Soundhound
12-27-2006, 12:22 PM
Meaning having a pro come to your house and do it. Or it is possible/not too difficultto do it yourself with a calibration dvd or some readily available tool like that?
thanks!!
thanks!!
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View Full Version : New to HDTV - Is Calibration necessary?
Ratman
12-27-2006, 12:31 PM
There are a few setup DVD's available to help get your picture settings very good. You can look for Avia, Digital Video Essentials (DVE), Sound and Vision and one from Monster. All should work well... But!
An ISF calibration (at an expense) would provide the best results for your new toy.
Just like a car... a good mechanic with the right tools can tune it up the best.
An ISF calibration (at an expense) would provide the best results for your new toy.
Just like a car... a good mechanic with the right tools can tune it up the best.
57U
12-27-2006, 06:34 PM
Check out the following thread.
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=29475
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=29475
Kenetics
12-27-2006, 07:02 PM
It shouldn't be necessary or initial calibration should be included with the purchase. I didn't feel I needed it with my set.
57U
12-27-2006, 07:07 PM
The fact is that for all HDTVs it is necessary and it's rarely included with the purchase. This has been discussed by all forums and magazines. The OOTB settings are simply not accurate, nor desired for most applications.
I'm glad you feel you didn't need it. There are lots of people who don't bother with a proper setup of their TV, but that doesn't mean that the TV is properly set up. See the following:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1440
I'm glad you feel you didn't need it. There are lots of people who don't bother with a proper setup of their TV, but that doesn't mean that the TV is properly set up. See the following:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1440
Ratman
12-28-2006, 06:13 AM
I thought my set looked good also, until...
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpost.php?p=154510&postcount=1
Here's a before and after:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=720&size=big&sort=1&cat=500
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpost.php?p=154510&postcount=1
Here's a before and after:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=720&size=big&sort=1&cat=500
Kenetics
12-28-2006, 10:19 AM
Well, maybe I'm lucky -or my eyes are bad - but my TV seems to have come well adjusted from the factory. I only did some minor tweaking in the user menu for color, brightness, etc. At least there are no convergence adjustments to deal with in RP LCDs & DLPs. Don't different channels have slightly different signal levels anyway?
I'm sure mine could be a bit improved by pro calibration, but I don't think the expense (in my case) would be worth it. Are Panasonics better adjusted from the factory than most brands? It would be interesting to find out owner's opinions.
I remember, in the 80's, I bought a standard 19" RCA tv at Woolco. A couple of days later a service rep from RCA called me to come out and "set up" the tv, as part of the purchase package. I politely refused, although he was very insistant. I think the whole idea, back then, was to sell an extended warrantee once he had tinkered with the set.
I am not trying to discourage pro calibration for those who need (and can afford) it.
I'm sure mine could be a bit improved by pro calibration, but I don't think the expense (in my case) would be worth it. Are Panasonics better adjusted from the factory than most brands? It would be interesting to find out owner's opinions.
I remember, in the 80's, I bought a standard 19" RCA tv at Woolco. A couple of days later a service rep from RCA called me to come out and "set up" the tv, as part of the purchase package. I politely refused, although he was very insistant. I think the whole idea, back then, was to sell an extended warrantee once he had tinkered with the set.
I am not trying to discourage pro calibration for those who need (and can afford) it.
57U
12-28-2006, 10:33 AM
...or my eyes are badThe eyes matter for things like SVM, Sharpness, edge enhancements, macroblocking, mosquito noise, stairstepping, moiré, etc, however, it's really the brain that does the "seeing".
The brain can get used to almost anything and when you see "orange" and it's supposed to be "red", the brain says "that's red".
The same thing holds for TVs that have not been properly set up. The real comparison comes when you see a TV that has a proper setup and then go back to one that has not been set up.
The latter can often have a green or red hue when items are supposed to be black, or in darker scenes, you don't see any shadow details, etc.
It's similar to getting a faster computer. You don't really notice how good it is until you try to go back and use your old computer - then you notice what you're missing.
The brain can get used to almost anything and when you see "orange" and it's supposed to be "red", the brain says "that's red".
The same thing holds for TVs that have not been properly set up. The real comparison comes when you see a TV that has a proper setup and then go back to one that has not been set up.
The latter can often have a green or red hue when items are supposed to be black, or in darker scenes, you don't see any shadow details, etc.
It's similar to getting a faster computer. You don't really notice how good it is until you try to go back and use your old computer - then you notice what you're missing.
Ratman
12-28-2006, 11:09 AM
I tried to convey that impression in post #6.
You can equate that philosophy to:
My furnace puts out heat so there's no need to get it cleaned and adjusted.
My car is running fine, why take it to the shop for a "tune up".
I can understand one's reluctance to invest in a calibration, but without "seeing" the difference, you shouldn't assume your TV is at it's best and IMO shouldn't downplay it's benefit(s).
I don't think I've ever read one post on various forums where an individual said it was not worth the expense.
You can equate that philosophy to:
My furnace puts out heat so there's no need to get it cleaned and adjusted.
My car is running fine, why take it to the shop for a "tune up".
I can understand one's reluctance to invest in a calibration, but without "seeing" the difference, you shouldn't assume your TV is at it's best and IMO shouldn't downplay it's benefit(s).
I don't think I've ever read one post on various forums where an individual said it was not worth the expense.
