Local Television Calibration Services??

[dlambermont]

Hi all, new member to the group.

I've got an older model Toshiba projection screen TV (about 6 years old) that is HD Ready... Well, SORT OF HD ready...

It is a 61-inch 4x3 model (TN61x81) that has no way to adjust aspect ratio when fed a 1080i signal. It blows up to full screen (stretched, long faces...).

Anyway, I searched far and wide and found that this is a common complaint about this specific series of Toshiba TVs. There is a procedure that can be done in service mode called an "anamorphic squeeze" that requires feeding an HD signal to the TV, shrinking the picture down to a 16:9 letterbox size, and then doing a reconvergence. The procedure seems pretty daunting to me, one of those things that would be worth paying someone else to do for me. Unfortunately, I tried every high end video store in the phone book and no one seems to be interested in servicing a TV that they didn't sell.

My REAL question is, does anyone know of a local place where this service might be available?

For anyone interested, the procedure is here. You'll see why I'm not particularly excited about trying it myself. In the meantime, I'm watching TWC HD in 480i -- looks pretty darn good, even though it isn't really HD...

http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/brandspecific/toshiba/servicemenu/misc/anamorphicsqueeze_tosh.html

[Robbiee19]

http://www.hdtvbychadb.com/

Try ChadB. He did my 61" Samsung and the results were outstanding! ISF Cal is worth the money and Chad has the best rates in my book.

Good Luck.

[dlambermont]

Thanks. I sent him an email about a week ago, no reply yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Robbiee19]

Try calling him. That's how I got a hold of him. He travels alot so calling maybe faster. Good luck.

[Shufflefield]

I called Progressive Audio and they basically told me that I should check elsewhere since they are so busy, but they would do it a premium, fair enough, at least they were honest.

Newcome Electronics won't answer the phone. I got both #'s off the ISF website.

Anywho, I am new here, who is this Chad B and how do I reach him myself? I just got a Toshiba 56MX195 and would like to have it calibrated...

Thanks, and I hope I didn't hijack the thread, seemed to make sense to post here since I had basically the same question.

edit - I found his site and contacted him via his form on there, but no phone # for him. For those of you that have used him, how much does he cost, ballpark?

[Robbiee19]

I got a full ISF Cal for my Samsung 61" for about $ 375. Same for my RCA 52" he did for me.

[Dbailey]

you could try DVE or Avia calibration DVD or even that new monster DVD(have not used it). I used DVE on my 40 Toshiba rear projection and I could easily tell the difference especially for colors. Mine is the old 40 16:9 40h80 set... I love this set. It has a surprisingly great picture for the technology...

[Shufflefield]

I have a friend with Avia that I can borrow, but isn't an ISF calibration a whole different ballgame? I don't want to (or know how to would be more accurate) muck around in the service menu...

[Robbiee19]

I have a friend with Avia that I can borrow, but isn't an ISF calibration a whole different ballgame? I don't want to (or know how to would be more accurate) muck around in the service menu... That is correct on the ISF Cal. If you get into the service menu and mess it up you will have major problems. The ISF Techs have the equipment to set the gray scale and fine tune everything. Also the guy was able to get my surround sound set up right. To me it was worth it. I know there are guys on here who can do it them self, it's just for us one's who know enough to make us dangerous.

[Shufflefield]

Enough to be dangerous... Yeah, I fall pretty squarely into that category right now. :D

ChadB emailed me back, I got a Veto on the calibration for now though. I hated to waste his time. I told my wife that it is getting done eventually though. Hopefully in the next few months.

I saw on his site that he did the audio as well. After the TV is all set I might have him come back once I get a real system setup, going to be awhile though, unless I win the lottery, which I have been working on for awhile now. :D

For now, better an uncalibrated 56 inch with okay surround than what I had before, I find myself playing games I don't even like just to stare at the lovely xbox 360 output on this thing.

[Robbiee19]

Enough to be dangerous... Yeah, I fall pretty squarely into that category right now. :D

ChadB emailed me back, I got a Veto on the calibration for now though. I hated to waste his time. I told my wife that it is getting done eventually though. Hopefully in the next few months.

I saw on his site that he did the audio as well. After the TV is all set I might have him come back once I get a real system setup, going to be awhile though, unless I win the lottery, which I have been working on for awhile now. :D

For now, better an uncalibrated 56 inch with okay surround than what I had before, I find myself playing games I don't even like just to stare at the lovely xbox 360 output on this thing.Understand the veto thing but explain to her a non ISF Cal Tv doesnot last as long as a ISF cal one. So, does she want to pay more money down the line!? Same thing I had with my wife, then she saw the different in the picture. But I understand your problem.

[Shufflefield]

Yeah, I explained everything, she doesn't get it. It's just a money thing right now anyway, we just dropped a ton for the TV, I don't think a few months will kill it.

I am lucky, when it comes to electronics she pretty leaves me alone and let's me make the decisions. :D

[dlambermont]

Finally had Chad out to the house to work on my TV yesterday. He did an amazing job -- looks like my 6 year old TV has a few more years left in it. He spend a LONG time doing the anamorphic squeeze procedure that lets me actually watch in real 1080i HD -- what a difference!

He worked non-stop for 8 hours. Highly recommended.

[nicholc2]

FYI, I'm also doing calibrations in the Columbus area now. Check out my post in the buy, sell, trade section of this forum. Shuffield, I can definitely help you out if you already haven't had a calibration done since money is an issue.

[SMIHD1]

Is it better to wait till your plasma is broke in to do the calibration? Or does it matter?