Q. I've noticed that (retailer) now offers calibration services for new Samsung HDTVs. My new Samsung HDTV looks just fine to me. Why should I have it calibrated by (retailer)? 

A. Samsung HDTVs are carefully calibrated and configured at the factory with several picture

settings for your convenience. 

Most Samsung HDTV owners will be extremely happy with these factory settings and will have no

need for additional calibration. 

Picture settings provide you with one-touch selection of brightness, contrast, and color temperature

levels suited to different viewing conditions, such as Movie mode for nighttime viewing when room

lighting levels are low, and Standard, and Dynamic for daytime viewing when the room is filled

with a mix of artificial and natural lighting. 

Purchasers may elect to have their Samsung HDTV undergo additional calibration which can

optimize picture performance for their unique viewing conditions. Trained calibrators, such as

those certified by THX Ltd or the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), can compensate for

differences in video signals coming from cable or satellite set-top boxes or DVD players. These

calibrators will also take into account the HDTV’s screen size, viewing distance, and ambient

lighting levels while making their adjustments. 

Q. What does the calibration process require? Seems to me that all a calibrator would be doing is playing with the same menu adjustments I have access to. 

A. A certified calibrator should measure and adjust precise levels of brightness and contrast, color

intensity values, and overall color temperature based on the user’s source equipment in both the

HDTV’s User menu and the factory service menu. More importantly, he or she should perform the

calibration with a special precision test instrument known as a colorimeter. What's more, all

adjustments should be made and saved in the HDTV's service menu, where they can't be

accidentally erased or altered. 

Q. If I decide to have my Samsung HDTV calibrated by (retailer), will I really be able to see any difference after calibration? 

A. The certified calibrator should be able to show you the difference in measurements before and

after the calibration. Depending on the level of adjustments made in your home, you may or may

not see a dramatic change in picture. Adjustments can improve black levels, shadow detail and

color accuracy. Image sharpness will likely be less exaggerated, reducing picture noise while

enhancing fine details. 

Another way to see the difference between “before” and “after” images is to switch back and forth

between the newly calibrated settings and a factory image preset, such as Dynamic picture mode.

The calibrator may also have prepared charts or graphs to help you better understand the changes

that have been made to the HDTV. 

Q. Where can I find these new settings? 

A. After calibration, depending on the model, your Samsung HDTV's Movie mode may now

include a menu callout that says Calibration. The set may also show additional Day/Night picture

modes that compensate for higher or lower ambient room light. These Day/Night settings are

accessible to you from the User menu.