My Panasonic TH58PZ700U is less than a month old, been through the brake-in period, and is performing very well. I am quite happy actually.
Anyway, reading through the forums convinced me that having it calibrated would make things optimal. AFTER making the appointment I am concerned that my decision was too hasty. There are very few posts from folks that have had their plasma calibrated. Also does calibration necessarily require accessing service menu? I assumed it did. With the set also being a new model can I honestly expect my calibration man Eliab (or any calibration pro) to be up on it, experience wise?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

good choice on the panny th58pz700u. and getting it calibrated will asure you your getting the best pq from it. being able to have Eliab do it is even better as he is one of the top isf techs in the country. the 58pz's have only been around a short time yes, but don't worry you have got one of the very best guys for the job.

good choice on the panny th58pz700u. and getting it calibrated will asure you your getting the best pq from it. being able to have Eliab do it is even better as he is one of the top isf techs in the country. the 58pz's have only been around a short time yes, but don't worry you have got one of the very best guys for the job.

dssturbo1:
Thank you for your reply. I did speak with Eliab, and felt good about our conversation. The comments that you and several others have made about my concerns are GREATLY appreciated. I feel much better about my decision to have my Panny optimized and am really looking forward to it.

I most definitely will let everyone know about my experience.

JYJ

My Panasonic TH58PZ700U is less than a month old, been through the brake-in period, and is performing very well. I am quite happy actually.
Anyway, reading through the forums convinced me that having it calibrated would make things optimal. AFTER making the appointment I am concerned that my decision was too hasty. There are very few posts from folks that have had their plasma calibrated. Also does calibration necessarily require accessing service menu? I assumed it did. With the set also being a new model can I honestly expect my calibration man Eliab (or any calibration pro) to be up on it, experience wise?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Absolutely go ahead and get your display calibrated. One of the forum members that had his display calibrated a few weeks ago sent me the before and after performance graphs and I can attest to the difference. It was, on paper, a significant improvement that he could see as well. I recall color temperature along with grey scale tracking, the basis for all PQ, was vastly improved.

Don't forget that an ISF technician can also properly set up your SS system and he found that service to make as much a difference as the video portion.

Please share you experiences with us and be sure to get before and after graphs so we can see the results.

Cheers, :)

Gary

Absolutely go ahead and get your display calibrated. One of the forum members that had his display calibrated a few weeks ago sent me the before and after performance graphs and I can attest to the difference. It was, on paper, a significant improvement that he could see as well. I recall color temperature along with grey scale tracking, the basis for all PQ, was vastly improved.

Don't forget that an ISF technician can also properly set up your SS system and he found that service to make as much a difference as the video portion.

Please share you experiences with us and be sure to get before and after graphs so we can see the results.

Cheers, :)

Gary

Gary:

Appreciate your support, and that from all other forum members who responded.
My appointment is this coming Friday, and I am looking forward to sharing my experience and the results with everyone.

Best to you,
JYJ

I also just purchase the Panny 58pz700u (arrives next week). I am extremely interested in the results of your calibration session.

Thanks very much for sharing,
Ray

My Panasonic TH58PZ700U is less than a month old, been through the brake-in period, and is performing very well. I am quite happy actually.
Anyway, reading through the forums convinced me that having it calibrated would make things optimal. AFTER making the appointment I am concerned that my decision was too hasty. There are very few posts from folks that have had their plasma calibrated. Also does calibration necessarily require accessing service menu? I assumed it did. With the set also being a new model can I honestly expect my calibration man Eliab (or any calibration pro) to be up on it, experience wise?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Have you ever seen a calibrated set? If not you should before you spend this money

It's a fact that the majority of people that have their sets calibrated change the settings after the calibrator leaves. This is confirmed by some of the best calibrators in the country. A calibrated set produces a much darker and softer picture than people have ever seen before. It's an acquired taste that takes much getting used to. The notion of calibration leaves the impression that it must be better, but many hate the look of a calibrated set.

Before all the naysayers jump in go to the calibration forum and do some research as this is discussed over there.

I kind of agree with Omletpants. Just had mine calibrated (by the Geek Squad through Best Buy). The picture was very dim afterwards. Watching Spiderman 3 during a sunny daytime scene looked like dusk. I think (though I'm not sure because I may not have noticed earlier) but there seems to be more noise in the picture now.

I am actually considering researching how to reset the TV back to manufacturers specifications...we'll see.

Gary

I kind of agree with Omletpants. Just had mine calibrated (by the Geek Squad through Best Buy). The picture was very dim afterwards. Watching Spiderman 3 during a sunny daytime scene looked like dusk. I think (though I'm not sure because I may not have noticed earlier) but there seems to be more noise in the picture now.

I am actually considering researching how to reset the TV back to manufacturers specifications...we'll see.

Gary

Gary. sorry to hear about that but it's a common thread with people that have calibrations. People just think: "Hmm...calibration, must be a good thing". But for the vast majority of people the picture is unacceptable and they are stuck with $300-500 they can't recover. I have had two calibrators give me a sample of what my plasma would look like and I hated it. Too dark and soft

Gary. sorry to hear about that but it's a common thread with people that have calibrations. People just think: "Hmm...calibration, must be a good thing". But for the vast majority of people the picture is unacceptable and they are stuck with $300-500 they can't recover. I have had two calibrators give me a sample of what my plasma would look like and I hated it. Too dark and soft

I wouldn't go as far and say the vast majority of people. I think that's a bit of an exaggeration no offense. I agree that seeing a calibrated and non-calibrated sets side by side the non-calibrated definitely catches the eye at first because it's a lot brighter and more vivid, but your average person can tell that flesh tones on the calibrated sets are much more realistic and details are much better despite the picture being softer. Not to mention a calibration will cut a plasmas power consumption almost in half.

Having a conversation with a calibrator is an interesting experience. Most could benefit from having their set adjusted if they could retain some of the clarity and contrast they are accustomed. This would make the calibration a cooperative venture between making the TV better but giving the customer more of the look they want.

But it doesn't work that way and it's an all or nothing proposition. hey are going to do it their way or not at all. There is a certain pride and attitude that goes along with their profession which in many cases is not practical for the real world. Some would say it's about educating a customer, but there is no amount of education that will make me agree to something that doesn't look good to me

I wouldn't go as far and say the vast majority of people. I think that's a bit of an exaggeration no offense.

No offense taken. I'm just quoting the words of one of the top calibrators in the country. He said most customers change the settings, not me

My Panasonic TH58PZ700U is less than a month old, been through the brake-in period, and is performing very well. I am quite happy actually.
Anyway, reading through the forums convinced me that having it calibrated would make things optimal. AFTER making the appointment I am concerned that my decision was too hasty. There are very few posts from folks that have had their plasma calibrated. Also does calibration necessarily require accessing service menu? I assumed it did. With the set also being a new model can I honestly expect my calibration man Eliab (or any calibration pro) to be up on it, experience wise?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

A timely discussion...I have been exchanging e-mails with Eliab over the past several days...he has been extremely responsive and forthright in answering my questions and concerns about professional calibration...he is very honest in his explanation of the outcome and impact of a professionally calibrated plasma HDTV...I am considering having him calibrate my TH-50PZ700U...however, he stresses what I have come to realize on my Panny..."a display will only be as good as the signal being fed to it and the viewing environment"...in other words, some HDTV and blu-ray will look spectacular in a room with limited to no ambient light...Hmmm...isn't that already the case on these Pannys?

A professional calibrator's only objective is to get your display as close as possible to professional PQ standards...based off of the AVICAL testimonials and AV forum members, Eliab of AVICAL is probably the best in the business.

My only hesitation is that a professionally calibrated TV is probably most impressive and effectively viewed (and appreciated) in a designated Home Theater room with no ambient light...this is not my viewing enviroment (I have windows & french doors in my living room)...additionally, Eliab will calibrate in Cinema Picture Mode - clearly the best PQ but also the dimmest mode (compared to Custom, Standard or Vivid).

My final comment is that perhaps I am in quest of The Holy Grail PQ...to be honest, CNET's recommended picture settings for the 700U look pretty friggin' phenomenal in Custom Mode and Cinema Mode...will I really see dramatic improvement?...CNET's calibrations were done with professional equipment by a very knowledgeable HT CNET editor who has a great deal of experience calibrating HDTV's..he's just not going into the Service Menu (as I wouldn't either).

Well, I'm still scratching my head on this one...PLEASE report back on your experience...Eliab will be in my area next month...IF I am going to get a professional calibration, he is DEFINITELY the man for the job.

So, JYJ, I say "Go For It"...consider yourself BMAN's guinea pig.;)

A timely discussion...I have been exchanging e-mails with Eliab over the past several days...he has been extremely responsive and forthright in answering my questions and concerns about professional calibration...he is very honest in his explanation of the outcome and impact of a professionally calibrated plasma HDTV...I am considering having him calibrate my TH-50PZ700U...however, he stresses what I have come to realize on my Panny..."a display will only be as good as the signal being fed to it and the viewing environment"...in other words, some HDTV and blu-ray will look spectacular in a room with limited to no ambient light...Hmmm...isn't that already the case on these Pannys?

A professional calibrator's only objective is to get your display as close as possible to professional PQ standards...based off of the AVICAL testimonials and AV forum members, Eliab of AVICAL is probably the best in the business.

My only hesitation is that a professionally calibrated TV is probably most impressive and effectively viewed (and appreciated) in a designated Home Theater room with no ambient light...this is not my viewing enviroment (I have windows & french doors in my living room)...additionally, Eliab will calibrate in Cinema Picture Mode - clearly the best PQ but also the dimmest mode (compared to Custom, Standard or Vivid).

My final comment is that perhaps I am in quest of The Holy Grail PQ...to be honest, CNET's recommended picture settings for the 700U look pretty friggin' phenomenal in Custom Mode and Cinema Mode...will I really see dramatic improvement?...CNET's calibrations were done with professional equipment by a very knowledgeable HT CNET editor who has a great deal of experience calibrating HDTV's..he's just not going into the Service Menu (as I wouldn't either).

Well, I'm still scratching my head on this one...PLEASE report back on your experience...Eliab will be in my area next month...IF I am going to get a professional calibration, he is DEFINITELY the man for the job.

So, JYJ, I say "Go For It"...consider yourself BMAN's guinea pig.;)

Wait so on CNET, they give you calibrated settings to set the TV to? I also have a TH-50PZ700U but it hasn't been set up yet.

Wait so on CNET, they give you calibrated settings to set the TV to? I also have a TH-50PZ700U but it hasn't been set up yet.

yes, but remember "Your settings may very depending on source, room conditions, and personal preference"

http://help.cnet.com/9602-12576_39-0.html?messageID=2510290

Wait so on CNET, they give you calibrated settings to set the TV to? I also have a TH-50PZ700U but it hasn't been set up yet.

Sort of...CNET has recommended Custom Mode Picture Menu Settings for the TH-58PZ700U...and Cinema Mode for the TH-42PZ700U...I have found that these settings translate perfectly across different size displays...also, unlike many others claim, I believe that most every 700U is the exact same PQ right out of the box...while there may be exceptions, I believe that Panasonic has a consistent PQ objective across same models...in other words, removing viewing environment from the equation, my plasma PQ display will look like yours if we have our settings identical.

Back on topic...The End Game may be a professional calibration...apparently, JYJ is using one of the best calibration specialists...I look forward to him sharing his experiences...I enjoy watching TV, fiddling around with settings isn't my idea of fun (at least not any more)...others revel in it...me, I'm realizing the virtues of "Set It And Forget It".

BMAN, I'm with you. I have the Panny 50px600u and used the custom settings from *******************.com and the picture is phenomenal (in a normal living room). My new set is for the basement, with a more theatrical setting (dim lights, etc.) so I'm hoping to find similar custom settings for this set (it's a different generation display and full 1080P compared to the 1080i for the 600). I strongly suspect the PQ's from Panny are consistent (it's the way they operate). I was not aware that CNET had these settings as well.

Thanks to all,
Ray

I had my 50" PZ 700U and it was ISF calibrated. The picture is in no way dim at all. Omeletpants heard one post from one calibrator and it is now gospel to him.

Back when it was RPTV or CRT I an ISF calibrated set was considered dim, but not today! To the gentleman who had his set calibrated by Geek Squad, you get what you pay for. Best buy is very new to the ISF business and as a company they are not known for employee training.

I am beyond happy with my ISF calibrated set. I would recommend it to anybody.

My Panasonic TH58PZ700U is less than a month old, been through the brake-in period, and is performing very well. I am quite happy actually.
Anyway, reading through the forums convinced me that having it calibrated would make things optimal. AFTER making the appointment I am concerned that my decision was too hasty. There are very few posts from folks that have had their plasma calibrated. Also does calibration necessarily require accessing service menu? I assumed it did. With the set also being a new model can I honestly expect my calibration man Eliab (or any calibration pro) to be up on it, experience wise?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.


My 58PZ700U is due in tomorrow, I would love it if you let me/us know how the Cal. process went and to hear if you feel it was worth it. I've been thinking of doing the same when my breakin period is done, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

where is the official thread for calibrating a pana 50pz700u? I can't find it, would appreciate the link.
Thanks!

where is the official thread for calibrating a pana 50pz700u? I can't find it, would appreciate the link.
Thanks!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=978568