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November2005 - page 3 Calibration TVs and video projectors right out of the box aren’t guaranteed to be set up to perform at their highest level. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it is a cold hard fact. There are DVDs you can buy to help get your set performing at its best, including AVIA’s setup disc and Digital Video Essentials. Both cost around $24; neither is for the neophyte. You have to have some mastery of video terms to make them work for you, but for $24, you can get some really impressive results. A better, albeit more expensive, alternative is to hire a professional video calibrator. AVRev.com’s best video writers are by trade video calibrators during the day and they help make their client’s LCDs, plasmas, rear-projection and front-projection video devices look their absolute best in any kind of environment. Another advantage to hiring a professional video calibrator is that he or she (there aren’t really any female video calibrators that I know of; I am just being politically correct) can make your TV last longer. While TVs and projectors are getting better and better out of the box, my guru William Phelps was able to eke an extra 100-1 contrast from my JVC D-ILA video projector. This is a huge improvement in performance and only scratches the surface of what a video calibrator can do to correct your gamma curves, improve your contrast and more. The Imaging Science Foundation is a good resource for finding a professional calibrator near you. Don’t forget to have him or her tweak your other TVs and computer monitors. You will be amazed with the results. Conclusion Is now the right time to buy a new TV? Most likely, yes. 1080p will likely be the end of the video format insanity for some time to come. Sources like HD discs, video games and satellite will take years to catch up with what today’s TVs can do. TVs have gotten physically thinner, visually brighter and generally more affordable. A good HDTV is the heart and soul of your theater system and needs to be one of the larger investments that you make in your overall system. At today’s prices, you are left with plenty of budget to add on goodies like great speakers, a touch screen remote, a wireless music server and/or a top of the line receiver to go with your new killer TV. No matter what you choose to invest in, prepare yourself – these sets are really good. You are about to be impressed. page 1 • 2 • 3 • MHT Home

Resources:
Jeremy Kipnis – video calibrator in Connecticut - (203) 938-3767
Mike Levy - video calibrator in New York - (631) 424-5958
William Phelps - video calibrator in San Jose - (650) 302-2468
Imaging Science Foundation – can help you find a calibrator - 561-997-9073

AVIA Setup Disc
Digital Video Essentials Setup Disc

Favorite TVs and Projectors
JVC HD61Z575 61" Rear Projection HD-ILA
LG RU52SZ61D 52" DLP Rear Projection HDTV
Sony Qualia 004 SXRD Projector
Sony Qualia 006 Rear Projection TV
Sony Cineza HS-51 LCD Video Projector