Getting New Panasonic ST30 Plasma TV

My calibration I think cost somewhere in the $200 range, it was mostly for the guy's time, as it did take quite a while. I could now do it myself, but I would say that it was a very good value, as I would not have known how to go about it previously, and although it looked good before, the improvement afterwards was much more than I would have thought. I would highly recommend it.

Certified ISF calibration will cost approximately $200. It's done with a sensor attached to the screen and ISF software is used with a laptop to achieve multiple levels of calibration depending on the panels setup capabilities. Using a disc player to calibrate a display has obvious limitations which is why ISF calibration is not DIY.

Any panel should be run in for a few months before calibration. LCD/LED's generally have their brightness set at their maximum out of the box. My Pioneer Elite plasma was very close to correct calibration.

A few years ago I compared and inexpensive Blue Jeans (Belden cable) to a top of the line Audio Quest HDMI and couldn't discern any difference between the two. This may have changed since then.

I just purchased the Panasonic GT55. It has a calibrated THX certified setting. It looks much better than the other modes. With this setting would I still need ISF calibration?
By the way I am very happy with this set so far. I have not purchased a 3D DVD player yet. I purchased it for 3D and to watch regular tv. I was going through a bulb every year or so watching tv on the big screen.

Update: Prior to the Panasonic, I recently purchased 2 LCD's, a Magnavox 46" (returned-nothing special) and a Samsung 46" (returned- made motion pictures look like TV shows shot with a video camera) The Samsung had an incredibly seductive bright and accurate picture. (exceptional for live sports but that's it) I had never spent time with a plasma before, when I decided to buy the Panasonic ST30 46". The picture on the Panasonic can't match the brightness of the LCD's I've owned recently or seen at others homes, but the beauty and realism of the Panasonic in HD is unparalleled compared to any other TV I've ever seen, simply incredible, amazing even.. The look of it is really special. Oh.. and the fullness and saturation of color!! This Panasonic plasma is amazing!

LCD and LED are very bright. Personally too bright if you watch in a very dark room for serious movie watching. It hurts me eyes even to view these TV's at people's houses who have never done anything to them beside run them on max brightness and it feels like I'm staring into the sun.

Panny plasma is awesome IMO. Not the Kuro but still very good for the money. I own the VT25 and have loved it.

The VT25 was a bit off in gama if I recall correctly so the cali did help that. It will help any TV regardless of what it is to be the best. Once again not the brightest but the most accurate. People seem to not be able to understand the difference.

Also the ST30 does not have the THX mode. You would have to move up to the GT series to gain this. Look on AVS for settings otherwise to get the ST as best as possible out of the box. Also get it calibrated. It does make a huge difference. The closest you'll probably get is in movie mode with a few tweaks but that is normally where to set it if you don't have THX on them. Also I think warm 2 is the better choice but don't quote me for sure on that.