Some frequently asked questions:
Q. I just paid several thousand dollars for a new TV. Isn't it already calibrated?
A. No. The manufacturer adjusted your TV assuming it would be competing with several other sets on a brightly lit showroom floor. This adjustment not only distorts the picture and colors, it is also potentially harmful to your TV. Even if the manufacturer knew the conditions in which your TV was going to be used, it would need to be calibrated after moving it and adjusted for your situation.
Q. Why didn't the retailer I bought it from do the calibration?
A. The large discount retailers are primarily intrested in selling lots of TV's. You probably got a good price but don't expect a lot of service. The smaller retailers at least do the basic adjustments when they deliver your TV so the life won't be shortened by the factory settings, but the TV really shouldn't have its first full calibration until after a break in period (normally about 100 hours of use).
Q. Why doesn't the retailer come back and calibrate it after the break in period?
A. Most small retailers don't sell enough of the high end TV's to warrant the training and instrumentation expense in maintaining a certified calibration service.
Q. My retailer didn't mention calibration. Why not?
A. The best retailers will explain the merits of regular calibration and help you find an ISF-certified technician in your area when you make your purchase. Most retailers find it hard to discuss calibration during the sales process so they never mention it unless you ask. Some of the large retailers just don't understand it and say they "calibrate" it when it's delivered. What they actually do is an inital setup.
Q. Will I be able to tell the difference after my has been calibrated?
A. Yes. If your TV is in a room that cannot be properly darkened when viewing, you may only perceive a 5-10% difference in picture quality. However, if your TV is in a room with good lighting control, it's not unusual to see a 25% improvement in picture quality from the factory settings. If the TV was not set up properly when it was delivered you could see more than a 25% improvement.
Q. What "quality" are you referring to? Will my picture be sharper?
A. Some of the adjustments will improve the detail of the picture, but the fuzziness caused by poor signals coming into the TV will not be improved. The major improvement is in the accuracy of colors, particularly when viewing DVD's or high definition broadcasts. Most TV's have the reds and blues set too high, causing all skin tones to look sunburnt, orange looks red and yellow just looks bad. The high level of blue causes colors to looked washed out and two-dimensional. Black level is also frequently wrong and the picture has little depth if not adjusted properly. Geometry adjustments will correct many picture distortions and allow you to see all of the scrolling banners and games scores that may be cut off now.
Q. Can I see a sample of what you mean by color accuracy?
A. Click here to see two photos I use to illustrate color accuracy. You can also see some of the most common problems at this site.
Q. What adjustments are usually made?
A. Black level (brightness), white level (contrast), sharpness, color and tint are always adjusted. Much of the time will be spent on gray scale adjustments. This is a measurement of the color settings from a very dark screen to a very bright screen. This requires sophisticated instruments and is ususally an iterative process. An assessment of the set's geometry (shape of the picture and convergence of the colors) will also be made but the actual time spent on adjustment will depend on the particular TV and how much time you're willing to pay for. Geometry adjustments can take several hours.
Q. How long will the calibration take?
A. With no geometry adjustments the calibration will normally take 3-4 hours. It's not unusual to spend 4-6 hours, especially if multiple types of signals are calibrated.
Q. How often should my TV be calibrated?
A. That depends on hours of use and the quality of your TV, but most should be calibrated annually.
Q. Should I be there while my TV is being calibrated?
A. You don't have to be, but if you care enough about the picture quality to have your set calibrated, you may be interested in learning more about the calibration process and see how it's done. A few of the adjustments can be checked without instruments and you may want to learn how to do it yourself. You should also learn how to clean the lenses every few months. There may also need to be some decisions made during the calibration about some compromises if the room lighting isn't optimal or your TV doesn't calibrate well.
Q. Do you work on all brands?
A. I can, but I'll make sure you're aware if I'm not experienced working on your brand or particular model.
Q. Do you work on the newer technologies?
A. Yes. I have experience with DLP's (rear and front), LCD's (rear and front) and plasma. I have the necessary equipment to calibrate in all resolutions including 1080p.
Q. Will I have to take off work if I want to be there?
A. No. The schedule is very flexible. Some evenings are available and some weekend time is available.
This document maintained by
David Levy.
Material Copyright
© 2001 Abbey Road Home Theater