[avhed]

I just got it today, and it must have been running in the torch mode for two and a half years. I can assume it has lost a fair bit of its brightness.

I am considering calibration for the 2 component inputs, should I do the HDMI too?

Tonight, I am getting a taste of its potential. Like other recent Sonys the color is fairly accurate from the factory. (A lot more so than my Panasonic CT30WX15 out of the box).

I got this set for CAN$599 from the original dealer who got it recently as a trade in. There are no marks on the screen , and only minor ones on the case.

This set never sold for less than about CAN$2200 on this island.

 

[UWisconsin97]

Very nice.


ISF calibration is worth every penny.

 

[ruadmaa]



Quote:
Originally Posted by avhed /forum/post/0


I just got it today, and it must have been running in the torch mode for two and a half years. I can assume it has lost a fair bit of its brightness.

I am considering calibration for the 2 component inputs, should I do the HDMI too?

Tonight, I am getting a taste of its potential. Like other recent Sonys the color is fairly accurate from the factory. (A lot more so than my Panasonic CT30WX15 out of the box).

I got this set for CAN$599 from the original dealer who got it recently as a trade in. There are no marks on the screen , and only minor ones on the case.

This set never sold for less than about CAN$2200 on this island.

Quite frankly, you can do quite nicely with the AVIA or Video Essentials disk. I have been using a Hitachi 65S700 for several years now and set it up with the video essentials disk and am very satisfied with it. I suppose there are those who say it isn't perfect but in my opinion is looks just as good as the color I see at the local theatres. Live shows such as Letterman and Leno are stunning. Could calibration make it better?? Possibly but in my opinion, my picture is so beautiful that I sincerely doubt that there is very much, if any, improvement that calibration would do. Calibration is expensive, so for me personally, I don't think that it is at all worth it. Remember too, not all those who calibrate sets are perfect and you may end up with a picture that YOU PERSONALLY don't consider as good as the one you have now. Your choice.

 

[avhed]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ruadmaa /forum/post/0


. Calibration is expensive, so for me personally, I don't think that it is at all worth it. Remember too, not all those who calibrate sets are perfect and you may end up with a picture that YOU PERSONALLY don't consider as good as the one you have now. Your choice.

Its not about perfection, I want to touch up the geometry, and get it turned down from the torch mode, and have the grey tracking working properly.

No I do not consider a distorted geometry, colors that are off, and running the phospors so high that they deteriorate faster to be good.

After calibration, you still have a good range of adjustment.

I already have a Panasonic CT30WX15 at home that was calibrated after breakin, and its worth every penny.

So I am after a experienced opinion.

 

[ruadmaa]



Quote:
Originally Posted by avhed /forum/post/0


Its not about perfection, I want to touch up the geometry, and get it turned down from the torch mode, and have the grey tracking working properly.

No I do not consider a distorted geometry, colors that are off, and running the phospors so high that they deteriorate faster to be good.

After calibration, you still have a good range of adjustment.

I already have a Panasonic CT30WX15 at home that was calibrated after breakin, and its worth every penny.

So I am after a experienced opinion.

Sorry I bothered to try to answer your question. By all means get it calibrated if you feel that way. Don't understand why you asked in the first place.

 

[MechanicalMan]

I second both of ruadmaa's comments.

 

[gte024h]

Yes.


Talk to Chad, he's done a lot of these sets. It made a big difference on mine.

 

[David Susilo]

it's worth every penny. All my displays are professionally calibrated annually and PC monitors calibrated using Spyder Pro monthly. I've been doing this for at least the past 12 years.

 

[RalphArch]

An interesting divergence of opinions on worth of professional calibration. As an inexperience individual I suppose the OP has already stated he is not interested in my opinion, but I will chime in anyway that my initial view (and lack of spending to date) follow those of ruadma and Mechanical Man's.


So maybe I should reconsider based on the feedback of those with experience. I have a 36KD955xs, a Marquee 81110+, and an RCA 36100MN; all of which have never been calibrated (even by myself), although I own Digital Video Essentials DVD.


Each of these displays (two HD direct views and a CRT projector) cost about $1k, so I have about $3k invested in HD displays. (not counting my Sharp PG A10x LCD projector which I assume cannot be calibrated)


What would the costs of a triple ISF calibration run? Obviously subjective but if for example such a calibration was another $1k wouldn't I be better off just buying a new digital that doesn't need calibration (and resell one of my other displays)? How do you gauge what the expense is worth?


I can see spending big bucks on a high end home theater; where you have invested $25k or more in equipment. But the equation becomes murkier for us bottom dwellers.


Convince me to come over to the sharp side.


Thought about not wanting to violate the OP's intent, but that can hardly be appropriate unless his only desire was to get confirmation from soulmates that his decision was sound.

 

[UWisconsin97]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RalphArch /forum/post/0


An interesting divergence of opinions on worth of professional calibration. As an inexperience individual I suppose the OP has already stated he is not interested in my opinion, but I will chime in anyway that my initial view (and lack of spending to date) follow those of ruadma and Mechanical Man's.


So maybe I should reconsider based on the feedback of those with experience. I have a 36KD955xs, a Marquee 81110+, and an RCA 36100MN; all of which have never been calibrated (even by myself), although I own Digital Video Essentials DVD.


Each of these displays (two HD direct views and a CRT projector) cost about $1k, so I have about $3k invested in HD displays. (not counting my Sharp PG A10x LCD projector which I assume cannot be calibrated)


What would the costs of a triple ISF calibration run? Obviously subjective but if for example such a calibration was another $1k wouldn't I be better off just buying a new digital that doesn't need calibration (and resell one of my other displays)? How do you gauge what the expense is worth?


I can see spending big bucks on a high end home theater; where you have invested $25k or more in equipment. But the equation becomes murkier for us bottom dwellers.


Convince me to come over to the sharp side.


Thought about not wanting to violate the OP's intent, but that can hardly be appropriate unless his only desire was to get confirmation from soulmates that his decision was sound.

Assuming the calibrator didn't give you a deal, the standard price starts at $225 a set. So that's $675 without any discount, but if you're doing 3, he/she should cut you a deal.



I'm not so sure where your going with this:





"I be better off just buying a new digital that doesn't need calibration (and resell one of my other displays)?"


IMO, ALL TV's should be professionally calibrated, unless you really know what your doing. Buying a new TV doesn't mean you will get a better picture, or need calibration.

 

[David Susilo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by UWisconsin97 /forum/post/0


Assuming the calibrator didn't give you a deal, the standard price starts at $225 a set. So that's $675 without any discount, but if you're doing 3, he/she should cut you a deal.

I'm sure my ISF calibrator doesn't want me to divulge the amount he charged me here. But after 12 years and minimum of 3 TVs each year, I receive quite a substantial discount... even from the 1st year. Suffice to say I paid less than $500 even on my first calibration for all 3 TVs. Even much less now... MUCH less.

Quote:
Originally Posted by UWisconsin97 /forum/post/0


IMO, ALL TV's should be professionally calibrated, unless you really know what your doing. Buying a new TV doesn't mean you will get a better picture.

Agreed.

 

[UWisconsin97]



Quote:
Originally Posted by David Susilo /forum/post/0


I'm sure my ISF calibrator doesn't want me to divulge the amount he charged me here. But after 12 years and minimum of 3 TVs each year, I receive quite a substantial discount... even from the 1st year. Suffice to say I paid less than $500 even on my first calibration for all 3 TVs. Even much less now... MUCH less.

The standard now-a-days, for a CRT is $225. You may get additional discounts, but that's the starting point.

 

[ClayPigeon]

Wow thats noth that bad of a price actually. Thats including travel? Any hidden fees?

 

[David Susilo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by UWisconsin97 /forum/post/0


The standard now-a-days, for a CRT is $225. You may get additional discounts, but that's the starting point.

Thanks for the info. I know my price can't be used as a guide due to my longstanding relationship with the calibrator, the fact that he lives only a couple of miles from my house, we were since became friends, and also he can do the work whenever he feels like it (as long as it's in the month of January of every year

)

 

[UWisconsin97]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ClayPigeon /forum/post/0


Wow thats noth that bad of a price actually. Thats including travel? Any hidden fees?

Nope.. $225 includes everything..

 

[RalphArch]



Quote:
Originally Posted by UWisconsin97 /forum/post/0


Assuming the calibrator didn't give you a deal, the standard price starts at $225 a set. So that's $675 without any discount, but if you're doing 3, he/she should cut you a deal.


I'm not so sure where your going with this:


"I be better off just buying a new digital that doesn't need calibration (and resell one of my other displays)?"


IMO, ALL TV's should be professionally calibrated, unless you really know what your doing. Buying a new TV doesn't mean you will get a better picture, or need calibration.

Well what you are saying is cheaper than what I thought the cost would be. Maybe because one of my units is a CRT FP and one of them is a much older direct view.


Where I was going (on spending elsewhere) was my thought that you would not need to calibrate an LCD panel or a plasma and I could get one of those for the $1k and be better off in total with one new digital and two uncalibrated crts.


Looks like you are saying my assumption of no need to calibrate an LCD was off as well

 

[UWisconsin97]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RalphArch /forum/post/0


Well what you are saying is cheaper than what I thought the cost would be. Maybe because one of my units is a CRT FP and one of them is a much older direct view.


Where I was going (on spending elsewhere) was my thought that you would not need to calibrate an LCD panel or a plasma and I could get one of those for the $1k and be better off in total with one new digital and two uncalibrated crts.


Looks like you are saying my assumption of no need to calibrate an LCD was off as well

LCD's and Plasmas are a MUST to have calibrated. Even more than CRT's. Most of the time, they come from the factory with terrible settings.


Despit their size, CRT's have a far better picture, and PQ, than LCD's or plasmas. Stick with CRT's if you don't mind the size.

 

[RalphArch]



Quote:
Originally Posted by UWisconsin97 /forum/post/0


Despit their size, CRT's have a far better picture, and PQ, than LCD's or plasmas. Stick with CRT's if you don't mind the size.

Thanks for reply - and I recognize the CRT point. That's why I have an LCD FP in the closet and view tv and movies on the CRTs.

 

[avhed]

A few days ago I decided to get the calibration. I posted here mainly to get information just in case if used CRTs may not be as worthwhile to calibrate. I did not have the title : Is the Sony 34XS955 woth calibrating. There have been numerous threads like that over the years.

Even at over 28% of the total outlay for the Sony, it will be well worthwhile.

Its only going to be about $300CAN for three inputs, and I am only doing it once.

My Panasonic CT30WX15 I got calibrated last year, I would not do again because, even though the calibration may have drifted, the colors and everthing else are still very good. Still quite a bit better than pre-calibration.