[Raven_]

I know there's been alot of threads on this issue already.


In my case, it was worth it. The technician spent a good 3 hours calibrating the unit while I was asking him any question that came through my mind. Let me just say that he knew what he was doing (or at least I think he was...hehe)


The factory (out-of-the-box) grayscale settings were quite off as soon we started to measure them with the Philips CRT Color/Grayscale Analyzer.


Remember that 6500K (Kelvin) is the ideal color temperature for the level of video amplitude (IRE) between 20 IRE and 100 IRE.


As was stated by the technician prior to calibration, the 34XBR800 Pro mode, with SVM off and using the warm color temperature and default user settings (contrast, brightness, hue, etc), is as close as you can get to 6500K without requiring ISF calibration.


Here's a glimpse of what I had before the calibration:


IRE PRE-CALIBRATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

100 IRE 8403 (High Level APL)

90 IRE 8379

80 IRE 8379

70 IRE 8390

60 IRE 8389

50 IRE 8471

40 IRE 8624

30 IRE 8911

20 IRE 9325 (Low Level APL)



IRE POST CALIBRATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

100 IRE 6597 (High Level APL)

90 IRE 6563

80 IRE 6553

70 IRE 6539

60 IRE 6538

50 IRE 6517

40 IRE 6560

30 IRE 6570

20 IRE 6505 (Low Level APL)



Warm setting (after calibration)......... 29.61 ftL


In addition to the greyscale, color tweaks were also done (red, green, blue) but overall, the grayscale was the most important. I can honestly say that I now have a good 10-15% improvement in visual quality. For some people that may not sound like much but to me it was. I can now sleep well knowing that the unit is fine-tuned to 6500K. Cost: $250


Cheers

Raven

 

[Ufanco]

Thanks for posting this info. I have been kicking around the ideal of having my 34XBR800 ISF calibrated. After seeing the inprovements it offered you I think I will go ahead and have it done.

 

[editor]

Raven, can you say where you're located? I was checking out ISF calibration and found two people doing it. The first estimate I got back was approximately twice what you paid, and it didn't include working on the color!!


Ed

 

[Raven_]

Quote:

Originally posted by editor Raven, can you say where you're located? I was checking out ISF calibration and found two people doing it. The first estimate I got back was approximately twice what you paid, and it didn't include working on the color!! Ed

Hi Ed, I'm located in Montreal so I doubt it would be near you


Here's the link of the ISF technician (Leo) who calibrated my unit:

http://www.htcal.com
http://www.htcal.com/en/services/display.htm


btw, that was $250 CDN (or about $165 US)...an incredible bargain for 3 hours of work and just as good as any other ISF calibration specialists.


I found him through the ISF web site at http://www.imagingscience.com/


Cheers

Raven

 

[tramahound]

i have a great home theater shop down the road from me (woodbridge Audio/Video), but whenever I ask them about calibrating my 36XBR400 they say they only do it to sets bought through them and even if I did buy it from them I would have to be put on a waiting list for it

 

[Calabs]

Quote:

Originally posted by tramahound i have a great home theater shop down the road from me (woodbridge Audio/Video), but whenever I ask them about calibrating my 36XBR400 they say they only do it to sets bought through them and even if I did buy it from them I would have to be put on a waiting list for it

tramahound,

I live in E. Brunswick and work in Rahway. I also got the same shpeal from Woodbridge. Try giving AVICAL a call. Eliab is the owner, and he does the calibrations himself. Very good with Sonys. I'm going to have him do my 34XBR800 after I give it a little more break-in time.


Tell him Ralph from Secrets of Home Theater sent you there.


Good luck!