Torn between 2 Packages

[jdelrio22]

So here are the two packages that have been frustrating me for a while now.


Samsung 40" A550 with PS3 and Calibration for 1789 (Ordered it yesterday at Best Buy)

Samsung 46" A550 with PS3 for $1900

Would I really be gaining much by going to a 46?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Six inches is a decent size increase. If you're fine with the 40" size then don't worry about it. I would go bigger depending on available space. What's the "calibration" they offer? How much is it and what does it include?

 

[krotchy]

I would go 46 and calibrate it yourself. You can never make a TV grow 6 inches, but you can easily get the settings to near ISF level with a few hours of work and some good test signals.

Total real estate on a 46in is 32% larger than that of a 40in TV.

 

[Baked]

Should've gone w/ the 46". Calibration can be done on your own w/ a calibration DVD for cheap.

 

[jdelrio22]

Well to give you an idea, I bought this package up at Best Buy and I haven't opened the PS3 yet and the Tv won't arrive until May 10 so I can technically return it.

Calibration is supposed to be done by the guys there and apparently the will be using a comp and some other device that apparently costs 10K to do it.

So yeah, I think later this week I will be making a stop to Best Buy to get that 46 instead.

BTW is calibration really that difficult to do yourself?

 

[Baked]

This is BB we're talking about, they will tell you anything to get your money. Believe me when I tell you they don't have professional ISF calibration techs in their store. Here's a link to give you an idea of how much ISF calibration costs. For basic do it yourself calibration, check out this Blu-Ray version from amazon.com

 

[dmw16]

I believe you got hosed on calibration. Even if calibration by real pros is worth some money, this is best buy, they sold you a bill of goods. Get the 46" and calibrate it yourself.

 

[Snakexor]

He is getting an ISF calibration, which IMO is worth way more than what BBY charges you. If you want the bigger screen size, get it! However, do not think that cheap calibration DVDs can match what the equipment and trained professional can do. Your tv is either calibrated or it isnt, and those dvds dont get you calibrated.......

 

[dmw16]

well the real question, how much to get the 46" calibrated? Or go find a cheaper PS3 on ebay.

I got a 42" TV and really wish I'd spent a bit more for a 50". So I think size matters.

 

[erwos]

Unless it's an ISF-certified calibration (and I doubt Best Buy is giving those out), it's worthless. You could do better yourself with a good calibration disc, methinks.

 

[jdelrio22]

I think I will have to try and see if I can pick up a cheap PS3 online.

Best buy charges $300 to do their calibration, the package for the 40" was basically a 40", PS3, and $200 in service for 1600. I payed the extra $100 to schedule it.

How good of a calibration it is I don't know. I haven't seen an ISF calibrated TV vs. a tv calibrated by Best buy. They did have a Toshiba they were doing a demo on showing a bluray movie (Batman Begins) with one out of the box and the other calibrated and there was a noticable difference on that demo.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: jdelrio22
How good of a calibration it is I don't know. I haven't seen an ISF calibrated TV vs. a tv calibrated by Best buy. They did have a Toshiba they were doing a demo on showing a bluray movie (Batman Begins) with one out of the box and the other calibrated and there was a noticable difference on that demo.

I wouldn't put it past them to purposefully degrade the settings on the non-calibrated set to make it look much worse than the calibrated one.

I mean, if you don't know how good of a calibration it'll be, why on Earth would you spend $200 on it?

 

[jdelrio22]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: jdelrio22
How good of a calibration it is I don't know. I haven't seen an ISF calibrated TV vs. a tv calibrated by Best buy. They did have a Toshiba they were doing a demo on showing a bluray movie (Batman Begins) with one out of the box and the other calibrated and there was a noticable difference on that demo.

I wouldn't put it past them to purposefully degrade the settings on the non-calibrated set to make it look much worse than the calibrated one.

I mean, if you don't know how good of a calibration it'll be, why on Earth would you spend $200 on it?

Thats the thing, we don't know if they really did make the picture worse on that one set. I guess what I should do is find another store that has that tv out of the box uncalibrated and see how that looks with a bluray then that would give me a good picture of whether BB is doing such a deceptive thing.

 

[pennylane]

I'd just get the 46" and calibrate it myself with a calibration disc like Avia, GetGray, or Digital Video Essentials (DVE). I wouldn't pay $200 for a calibration unless I knew it was an ISF calibration. I'd double check and make sure the BB guys are ISF certified if you wanted to go that route.

All the same getting a calibration disc is pretty educational and might help you decide whether or not you want to get your TV ISF calibrated.

 

[Snakexor]

Best Buy's calibration is ISF....calibration discs are not even close

 

[pennylane]

Originally posted by: Snakexor
Best Buy's calibration is ISF....calibration discs are not even close

Hmm. After looking into it a little, Best Buy seems to just contract the ISF guys. Or they're contracted by the Magnolia section of BB. Or something.

Yes I know calibration discs are not close.

In that case, I'd still get the 46" and get the calibration disc. 6" is a lot. And size really matters.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm sure there is a difference after having an ISF calibration done. The question is, can you realize enough of a difference to justify the cost?

At $200, I would consider calibrating my 720p projector. I don't think I'd pay $200 to calibrate your 40" LCD. I have the 46" version of this television (550 series), and I love it. I have looked at some calibration settings from using avia, DVE, and get grey, as well as used the settings that others have posted for this tv on avsforum.com. I don't doubt that a professional calibration would improve the picture, but I can't believe that it would be worth it to me. At 40", instead of 46", I would say that this is even more true for you.

If you want the very best possible picture of any 40" tv, you're probably not looking at the right model. If you want the best VALUE, this tv is probably right up there (though I'd prefer the 46"), and it probably doesn't make sense to add an ISF calibration if you're looking for bang for the buck.

And even if you are, I am having a hard time believing that Best Buy would be a good provider for ISF calibration, regardless of the tools they use.

 

[jdelrio22]

All that is left now is to keep an eye out for good deals on a 46" with good picture quality.

BTW I am looking for specifically bluray cuz I am more of a movie buff and won't be watching tv shows.

 

[Muadib]

You already got a pretty good price on the LN-46A550, if you are also getting the PS3, and $1900 is the delivered price.

I'm with Baked & Rebel as far as calibration goes. If I were you, I'd order the DVE that Baked has in his post. Try it, and see what you think. You can always get the ISF calibration done later.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: Muadib
You already got a pretty good price on the LN-46A550, if you are also getting the PS3, and $1900 is the delivered price.

I'm with Baked & Rebel as far as calibration goes. If I were you, I'd order the DVE that Baked has in his post. Try it, and see what you think. You can always get the ISF calibration done later.

Agreed, with both parts. This is a very nice tv, and $1900 for it and a PS3 is not bad.

I bought it for $1399 a few weeks ago from Fry's, and I'm still grinning every time I turn it on.

 

[jdelrio22]

What do you guys think about the new Samsung Plasma tvs: PN50A550

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: jdelrio22
What do you guys think about the new Samsung Plasma tvs: PN50A550

I haven't seen any of their new sets, but this review knocks it a bit on it's black levels.