What is a real ISF calibration?

[donshan]

Hi Don,
Your post makes me think of those old "FRAM" oil filter ads where a mechanic servicing a neglected car says, "You can pay me now, or pay me later".
Peter m.

In my case not getting the 1999 unit calibrated earlier was not the usual excuses of "not knowing" or "the money". I expected HDTV progams to be here by 2002 and was going to get "calibrated" as soon as I had a HD signal. I finally got DirecTV HD in 2003, but by then I found there no local tech I would trust. It was this forum that found me an ISF person I would trust to do the job who would do the 400 mile roundtrip. Again the power of information exchange on the net.

[Grumpy_Bob]

Donshan,
Ha! I'm debating having Richard over to "revive" a 1994 RCA 52". Your 1999 model is but a whipper-snapper!

Re: the original post, Chuckken, you should know by now that the ISF cal is going to address things that you should NOT be foolin' with:

1) Overscan. Made a world of dif on my 53" Pioneer.
2) Grid convergence with a template. Richard did a partial for a partial fee. I should've coughed up enough for the full grid routine... there is still a slight stretch on one small portion of the screen, but I know it's there, and it bugs me. BTW, I haven't had to adjust the user convergence, not even once, not even a little bit, and it's been over a year.
3) Greyscale. 2+2 always = 4. Grey always = grey. It's not up to you to decide what the essence of grey is, and the only way to tell if your set is accurate is with a meter. Stop whining about it.
4) Color accuracy. See item #3.
5) Contrast, brightness, and sharpness. Until you've seen it done with a gool old oscilloscope, you just don't know what you're missing.

Sorry for the tone, Richard, but misleading posts drive me nuts.

[Richard]

Grumpy,

Long time no post...

I'm debating having Richard over to "revive" a 1994 RCA 52"

Hmm... That is a casual veiwing display. I would recommend a tune up rather than calibration. If you can hold out a year I can do that when we tune up the Pioneer. Call me...

I should've coughed up enough for the full grid routine...

We can catch that in another year for the maintenance.

Until you've seen it done with a gool old oscilloscope, you just don't know what you're missing.

How did you like the Waveform Review on the Zenith?

Good hearing from ya

[Grumpy_Bob]

Richard,

Yeah, I know, it's been a while... I suppose I've been too busy watching all the HD that is finally available! The Zenith review was about what I expected: The RP82 was a rare gift, and every "Deal of the Century" since has been a disappointment in the accuracy arena.

Fortunately, my system is calibrated, my reception is great (and free), my recliner is comfy... I really don't need to do anything but enjoy it all.