Movies and TV Professional TV calibration

Sam Hall · 01-19-2010, 01:43 PM

I'm looking to get my Samsung 50" HDTV professionally calibrated. I was wondering if anyone has had their TV calibrated by Blackbird Consulting? They were one of the three local ISF-trained dealers listed on imagingscience.com.

Sam Hall · 01-21-2010, 02:15 PM

Any recommendations for ISF-trained TV calibrators in the KC area?

**Dartgod** · 04-22-2010, 10:32 AM

Bumping this to see if anyone knows about calibration services.

As mentioned in another thread, I picked this Samsung 55" LED last night and would like to get it calibrated. Best Buy wanted $199 for their Geek Squad guys to do it. Can anyone recommend someone in the KC area that could do it cheaper or is this pretty much the standard for this type of service.

Also I see that there are calibration DVDs that you can buy (AVIA, etc.) Are these worth the money?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...ustomerreviews

**Saulbadguy** · 04-22-2010, 10:32 AM

I imagine you won't get it any cheaper, but I wouldn't let Geek Squad do anything like that. I'd rather pay more for someone who knows what they are doing.

**Dartgod** · 04-22-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I imagine you won't get it any cheaper, but I wouldn't let Geek Squad do anything like that. I'd rather pay more for someone who knows what they are doing.

That was kind of what I was thinking. I wouldn't trust those guys to change the batteries in my remote.

**Saulbadguy** · 04-22-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

That was kind of what I was thinking. I wouldn't trust those guys to change the batteries in my remote.

Ahem...that's a "customization and optimization" of your televison remote manipulation device, that will be $29.99.

Sure-Oz · 04-22-2010, 11:31 AM

You can get a firmware update on your bluray players so you can watch avatar, only $29.99 gu gu gu GEEK SQUAD!111111111111111

**cabletech94** · 04-22-2010, 11:37 AM

How about just getting a good cable guy?

**Saulbadguy** · 04-22-2010, 11:48 AM

Just my opinion...unless you are a true videophile and have lots of money to burn, I don't think these services are really worth it.

You can follow amateur instructions on a model by model basis to "season" your television on AV forums and such.

MichaelH · 04-22-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Just my opinion...unless you are a true videophile and have lots of money to burn, I don't think these services are really worth it.

You can follow amateur instructions on a model by model basis to "season" your television on AV forums and such.

My thoughts as well. Like worrying about having equal lengths of pure copper speaker wire for the surround sound. I worked with a guy that swore if you used different lengths that it wouldn't sound as good.

Chazno · 04-22-2010, 12:16 PM

ISF calibration will normally run you around $300 for someone who knows what they are doing. Coincidentally its usually $199 for someone that doesn't. lol

I also concur with the other posts asking if its really needed. At the same time all TVs should be broken-in (2-300) hours before attempting ISF.

My next question for you is did you win the panel lottery? Samsung uses multiple panel suppliers and all are not equal.

Miles · 04-22-2010, 10:38 PM

Just run a search on avsforum and there is a good chance someone that had their TV calibrated may have posted the settings. They may not be dead on because individual sets vary in a slight amount but it is close enough.

Miles · 04-22-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Just my opinion...unless you are a true videophile and have lots of money to burn, I don't think these services are really worth it.

You can follow amateur instructions on a model by model basis to "season" your television on AV forums and such.

It is something I would maybe only concern myself with if it a videophile quiality set. Spending $300 to calibrate a set under $2k when you can get it close enough digging up settings or using a calibration DVD just seems like a waste IMO.

**Scorp** · 04-24-2010, 06:09 AM

Sound Advice
Shawn Byrne
7852673320

This is the guy that did mine for $300. He is THX certified and resides in Topeka KS. He will travel anywhere.

Sam Hall · 04-24-2010, 09:30 PM

It's been three months since I started this thread and I haven't had my TV calibrated. I've done a lot of research, and I think it might be worth the price, but I'm not totally convinced it's necessary.

01-19-2010, 01:43 PM
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Professional TV calibration I'm looking to get my Samsung 50" HDTV professionally calibrated. I was wondering if anyone has had their TV calibrated by Blackbird Consulting? They were one of the three local ISF-trained dealers listed on imagingscience.com.
Posts: 8,137

01-21-2010, 02:15 PM	#2
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Any recommendations for ISF-trained TV calibrators in the KC area? __________________
Posts: 8,137

04-22-2010, 10:32 AM	#3
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $7030000	Bumping this to see if anyone knows about calibration services. As mentioned in another thread, I picked this Samsung 55" LED last night and would like to get it calibrated. Best Buy wanted $199 for their Geek Squad guys to do it. Can anyone recommend someone in the KC area that could do it cheaper or is this pretty much the standard for this type of service. Also I see that there are calibration DVDs that you can buy (AVIA, etc.) Are these worth the money? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...ustomerreviews __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 51,191

04-22-2010, 10:32 AM	#4
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2256966	I imagine you won't get it any cheaper, but I wouldn't let Geek Squad do anything like that. I'd rather pay more for someone who knows what they are doing.
Posts: 46,971

04-22-2010, 11:37 AM	#8
cabletech94 Everything is Awesome!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Pitt Casino cash: $1756805	How about just getting a good cable guy?
Posts: 10,965

04-22-2010, 11:48 AM	#9
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2256966	Just my opinion...unless you are a true videophile and have lots of money to burn, I don't think these services are really worth it. You can follow amateur instructions on a model by model basis to "season" your television on AV forums and such.
Posts: 46,971

04-22-2010, 12:16 PM	#11
Chazno Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: asdf Casino cash: $4207963	ISF calibration will normally run you around $300 for someone who knows what they are doing. Coincidentally its usually $199 for someone that doesn't. lol I also concur with the other posts asking if its really needed. At the same time all TVs should be broken-in (2-300) hours before attempting ISF. My next question for you is did you win the panel lottery? Samsung uses multiple panel suppliers and all are not equal.
Posts: 509

04-22-2010, 10:38 PM	#12
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1312400	Just run a search on avsforum and there is a good chance someone that had their TV calibrated may have posted the settings. They may not be dead on because individual sets vary in a slight amount but it is close enough.
Posts: 14,522

04-24-2010, 06:09 AM	#14
Scorp Whiskey Tango Foxtrot OVER! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hell Casino cash: $6629000	Sound Advice Shawn Byrne 7852673320 This is the guy that did mine for $300. He is THX certified and resides in Topeka KS. He will travel anywhere. __________________
Posts: 4,507

04-24-2010, 09:30 PM	#15
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	It's been three months since I started this thread and I haven't had my TV calibrated. I've done a lot of research, and I think it might be worth the price, but I'm not totally convinced it's necessary. __________________
Posts: 8,137