Calibrating a new DLP TV

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81
I'm a noob to the whole HDTV thing. I'll be getting a new DLP TV in the next few weeks and I have a few questions.

1. Is it necessary with every TV?

2. What all is involved?

3. Can I do it myself?

4. Should I call a pro / what is the cost?
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
basic stuff is pretty easy. just get a calibration disc like avia or video essentials.

If you have to adjust color or greyscale correction that could get more involved - could be really easy.

the stuff for your model TV is probably posted on avsforum.

-edit- is it necessary with every TV? absolutely
 
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
basic stuff is pretty easy. just get a calibration disc like avia or video essentials.

If you have to adjust color or greyscale correction that could get more involved - could be really easy.

the stuff for your model TV is probably posted on avsforum.

-edit- is it necessary with every TV? absolutely
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've looked around avsforums, but that site gives me a headache! :confused:
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
it's been a while but hometheaterspot.com always had awesome tweak/calibration guides.

post your model and I'll see what I can find.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
Originally posted by: spidey07
basic stuff is pretty easy. just get a calibration disc like avia or video essentials.

If you have to adjust color or greyscale correction that could get more involved - could be really easy.

the stuff for your model TV is probably posted on avsforum.

-edit- is it necessary with every TV? absolutely
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've looked around avsforums, but that site gives me a headache! :confused:
Click to expand...
Clashing color scheme, huh?

I had to register and change it so I could browse in peace.
 
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
Originally posted by: spidey07
basic stuff is pretty easy. just get a calibration disc like avia or video essentials.

If you have to adjust color or greyscale correction that could get more involved - could be really easy.

the stuff for your model TV is probably posted on avsforum.

-edit- is it necessary with every TV? absolutely
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've looked around avsforums, but that site gives me a headache! :confused:
Click to expand...
Clashing color scheme, huh?

I had to register and change it so I could browse in peace.
Click to expand...

That, and there is just WAY too much going on, I do a search and get 9000 threads with conflicting information.
 
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
it's been a while but hometheaterspot.com always had awesome tweak/calibration guides.

post your model and I'll see what I can find.
Click to expand...

Cool, it's the Samsung HL-R6178W

thanks!

DnetMHZ
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Like I said it's been a while, but here's what you will be doing...

color decoder - getting the color perfect
color/tint - get overall balance correct
black level
white level (contrast)
geometry check (some DLPs have geometry problems like bowing at the sides)
overscan - get all of the image on the screen
lens/focus
grayscale - maintaining consistent color across all levels

I don't know that model. Some of this stuff can be done in the user menu, others in the service menu.
 
T

tontod

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
3,244
0
71
Originally posted by: spidey07
Like I said it's been a while, but here's what you will be doing...

color decoder - getting the color perfect
color/tint - get overall balance correct
black level
white level (contrast)
geometry check (some DLPs have geometry problems like bowing at the sides)
overscan - get all of the image on the screen
lens/focus
grayscale - maintaining consistent color across all levels

I don't know that model. Some of this stuff can be done in the user menu, others in the service menu.
Click to expand...

Is that mainly for DLP's? I bought an LCD HDTV, do I need to worry about those?
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
tontod,

AFAIK all tvs are way off from the factory. They are setup with a "wow, buy me...I'm bright and blue" so they stand out in the showroom.

 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
DnetMHZ,

before you go changing ANYTHING in the service menu - read, read, read and then read somemore and make sure you understand exactly what you are doing.

just from glancing over that thread it seems there are many tweaks for that line of samsung.
 
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
DnetMHZ,

before you go changing ANYTHING in the service menu - read, read, read and then read somemore and make sure you understand exactly what you are doing.

just from glancing over that thread it seems there are many tweaks for that line of samsung.
Click to expand...

ACK!

Will do, I most likely will just call a pro, it's a pretty big investment for me to screw up trying things out on my own.

thanks again for the info.


 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
you'll be very happy with the results if you do.

they have proper equipment to really do it right.
 
C

computerABUSER

Senior member
Mar 6, 2004
532
0
0
Hi
I've had my LG DLP (HDTV) for almost 1 1/2 yrs and they come all ready set up. The old school HDTV needed calibrating once in a while but not the new sets. Now you might want
to change the color settings and such to your own likng but that has nothing to due with calibrating anything.

Btw, you made a real nice choice in getting the DLP set, they are awesome!

Regards,
CA
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
computerabuser,

all TVs (regardless of their technology) need serious adjustment to display correctly and the difference is amazing.
 
R

Raincity

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2000
4,477
12
81
Just get a calibration disc and go to town in the user menues. Once you get the hang of it you may want to dive into the service menue to correct geometry issues and convergance. A ISF calibration would be worthwhile if your willing to do your viewing in low light conditions.
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
a pro is 400-600 for a full blown ISF. Visit a home theater specialty shop in your area and inquire around or ask to see a TV that has been ISF calibrated.

For a taste just get the regular version (anybody with a HDTV should get it). AVIA is a little better at explaining things and you'll learn a lot. these discs and user menu settings will indeed improve your display.

One of the main aspects that will improve your display:
1) sharpness - over sharpening an image actually removes detail, no matter what your eye "perceives" as sharper. Unfortunately most all diplays have other "image enhancement" techniques designed to "look" sharper but all they do is remove detail.
2) decent color - we're used to overly blue images with red emphasized for fleshtones (unnatural as they may be). You'd be amazed at how awesome oranges and greens look when the color is right. The thread I posted earlier has the recommended color temps/settings to get close to "accurate" which may look "too red" to you because you're used to higher color temps/overly blue-white image.
3) white level/black level - great shadow detail is a good thing

keep asking questions and reading. we'll turn you into a hardcore videophile in no time, although you may regret it. for the price of avia and digital video essentials you really must get one of them (under 50 bucks I think)

before you commit to a full ISF cal just get the disc and play around, you'll learn a lot in the process.
 
C

computerABUSER

Senior member
Mar 6, 2004
532
0
0
all TVs (regardless of their technology) need serious adjustment to display correctly and the difference is amazing.
Click to expand...

No, thats not true at least to my understanding. Whem I went out looking to upgrade my piece of $hit HDTV which I had before my LG DLP I had asked the same question about calibrating since that is what the older ones did and the salesman said that they don't need it especially the DLp ones

there are just lamps t o replace when they go out and thats it!! I have had my set now since the summer of 2004 and I have not touch a thing and the picture is as good as the day I brought it home.

Now my original wide screen HDTV needed calibrating a couple of times a year but not my DLP....nope not at all. Now remember I'm not saying that you wouldn't adjust a color brighness or something like that but there are no calibrtion adjustments on my DLp what so ever.

Regards,
CA
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
computerabuser,

we're talking two totally different things here. you're talking CRT maintenance.

I'm talking about color accuracy, grayscale, sharpness, etc. All TVs should have this adjusted to look their best and most times the real "eye popping" work is done in the service menus with measurement devices.

here's an analogy...
An uncalibrated display is similar to having a home theater with bass pumped beyond belief and the treble down to nothing with surround turned to max.
A calibrated display is one that presents what it is sent to it, similar to a home theater that is well tuned and the speakers dissapear to the ear and you hear things you never heard before.

You're TV has TONS of adjustments that will make it look its best.
 
E

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
a pro is 400-600 for a full blown ISF. Visit a home theater specialty shop in your area and inquire around or ask to see a TV that has been ISF calibrated.

For a taste just get the regular version (anybody with a HDTV should get it). AVIA is a little better at explaining things and you'll learn a lot. these discs and user menu settings will indeed improve your display.

One of the main aspects that will improve your display:
1) sharpness - over sharpening an image actually removes detail, no matter what your eye "perceives" as sharper. Unfortunately most all diplays have other "image enhancement" techniques designed to "look" sharper but all they do is remove detail.
2) decent color - we're used to overly blue images with red emphasized for fleshtones (unnatural as they may be). You'd be amazed at how awesome oranges and greens look when the color is right. The thread I posted earlier has the recommended color temps/settings to get close to "accurate" which may look "too red" to you because you're used to higher color temps/overly blue-white image.
3) white level/black level - great shadow detail is a good thing

keep asking questions and reading. we'll turn you into a hardcore videophile in no time, although you may regret it. for the price of avia and digital video essentials you really must get one of them (under 50 bucks I think)

before you commit to a full ISF cal just get the disc and play around, you'll learn a lot in the process.
Click to expand...

More like 250-400.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom