I thought I did cover topics in the isf course. We spent some time on discussing contrast, how it is measured, and how one might maximize it. Then we looked at the TV brochures and compared our numbers
Other subjects: lots on the history of TV and image, and the science of color; surprisingly little time on how to adjust controls - it was just assumed you could operate a remote and dig in to the deepest menu, even on an unfamilar TV. Adjusting color space to get a dot centered isn't very sexy. Not only would the picture be boring, you have to alternate colors, and go back, just as I described with adjusting contrast and brightness. That is most of the course. I had to be fair, too, it wouldn't do to give away all the course and secrets, would it? Besides, no one would read that detail.
As far as the worth of the isf calibrator - as someone observed - it's all about educating the customer, to get the best picture possible with customer's TV and disc players/scalers, and to make the customer happy. The $500. price is for multiple inputs - each input has to be calibrated separately. What changes is that same model TVs are not identical; room conditions are not similar; and inputs (DVD, Blu-Ray players, receivers, scalers) will not be similar. So the other part of the time was spent largely discuussing how to please a customer, and how to judge motion artifacts so you can make sure the customer is using the best scaler - on the TV, in the receiver, or from an external box of player? - so you can get them the best picture. It's not only the actual set calibration.
Last part I'll address is the less expensive "colorimeters." We discussed a cheaper way in class that is more accurate than using the cheap devices. That's actually a test (to my editor) I am proposing to do - how do the cheap devices compare to pro level equipment (what do you get?), and the cheaper solution described in class (but not one an isf calibrator can charge for). Briefly that solution is to use a known light source D6500, I believe, to shine on a calibrated color chart. These charts - even the little ones - aren't cheap - about $35 -$50., and you build a light box to contain the light. That way you have known references to compare against test patterns on the screen. You would have to use DVD or Blu-ray test patterns, since a generator would be too expensive. I am surprised at the consistent results you claim; many reports on various forums disagree, to put it mildly. Pricier light meters are especially good at the extremes - very low lux - on the order of .01 foot-lamberts to over 100 ft-L. The inexpensive plastic meters just can't match that, nor can they do it consistently - but I want to check this!
I mentioned the last alternative, that some have found is about as good or better than a cheap colorimeter, and less expensive - that's the DVD calibration discs. As far as the difference between the DVE and the isf disc- both probably get you to the same place - one uses realistic images, the other test patterns. One has voice narration, the other you'll need a manual. The problem is that some of the critical test patterns are deeply buried in the DVE menu system. Most of the pros use the Avia pro disks, which have myraid patterns for just about every purpose (and priced similarly as well).
Hope this addresses the concerns. Good comments all - hope this is the start of more home theater type reviews here.
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