Pictures and Videos of a Panasonic 50VT65

[Deleted member 2457]

Its insinuating I am a noddy ...... I would get Bumptious in from TPS to do it if I was paying someone He sounds like the man to me - with the exception of me of course. He has a 55VT and then was getting the ZT so he has calibrated it personally as well as for others Chatted to him about it - he would do it with the same idea in mind as me I think Its doing it for yourself I think is where you learn - because you have the time and desire to get it the best you can

No it is not! I have already said I would consider you, if I thought you were a 'noddy' I would have told you where to go.

This is my pride and joy after all. I like the fact you have had a Pioneer too and have seen lots of your pictures. TPS did cross my mind, they could possibly be cheap option?

 

[rocketrazor]

Something to consider is the fact as well that yes a calibration might make the picture look better but if the tv develops a fault and is either replaced or the panel is replaced then the calibration is lost and needs doing again. I guess the pros and cons need to be considered. How long did you have your gt50 gel before it was replaced?

 

[JohnSutton]

The meter I bought came with the software direct from them - from the states. Its a Calman C3.

Ok, the situation is even worse than I thought. If this is the package you bought:

http://store.spectracal.com/c3.html

It costed you around £100 (perhaps up to £150 including import duty, VAT and shipping) for both meter & software. I hope you are not charging anywhere near that for your service. Professional calibrators use gear and software (which are usually higher-level/enterprise/commercial versions to be compatible with their more expensive meters) costing at least £2000, which is why the £250 fee they charge is considered a bargain.

its done about 6 calibrations so hardly any at all.

So, you've carried out a grand total of 6 calibrations, learning by yourself, and you are thinking about charging for your service, up against pro calibrators who have undertaken formal training and calibrated hundreds of TVs?

Its advertised as accuracy of 0.003 with a repeatability of 0.0005

According to the spectracal webpage I listed above, your meter is only accurate down to 0.05 cd/m2. The Panasonic VT65's black level has been measured at around 0.002 to 0.007 cd/m2 by AVF, so your entry-level meter is definitely not sensitive enough to do a good job.

the differences I would hazard a good guess that they are so small as to not be noticeable even by a trained eye.

Your guess is wrong. Have you seen a VT65 that is calibrated by a pro in a home environment?

Spectracal / Calman have developed the metre for the home user - its states

And yet you are thinking about using it for field work. The C3 is intended to be for DIY enthusiasts like yourself, not for professional use.

I am yet to see any pictures anyone's taken of their pro calibrated sets that touch mine tbh so I cant be far off it if at all.

As you've correctly pointed out in a subsequent post, looking at photos of calibrated TVs is pointless for judging the final result due to variance in the dynamic range and white balance of both the camera and also the end-display (laptop screen, monitor, etc.)

In terms of using test patterns from a disc - I don't see why that is a big issue either. At the end of the day the player the disc is in is the player the person will be watching their movies on.

So how are you going to calibrate for broadcast source, let's say Freeview HD or Sky HD box? That's why pros carry a reference-grade signal generator around, rather than relying on the player which may itself be introducing errors.

Look, you may be extremely happy with the results you've achieved on your plasma, and all power to you. But just because you've bought a basic meter, read a few tutorials online, and calibrated a few times for yourself and your family and friends (for free, presumably) who are of course going to be less critical and happy with the result, you think you can start charging people, that amounts to fraud in my opinion, when there are professionals out there who have to spend money and time on proper training and equipment.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Something to consider is the fact as well that yes a calibration might make the picture look better but if the tv develops a fault and is either replaced or the panel is replaced then the calibration is lost and needs doing again. I guess the pros and cons need to be considered. How long did you have your gt50 gel before it was replaced?

I had 3 GT50's in total the last one for nearly a year I owned it. Gone through about 11 TVs in just a few years! Another question I have is I like my motion the way it is at the moment, that will surely change after calibration?

Would love to see more photos, it can't be that hard if the after shots are so much better? :?

 

[rocketrazor]

Something to consider is the fact as well that yes a calibration might make the picture look better but if the tv develops a fault and is either replaced or the panel is replaced then the calibration is lost and needs doing again. I guess the pros and cons need to be considered. How long did you have your gt50 gel before it was replaced?

I had 3 GT50's in total the last one for nearly a year I owned it. Gone through about 11 TVs in just a few years! Another question I have is I like my motion the way it is at the moment, that will surely change after calibration?

Would love to see more photos, it can't be that hard if the after shots are so much better? :?

One year before it broke, that's not good if it's been calibrated.

Photos of pre and post calibration might not look so good, it all depends on the camera used I guess?

all that being said, I think I would be tempted to get mine calibrated once I have one that works properly just to see what all the fuss is about I'd have to convince the better half though which might be a challenge :wall:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Something to consider is the fact as well that yes a calibration might make the picture look better but if the tv develops a fault and is either replaced or the panel is replaced then the calibration is lost and needs doing again. I guess the pros and cons need to be considered. How long did you have your gt50 gel before it was replaced?

I had 3 GT50's in total the last one for nearly a year I owned it. Gone through about 11 TVs in just a few years! Another question I have is I like my motion the way it is at the moment, that will surely change after calibration?

Would love to see more photos, it can't be that hard if the after shots are so much better? :?

One year before it broke, that's not good if it's been calibrated.

Photos of pre and post calibration might not look so good, it all depends on the camera used I guess?

all that being said, I think I would be tempted to get mine calibrated once I have one that works properly just to see what all the fuss is about I'd have to convince the better half though which might be a challenge :wall:

 

[ellisdj]

Hi John Sutton Again I take on board your comments - and appreciate and welcome them.

I was planning on buying a new metre actually, as I wanted a new one for myself for a couple of reasons - however I still think the results I would achieve using the C3 would be more than comparable to what a pro metre would get for the most part. Its slow in the low IRE readings but its consistent. Using a better meter may give a more accurate 10ire reading as you quoted the deepest black figure( I did wonder that) but the other 80 or 90 readings which is the majority of content anyway so I read I am sure would be bloody close if not the same to not be visible. You have also made an assumption on the software I am using and the cost of it

I am not an idiot - I have learned a hell of a lot about the process, what you are trying to achieve etc - in fact its made pretty easy with the right software and a bit of knowledge and patience. Can the calibration be taken further maybe it can, would I learn stuff on courses most definitely. But that doesn't mean I cant do it - because I can, I don't feel the need to defend myself either but here I am doing it.

I am not saying I will calibrate a TV I haven't already done, I have calibrated a VT65 Panasonic at 2.2, 2.4 and 3D to 2.2 so know how it works I can see the difference going direct into the panel from a laptop or via a blu ray player in terms of potential increased accuracy - however what makes more sense??? Going direct into the panel and calibrating it - for outright accuracy probably? Or factoring in the blu ray player, the av receiver its going through and any other links in the chain and the effects they might have? To me it makes more sense to go this route as that is how the user is going to be using it.... I could be wrong here though its just my opinion

I am making this clear again - I am not in the business of calibrating TV's - I guess you do it and fair play to you I hope you get a lot of work from your posts on here I was asking for petrol/ costs that is all - and doing it as a favour, not charging a "fraudulent" fee as you put.

I think Gel has worded it in here as such a way to be misleading maybe he is looking at it like that, but I am not. At the end of the day I couldn't care less if I do it or not - I do not need the money and its actually a lot of traveling, work and hassle for me with my own work and family life actually for no fee

Obviously my friendly offer has offended you and I apologise for that my intention was the opposite. Most people dont realise the benefit of a TV calibration and I have been instrumental with my posts on here for several people having it done, with the resulting comments leading to more people having it done. So i have been doing you and other calibrators a favour.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Hi John Sutton Again I take on board your comments - and appreciate and welcome them. I was planning on buying a new metre actually, as I wanted a new one for myself for a couple of reasons - however I still think the results I would achieve using the C3 would be more than comparable to what a pro metre would get for the most part. Its slow in the low IRE readings but its consistent. Using a better meter may give a more accurate 10ire reading as you quoted the deepest black figure( I did wonder that) but the other 80 or 90 readings which is the majority of content anyway so I read I am sure would be bloody close if not the same to not be visible. You have also made an assumption on the software I am using and the cost of it I am not an idiot - I have learned a hell of a lot about the process, what you are trying to achieve etc - in fact its made pretty easy with the right software and a bit of knowledge and patience. Can the calibration be taken further maybe it can, would I learn stuff on courses most definitely. But that doesn't mean I cant do it - because I can, I don't feel the need to defend myself either but here I am doing it. I am not saying I will calibrate a TV I haven't already done, I have calibrated a VT65 Panasonic at 2.2, 2.4 and 3D to 2.2 so know how it works I can see the difference going direct into the panel from a laptop or via a blu ray player in terms of potential increased accuracy - however what makes more sense??? Going direct into the panel and calibrating it - for outright accuracy probably? Or factoring in the blu ray player, the av receiver its going through and any other links in the chain and the effects they might have? To me it makes more sense to go this route as that is how the user is going to be using it.... I could eb wrong here though its just my opinion I am making this clear again - I am not in the business of calibrating TV's - I guess you do it and fair play to you I hope you get a lot of work from your posts on here I was asking for petrol/ costs that is all - and doing it as a favour, not charging a pro fee as you put. I think Gel has worded it in here as such a way to be misleading maybe he is looking at it like that, but I am not. At the end of the day I couldn't care less if I do it or not - I do not need the money and its actually a lot of traveling, work and hassle for me with my own work and family life actually for no fee

I haven't worded nothing.

You offered as a forum friend to do calibration for me, and I said I would consider it. That is all.

I get where John is coming from though and has a point, and perhaps has made me reconsider a bit to be honest. This is a massive deal for me though, my home cinema system is my main hobby and I use it all the time. So I am thinking very carefully.

 

[ellisdj]

Of course up to you Gel - get someone else in if you feel better about it. I stand by my comments and by the images I have shown of what my TV looks like calibrated - again just pictures taken with an average camera - nothing done to them. Its breath taking how good it is simple as that.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Of course up to you Gel - get someone else in if you feel better about it. I stand by my comments and by the images I have shown of what my TV looks like calibrated - again just pictures taken with an average camera - nothing done to them. Its breath taking how good it is simple as that. Thats the results if anyone is interested

I think they look great too. I just meant prior to talking to you yesterday Steve Withers was top of my list, I had already considered it a little and thought I would have him to do it. Now you are on my list too.

Just got to wait and see, and see how I feel. More knowledge I gain between now and then the better I feel though. :cheers:

 

[Oldboy]

Can I jump in here please gel?

When you consider the total amount spent on your system to date how much in percentage terms is the cost of calibration? When you do the math it's a low percentage isn't it, even at £250 it's a fair bet that it represents 5% or less for most of us no? To then then spend £250 on a pro calibration isn't alot of money when looked at that way, I'm not saying £250 for a service isn't an inconsiderable amount of money but we all spend alot of money on our hobby so £250 to make the most of your picture isn't really that much when you look at how much we spend.

Of course there is an issue with potential TV repairs or faults in the future and of all the people on here I can perhaps appreciate that dilema the most with my very similar TV history as has been well documented on here but I can assure you that the benefits out weigh the pitfalls once it's done, the difference is night and day and plain to see on my TV. Everyone who has seen my TV post calibration has commented on how natural and detailed the picture is and how it's almost three dimensional at times.

I'm not trying to bully you into getting a calibration done, far from it, I'm just saying that if I owned a VT65 a calibration would be high on my list as it's going to be the most cost effective upgrade that can be made. I know your concerns when it comes to potential TV problems in the future so it's well worth talking that over with whoever you choose prior to deciding if you go ahead or not to see what the cost would be to recalibrate if necessary.

ellisdj is just trying to do a fellow forum member a favour from my point of view from reading through the thread and to therefore criticise him for doing so seems a bit harsh to me and besides it's gels choice what he does and full marks to ellisdj for offering. He stated that he's no professional but can attain good results so armed with that info it's up to gel what he does, he has options and the knowledge of the pros and cons of each to think over.

I would just like to hear your comments post calibration gel if you ever get it done as your TV is capable of so much more than you currently enjoy, you are a sensible person and have given me tons of excellent advice from my time on these forums and I respect your opinion which is perhaps why I'm so keen to see you get the calibration done as it would give another decent opinion on the gains from it (or not).

 

[rocketrazor]

Oldboy, what happened to Homer ?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Can I jump in here please gel?

When you consider the total amount spent on your system to date how much in percentage terms is the cost of calibration? When you do the math it's a low percentage isn't it, even at £250 it's a fair bet that it represents 5% or less for most of us no? To then then spend £250 on a pro calibration isn't alot of money when looked at that way, I'm not saying £250 for a service isn't an inconsiderable amount of money but we all spend alot of money on our hobby so £250 to make the most of your picture isn't really that much when you look at how much we spend.

Of course there is an issue with potential TV repairs or faults in the future and of all the people on here I can perhaps appreciate that dilema the most with my very similar TV history as has been well documented on here but I can assure you that the benefits out weigh the pitfalls once it's done, the difference is night and day and plain to see on my TV. Everyone who has seen my TV post calibration has commented on how natural and detailed the picture is and how it's almost three dimensional at times.

I'm not trying to bully you into getting a calibration done, far from it, I'm just saying that if I owned a VT65 a calibration would be high on my list as it's going to be the most cost effective upgrade that can be made. I know your concerns when it comes to potential TV problems in the future so it's well worth talking that over with whoever you choose prior to deciding if you go ahead or not to see what the cost would be to recalibrate if necessary.

ellisdj is just trying to do a fellow forum member a favour from my point of view from reading through the thread and to therefore criticise him for doing so seems a bit harsh to me and besides it's gels choice what he does and full marks to ellisdj for offering. He stated that he's no professional but can attain good results so armed with that info it's up to gel what he does, he has options and the knowledge of the pros and cons of each to think over.

I would just like to hear your comments post calibration gel if you ever get it done as your TV is capable of so much more than you currently enjoy, you are a sensible person and have given me tons of excellent advice from my time on these forums and I respect your opinion which is perhaps why I'm so keen to see you get the calibration done as it would give another decent opinion on the gains from it (or not).

I would really like to see the results too.

I do get worried when I read things like this though:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/thx-and-isf-calibration-is-it-worth-it

Makes the picture duller!

I wish TPS was close to me because then I could just pop into the shop and check them out.

 

[Oldboy]

Oldboy, what happened to Homer ?

Wasn't appropriate to my forum name, meant to change it ages ago. The image comes from where my forum name came from ie the movie Oldboy, simply a fabulous movie and one of my top 3 movies of all time

 

[ellisdj]

Gel - do you wont to come to mine for a demo?

 

[Oldboy]

I would really like to see the results too.

I do get worried when I read things like this though:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/thx-and-isf-calibration-is-it-worth-it

Makes the picture duller!

I wish TPS was close to me because then I could just pop into the shop and check them out.

Yes it does make it duller but in a good way! If you read the entire article then the benefits are clear, the duller picture is for a reason as it makes the TV more accurate. Those overly bright and saturated images you currently watch simply aren't accurate, it takes a bit of getting used to but once you acclimatise you don't want to go back, presets simply can't compete with a pro calibration I'm afraid and I was as sceptical as you are now...unfortunately the only way to know for yourself is to get it done.

No amount of pictures, opinions, forum talk or information can bring it home to you as much as actually having it carried out. My thinking before I had it done was that it's an expensive gamble...I had researched it, looked at pictures and videos and talked it over on here but it still felt like a gamble even after I had booked it. I needn't had worried as it turned out to be worth every penny and I have no doubt you would feel the same post calibration but I appreciate the dilema you are currently in and it doesn't really matter what any of us say, you have to just make the decision if you are going to take the plunge or not

 

[Son_of_SJ]

I would really like to see the results too.

I do get worried when I read things like this though:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/thx-and-isf-calibration-is-it-worth-it

Makes the picture duller!

I wish TPS was close to me because then I could just pop into the shop and check them out.

By the way, I agree with every word that Oldboy said when he jumped in, even if his new avatar isn't as much fun as the previous one!

Gel, you might know that Steve Withers fairly recently calibrated all four of my televisions. I'm very pleased indeed with the post-calibration results of the Pioneer PDP-428XD in my bedroom, of the Pioneer PDP LX5090 in the second bedroom, and of the much-maligned LG 60PZ950T in the kitchen. I tend to watch the kitchen and my bedroom televisions the most often, and recently I've been marvelling at how good, even on Standard Definition material like the Channel 5 series of programmes - 5*, 5 USA (I have only Freeview, not Sky or Virgin so those channels are not in HD) they look, post-calibration, once I got used to them, which took about a couple of days I guess. Somebody mentioned shadow detail, now very good, even on the LG that has relatively poor black levels, that's why I malign it so much! But I must be honest here - for some reason I'm slightly less impressed with the calibration of my biggest set, the Samsung PS64D8000 in the parlour, than with the other three calibrations, and I'm not quite sure why. However, on all four of the sets, it takes only about 10 seconds to revert to the pre-calibration settings, and boy, do the pre-calibration settings now look garish! Almost like an LED set in a bright shop ....

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Gel - do you wont to come to mine for a demo?

Sounds a good idea and thanks for the offer, but I am not allowed to drive! Perhaps in the future? I don't think I will be able to drive for years though!

No I am a bit stuck with transport. Anyone in Milton Keynes could give me a demo? ray:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I would really like to see the results too.

I do get worried when I read things like this though:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/thx-and-isf-calibration-is-it-worth-it

Makes the picture duller!

I wish TPS was close to me because then I could just pop into the shop and check them out.

Yes it does make it duller but in a good way! If you read the entire article then the benefits are clear, the duller picture is for a reason as it makes the TV more accurate. Those overly bright and saturated images you currently watch simply aren't accurate, it takes a bit of getting used to but once you acclimatise you don't want to go back, presets simply can't compete with a pro calibration I'm afraid and I was as sceptical as you are now...unfortunately the only way to know for yourself is to get it done.

No amount of pictures, opinions, forum talk or information can bring it home to you as much as actually having it carried out. My thinking before I had it done was that it's an expensive gamble...I had researched it, looked at pictures and videos and talked it over on here but it still felt like a gamble even after I had booked it. I needn't had worried as it turned out to be worth every penny and I have no doubt you would feel the same post calibration but I appreciate the dilema you are currently in and it doesn't really matter what any of us say, you have to just make the decision if you are going to take the plunge or not

Cheers mate. :cheers:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I would really like to see the results too.

I do get worried when I read things like this though:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/thx-and-isf-calibration-is-it-worth-it

Makes the picture duller!

I wish TPS was close to me because then I could just pop into the shop and check them out.

By the way, I agree with every word that Oldboy said when he jumped in, even if his new avatar isn't as much fun as the previous one!

Gel, you might know that Steve Withers fairly recently calibrated all four of my televisions. I'm very pleased indeed with the post-calibration results of the Pioneer PDP-428XD in my bedroom, of the Pioneer PDP LX5090 in the second bedroom, and of the much-maligned LG 60PZ950T in the kitchen. I tend to watch the kitchen and my bedroom televisions the most often, and recently I've been marvelling at how good, even on Standard Definition material like the Channel 5 series of programmes - 5*, 5 USA (I have only Freeview, not Sky or Virgin so those channels are not in HD) they look, post-calibration, once I got used to them, which took about a couple of days I guess. Somebody mentioned shadow detail, now very good, even on the LG that has relatively poor black levels, that's why I malign it so much! But I must be honest here - for some reason I'm slightly less impressed with the calibration of my biggest set, the Samsung PS64D8000 in the parlour, than with the other three calibrations, and I'm not quite sure why. However, on all four of the sets, it takes only about 10 seconds to revert to the pre-calibration settings, and boy, do the pre-calibration settings now look garish! Almost like an LED set in a bright shop ....

Ah thanks for the feedback, it is good to know you can go back to the old settings, I think Steve Withers is a good route. Looks like it will cost me £250 though, how much did you pay? Cheers.

 

[rocketrazor]

Gel - do you wont to come to mine for a demo?

only problem here is after seeing your gigantic 65vt65 the 50vt65 will look so small he would want a new tv already

 

[Oldboy]

Ah thanks for the feedback, it is good to know you can go back to the old settings, I think Steve Withers is a good route. Looks like it will cost me £250 though, how much did you pay? Cheers.

If you get it done gel you will get a full report with all your settings listed for you, you can go back to the presets at the touch of a button with no issue. If the worst happens and you wipe the settings or need to do a factory reset then you just follow the settings in the report and input them to get back to the calibrated result.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

£225 to £250 for a single calibration seems to be a pretty standard price.

 

[ellisdj]

He would have also wished he'd kept a certain blu ray player but thats bye the bye.....

The 65" is quite something from 8 feet - I love it

 

[rocketrazor]

He would have also wished he'd kept a certain blu ray player but thats bye the bye..... The 65" is quite something from 8 feet - I love it

8 feet, it must be massive