Is there a proper way of calibrating a TV display?

[Aarmin]

So, I turned on my PS3 for the first time, but it just doesn't "look" right. After adjusting settings, it was noticeably improved; however, I feel like I may just be missing something.

Does anyone have positive feedback on using a calibration CD? Or does everyone just wing it by their own eyes.

 

[sdifox]

try this http://www.amazon.com/Digital-...&qid=1228324915&sr=8-4

 

[dwell]

The only "real" way to do it is with a colorimeter.

http://www.amazon.com/Xrite-EO...&qid=1228339933&sr=8-8

It's not a trivial thing to do but the results can be amazing.

 

[s44]

Or pay a real ISF certified calibrator. The good ones know how best to twiddle the service menu options, etc.

 

[palehorse]

The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Try out the calibration options available on any THX certified DVD (you probably own one already). It would be somewhere under the DVD extras.
Properly setting the color requires ordering a set of "blue glasses" from them for around $5.00
I think I saw this from a thread on AVS forums.

For those that have done it, how much would a calibration professional charge?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
For those that have done it, how much would a calibration professional charge?

I believe it's $200-$300.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
For those that have done it, how much would a calibration professional charge?

I believe it's $200-$300.

But don't, for obvious reasons, hire the guys at Best Buy or whatever. Check AVSforum for recommendations in your area...

 

[kalrith]

You could also check various review websites or avsforum for settings that other people use for your TV.

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

LCD's don't use the discs? wow.. cool.. ya learn something new every day!

In terms of flat panels, I've only had plasma, so I guess I just assumed LCD TV's were the same...

the rest of my instructions t o him would work though

 

[GullyFoyle]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

LCD's don't use the discs? wow.. cool.. ya learn something new every day!

In terms of flat panels, I've only had plasma, so I guess I just assumed LCD TV's were the same...

the rest of my instructions t o him would work though

Are we also making an assumption that his TV is new? He said he turned his * PS3 * on for the first time, not his TV. His TV could be several years old.

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

LCD's don't use the discs? wow.. cool.. ya learn something new every day!

In terms of flat panels, I've only had plasma, so I guess I just assumed LCD TV's were the same...

the rest of my instructions t o him would work though

You do not need to use a break-in disc for an LCD screen. (Note that this is completely different from a calibration disc, such as DVE or Avia.)

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

LCD's don't use the discs? wow.. cool.. ya learn something new every day!

In terms of flat panels, I've only had plasma, so I guess I just assumed LCD TV's were the same... the rest of my instructions to him would work though

You do not need to use a break-in disc for an LCD screen. (Note that this is completely different from a calibration disc, such as DVE or Avia.)

I understood you the first time.

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: theslug

Originally posted by: palehorse
The best thing to do is to burn it in properly using a burn-in disk; and then, after the requisite hours of burn-in, hire a certified ISF calibrator. Or, after the burn-in, you could simply research the make and model on the AVSforums and try out the various settings posted by other users with the same set.

The only reason to use a burn-in disc (or break-in disc as they are often called) is if you have a plasma screen. The OP did not specify what type of TV he has.

LCD's don't use the discs? wow.. cool.. ya learn something new every day!

In terms of flat panels, I've only had plasma, so I guess I just assumed LCD TV's were the same... the rest of my instructions to him would work though

You do not need to use a break-in disc for an LCD screen. (Note that this is completely different from a calibration disc, such as DVE or Avia.)

I understood you the first time.

Sorry I didn't realize I responded directly to you twice.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: theslug
Sorry I didn't realize I responded directly to you twice.

no problem!

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
For those that have done it, how much would a calibration professional charge?

I believe it's $200-$300.

correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't that price per input?

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
For those that have done it, how much would a calibration professional charge?

I believe it's $200-$300.

correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't that price per input?

It covers 2-3 inputs, typically. I've used 3 different calibrators, and the last one charged my $375 to do all inputs. Pretty good deal if you want all inputs calibrated, IMHO. I'd recommend researching calibrators before hiring one. Best Buy has a bad reputation of giving an employee 5 minutes training before having them go out and calibrate TVs. The first guy I used was a bit rude, but did a great job, but he died in a plane accident 2 years ago. The second guy was rude, whiny, showed up late, and even at the time I suspectd he wasn't doing things quite right. The third guy cost more but was polite, showed up early, and I could tell he really knew his stuff, which has made me put him on my "to call" list when I get a TV re-calibrated last year. And for the alarmists, I've gone through several TVs in the last few years (put one in storage, gave one to my mom, and bought a new living room and bedroom set) and just wanted them calibrated. You can probably go 2-3 years before having a particular set re-calibrated. However, for CRTs the geometry will change after moving it (such as changing houses) and they recommend getting the geometry re-done for those, but it shouldn't be that noticable, really.