Is it really important to have calibration on an LCD television?

Q.

A. Very, very few consumers need a professional display calibration. With few exceptions many of today’s displays are much improved over those of the past and have at least one display or picture mode that will provide acceptable grayscale performance straight out of the box. Consumers that purchase a good quality, well-designed display will rarely benefit from a professional calibration not to mention that such a service could potentially make your picture fidelity worse if you were unfortunate enough to hire a less than competent calibration service. Furthermore, there are many consumers that simply will not enjoy an accurate, optimized and/or “calibrated” video image while others cannot because their viewing environment is less than optimal (or in some cases because a consumer has color deficient vision.)

Like most consumers your best bet (assuming you own a reasonably well designed, well built LCD TV,) is to purchase or rent one or more of the popular display optimization (aka “calibration”) discs listed below in order to properly optimize your display’s settings. If after attempting to optimize your TV picture you’re still dissatisfied then you may want to contact one of the calibration services I’ve listed below. However, under no circumstance do I recommend that a consumer pay $250 to $400 for a professional display calibration on a television which has an MSRP of roughly less than five times the cost of the calibration.

######## RESOURCES ########

I purchased a Sony 52" XBR4 LCD TV on Best Buy?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080314095743AAGGb8x

Calibration LCD TV?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080323143544AAD8R2e

Is D6487K too low of a color temperature for an LCD TV?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080324173810AAHkg1g

How to calibrate an HDTV?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080222220308AAW29iP
(Additional resources)
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Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (Blu-ray or HD DVD)
Digital Video Essentials Pro (DVD)
http://www.videoessentials.com
Ovation Multimedia Avia II (DVD)
http://www.ovationmultimedia.com/products.html
DisplayMate (Multimedia Edition or Windows Video Edition)
http://www.displaymate.com/complete.html

(Note: “Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics” on would be the best choice if you had to pick only one disc.)
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CNET’s quick guide to TV calibration
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5085739-1.html
Video: How to Calibrate Your TV
http://reviews.cnet.com/Calibrate_your_TV/4660-12443_7-6534987.html

Calibrating your TV
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1765771&type=story

Sound and Vision Magazine - TV Tweaks - Part One House Calls
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=82&article_id=233&page_number=1&print_page=y

AWH - How to Calibrate a Television FAQ
http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/how2adj.html

Grayscale Calibration of Home Theater Televisions
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/calibrate-your-system/grayscale-calibration-of-home-theater-televisions

Learn to Calibrate your LCD Television
http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv/lcd-tv-calibration.html

Calibration 101
http://www.proavmagazine.com/industry-news-print.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=599522
Running The Gamut(s)
http://www.proavmagazine.com/industry-news-print.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=599512
Hitting The Mark
http://www.proavmagazine.com/industry-news-print.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=601342
Selling Calibration Services
http://www.proavmagazine.com/industry-news-print.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=601343

Video Display Calibration
http://www.sencore.com/products/AVRFCalibration.htm
Adjusting Five User Controls on a Display to Maximize Performance – Flash
http://www.sencore.com/newsletter/VP300.html
Calibration – What Is Wrong with This Picture?
http://www.sencore.com/newsletter/July05/WhatIsWrong.htm
Index of Articles Related to Display Calibration
http://www.sencore.com/newsletter/archivedarticles.htm#colorprocolor

TweakTV
http://www.tweaktv.com

Imaging Science Theatre 2000 Special Edition
http://www.widescreenreview.com/wsr_issue_ist.php

Michael TLV Tips
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/experttips/michaeltlv/michaeltlv_tips.html
Keohi HDTV - Expert Tips - Panel of Experts
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/experttips/panelofexperts.html

ISF Calibration Discussion and Information
http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=311

AVS Forum - Display Calibration
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=139
AVS Forum - LCD Flat Panel Displays
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=166

Joe Kane Productions - Resources
http://www.videoessentials.com/resources.php

Charles Poynton:
“Brightness” and “Contrast” Controls
http://www.poynton.com/notes/brightness_and_contrast/
Gamma FAQ
http://www.poynton.com/notes/colour_and_gamma/GammaFAQ.html
Color FAQ
http://www.poynton.com/notes/colour_and_gamma/ColorFAQ.html
http://www.poynton.com/ColorFAQ.html
Color Technology and Resources
http://www.poynton.com/Poynton-color.html
http://www.poynton.com/notes/links/color-links.html
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TweakTV
http://www.tweaktv.com

Imaging Science Foundation
http://www.imagingscience.com

Though there may be many other qualified individuals, the following display calibration professionals are some of the best currently available if you want or need a calibration from a competent professional. Each service provider uses high performance calibration equipment accompanied by ample experience and an excellent reputation.

W. Jeff Meier - AccuCal
http://www.accucal.org

Lion Audio-Video Consultants
http://www.lionav.com

Kevin Miller
http://www.isftv.com

Busch Home Theater
http://www.buschhometheater.com/isf_calibration.htm
 

Original Question

What's the best 32" HD tv you can get for a low price?

Q. I saw some good deals a long time ago but they are long gone. And by low price I mean like under $400.00.

A. I would recommend you Samsung LN32C350 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LCD HDTV
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036EH186?ie=UTF8&tag=bestdeals-y-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0036EH186

Original Question

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