Calibration Learning Experience

[JKL1960]

I found something interesting here from a company that calibrates.

All of the procedures listed above for one source. This means we will calibrate your display to any single source like a High Definition set top box. Additional sources like the DVD player are an additional $75 each because they require a second calibration.

They will calibrate to a device but they don't mention calibrating the device itself. I'm not sure what they mean as I thought you calibrated the set's baseline. They might mean tweaking the user controls to optimize each device. Many sets memorize individual user settings for each input.

ETA: I could not locate any information about calibrating a Denon DVD player or entering a service grid for one. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist though.

 

[Audioholics]

I thought when getting a display ISF calibrated, the source is not used. Meaning, the tech will bring his own devices that will allow him to calibrate the input. This way you can change the source and know that your display is still good.

Am I missing something here?

Yes, you calibrate the system, not the input. You always calibrate the display to match the specific source you are using, otherwise you're calibrating to a non-realistic configuration that will not help the user. Now, for cable boxes and such it's almost impossible to calibrate the system per se, but with DVD inputs you put a reference disc in the client's DVD player.

If the client's DVD player is truly hosing the signal you may find some optional choices, but basically that's the method.

You don't calibrate the source device unless there is a deficiency in the display which the source device can at least partially correct for.

 

[ronnie 1.8]

You don't calibrate the source device unless there is a deficiency in the display which the source device can at least partially correct for.

Clint, I have a TH-50PHD8UK, that I don't believe has any deficiencies (has a stunning picture with my DVD2910 via comp), yet when I upgraded to a DVD3930CI via comp, the picture is faded, blacks are dark gray, etc. When it was professionally calibrated, I'm certain the tech adjusted both the plasma and the DVD player (in that order). Do you believe this is simply a matter of needing to adjust the 3930CI's picture settings?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Do you believe this is simply a matter of needing to adjust the 3930CI's picture settings?

That is what the ISF person did with my setup; first the projector, then the dvd player to not affect the pj setting as bet it can. There are limited adjustments on the dvd player compared to the pj.

 

[agarwalro]

You always calibrate the display to match the specific source you are using, otherwise you're calibrating to a non-realistic configuration that will not help the user.

Calibrating the system makes perfect sense to me but it would appear that this is where I ideologically defer on the concept of calibration. Calibrating the system works perfectly for someone who already has a reference quality DVD player, or for the user who knows that an upgrade is not in the wings...

When I eventually have my TV calibrated, I will not be looking for the most accurate picture from the TV + DVD Player combination since I know that my DVD player has inaccuracies. Instead, I want my TV to be calibrated as a stand alone unit. Using this approach when the picture looks like crap, I know it is the DVD or the player (current or upgraded) that is causing it... not the display.

 

[JKL1960]

Yes, you calibrate the system, not the input. You always calibrate the display to match the specific source you are using, otherwise you're calibrating to a non-realistic configuration that will not help the user. Now, for cable boxes and such it's almost impossible to calibrate the system per se, but with DVD inputs you put a reference disc in the client's DVD player.

If the client's DVD player is truly hosing the signal you may find some optional choices, but basically that's the method.

You don't calibrate the source device unless there is a deficiency in the display which the source device can at least partially correct for.

Of course, I get the whole thing now.

First you do the display with a signal generator then recheck it with a reference disc in the DVD player. A cable or sat. box would be hard because there are no reference signals.

In the OPs case there is enough of a difference between the old and new players that it doesn't look great. It could actually be the old player that is the culprit, either way it needs to be re-calibrated to the new player.

 

[ronnie 1.8]

Of course, I get the whole thing now.

First you do the display with a signal generator then recheck it with a reference disc in the DVD player. A cable or sat. box would be hard because there are no reference signals.

In the OPs case there is enough of a difference between the old and new players that it doesn't look great. It could actually be the old player that is the culprit, either way it needs to be re-calibrated to the new player.

Never thought of the old player (for me, my DVD2910) being the cause of the reduced PQ. And, referring to your above quote, after the display is as accurate as possible, and the reference disc is played through the DVD player, adjustments may need to be made to the DVD player's settings, AND they may also need to be made to the display. For me, this is preferred and acceptable, as having a display that is "industry perfect" is not applicable. One doesn't watch the display, one watches a source through the display.

 

[ronnie 1.8]

This is more of an observation "light-bulb" moment I wanted to share on the forum. I've had my Panasonic 50" 8UK plasma for just over a year, and recently had it ISF recalibrated (the first cal being upon purchase) via a Denon DVD2910 (component). The picture was amazing. I recently upgraded my player to a Denon DVD3930CI, and the picture, via both HDMI and component, has PQ waaaay below the 2910. What I learned is that a calibration is between 2 components - the monitor/display and the source. I had a perfectly balanced PQ between a monitor and source, and even though the source is the same brand (Denon), that balance is broken. I now need my plasma recal'd to the new source.

Yesterday I had my plasma recalibrated, and it turns out the problem was my plasma. The tech made significant changes to my plasma, which I had assumed could not be the cause of the problem, as I had it calibrated not 3 months ago. He made only a very minor tweak to the 3930CI itself, and via HDMI, it is passing with flying colors! The Joe Kane Productions montage (sp?) looked beautiful, and the tech said certain scenes have never looked better. That sounds a bit suspect, but who knows? He said it was the first 3930CI or 5910 he's calibrated. The 3930CI (via HDMI) provides a clearly visible improvement over the 2910 (via comp). It's insane. I watched about 20 min of The Polar Express last night in awe. I'm very pleased! For an extra $125 he calibrated my component input (for TiVo HD Series3 and PS2). For use of my DVD player, I needed to tweak my Harmony 880 so that the AVR, then DVD player, then plasma come on, in that order, for the HDCP digital handshake to occur. And what a joy it is to use Denon Link in lieu of 8 analogue cables. Now I just want to leave work, go home and play with my toys!!!