The Dangers of Amateur Calibration

[TIPS List]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

I purchased the service manual to my Pioneer Elite
720HD when I first got the set. I tweaked the overscan
because I was losing stuff at the top of the screen
(read sports scores).

Not being a trained calibrator, I can tell that I
squewed the geometry.

So although being somewhat technical (with a BSEE
degree), I do not have the training to calibrate.

I intend to have it calibrated after my next move
(within the next 6 months hopefully).

So I agree, that although the service codes can be
gotten by anyone, not everyone should attempt to
use them.

Perry

[TIPS List]

> Why is this not the place to discuss this ?

Even if Dale was not out he would likely ask to me to address this.

Accessing the service menus of your product is not supported by HDTV
Magazine for numerous reasons ranging from potentially voiding your
warranty, causing problems that were not there before and potential
liability since you received the info from an HDTV Magazine service. We also
wish to maintain a good relationship with the calibration and manufacturing
industry and do not support service menu access towards that end.

All in all HDTV Magazine is in full support of the calibration industry
whether it be the ISF or HAA (acoustic science). These folks have made a
significant investment in training and the proper test equipment to bring
your video and audio to it's full potential. ISF calibrators have spent
hours upon hours honing their skills with each chassis and the benefit of
this experience should not be overlooked by those wishing to circumvent this
service and fee. I have walked into numerous homes where the end user has
tweaked his own display and in nearly all cases has simply traded one
artifact for another. If this was about pictures that you find personally
appealing or prefer rather than accurate then the manufacturer has already
provided you with that for decades based on their marketing studies.

viewtopic.php?t=3282

viewtopic.php?t=3180

That said there is nothing to prevent anyone here from visiting the many
sites on the internet that will provide you with this information either
free or for a fee. Please check your favorite search engine. Some of these
are contained in our links at HD Library.

viewforum.php?f=36

Note that we have included a disclaimer and warning for those sites that
support this. It should also be noted that many manufacturers are looking at
ways to block end user access to the internal workings of a display and by
default that includes the calibration community which is not conducive to
accurate imaging or free choice since it blocks your ability to pursue
accurate imaging if you desire it.

I have been on board since May of 2002 and service menu access has never
been discussed on the TIPS. Robert apparently is new to the HDTV Magazine
service and knowing that many ISF calibrators participate here must have
assumed his request was not an issue. Doug's response was greatly
appreciated in this matter.

Please do not discuss service menu acess and data items using any of the
HDTV Magazine services. Please feel free to discuss the benefits of ISF
calibration, your experience with ISF calibrators and the use of calibration
discs for end users to adjust the customer controls as provided by the
manufacturer.

Thanks,

Richard Fisher