tv calibration

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Review: SpectraCal CalMan5 Calibration Software and DPG-2000 Pattern Generator

The latest CalMan software offers a host of improvements, making it easier and faster to use.
- By Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted October 22, 2012
The CalMan software has become a de facto standard among the TV reviewer elite. Using a pattern generator and a measurement device, we can learn most of what we need to know about a TV in just a few minutes.
Among professional calibrators, use of the software is even more widespread, since it allows the printout of elaborate graphs and charts in a custom report for customers, showing them what their calibration money paid for.
With CalMan 5, SpectraCal has upped the awesomeness.

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Review: Datacolor Spyder 4TV HD

DIY calibration for those who might not trust their eyes.
- By Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted May 7, 2012
Somewhere between a simple setup disc and a full professional calibration is the Spyder from Datacolor.
Consisting of a small colorimeter you attach to your TV, some software, and a Blu-ray (or DVD) with test patterns, the package claims to let you “calibrate” (their word) your own TV.

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Haters Gonna Hate

Apple is/is not your boyfriend. Plasma did/didn't murder your puppy.
- By Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted September 23, 2011
- 5
I don't understand some people. Ok, a lot of people. Internet people, mostly. The type of people with the need to proselytize their views about meaningless crap.
You know, like what I do. Only, not paid.
These malcontents have a passion for posting vitriol wherever their sensibilities about good and bad companies/products/technologies are impugned.
To which I say, WTF?

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On Measuring and Calibration: Plasma Contrast Ratios

Images on TV may be better than they appear
- By Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted August 31, 2011
I just finished a plasma TV review for an upcoming issue of S+V. As I was writing up its brightness and contrast ratios, I realized there could be some confusion about the numbers.
If you measure the contrast ratio of plasmas (all plasmas, not just this one) the same way you do other types of televisions — namely LCDs and projectors — they post poorer numbers than other technologies.
This isn't a performance issue as much as it's a measurement issue. And why that is . . . that's kinda interesting.

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On Measuring and Calibration: The LG 50PZ950

When too much control is not enough
- By Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted July 28, 2011
- 2
I've got LG's new 50PZ950 plasma in my lab for an upcoming review in the magazine. The set had some cool features I didn't have space to mention, so I figured I could talk about them here instead.
The short version? It has some of the most extensive calibration settings I've ever seen on a TV.
And yet, they're not enough.

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How To: Calibrate Your HDTV

Get a great picture for next to nothing.
- By Brent Butterworth
- Posted November 29, 2010
Back in the days when a decent TV cost $4,000, I never hesitated to recommend spending $300 or so on professional calibration. But now you can get a pretty good set for less than $1,000. Far be it from me to tell you what your priorities should be, but to me, spending three bills to have a $900 TV calibrated seems as silly installing a $10,000 Viking range a 30,000 mobile home.

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