Plasma TV calibration- worth it?

[Fosgate]

Ran into an old friend working for Sencore Electronics out of Sioux Falls. In conversation we talked about plasma TV's and my distaste for them at the time. I had a 42' Gateway that was replaced 7 times. I mentioned how my next one would be LCD but he stated Plasma is the way to go since LCD will not show true Black where a Plasma will. So I asked him what even makes a plasma worth it since people talk about a shorter lifespan with a plasma and told him mine always was hot. That's when he told me that back when Plasma TV's were $7k-15k they came calibrated very well. But now that everyone and their mother is putting them out in quantity, most every TV that comes out is not calibrated to it's potential and that running hot, increased power consumption and ultimatly early failure is inevitable. But that it can be calibrated to reduce the power consumption (enough to pay for the kit in a short period of time). By doing so it will also run cooler, last longer and look better than if you do not calibrate it. Now I know Sencore has a great reputation for building excellent test equipment & scopes and If they make it I don't see it being any type take your money and run thing. Anyone out there an enthusiast or installer that has seen these or know of them and what they cost?

http://www.sencore.com/products/color-light/

 

[milehighassassin]

Sounds to me like he is full of it.

All the information you need is right here:
http://avsforum.com/

Calibration is usually to get the picture right. It sets up the TV properly, it rarely changes how hot it will run or power consumption.

The Sencore professional calibrator is in the neighborhood of $7000.

 

[PUNISHER]

It will lower the temps on the plasma, b/c they will change your brightness/contrast/picture/etc.... settings and in turn it lowers your screen temperatures. I've seen 8* difference on a calibrate TV vs. a same model TV non-calibrated. No the next question you'd ask...Would I do it? Heck no, I like my picture the way it is. With Plasma's you get what you pay for. Buy a Pioneer Elite and never look back!!! Now if you buy an LCD i'd definitely spend the money to calibrate it. It will give you a better picture, but your just wasting your money on the LCD imo.

Thats my .02.

 

[Backcountry]

IMO your friend has some good info- as yes in my experience most PDP's come out of the box with the brightness cranked up way too high. More brightness = more heat. Heat kills electronics. Tuning is a great idea IMO, but Im not so sure you need to pay to have someone shoot it with a scope, do-it-yourself.

 

[w8ing4snow]

I had it done and did lower the operating temps alot. Not sure about the energy consumption no way to compare. Bestbuy charges 300 to do it but 150 if you sign up for it in the store. I guess I look at it If it runs cooler it probably better for it and I just spent 2500 dollars on a TV Whats 150 more to maybe let it last longer.

 

[Snoman69]

Sounds to me like he is full of it.

All the information you need is right here:
http://avsforum.com/

Calibration is usually to get the picture right. It sets up the TV properly, it rarely changes how hot it will run or power consumption.

The Sencore professional calibrator is in the neighborhood of $7000.

Very true.... AVS is a great resource....

TO answer your question, unless you are using your TV for a PC monitor, true black is not an issue.... There is alot of info about this on AVS....

I have the sencore calibration kit (wk)... It is a great product and does work... Unless your a video guru or do it for a living, most people can not tell a difference between one that has been calibrated and one that hasn't, unless the set is completed screwed up out of the box.

In regards to the difference between LCD and Plasma, there is alot of good info out there that you will need to research... To many variables that will be personally decided.

 

[beer gut]

Dang it VE69, I just bought a Samsung 55" LCD and paid to have it recalibrated next weekend. I coulda paid you to do it...

 

[Snoman69]

Dang it VE69, I just bought a Samsung 55" LCD and paid to have it recalibrated next weekend. I coulda paid you to do it...

No kiddin... I'll only charge $1000/hr and that includes drive time

If it's any consultation, I don't have the codes for samsungs yet.... In the process of getting them for both samsung and sharp.... Proabaly won't get to it for a month or two....