MODIA BLOG

It’s a question I have been asked many times, and rightly so.  As an ISF calibrator, it is my burden to justify calibration.  The question, you ask?  “Do I really need to have my TV calibrated?”  As I have done many times before, I will answer that question in short order.  No, you don’t need to have your TV calibrated.  Surprised?  Don’t be.  I promise your TV will look good even if an ISF calibrator never touches it.  You didn’t buy your TV because it looked bad.  You bought it because it looked good.  And when you got it home, it still looked good.  So, why spend the extra money for a calibration?  The answer lies in another question.  Your TV may look good but does it look correct?  The people that created the movies and shows that you watch were using a TV that was set to certain standards.  The movie and TV industry has set these standards to deliver the most natural and realistic image.  If your TV does not match those standards then you are not seeing the image the way the creator intended.  Most TV manufacturers do not set their TVs to these standards.  They set them up to catch your attention in the showroom.  This means that your TV will be too bright, will have over-saturated colors and will look “hyper-realistic” as opposed to natural.  An ISF calibration seeks to match the standards of movie and TV show creators.  This allows you to view their content the way they intended you to see it.

Another benefit of calibration is that it reduces eye-strain.  When the picture looks more natural, it is easier too watch for long periods of time.  Not to mention that your TV will last longer and be more energy efficient because it is not working as hard.

Bottom line, you can enjoy your TV straight out of the box.  You don’t need to have it calibrated.  But you didn’t need that new hi-def TV, or those better cables, or that new DVD player, etc.  But you got those things so you can watch a picture that is more believable.  And, well, ISF calibration is just one of those things that helps make your picture more believable.