Does anyone have any experience with this device? Do you guys think it's gimmicky?

(2001AudiS4, juniorbean?)

it claims to improve all types of TVs -plasmas/LCDs/DLPs

http://www.colorvision.com/spydertv_usa.shtml

 

I have a Spyder2Pro for my PC monitor and it works well. The PC one works by creating a profile for your monitor that gets loaded every time windows boots. Without a PC, I have no idea how one would work for a TV though.

Perhaps it just gets you to adjust the brightness and contrast conrols while it's reading to see if you get into the range it's expecting.

 

It's great! Not a gimmick at all.

Are you a videophile? If so it's a must have. If you don't care about color temperature, grey scale accuracy, and color accuracy then I wouldn't bother.

The tests I have seen with it make it compare to colorimeters way more $$.

p.s.

A proper calibration on a TV requires you to enter the hidden service menus on your TV. Color/Contrast/Brightness controls alone will not get you the best picture that can be obtained. If you are really interested in fully calibrating your set you should checkout www.avsforum.com and find how to get into the service menus. As with any service menu, ALWAYS be careful and NEVER play with features outside of your experience level as it may damage your set. And to start, ALWAYS write down the original value/option name of anything you plan on changing before you start screwing with them. Just in case you want to go back to stock settings to start over.

 

thanks, Wow! "hidden" service menus, huh? I don't know if I'd call myself a "videophile", but I'd like to get the best picture for the DLP... and I didn't know that you can actually damage it if you were to mess with it due to lack of knowledge...

...as for "stock settings" isn't there something you click on to make it default or something?

 

Not in the service menus. There is a default selection for the basic brightness, contrast, color, etc. The older Samsung models are intentionally vague in their color controls in the service menu (i.e. X-Y GAIN BLUE). I think they don't want you messing with stuff and to hire a professional calibrator.

 

so, would you say that buying this SpyderTV thing would kinda be like hiring a professional calibrator?

 

IMO, you're better off just copying the settings of someone who has your TV and has posted their calibration results on AVS.

Granted, no two displays are completely equal, but theyre close enough to not justify spending ~$600 on a Spyder.

 

for less $$$. It will make a amazing improvement in picture quality. Interface is clunky, but it does what it is supposed to.

http://www.videoessentials.com/

 

Ya but that requires you to acknowledge what you're seeing is what you should be seeing.

Whereas in the case of the Spyder, it tells you what it should be based off what it sees.

 

damn $600 screw thatttttt, cnet the best place to find calibrations?

 

i my have been wrong about the price. i started seeing it for $200-300 after i posted that.

 

$179.99 at Costco.com

 

Ya, that price sounds better. It's well worth the $$ for anyone who is a videophile. Honestly I've spent many hours researching that product. I'm surprised I don't own one...


I think I'll get one from costco

 

i think im gonna get one too....how does it exactly calibrate though, anyone have a rundown of how it exactly works?

 

You need to have a computer nearby your TV (usually a notebook). It itself doesn't calibrate anything. You display images on the TV for it and adjust the TV yourself until the device tells you how close to being with in spec. you are.

It's an electronic eye basically.

 

The one bit of advice I have for anyone buying one is to turn off all the lights in your room while you calibrate the screen. The colorimeter has a little suction cup to block ambient light from directly shining on the sensor, but light can still leak in around the screen and reflect back into the sensor.

 

Interesting. Might look into one of these down the road when I purchase another screen. I used video essentials on my RPLCD and will happily remain ignorant for the time being.