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In Reply to: yes posted by Joe Murphy Jr on July 16, 2003 at 20:29:12:
Kinda off subject, but I just wanted to comment on the "ISF" calibration thing that the mags such as SGHT have done on the sets they review. They never mention the cost of these services, which I understand to be $500+ a visit, plus the service should be done on a yearly (or less) basis! The recently reviewed Hitachi RPTV sets are a good example, from what I've read, it's almost mantantory to have done, to get the same performance of the sets out of the box as they did. I do understand that the test equipment the calibrator guys use is very expensive, along with extensive training which does justifiy the charges, I just feel that the mags pass it off as a simple "service call".I'm thinking I will use the Avia disc (or something similar) on my new Pioneer Elite, and let it go at that!
Follow Ups:
I'm intrigued by the potential performance improvement of calibration on my Hitachi 51SWX20B, but I'm also pretty happy with what I've achieved on my own, so far-learned how to access the service menu thanks to the good folks over at avsforum.com, and did the "red push" tweak and manuel convergence. I soon as work up the courage to remove the front panel, I'm going to try adjusting the focus trimpots, too. I understand basic calibration w/grayscale for one input can be had for $275-for that price, it's very tempting.
"A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them".
-P. J. O'Rourke
If it wasn't for the rebates on the Elites, I would have a 57S500 on order right now.
You probably already know this, but there is lot of "Hitachi Tweaks" info over at the AVS forum, for tuning up the picture.
I've had it done. Cost me $450. Worth every penny.I had calibrated carefully with "Video Essentials" and performed convergence religiously. However, that (no pun intended) paled in comparison to razor-sharp images, lifelike color and, most dramatically, DEPTH that my ISF tech, Gregg Loewen, was able to bring to my set (Panny 47WX49).
Highly, highly recommended. And he only charges $200 for touch-ups, which he says can be 12-24 months depending on use of the set.
I may have it done myself, later down the road. First I need to upgrade the $400 DVD player and the old DSS receiver I'm using now with higher-end units with DVI outputs, and of course after the PRO730HD has broken-in. That should make the improvements worth it.
You'll see significant improvements, not to worry!But yes, higher-level equipment on the front end will also help. I was lucky enough to score a Panny RP91 right before Gregg came, so he helped me tweak a few settings in that too. What's your DVD player? If progressive scan, it's probably fine.
The coolest thing is, he set it up so all my settings (except sharpness) are flat @ 31. So I can tweak the picture from digital cable or OTA, then easily toggle it right back to its calibrated settings. About every six months (it's now been 14) I've wicked up the brightness to compensate for the slow fade in the guns, so now I'm at 33.
You can rent Video Essentials, tweak your set, then return it. Monthly subscription cost aside, it's a nearly free way to DIY calibrate.
I use the evil Blockbusters down the road, guess it wouldn't hurt to ask if they carried it.My DVD player is a Sony DVP-NC650V changer, it is not progressive, but does have component outputs. When I bought it over a year ago, never thought that I would be upgrading to Hi-Def this soon. (due to the old 35" direct view crapping out)
I am getting the feeling that THE new video standard will be DVI, so will wait until there is a few more choices out there, other than the Samsung and Bravo units.
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