HDTV Calibration Round-up

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/06/23/ask-hdbeat-hdtv-calibration-round-up/' target='_blank'>http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/06/23/ask-hdbeat-hdtv-calibration-round-up/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The most important thing that a person can do is properly calibrate their HDTV. It is absolutely imperative that it is done to get the best picture. One of our readers, Kyle Thibaut, is as concerned as we are and wants to make sure that everyones HDTV is properly done. There are more then a few ways to have this done, with options in every budget. The best way is to have a professional do it, but there are some good do-it-yourself options out there too. Digital Video Essentials - $19.99 - HDBeat Recommended; Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD - $29.99; AVIA Guide to Home Theater - $39.95; SpyderTV Calibration tool - $199.99"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/hdcallibrate.jpg" /><br /><br />I have never actually used an HD callibration system before but I can see the huge advantage of doing so. Has anyone used one before? What has the experience been like?

[Jason Dunn]

I don't know...I'm kind of skeptical on this one. Have any Digital Media Thoughts readers calibrated their HDTVs and really noticed a huge difference? Is it worth the hassle?

[Phoenix]

I've used this DVE calibration DVD. It does make a difference, but it's more about just fine tuning things to get the absolute best picture you can - you're not necessarily going to see a giant contrast in quality. But like anything else, mileage will vary, the results of course being dependant on what kind of TV you have and the settings the TV is currently adjusted to. Your TV may not take advantage of all of the calibration choices the DVD offers.

It also helps with sound as well.

For me, I want to take advantage of every reasonable method available to get the TV as close to perfect as possible, and $20 and a few moments of your time is a small price to pay to achieve that.

I'd say, try it. If you don't like it, it's no more of a loss than a bad movie.

[Jason Dunn]

Ok, I ordered the DVE DVD off eBay for $20 or so. You're right - it's a low cost way to improve the image.