pretty poor. A blu ray movie on a calibrated TV, literally provide a better picture than in the theaters. Calibration disks are a nice alternative if the price is to much. Better to have half a loaf than no bread at all right? I don't do this for a living or anything, just an AV enthusiast. Good Luck!! Here are some usefully links North America ISF List NA List Link 2 Disney WOW Calibration Disk DVE Calibration Disk
Scarhead Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Try www.tweaktv.com. You should be able to find optimal settings for your particular set. One would presume so, but my luck it isn't on their dropdown list. The closest is the Samsung 8000 and I have the 7000. Still close though and thank you for the site suggestion.
Scarhead Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Yes I had my TV calibrated. I purchased a Panasonic Plasma, waited 500hrs, then called in my ISF certified calibrator. I made the appointment and paid around $400 for a 5 hour calibration. The service provided three inputs with THX and ISF day and night modes calibration. Its important the calibrator has experience with your particular TV or at least the brand. Previously I had a Pioneer Kuro and did the same thing. Around every 2,500 to 3,000 hours I had the calibration tweaked which my calibrator offers for a fraction of cost vs. the initial calibration. Modes like THX on the Panasonic require adjustment within the service menu which can't be accessed without the proper equipment. Is it worth it? To me it sure is. The color, brightness, contrast are so accurate they amaze me every time I watch a movie. Cable and satellite feeds are pretty poor. A blu ray movie on a calibrated TV, literally provide a better picture than in the theaters. Calibration disks are a nice alternative if the price is to much. Better to have half a loaf than no bread at all right? I don't do this for a living or anything, just an AV enthusiast. Good Luck!! Here are some usefully links North America ISF List NA List Link 2 Disney WOW Calibration Disk DVE Calibration Disk Excellent point here. You mention that calibration can't be done without proper equipment and this is true. There are settings that cannot be accessed without software.
seamus Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 The DVDs don't compare to professional calibration but better than nothing. I'd say it only makes a difference if you know what it's supposed to look like and care when it doesn't. Some people like overly saturated or overly bright picture, calibration would be a waste on them. Avsforum is a good source especially if your tv has its own thread.
James4226c Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 A blu ray movie on a calibrated TV, literally provide a better picture than in the theaters. Calibration disks are a nice alternative if the price is to much. Better to have half a loaf than no bread at all right? Yep the TV in the living room is ISF calibrated and I agree the theaters cant touch the picture quality. Other TVs in the house aren't ISF calibrated but I calibrate them myself (non service menu) using the Digital Video Essentials (DVE) Blu-ray. DVE is a bit of a pain to learn but is worth it IMO.
mash Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 I had my Pioneer Elite monitor calibrated. It was worth it to me.
Scarhead Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Yep the TV in the living room is ISF calibrated and I agree the theaters cant touch the picture quality. Other TVs in the house aren't ISF calibrated but I calibrate them myself (non service menu) using the Digital Video Essentials (DVE) Blu-ray. DVE is a bit of a pain to learn but is worth it IMO. When you say DVE is a bit of a pain to learn what do you mean? On certain websites I've seen that one should watch the DVD a couple of times in order to get the idea. Others say you can get on with it straight away.
Scdalak Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 This is a really tough one and very subjective topic. Its personal preference. I have a 70 in LED and initially struggled with the picture. The more I played with the settings, the more frustrated I became. Issue is , every channel is different. Blue Ray is one thing, but the perfect picture on Blue Ray does not translate to the perfect picture on a live Sporting Event on a major network like ESPN HD, or HBO HD, Or other HD Channels. I have read and it is documented that your service providers signal into your house also makes a difference. As stated, these professional calibrations are very pricey and aside from perfect DVD pictures, calibration for HD Channels to your liking are difficult if not impossible as the signal strength changes from one channel to the next!! Good Luck
James4226c Posted January 26, 2012 Posted January 26, 2012 When you say DVE is a bit of a pain to learn what do you mean? On certain websites I've seen that one should watch the DVD a couple of times in order to get the idea. Others say you can get on with it straight away. For video setup You don't go thorough step 1, step 2, step 3 then done. You go though step 1 then 2 then back to 1 then 2 again then 3 then back to 1 then 2 then it repeats endlessly. The above test is for 1 pattern and there are a few dozen test patterns on the disk, each patter having its own strengths and weaknesses. But don't let that discourage you, it's price to value ratio makes up for the pain.
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