Calibrate your HDTV for a better picture

— -- So, you bought an HDTV. You studied the specifications. You compared the sets in the store to find the best picture.

But when you got the television home, reality intruded. The picture quality just wasn't as good as in the store. That's because manufacturers set pictures so they stand out in the store. A bright display with a cool, bluish cast pops in the showroom.

In the home, those settings make colors look garish. Skin tones look particularly bad. And the picture is probably too bright. In fact, the picture probably looks worse than a traditional CRT.

Fortunately, your television's settings can be adjusted. You can optimize the settings for your home lighting conditions.

Hire a professional

The best way to calibrate an HDTV is to hire a professional. Professionals certified by the Imaging Science Foundation undergo rigorous training.

ISF-certified professionals know a lot about color. They rely on expensive equipment to get the settings just right. They can access hidden menus in your TV to fine-tune your display. You can find these technical menus yourself. But I wouldn't. You could damage your display.

You'll spend $300 or more for professional calibration. And your television should be calibrated yearly.

Fortunately, you don't need to pay a professional to get better picture quality. With a little help, you can calibrate your HDTV yourself.

Use a calibration DVD

A calibration DVD is an inexpensive way to calibrate your set. These DVDs display test patterns to help you adjust your settings. Of course, you're relying on your eyesight. So, it is somewhat subjective.

You can pick up a calibration DVD for about $30. Or, rent one from your local video store.

However, you may already have a DVD that includes calibration tools. THX-certified DVDs released from 2000 contain the THX Optimizer. You may need to poke around the DVD menus to find the Optimizer.

THX-certified DVDs include popular titles like "Monsters, Inc." and "Finding Nemo." Check other DVDs produced by LucasArts or Pixar.