complete newb, trying to calibrate a sony lcd.

Greetings

DVE HD basics ... it has instructions.

regards

Did you read the first post in Display Calibration? This thread isn't about setting the User Menu controls, it is about true calibration of the display. Those are 2 different things.

If your reference to "calibrating" means setting the User Menu controls, all you need is the DVE HD Basics disc Michael mentioned - very inexpensive at Amazon.com. But that is NOT calibration. You can also visit the owner's thread for those who own TVs in the same model line as yours (if there is one, if there isn't one, you can start your own thread). You may (or not) find useful info about settings in threads like that. But it's not a replacement for owning and using the DVE HD Basics disc.

If you really mean you want to calibrate your TV with a meter and software, you want to see the thread called "Calibration For Dummies" that explains your options and costs fairly well. But do-it-yourself calibration typically fails if the person gets into it to try to save money over the cost of professional calibration. Those who are successful with do-it-yourself calibration understand in advance that they will spend more than the cost of professional calibration to achieve professional-level results... and they understand that they will invest a lot of time, probably 100 hours or more learing what they need to know to be able to produce a pro-level calibration on their video display.

Yes you can do basic adjustments with a proper test disc and yes this is a huge improvement and probably the best value along the spectrum of 'calibration.' That being said, the one major component that you can't address very well with a test disc with much accuracy is greyscale, which requires colorimetry equipment of some kind. Obviously a more experienced hand with the proper equipment will do a much more thorough job of aligning a display, but aligning the system's black and white level, sharpness, and color saturation with the aid of disc-based patterns is a HUGE improvement. But of course it is never a replacement for a total calibration.

^yup, SERVICE MENU Calibration= the real deal