Questions about ISF calibration?

gonzo7176 · Post by **gonzo7176** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:40 pm

I want to know if ISF calibration is worth it? I own A Sony 34xbr910 monitor. I want to know if anybody in here has had this done - plus - are you happy with the results? I already know about the DVD calibration discs - i am not really interested in that. I just dont want to drop 300 bucks just to say i got it calibrated and the Tv looks just a little better. I want to see a noticeable difference. please give me some insight.

HD Library · Post by **HD Library** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:09 pm

ISF and HAA - The Expression of Art using Science
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ISF Calibration Feedback
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AtomShop · Post by **AtomShop** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:03 am

More often than not, Gonzo, the calibrated display device looks much, MUCH better. The cost of the procedure can become a very subjective consideration, however, once it's been done; the first thing most people tend to notice is that now the displayed images seem too soft and look too dark. Well, after getting being accustomed to seeing everything cranked up to max in broad daylight, it is a new experience. But, in a properly darkened room (think movie theater) one begins to quickly realize how rich and accurate the colors are. Lighting extremes in day to night scenes appear more realistic without losing detail in the blacks. There is little to no more noise around sharply defined edge transitions where there 's a bright object against a dark background. (The scan velocity modulation feature is TOTALLY worthless!) As good as your Sony is you'd be surprised to see how much better that unit can look once it's properly tweaked.

Hugh · Post by **Hugh** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:47 am

It really depends on how bad your set is either out of the box or after a period of time. My Pioneer Elite RPTV was excellent out of the box but now it is over three years old and probably needs calibration. I have now seen sets before and after calibration and if the set was good before, the difference is pretty minor. Naturally many sets look pretty bad out of the box and these need to wait about 100 hours before calibration and the difference can be very dramatic, so it just depends and no blanket statement works for everyone.

Hugh

mssturgeon · Post by **mssturgeon** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:09 am

I bought my display (Mits 55" RPTV) in 99, added an HD receiver in 2001, and finally had it calibrated in 2003 after subscribing to HDTV Magazine and reading a great deal about the difference it can make. The primary reason I decided to go ahead with it was that a local calibrator was having a special rate to drum up business and I ended up getting calibration of both my HD and Component inputs for $125 ... I figured I had nothing to lose.

The result? Holy crap! I thought the set looked fine before ... but my god, I was amazed how much better everything looked. The color, the clarity ... it felt like a new set

. It has now been almost 2 years since that calibration, so I will be scheduling another one soon.

Bottom line: Your results will depend both on how "bad" your display is out of the box, and how critical an eye you have. Unfortunately, short of having an experienced eye view your set, there's no way to tell if your set needs calibrated until it has been done, or unless you run a DVD calibration disc to test it out.

Cheers,

- Shane

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:35 am

Perception is everything. The question is do you want accurate imaging or do you want to be satisfied?

Being satisfied is easy and the manufacturer has setup the display for that outcome. I know of very few people who were not satisfied with their display out of the box and there in lies the struggle. If you are already happy why pursue a calibration? This question is no different than comparing a Toyota Tercel to a Lexus. Both work and both get you to your destination. Which one would you rather drive?

An uncalibrated display and a calibrated display both provide pictures. Like the Lexus the calibrated display is a much nicer ride. Nearly all calibration clients claim the image did look better and the service has value.

I do not know of one calibrator who has looked at a Pioneer like Hugh

donshan · Post by **donshan** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:54 am

Shane wrote: I thought the set looked fine before ... but my god, I was amazed how much better everything looked. The color, the clarity ... it felt like a new set .

I think calibration is a lot like finally getting glasses or contacts after a long process of thinking " do I really have to do this?" Then when you finally do it, it changes to "I didn't realize what I was not seeing, and why did I wait so long!"