i am seriously considering getting a new pioneer g9 plasma and i obviously want to get the best out of the screen,so i thought getting the isf calibration would be ideal solution.I talked to a salesman from sevenoaks sound and vision who said it would be about 550 to 600 pounds.Does anyone know if this is the average price and would this be the ideal solution or should i buy a spyder3 calibrator(recomended by this great mag) and DIY it????
isf calibration...how much???
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HOW MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are charging the price of a good tv to calibrate a tv? My word. DIY job.
ha,ha...thanks very much for the quick reply,very much appreciated,I know that they are a bit more expensive than other retailers but i did think that it was a bit extreme,as i said before,i just want the best result from an expensive bit of kit.I will have a look on the internet to see how easy the spyder is to use,thanks again
Messiah
Well-known member
Or maybe ask someone on here who has the TV for their settings?? I have a Samsung TV which I set up using the THX disc and the picture was OK but I read the settings used by the guys on HDTVtest and copied them and the picture is superb!!!!
I personally bought 'The Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD' for about £20.00 and it worked for me. Go here for more information:
http://www.monstercable.com/news/2005-12_HDTVwizard.asp
http://www.monstercable.com/news/2005-12_HDTVwizard.asp
RUBBISH!!!
There is absolutely no substitute to getting a television set isf calibrated, especially from a cheap DVD or THX calibration test on a movie disc.
For £275 i got full calibration on ALL inputs (ps3, 360, hddvd, freesat, freeview) this included his travel and time 5-6hrs. It was litterally amazing what he did and i learnt loads from just sitting drinking coffee and watching/chatting. It was THE best investment i have made... PERIOD! I had used the Digital Video Essentials DVD & HD version and neither came close to the perfection that came from the isf calibration.
I'm not sure if this breaks any rules (and i'm sorry if it does)....
EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
get in contact with Gordon at http://www.convergent-av.co.uk/ and talk to him about it.
DO NOT LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO SAY IT'S NOT WORTH IT AS THEY ARE THE ONE'S WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF HAVING IT DONE!
Sorry Clare i know you hate people using caps but it really EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
Just remember that a properly trained isf screen calibrator carries equipment in excess of £6000 so do you really think a spyder can come close?
There is absolutely no substitute to getting a television set isf calibrated, especially from a cheap DVD or THX calibration test on a movie disc.
For £275 i got full calibration on ALL inputs (ps3, 360, hddvd, freesat, freeview) this included his travel and time 5-6hrs. It was litterally amazing what he did and i learnt loads from just sitting drinking coffee and watching/chatting. It was THE best investment i have made... PERIOD! I had used the Digital Video Essentials DVD & HD version and neither came close to the perfection that came from the isf calibration.
I'm not sure if this breaks any rules (and i'm sorry if it does)....
EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
get in contact with Gordon at http://www.convergent-av.co.uk/ and talk to him about it.
DO NOT LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO SAY IT'S NOT WORTH IT AS THEY ARE THE ONE'S WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF HAVING IT DONE!
Sorry Clare i know you hate people using caps but it really EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
Just remember that a properly trained isf screen calibrator carries equipment in excess of £6000 so do you really think a spyder can come close?
Hello,
Do you think advising somebody to spend £500-£600 on ISF calibration is good advice?
Do you think because two people think one thing and two people think another either are giving EDITED for house rules violations - Mods? It is a matter of opinion henry.
EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
Do you think advising somebody to spend £500-£600 on ISF calibration is good advice?
Do you think because two people think one thing and two people think another either are giving EDITED for house rules violations - Mods? It is a matter of opinion henry.
EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
Don't make me laugh.
It costs half what the op was quoted and therefore quite close to what a spyder would set him back. He will end up with far greater results and yet you recommend he spends his money on a far inferior process which will result in him not getting the best out of his display EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
It costs half what the op was quoted and therefore quite close to what a spyder would set him back. He will end up with far greater results and yet you recommend he spends his money on a far inferior process which will result in him not getting the best out of his display EDITED for house rules violations - Mods
That's it, why all the shouting?
If you read my reply I said to do a DIY job. I wasn't particular. I think on budget-mid priced systems today a spider can achieve fantastic results and you simply don't need ISF treatment. I think the placebo affect common in the audio world extends to the visual world, in that whilst there are improvements sometimes they can be exaggerated.
But that's just my opinion.ÿ
If you read my reply I said to do a DIY job. I wasn't particular. I think on budget-mid priced systems today a spider can achieve fantastic results and you simply don't need ISF treatment. I think the placebo affect common in the audio world extends to the visual world, in that whilst there are improvements sometimes they can be exaggerated.
But that's just my opinion.ÿ
PLEASE...CALM DOWN, i really appreciate all the advice given,and take note of everybodys comments,the pursuit of home cinema is an extremly subjective "hobby".Thankyou for your advice mbmapit,i will certainly take heed and follow it up,as i said in my original post,if i get the kuro 5090,it deserves to be treated with respect but the original price from the shop did seem a bit extreme
Sorry airwolf, people like that just rile me up. Hope the squall didn't make your decision any harder!
mbmapit,
The opinions/advice given on this forum is largely based on one's own experience with a particular product, hence their contribution to this forum - a matter of opinion.
To suggest or insinuate that any such advice is 'cr*p advice' is highly improper, rude and obnoxious, and is devoid of any forum etiquette.
Something that might work for me, might not work for you, and vice-versa. This does not necessarily mean that the product is immediately discounted, just because you don't agree with an evaluation.
Likewise, some may not be particularly eager to shell out hundreds of pounds on an ISF calibration, while others may. Some may be more inclined to channel these funds to more 'prudent' use - like the purchase of a new amplifier, cd player, speakers etc, this being the trade-off. It all depends on what your priorities and circumstances are, I would imagine.
There are many contentious topics on this forum, as you would have no doubt come across - cables, interconnects, mains conditioners, calibration equipments....the list goes on and on. Some are for, while others are against. It is just a personal viewpoint that is relayed.
At the end of the day, the prospective buyer will be the one to decide what works for him/her - in terms of value, financial consideration, convenience etc.
So, please mind your words and contribute what you can from your own perspective and experience in a constructive manner without the need for harsh language.
This would be appreciated. Thank you.
The opinions/advice given on this forum is largely based on one's own experience with a particular product, hence their contribution to this forum - a matter of opinion.
To suggest or insinuate that any such advice is 'cr*p advice' is highly improper, rude and obnoxious, and is devoid of any forum etiquette.
Something that might work for me, might not work for you, and vice-versa. This does not necessarily mean that the product is immediately discounted, just because you don't agree with an evaluation.
Likewise, some may not be particularly eager to shell out hundreds of pounds on an ISF calibration, while others may. Some may be more inclined to channel these funds to more 'prudent' use - like the purchase of a new amplifier, cd player, speakers etc, this being the trade-off. It all depends on what your priorities and circumstances are, I would imagine.
There are many contentious topics on this forum, as you would have no doubt come across - cables, interconnects, mains conditioners, calibration equipments....the list goes on and on. Some are for, while others are against. It is just a personal viewpoint that is relayed.
At the end of the day, the prospective buyer will be the one to decide what works for him/her - in terms of value, financial consideration, convenience etc.
So, please mind your words and contribute what you can from your own perspective and experience in a constructive manner without the need for harsh language.
This would be appreciated. Thank you.
Personally I think youd have to be nuts to pay that. I dont honestly see what they can calibrate beyond the settings you can do yourself that would be worth it.
I have the THX set up disc, the Monster set up disc (better one that) and a free download professional setup disc. I went onto a forum and asked these 'experts' all about it and at the end of the day my tv couldnt be set any better than the wasy I already had (shrugs)
Yes, there will almost certainly be a SERVICE menu to set up more from but they should be set correctly from the factory anyway!
Id MUCH rather spend the money on some decent cables etc if I was going to even think about it!
I have the THX set up disc, the Monster set up disc (better one that) and a free download professional setup disc. I went onto a forum and asked these 'experts' all about it and at the end of the day my tv couldnt be set any better than the wasy I already had (shrugs)
Yes, there will almost certainly be a SERVICE menu to set up more from but they should be set correctly from the factory anyway!
Id MUCH rather spend the money on some decent cables etc if I was going to even think about it!
In the most part I agree with you aliEnRIK, the only think is all TV manufacturers calibrate their TV's to look amazing in the shop (i.e. high contract/ sharpness/ colour) that's why it's so important to adjust it to your needs when you get the set home.
Most people can achieve a great result just by messing about with the settings on their remote. Visualphiles may buy a spider. People who are really hung up on life will get ISF treatment, because of course there are no better ways for that money to be spent.
Most people can achieve a great result just by messing about with the settings on their remote. Visualphiles may buy a spider. People who are really hung up on life will get ISF treatment, because of course there are no better ways for that money to be spent.
professorhat
Well-known member
To be fair, it cost the fella who had it done £275, which is far less than half the price quoted above and from the sound of it, he spent some time doing it. I know this sounds like loads, but it really isn't, even for an hour's worth of time (when you're dealing with someone who knows their art very well). Look at a golf pro - how much would you expect for the average 2-3 hour golf lesson? (probably the amount of time an ISF calibrator will spend on your system).
And if I was getting a projector installed, I would definitely think about paying that price because the only purpose for that projector would be for watching films in my room. Not a demo room, not a show room - My Room.
Octopo:all TV manufacturers calibrate their TV's to look amazing in the shop (i.e. high contract/ sharpness/ colour) that's why it's so important to adjust it to your needs when you get the set home.
Hmm, yes, but unfortunately they don't generally even look particularly amazing in the shop because this is such a general setting!
And if I was getting a projector installed, I would definitely think about paying that price because the only purpose for that projector would be for watching films in my room. Not a demo room, not a show room - My Room.
Octopo:all TV manufacturers calibrate their TV's to look amazing in the shop (i.e. high contract/ sharpness/ colour) that's why it's so important to adjust it to your needs when you get the set home.
Hmm, yes, but unfortunately they don't generally even look particularly amazing in the shop because this is such a general setting!
Ok, but this is a fairly general response, (professorhat I obviously have respect for you) but what is your opinion on ISF?
professorhat
Well-known member
Octopo:Ok, but this is a fairly general response, (professorhat I obviously have respect for you) but what is your opinion on ISF?
My opinion is it definitely has its place, much like a very expensive HDMI or power cable has its place - get it in the wrong setup and it could be a waste of money. But in other setups, it's absolutely essential.
My opinion is it definitely has its place, much like a very expensive HDMI or power cable has its place - get it in the wrong setup and it could be a waste of money. But in other setups, it's absolutely essential.
Now, coming from a scientific background, I would absolutely disagree with you. And I'm sure you will disagree with me. But that's what's so important on these forums.
professorhat
Well-known member
Absolutely! And I'm glad you're here as you're far less "religious" than other scientific posters - and by that I mean, "I've read something scientific and god damn it therefore I'm right!"
I only believe what I see... (which in itself is obviously open to interpretation and "bad science", i openly admit)
I think the main thing I hate seeing is someone who says this is how it is and there is no way any other interpretation can be true because science has said that's impossible. My struggle with that is, I seem to remember science said a number of things were impossible in the past and, what do you know, it turned out they weren't (and that even includes theories from our good friend Albert Einstein).
So to completely deny something is possible scientifically based on scientific theories that aren't even your own is fairly arrogant if not downright stupid if you ask me. Believe in something, fine. But ridicule someone else for their beliefs - no.
I'm ranting - what do you think?
I only believe what I see... (which in itself is obviously open to interpretation and "bad science", i openly admit)
I think the main thing I hate seeing is someone who says this is how it is and there is no way any other interpretation can be true because science has said that's impossible. My struggle with that is, I seem to remember science said a number of things were impossible in the past and, what do you know, it turned out they weren't (and that even includes theories from our good friend Albert Einstein).
So to completely deny something is possible scientifically based on scientific theories that aren't even your own is fairly arrogant if not downright stupid if you ask me. Believe in something, fine. But ridicule someone else for their beliefs - no.
I'm ranting - what do you think?
No I can acclaim my father was a scientist,ÿ, and his father before himÿ, and god damn it his father before himÿ.
Not really. My dad just worked for a certain company at some point.ÿ
Not really. My dad just worked for a certain company at some point.ÿ
professorhat
Well-known member
John Duncan
Well-known member
professorhat:Octopo:Not really. My dad just worked for a certain company at some point.
Witchcraft!
Russcraft!
Witchcraft!
Russcraft!
I agree with mbmapit but not the way he expressed some of his opinions. I'm not going to disparage the opinions of others on the subject but, in my opinion, ISF calibration is its own artform but is only warranted on certain sets - the Kuro G8 and G9 sets being among them. Certain Kuro sets have special menus that can ONLY be accessed by a calibrator with special software to fine tune certain gamma and colour settings. The price the OP was quoted seems way to high. I've heard £250-300 quoted as the usual ballpark figure. Sometimes this include the cost of transport depending on the distance from the calibrator. Most calibrators recommend letting the set run-in for at least 500 hours before considering calibration. Also, it has to be done in situ with all your sources hooked up in order to factor in ambient light conditions and the quirks of your equipment. It's certainly not an essential process to have done. You might find yourself so enamoured with the performance of the tv that you never wonder how much better it can be. If you've got your user settings programmed properly, you might only get a small evolution in performance rather than a revolution. Personally, I'd do the best you can with your own settings (there are also recommended one around the net) and see how you get on for the first few months. I'm sure even a non-calibrated G9 is going to leave you pretty gobsmacked for a while.
JohnDuncan:professorhat:Octopo:Not really. My dad just worked for a certain company at some point.Witchcraft!
Russcraft!
Because I don't want be linked with that company in any way, shape or form, I would like to say my Dad did no work with Russ Andrews.
Russcraft!
Because I don't want be linked with that company in any way, shape or form, I would like to say my Dad did no work with Russ Andrews.
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