Hiring A Video Calibration Technician
As HDTV displays become increasingly popular, more people are starting to realize that a video calibration is needed to attain maximum picture quality and value from their investment.
111111111Performing your own video calibration.
The most accessible option would involve purchasing a test DVD that would assist in setting up a home theater system. We recommend the Digital Video Essentials (DVE) SD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray home theater calibration DVDS created by Joe Kane Productions (JKP) that include unique test patterns that are particularly useful for today's digital displays. Please click here for Avical's DVE Tutorial.
While this is an affordable option, and one that provides a general understanding on the video system, it will only address the user-menu controls which offer limited control. For those wanting a more precise set-up, there is another much more involved option that discerning videophiles have been using since the days when laserdisc was king.
Professional video calibration.
There are a number of people that specialize in the optimization of the entire video system. The most well known are those trained by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF). These individuals have completed a two-day seminar and passed a written test showing competence in basic video theory.
Unfortunately, there are far too many poorly equipped and inexperienced people offering calibrations nowadays than there ever have been. In order to ensure that the most qualified technician is being employed, we suggest the following 5 steps be taken by all prospective clients.
1: Make sure that the technician is qualified to work on your particular video system.
Attending the ISF class and passing the examination in no way ensures that the technician will be equipped with the technical knowhow and/or appropriate instrumentation to perform an in-depth calibration. It is therefore strongly recommended that one obtain the credentials of whomever they are considering calibrate their display before hiring them. A good place to start would be the ISF website where technicians are organized by region and whether or not they employ testing equipment. Some will have extended biographies that include an overview of the types of services they offer while a few will have their own website as well.
2: Make sure that the technician employs the appropriate testing equipment to work on your particular video system.
An often overlooked area involves test instrumentation. Many calibrators are using gear that is not suitable for every type of display. For example, a color analyzer is designed to set the color balance, or grayscale, for a specific type of display - such as a CRT. Some calibrators will then use these color analyzers on LCD, LCoS, and DLP models. Consequently, the meter which was designed with the spectral characteristics of a CRT in mind will likely yield inaccurate results on a different type of display technology. The bottom line is that without the proper instrumentation, a display cannot be adjusted with real precision.
Avical is continually testing light measurement devices and has found the Photo Research PR-655 SpectraColorimeter to be one of the most accurate and consistent tools on the market today. It is currently our instrument of choice.
3: Obtain at least 10 testimonials.
Past client feedback is extremely important and should not be ignored. We suggest no less than 10 positive reviews. One way to obtain them would be to simply ask the technician for permission to contact some of his/her past clients. Another method is to perform a search on one of the home theater forums (AVS Forum, Home Theater Spot, etc.) where many people post reviews.
4: Ask the following 10 questions before hiring them.
- How long have they been calibrating display devices?
- Are they a full or part-time technician? If part-time, what is their main gig?
- How much experience do they have with your type of display?
- Will they setup the DVD player and cable box as well?
- Will they go over the wiring to make sure that everything is connected correctly?
- Do they get paid by the hour or by the job?
- How much will the service cost and how long will it take to perform?
- How often does the system need to be re-calibrated and how much will it cost?
- Are there any additional fees like tax or traveling charges?
- Do they guarantee their work?
5: Make sure your questions were answered in a thorough, accurate, and friendly manner.
While it is important that the calibrationist be able to provide the level of technical service required, they should offer the same high level of pre and post-calibration customer service as well.
Locating a good calibration technician is like finding a good mechanic. It can be a little daunting getting to the right one, particularly with the arrival of "big-store" calibrations. But your research will be rewarded many times over knowing that your current and future video systems will be setup by someone with the skills, instrumentation, and customer relations that separate them from those less passionate about accurate video and continued customer support.
