Please give us your opinion relating to the THX Calibration Kits

[Gregg Loewen]

Quote:

Blu Ray disc with original trilogy clips…not special edition clips (I am sure Michael would agree! 😀 ) that is exclusive to calibrators and not handed out to every Tom, Dick and Harry seals the deal for me!

LOL…now lets come down to reality.

THX is wanting to do a press release ASAP with the new suggestions implimented

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys

I’m not sure about the manufacturing costs for these things but I can’t imagine it being that high. If my kit cost was $25-$35 (depending on what was included) I’d find that acceptable (the lower priced the better for us – we can do more with it). Like many on here I’d figure out a strategy as to include these in the price or make a bit of money off them. Right now I see no value at their current pricing.

I’m a bit unbiased on the plaque for the wall or the paperweight. I’m fine with either. I think people with dedicated theaters might prefer plaques more. If the room was made for a theater (and it doesn’t have to be an elaborate one) the client would appreciate the plaque for all to see. But the TV in a livingroom guy will prefer the paperweight – I almost guarantee it because the family living room would already have its decor with other pictures/paintings…might not suit a THX plaque on the wall – it would look out of place and absolutely not wife friendly. This would be the case with most of my clients. Having a paperweight to put on top of an electronics rack or on the table/stand beside the TV is workable for virtually all of these clients. Maybe an option to select one or the other??

I’ve been juggling the sticker idea for years but haven’t really done anything about it at all. I tried once at a local printer some time ago…got them to print me ISF logos on transparent stickers that I stuck on the front of the TV…turned out ok but not the way I imagined. There’s a better printer around me now that I’ve been meaning to take the THX logo to but just haven’t put the time aside for yet. I like the idea of the sticker on the back of the TV for recalibration date. That’s a must…

[Anonymous]

Hello Gregg,

I think based on the 3 criteria of 1) allowing THX a revenue stream, 2) a reasonable price for the calibrator, and 3) having a kit for EVERY job we perform, the price point of 29.99 to 34.99 is probably right on target for a disc and THX paper weight. I think offering the optional THX wall plaque would be great for those mid to high-end home theater rooms as well as being a great referral tool for those friends and family who come over and ask about it!

As a comparison:
Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration DVD = $34.99 retail
DVE HD Basics Blu-Ray = $29.95 retail
And neither of these are going to include the most up-to-date THX reference demo material!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi,
$25-$35 cost to us is acceptable. If the customer has a CMS, I’d include the THX kit in the calibration.
THX kit to include a Paperweight for great rooms
THX kit to include a THX blu-ray disk
THX kit to include a Sticker for back of panel & decal for front.

Optional plaque, for dedicated home theaters, available at additional cost of $10.

Steve

[Anonymous]

I think being able to do a kit for every calibration is a great goal. I love the idea of the clear sticker and THX Certification letter, and the prices everyone else has mentioned so far seem about right. An optional paperweight that I can include as a “bonus” at my discretion, and an optional plaque that a customer could purchase (probably no more than $30-35) would be fabulous.

[Anonymous]

If the kits cost me $25 each, I’d throw them in with every calibration. Done.

[Anonymous]

Put the stickers in them too this way I don’t have to do it on my own anymore. I know how “good” I am at following up with my ideas sometimes…

[Anonymous]

So what has come up with the situation with the kits? Was a press release issued??

[Gregg Loewen]

hi guys
very soon.

[Anonymous]

I am in a bit of a quandary on this item as all of the calibration work that I do is for government customers (centers) as a part of my job. I cannot charge the government for the calibrations…that being said, I would be willing to eat the cost of the certification kit (wall plaque is a very nice touch for operations center) if if were between 25 and 35 dollars.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Chuck,

That’s kind of funny! :p You work for the government doing this as part of your job, and I have been trying to convince the government (at least my side of it) that they need to go this way. Seems to have fallen on deaf ears for the time being. Although, with the new Obama requirement that agencies save 20-30% in energy costs…I have a feeling this will be revisited.

[Anonymous]

Any more information on this?? Was curious if info was released.
Also, what is the process for ordering these kits now?

[Anonymous]

Gregg told the students at the latest class that it looks like the number will be $35 for the kit. More $ for the wall plaque … if and when they get that part figured out.

They don’t have many kits in stock so the official move comes after more kits come in. The web site will eventually reflect this.

regards

[Anonymous]

Maybe THX would spring a couple production dollars and produce a short educational segment that could go on a “demo disc” to help drive this home. Hopefully an item only available to certified calibrators not anyone who visits their website or goes to a trade show. Something exclusive! Perhaps the same otherwise as trade show discs with one extra segment. I could talk till I’m blue in the face but if there was a short segment from someone on a TV telling someone in a show room (or other demo space) why they should get a calibration that would be great. People love to hear it from someone other then the person actually trying to sell them something. I don’t know why but it works.

As far as price, $35 is certainly better then the $100 it was when I joined. Needless to say I never bought one. Wall plaques would be great for dedicated theaters and philes.

[Anonymous]

Any update on when the new kits will be available?

[Author]

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