Calibrating a Plasma TV???

[SmokinLoon]

I think I found the tv I've been waiting for.  The local Best Buy has an LG brand, 50in, 1080p, plasma tv for $699. I'm heading back in today to pick it up. The fellow that helped me out was trying to sell me a "calibration" package, to make the blacks show more depth.  I saw the demonstration but like most things of that nature I'm skeptical. 

Thoughts???

[katanaso]

I wouldn't purchase a calibration package from Best Buy.  If you want to have a professional calibrate your TV, you can find exactly that - professionals to do it.

With my Panasonic plasma, I followed a procedure that called for 150+ hours of running colored slides to "break in" the panel.  I then adjused the settings to my taste. 

Also, how much does Best Buy want to charge for it?  If you know that cost, you can look up the cost of a new or used Spyder system and do it yourself.

[Shuffler]

Some folks seem to like plasma ...... some don't.

[katanaso]

Some folks seem to like plasma ...... some don't.

True.  My friends really like LCDs, but I very much prefer high end plasmas.  I haven't seen a high end LCD though, with local dimming instead of edge lit LED tech.

[SmokinLoon]

Bust Buy is charging $180 to do the calibrating, they'd come to the house after 100 hours of tv usage and "calibrate" it.

I probably wont be getting the service.  I was just curious as to what others thought.

[Masherbrum]

True.  My friends really like LCDs, but I very much prefer high end plasmas.  I haven't seen a high end LCD though, with local dimming instead of edge lit LED tech.

If the room can get dark?   Plasma all day long.   If it cannot, LCD all day long.   

I just wish Pioneer was still in the TV business.   

[SmokinLoon]

If the room can get dark?   Plasma all day long.   If it cannot, LCD all day long.   

I just wish Pioneer was still in the TV business.   

Yeap.  Basement living room, 16ft X 16ft.

[katanaso]

Bust Buy is charging $180 to do the calibrating, they'd come to the house after 100 hours of tv usage and "calibrate" it.

I probably wont be getting the service.  I was just curious as to what others thought.

So roughly 25% of the TV's cost to calibrate it, and for half of that, you could buy a unit to do it yourself, if you didn't trust your eyes.  Then you'd still have the unit to use later on.

Karaya, I hear you.  I have two friends with Kuros, and they're astounding.  I will say that I am very, very happy with my 60" GT30.  I thought about a VT30, but dropping $3500+ on a TV wasn't going to happen.  At least not while I still have to earn a living.  lol

[Masherbrum]

Yeap.  Basement living room, 16ft X 16ft.

Disney makes an excellent Blu-Ray setup disc.   You can save a ton of money doing it yourself Loon.    

[katanaso]

Disney makes an excellent Blu-Ray setup disc.   You can save a ton of money doing it yourself Loon.    

Yes!  Thanks for recommending that.  I thought of it, then forgot about it as I was typing. 

[Shuffler]

<<< LED / DLP

[Masherbrum]

Loon, here is the one that I am talking about:   http://www.amazon.com/Disney-WOW-World-Wonder-Blu-ray/dp/B0045ASBLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325302125&sr=8-1


Listing my TV won't help you a damn bit, but the link will.