TV & Home Theater

[uclaasudad]

Is there a real need for Calibration of new Samsung TV?  Is the $199 worth it?

[Jimmienomam]

Yes and no. Calibrations absolutely bring out the best in any tv.

I bought a st30 for a 1/3 of the price of the VT. By spending $150 on calibrating my TV it is close to VT out of box. Granted once the VT is calibrated it will be mich better than mine. But it does make a big difference in PQ.

[DarkWingDUCK]

If you want the best out of your new TV, then yes.  If you find you are happy with the picture it is giving you currently, maybe not.  I, myself believe strongly in having my TVs calibrated.  If I am going to pay the money to get a TV, I am willing to pay somebody with the equipment to calibrate it.  (This is coming from somebody who spent 2 hours figuring out the best placement for his subwoofer.)

There are some TVs that do come precalibrated from the factory (LG PZ series plasma, the Sharp Elite, and Panasonics VT and GT series) but are only calibrated for a room with NO lighting.

[SlimJim77]

Of course there is not NEED. You either WANT the most out of your TV, or you don't. All TVs can benefit from bringing them to ISF standards, whether or not you're into this type of accuracy is on you.

[uclaasudad]

I guess I would rephrase my question, do you think the Monster Calibration Wizard DVD is a viable option? 

[SlimJim77]

Ok, I have to disclose that my current TV (Pioneer 43inch plasma) has not been ISF calibrated. The current picture was adjusted not even with one of those DVDs...just my own eyes. I'm happy. People always comment on how nice my picture is. I say it's just the quality of the TV.

[DarkWingDUCK · Accepted solution]

Those DVDs do a decent job of getting you away from the oversaturated colors and contrast that are preset from the manufacturer.  Do they properly "calibrate" the TV, no.  But it is a step in the right direction.  If you really want the best out of the TV, $199 for a calibration makes more sense than the $30 disc, at least in my personal opinion.

[rwillen · Accepted solution]

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uclaasudad wrote:

I guess I would rephrase my question, do you think the Monster Calibration Wizard DVD is a viable option? 

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Don't get the Monster disc, it's worthless for calibration. Real calibration discs use standardized test patterns, not a Big White X or pictures of people like the monster disc. The Spears and Munsil disc is an excellent choice, or the free AVCHD709 disc that has everything you need. You can even use the calibration guide that comes on the Pixar discs to better effect than the Monster disc.

[jack58]

Don't have Best Buy Geek do it.

Best Buy lies in their ad about what they will do with their calibration!

The ad that promotes Best Buy calibration here:
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/en_US/images/abn/2008/tvv/pcon/BestBuy_HDTV_Calibration.pdf?h=4...

clearly states:
A calibration session
includes two inputs on
the set, so if you have a
DVD player and cable
box, for example, the
HDTV’s inputs will be
calibrated specifically
for the video output
from those two devices.

Calibration also
adjusts the sound levels
and positioning of the
speakers in a surroundsound setup, so your
entire home theater
will look and sound as
good as it can

The actual calibration you get is:

No Audio, just the picture!
The following are NOT included with this service:
Setup of audio or video components

You were warned!

[DarkWingDUCK]

This is right, calibration does not include setting up of audio or video components.  A calibration tech will makes sure, for instance, your 5.1 system has the speakers in the correct position.  If your rear-left is in the front soundstage, that can be corrected on site.  Most of what they do on site is run the auto-calibration software on an AV receiver if it has not already been done.