Calibrate your HDTV for a better picture

So, you bought an HDTV? You studied the specifications. You compared the sets in the store to find the best picture.

But when you got the television home, reality intruded. The picture quality just wasn’t as good as in the store. That’s because manufacturers set pictures so they stand out in the store. A bright display with a cool, bluish cast pops in the showroom.

In the home, those settings make colors look garish. Skin tones look particularly bad. And the picture is probably too bright. In fact, the picture probably looks worse than a traditional CRT.

Fortunately, your television’s settings can be adjusted. You can optimize the settings for your home lighting conditions.

Hire a professional

The best way to calibrate an HDTV is to hire a professional. Professionals certified by the Image Science Foundation (ISF) undergo rigorous training.

ISF-certified professionals know a lot about color. They rely on expensive equipment to get the settings just right. They can access hidden menus in your TV to fine-tune your display. You can find these technical menus yourself. But I wouldn't. You could damage your display.

You’ll spend $300 or more for professional calibration. And your television should be calibrated yearly.