Since it seems like some of you guys are REALLY into this bleeding edge technology I'm sure some of you have had the ISF callibration done on your sets. Well the question i have is this...
For those of you who have paid the "big bucks" to get it done do you notice an "OMG I WAS IN THE DARKAGES" kind of improvement or a "wow this is pretty good" kinda of improvement? Preferrably I'd like to hear from those who own RPTVs but anyone can post on their experiences.

I have this model Sony KP 51WS520 - rear projection TV - 51" Reviews. Projection TVs Reviews by CNET.
and wanted to know how much I'd benefit from a callibration. I've done a little something myself to keep burn in at bay and get it off torch mode. But if I can get that 3D look and sharp as LCD look then I can see it being worth the cash. Anyone?

Hmmm... this is really hard to say and varies quite a bit depending on the device being calibrated...

I have an ELECTROHOME 9500LC projector set up and I had an ISF guy come out and calibrate it - and I can definitely tell you that it made a HUGE difference compared to what I was able to do myself.

Now my projector is a pretty complicated device with about 10 million different ways to tweak the image, so it is probably better for someone like an ISF person to adjust the picture rather than an amateur like myself...

With your RPTV (which is a similar technology to my front projection CRT) I'm guessing that you would probably see a big difference too if an ISF guy came out and calibrated it for you.

I'm going to have to say that you will be an "I MY GOD I WAS IN THE DARK AGES" if you have and ISF guy come out and adjust your set....

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Cool, thanks for the reply. Now my next question is this. Are the details in the picture supersharp versus what it was before? I'm thinking my RPTV will need it bad. But I just wanna know.

You will definitely get some added sharpness when he is done with the calibration, however you will see the biggest gain in the color accuracy, contrast and black levels that your RPTV puts out.

It makes a pretty huge difference. You will be surprised to see how far off your RPTV currently is color-wise...

__________________
-NewsHound
...the dogged reporter...

I just bought 70" XBR2 and was thinking about getting ISF calibration. I have done some tweaking using the information that I've found at another forum and for the most part the set looks good to me. But I've heard that having the set ISF calibration will really make the set show what it was designed to do far above what is possible using the controls provided in the menu.

RPTVs themselves will never reach that LCD sharpness your after, but it will be close after an ISF calibration.

If you have the money to spare and fidelity is what your looking for from your set, it is totally worth it.