Unit-to-unit sample variations, the viewing environment, and the source might render these recommendations less than optimum. They are provided only as a potentially useful starting place.

The settings here that are most likely to translate reliably from one sample to another are those involving specific features with only a few setting options, such as Gamma and Noise Reduction. The ones most likely to be subject to sample variations are video controls offering a wide range of settings. This will be particularly true here for the white balance (color temperature) and color management adjustments (where available). While inserting our user-menu calibration settings into another sample of the same set will do no harm, there is no guarantee that this will produce an accurate result. For that you need an on-site calibration of your own sample under your own viewing conditions. Even seemingly innocuous differences in the common control settings, such as Contrast, Brightness, and Gamma, can affect the white balance, and production line tolerances can do the same.

While experimenting with the user menus' controls can do no damage and can easily be reset, we do not provide settings for service menu adjustments. Random alterations of such controls without detailed knowledge of what they do may corrupt a set's firmware. This will likely require extensive in-shop repairs that are not covered under the warrantee.

We strongly recommend that you find the optimum basic video settings for your sample by using one of the many display setup DVDs that are available, such as Digital Video Essentials (DVD) or DVE HD Basics (Blu-ray). A full calibration, particularly of the gray scale and color gamut, is best left to a trained and properly equipped technician such as those certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) or THX. In particular, service menu calibrations should be attempted only by a calibrator who is familiar with the specific brand of set and a clear understanding of which controls to use and which to avoid.