Video Screen Calibration (Plasma)??

[brubacca]

What are people doing these days for TV calibration? I remember seeing a fancy colorimeter that you could buy and put on the TV. It was a datacolor Spyder, but the new version does not say it's is for TVs.


I have a plasma and would like to self calibrate. If a Blue Ray is the way to go then what are you using?

[KeithL]

Most of the "serious" colorimeters can be used "manually" - if you have the right test patterns.
(I seem to remember that, with the last one I had that had a specific "TV attachment", the TV adapter was really just an arrangement of thin elastic straps to fold the meter in front of the screen.)

However, while I usually calibrate my computer monitors, I rarely bother to calibrate my TVs; a lot of the modern TVs are actually pretty good "right out of the box" (and a lot of sources aren't so good that accuracy is really critical anyway).

To me, the most annoying thing is that modern TVs, even higher end ones, don't support auto-calibration. If I want to calibrate my computer monitor, I stick the colorimeter onto the screen, start up the software, and go for a break; the software runs all the test patterns, takes all the measurements, downloads the corrections, and enables them. When I come back in ten minutes my computer is perfectly calibrated. Considering the price of an expensive TV, and that a good quality colorimeter can be bought for under $150, and that my "smart TV" already contains a computer anyway, it seems to me that I should be able to purchase a colorimeter, plug it into the TV, hit the "cal" button, and have the TV calibrate itself the same way.... no fuss, no muss, and no interaction or professional help required. (To me it seems like an obvious feature to include on at least the deluxe models.)

Apr 4, 2016 10:18:10 GMT -5 brubacca said:

What are people doing these days for TV calibration? I remember seeing a fancy colorimeter that you could buy and put on the TV. It was a datacolor Spyder, but the new version does not say it's is for TVs.


I have a plasma and would like to self calibrate. If a Blue Ray is the way to go then what are you using?

[509Paul]

You can usually find calibration specs posted online for most TVs and try those for an improved picture.

[Loop 7]

I'm a Panasonic plasma owner and can't fathom having another panel.

I found settings online for mine done by a calibrator. I know it's not 100% perfect because every panel differs but it looks amazing.

If you have $300, hire a professional calibrator.

[cawgijoe]

I find settings online, say from CNET and use those. I then use a bluray calibration disc such as the Disney WOW disc and confirm or further tweak. Picture has always looked great to me afterward.

I'm sure if you spend the extra money for a professional calibrator it will be even better, but I've not found the need to.

[brubacca]

Apr 4, 2016 12:59:38 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

I'm a Panasonic plasma owner and can't fathom having another panel.

I found settings online for mine done by a calibrator. I know it's not 100% perfect because every panel differs but it looks amazing.

If you have $300, hire a professional calibrator.

I too have a Panasonic Plasma. I'll search for calibration specs.

Thanks to the multiple people who suggested this

[KeithL]

I would suggest you check out these guys:

www.rtings.com/

They do rather thorough reviews, and also provide "recommended settings" for many models they review.

[butchgo]

I have used this with good results.

www.oppodigital.com/proddetail.asp?prod=BDSM2R&cat=23