Display Calibration

Something We All Need To Know

There have been standards for color television broadcast available since the early 1950s. The National Television Systems Committee (NTSC), or jokingly referred to as Never Twice the Same Color, was responsible to produce these standards. Television set manufacturers have had access to this information for roughly the same time. The unfortunate caveat is that even today not all manufacturers acknowledge its existence.

The result is detrimental to you, the consumer. Television sets, right out of the box, do not come adjusted to follow NTSC standards. Some manufacturers are more interested in beating the competition. The proper replication of the broadcast source is left up to the consumer; a high percentage of which are unaware of what a correct picture should look like.

When we, as consumers, go to the local retailer and audition a plethora of TV sets, we are attracted by that set with the brightest picture. The one set that appears to give the best output in the showroom. Unknowingly, our perception of a great picture is misconstrued by the surroundings. Environment lighting has a great deal to do with how much detail we can see from a television set. When we bring that fabulous set home and plug it in, for some reason, what we expect to see is not the same. Even at the local retailer we can see that not all sets produce the same picture. How is it possible then that all these sets, that are receiving the same signal, produce such different picture?

The truth of the matter is that picture quality is linked to many factors. There are front panel control adjustments available to the consumer such as Contrast, Black Level, Color, Tint, and Sharpness, that allow some degree of control. Unfortunately, the consumer is left to decide what looks good and tries to adjust these controls without any guidance.

Most consumers are unaware that front panel controls are only one part of getting a "great" picture. There are other adjustments such as Color Temperature and ensuring proper Gray Scale tracking that are not available to consumers. These adjustments require a trained technician with the proper instrumentation to get the job done right.

HTCal has ISF-trained technicians who can help you get that "great" picture. A properly calibrated television set can do wonders to your viewing experience. Amongst other things, it can also help prolong the life of your investment. HTCal is equipped with a Philips CRT Color Analyzer and is ready to thrash the blues out of your display device(s).

A Few Key Benefits

Proper color rendition;
Improved picture quality (more detail);
More pleasing to watch (especially in the dark);
Prolonged life due to less strain on phosphors;
Less eye strain due to blooming (transitions from white to black scenes, and vice versa, are smoother).

What We Do

In addition to a typical ISF Calibration that includes:

Overscan;
Color Temperature and Gray Scale tracking;
Front Panel adjustments (Contrast, Black Level, Color, Tint, Sharpness).

We can also perform the following, as required:

Physically Disable Scan Velocity Modulation (SVM);
Optical and Electrical Focus (projectors only);
Full Raster Geometry (projectors only);
Convergence (projectors only).

You can request further information by completing our Information Request Form or e-mail us at info@htcal.com. We will more than happy to assist you.