Calibration for plasma tvs

[mfinn]

I'm going to buy a plasma tv for our family for christmas and one of the things the guy at Best Buy said I needed to do was to have the set calibrated for the best picture.
They had a couple tvs set up next to each other, one was calibrated and the other wasn't.
You could see there were differences.
But I'm wondering do I really need to pay them the $300 to have it done?
Any plasma techies here?

 

[ReeferRob]

Ya, my buddy did it with his LCD and it was semi worth it. But why the Plasma and not the LCD? Plasmas are like 10 times heavier and more risky to hang or float on the wall.

 

[CHALICEKEEPER]

Plasma tvs dont last long

 

[mfinn]

Not going to hang it on the wall.
Plus everything I've read it the plasmas are better for fast action, sports, viewing angle.

 

[mfinn]

Plasma tvs dont last long

How so?


Where do you see that?

 

[iani]

Not worth it to have it professionally calibrated. Save your 300 and spend like 30 on an avia calibration dvd.

 

[CHALICEKEEPER]

My buddy paid like $4,500 for a 36" and it lasted two years before it sh-- the bed do alot of research before getting one :)

 

[Harry_Y]

I once rented a Disney movie and it had the calibration stuff on it

 

[mfinn]

My buddy paid like $4,500 for a 36" and it lasted two years before it sh-- the bed do alot of research before getting one :)

I am trying to do as much as I can and I do apreciate any info you can add.

 

[iani]

My buddy paid like $4,500 for a 36" and it lasted two years before it sh-- the bed do alot of research before getting one :)

I've had my 50" plasma for almost 3 years and its going strong. The problem with plasmas is that when they do burn out you can't just replace a lamp like a LCD. Plasmas however should last 10+ years even with heavy use.

 

[mfinn]

Not worth it to have it professionally calibrated. Save your 300 and spend like 30 on an avia calibration dvd.

Doing a quick google seach turned mostly avia 2.
On one site it said something about needing a SPL meter.
.

 

[iani]

Are you trying to calibrate a sound system as well?

 

[mfinn]

I will be getting a low end blu-ray player/sound system. 5.1, 1000 watts total.
I'm looking at the Samsung brand for both.

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

If you gonna watch sports i would go with a plasma it has a faster refreshing rate. Plasma are just as good as LCD now a day.

 

[iani]

I will be getting a low end blu-ray player/sound system. 5.1, 1000 watts total.
I'm looking at the Samsung brand for both.

For HTIBs (home theathers in a box) calibration probably won't make much of a difference.

 

[mfinn]

Are you trying to calibrate a sound system as well?

This is what I'm looking at.
The manager has offered me a deal of 10% lower than the listed price.


Samsung - 58" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV - PN58B650



Samsung - 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System with Blu-ray Disc Player - HT-BD1250/XAA

 

[mfinn]

For HTIBs (home theathers in a box) calibration probably won't make much of a difference.

So I should just do the calibration on the tv?

 

[iani]

Yup personally I would just calibrate the tv. For that sound system calibration is probably a waste of money.

 

[Harry_Y]

How to Calibrate Your Plasma TV - Plasma Television Tips - Plasma Televisions

 

[ReeferRob]

Do they have an ABC warehouse near you? We have them in Michigan, its commission based sales. I wait for Best Buy to have a sale then go in and beat up the ABC sales guy for another $300 plus 50% off on wall mount and the HDMI cables!!!!