calibrating an HDTV

[BlahBlahYouToo]

so apparently, i read that calibrating ones HDTV will drastically improve the image on screen.
there seems to be 3 ways going about doing so.

1. hire a professional for ($$$$)
2. buy a calibration disc ($)
3. mimic settings that others use (free)

what's the difference between the 3?
will the same exact model calibrate different from set to set?
doesn't a professional just use a disc too?
does the room and brightness affect the calibration? if so, wouldn't day and night affect the settings?
if i choose to buy a disc, which one do i get? is there a plasma specific or lcd specific disc or can you use the same on both?

 

[MrChad]

A calibration disc will display a series of test patterns on your screen and instruct you on how to adjust the television's settings to get the best picture results. When using a calibration disc, you are relying on your eyesight to find the correct levels of brightness, contrast and color saturation. It's an inexact science, but the disc instructions provide decent guidance. Room brightness can be a major factor in calibration, and the disc's instructions will often tell you to adjust the set with the room brightness set at typical levels (e.g. if you watch mostly at night, calibrate at night).

A professional uses much more sophisticated equipment to measure picture settings. Professionals will also often access the service menus of a television, which allow them to fine tune the picture beyond what the standard end user menus allow.

 

[dwell]

If you have a popular set there's probably a thread at AVS with someone's settings from calibration. If you want to be hardcore and actually learn something, you can buy a colorimeter (like the Spyder2) and use HCFR to do it yourself. It's a lot to learn, but if you can learn to build a PC you can calibrate a TV, IMO.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

so what disc should i buy? i read something like AVIA?
standard disc right? meaning, no difference whether it be for lcd, plasma, upconverting players right?

 

[pennylane]

It's the same disc no matter what the display.

You may be interested in getting calibration discs specific for blu-ray (or hd-dvd) players (for free):
from AVSForum

The only thing you'd miss is a color filter, which is pretty important. They come with retail purchased discs. You could order those separately. There's a link to a place where you can get them in the next link...

This AVS thread about different calibration discs may also be helpful. I have the SD version of DVE myself and it worked for me fine. I'm not sure how entirely accurate you can get if you're not using the fancy equipment the pros have and aren't getting into the service menus. Those AVS people like GetGray, apparently.

 

[spidey07]

I find the discs also do a good job of explaining video and home theater in general, well worth the incredibly small price for what you get.