Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Plasma TV "break-in" is a myth?

I used the same site as Rick for my Samsung. I'm sure a pro could do better but for the money I'll keep it this way.

I'm curious to know what a professional calibrator would do different from entering the numbers one can find on the internet?

Cam I believe Jack (Ajax) has his TV(s) calibrated with an ISF certified calibrator?

Thanks Wheelz. That link is very helpful.

Every set varies slightly, so what is the right numbers for one display may not be for another. Also professional calibrators will put the set into service mode (or ISF mode), and use a colormeter to adjust the gray scale tracking. This can't be done from the "setup" menu, nor by eye, but is required to get that last tenth of image quality from a display.

I know for a fact that Pioneer does adjust the voltage drive for each panel individually in the factory (and this setting should never be changed if you don't want to drastically shorten the life of the set). That alone makes one set's calibration numbers not applicable to another. Although, the main settings menu is rough enough that the generic settings you find for that will be right (or at least within a click).

Another recommendation is to ask the calibrator what specific adjustments they are going to make. I was told by another calibrator "to ask him in advance if he's doing both grey scale, gamma and primary/secondary colors". It's an expensive venture, and should take between 3-4 hours, but it's really the only way to go IMO.

If I could have anyone calibrate my set, it would be Michael Chen or Doug Blackburn . I know Michael has a "tour schedule", and I would imagine Doug does as well. I've personally exchanged emails with both of them, inquiring about various settings for my plasma TV, and both had been extremely helpful. Both are very well respected, and have been recommended to me by a couple users on AVS.

Hey Rick, I found this website in my "favorites". A professional explains what's involved in calibrating a TV.

That video was funny. The verbal part was interesting, but I am almost amuzed when someone tapes a TV to show an "image quality"! It's like those commercials showing a TV that has an allegedly better image than your currently one (hence the need for them to sell you a new one). How are you supposed to determine the image is better than your current TV?
I love to myself make the gag of sending MP3 files recorded in my living room so people can "hear" my sound system in their own home!

I used to play my new speakers for my friends over the phone.

Funny, Peter was talking about how it would be nice to have Audiobytes in his office today. I offered to call him so he could listen to mine...

Hey Cam, sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Samsung, but it does make me happy I went with Panansonic for my 58" S1