Originally Posted by
debyrd 
These images are from the calibration session done by Doug Weil on February 18, 2012. The panel is the TC-P55VT30 purchased from Best Buy Magnolia (Kennessaw, GA) in September, 2011. It has several hundred hours on it.
Prior to Doug's visit we exchanged several e-mails and phone calls over the course of a few weeks. The good calibrators make rounds about the country or region so setting up a session can take a little time. A week or so prior to the appointment, he gave me specific instructions for downloading and installing firmware updates.
He requested information about the devices connected to the TV such as Blu-ray, HD-DVD, Comcast DVR, etc. And he wanted to be sure all the original remote control units were available to him.
He requested that the set be turned on for at least an hour before the calibration. It is important for the room to be pretty dark for the test equipment to function correctly, especially for the low level calibration.
He arrived right on time at 10am. We brought his equipment in and he went right to work. Setup time can vary but is usually about half an hour.
This is only my second calibration session. I had my Philips 42" plasma calibrated in the Spring of 2007 by Randy Tomlinson who worked with the same 'Lion AV' Group as Doug. I really wanted Randy to tune up my new TV but I could not locate him. I came across Doug in the process and he informed me that Randy was killed in an airplane accident shortly after he set up my Philips. The two men knew each other.
So, I sort of knew what to expect.
The control signal from the computer is RS-232. It seems a bit 'retro' for such a modern TV to require that connection but it works. The technician can then do a little magic and get inside the calibration menu. A signal generator creates the specific images that are then read by a 'camera-like device' that sits on a tripod a few inches from the TV. Sorry I can't recall the proper name for the device but it is impressive.
After the equipment was set up Doug did a scan using the settings I had applied in the Custom mode. He also did a 'pre-calibration' check in the THX mode.
(I did not post the THX images at this time). While the settings were not terrible, there was room for improvement.
Doug is quite good at explaining the process. He was also quite patient with some of my silly questions. I work in the broadcast engineer field, but it is radio. I know very little about how color TV works. But I know more today than yesterday after the session. He explained every aspect of what he was doing each step of the way. He was here for more than three hours and was busy the entire time.
My old custom settings are still intact so I can go back and forth to compare the before and after. It really is neat to see how much better things look, especially the darker lit images.
I asked Doug to create a 'Day ISF' mode although we mostly watch TV at night. He did some quick measurements and we decided it wasn't worth the effort for a slightly brighter picture. The Night ISF mode is pretty bright really.
I highly recommend Doug as your calibrator. I am very impressed.
"Lion AV Consultants" web site has details for booking.
This review probably belongs in the calibration thread but since I started the discussion here yesterday I just posted here. Perhaps there is some way to link it. Today is the first time I ever posted images.
-Dick
I was surprised this happened, since the 6523 is rated for 200 lbs. Maybe my unit is defective, I will check with Monoprice.
