How are they and their calibrations?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat108000050040&type=category

Greetings

New into the calibration arena ... they have sent their people to take ISF seminars so they are just as equipped as most independent calibrators.

It now comes down to picking the right calibrator for the job.

Just like there are good doctors and bad ones ... good lawyers and bad ones ... good mechanics and bad ones ... it is now up to the individual seeking calibration services to figure out whom are the good ones and whom are the bad ones ... and whom are mediocre.

Pricing is similar to what the ISF recommends.

One key trait of good calibrators is that they are enthusiasts first ... so they love the stuff to begin with. Will the tech representing that particular Magnolia store be an enthusiast or just some guy who got sent to take a course but didn't want to be there?

Regards

Well put, Michael. I'll preface my comments here by saying that I'm not trying to take on the role of an official MHT spokeperson. I would say that I am a pretty hardcore HT enthusiast (many years on this forum, many years as an enthusiast before finding this forum, attended 2 home theater cruises through the forum, I've built 2 dedicated FP rooms in my homes, etc.). I myself am not one of the certified calibrators for MHT. However, I have been involved from the beginning with the test & launch of the program. We selected some of our best installers to become ISF certified. I met many of them, and while I can't personally state that each and every one of them is an enthusiast (per the informal standards of the AVS forum), I will say that they all care a great deal about providing a quality experience for their customers. I know that this sounds like a "corporate line". All I can do is say that I was on this forum as an enthusiast long before I ever started working with MHT, and I bring that perspective to the work that I do with MHT. Many of our installers come to work with that same perspective as well. My recommendation to you would be to try and meet the calibrator for your market before you commit to the service (whether it's an MHT installer or not). I've done that with all of the ISF guys I've had in my home over the past several years, and I've never been let down by the end result.

jj

Alright, thanks for the response, it sounds like Magnolia Calibrators are worth the price.

Very well said Michael :) . It is also important to note the equipment that a calibrator is using. Magnolia equipped calibrators use color analyzers that are incapable of accurately calibrating many of the display devices currently on the market. A calibrator with faulty equipment is misleading the consumer. The purpose of calibration is to achieve the most accurate image possible, yielding an image that represents what was intended. If the calibrator uses equipment that will provide faulty readings, the system will go from one incorrect setting to another - never allowing the desired results to be achieved.

Regards,

Dave

Dave, if you don't recommend Magnolia, any suggestions?

Greetings

It depends on what type of TV you have ... no need to avoid them if the equipment suits the display.

CRT... Plasma... good match for color analyzers ... typically.

LCD/DLP/LCOS ... Spectrometers recommended.

Regards

dajet00,

My comments are not intended to discredit Magnolia. They may have great calibrators performing an excellent level of service. My above comment was meant to add to Michael's comments pertaining to 'not all calibrators being equal' - you should always shop around. I know people directly involved in the training and certification of Magnolia calibrators and they informed me of the equipment being used, which is why I made the comment.

Michael is correct in that you do not need to avoid them if the equipment they are using suits the display. Once you are certain that a calibrator has adequate equipment, look for experience and reputation. If their equipment is not adequate for the display, we recommend seeking help elsewhere.

Regards,

Dave

Thanks to this forum, I have had the outstanding good fortune of utilizing the services of among the best ISF calibrators around in the New York area-

Kevin Miller of ISFTV
Founding Imaging Science Foundation Member since 1994
Industry Consultant ~ ISF Instructor
Contributing Editor to CNET.COM, & AVRev.com

FYI, I am not a shill, relative, sales agent or promoter for Kevin or his organization. I am a very thoroughly enthusiastic satisfied client and now, a true believer that there is calibration and then there is "CALIBRATION"! Be forewarned, to have it done correctly, it is not cheap nor fast. Though worth every Penny!

While this may be painting all of the "Magnolia" ISF techs with a broad brush, the few I met were in kindergarten relative to the experience, knowledge and preparation someone like Kevin and his brethren bring to the calibration party.

I had my new 250 hour, Pioneer Pro-1140HD calibrated for use with a SA8300HD DVR and the new OPPO 981 DVD player using the 2 HDMI inputs of the Plasma.

Kevin, brought numerous pieces of test equipment, computers, test disks and the latest ISF software program which ultimately allowed even MORE picture SAVE options than previously available in the stock Pioneer Internal software!

For reference, I had my unit set according to "D-NICE's" postings and was extremely satisfied with its quality images. When Kevin was done using his Software program and saved it-- The image was (to quote my Wife) like looking through a window! MAGNIFICIENT!!! Kevin, not satisfied with some of the software glitches even spent time on the phone with the programmer to insure the instructions were better written for future use! Talk about clout!

He also calibrated my 10yr old SONY KP-53S65 RPTV which had provided me many satisfied hours of viewing. Though a recent move fouled up the picture, focus, convergence and color guns. This set now performs better than the day it was delivered 10 years ago!

A total of nearly 7 hours was spent getting both of these TV's viewable to Kevins keenly trained eye and professional satisfaction. Moreover, his persona and demeanor were friendly, relaxed, at times humorous, thoroughly knowledgeable without being condescending, and always professionally reassuring.

Some of you are already asking if MY CALIBRATION #'S ARE CLOSE TO D'NICE'S POSTING. FRANKLY, I'VE HAVE BEEN TO BUSY WATCHING MOVIES & LIVE SHOWS TO PAY ATTENTION TO NUMBERS! Over the next day or so, I will compare the numbers and while not giving the specifics as I too respect the integrity of their efforts and income, I will share glaring(if any) differences.

ps- Kevin did advise the newest Pioneer's Pro-940, 1140, 1540 and Panasonic TH--X600U series are among, if not THE BEST plasmas he has worked with.

To all members of this forum... Keep up the great postings and information flowing!

I just had my tv calibrated by Eliab of Avical and I think he did a great job, I was first reluctant to do it , but I have never seen a picture on my set ,a pioneer pro 530 hd, like I have now, the colors , clarity ,and depth are amazing,even my dvds are out of this world,I was thinking of getting into blu ray or hd dvd, but now I will definitly wait, Great Job to Eliab, and I believe Dave you are his partner on the other side you could not of picked a better guy
thanks

Evan

[QUOTE]even spent time on the phone with the programmer to insure the instructions were better written for future use! Talk about clout[U]

That was me. It is always a pleasure to hang with the best.

Your plasma is frkn awesome. the elite line has really nailed it.

Gregg

Edited to add: LionAV is the level 3 calibration tech support company for Datacolor for both of its products, SpyderTVPro and ColorFacts 7.0. We are proud to support the best in the business (ie Kevin) and also the just graduated ISF tech / newbie.

Hello Evan,

We are glad to hear that you are enjoying your properly calibrated display! It is also great to know the Eliab is doing wonderful work - though it has never been a question of that ;).

Enjoy!

Dave