Professional TV calibration?

[Purpledump]

I've got a Sharp 32" widescreen TV and recently noticed that red areas on screen seem to "seep" over slightly. (The red covers a small area outside of where it's supposed to be) Somebody suggested adjusting the colour contrasts, but that didn't help. I have also heard of professional TV calibrators who come in and re-calibrate your TV, giving improved picture quality. Now I'm wondering whether that would sort out my problem. Any advice from experienced people would be helpful. Thanks.

[Cable Monkey]

Does this happen on RGB/SVideo inputs, or on broadcast TV?

[Purpledump]

I noticed it on some of the DVD menus. I've got my player connected via S-video. A friend brought in a PS2, hooked it up via RGB and during static scenes, it gets really distracting. Broadcast is only noticable if you look for it. I just looked at sky news (they have a lot of static red) and I can make out similar problems (red colours leak a few mm to the right of its designated area).

I don't know why there's a difference, but as I said with S-Video is noticable but with RGB (Video games at leaset) it get's a little distracting.

[Steve MF Lai]

Could this be due to geomagnetics ? With larger screens this can be a problem. Also check that you do not put centre speakers too near the TV set.
Degaussing sometimes helps. Some sets allow you to adjust for geomagnetics.

[Purpledump]

Thanks for the reply. I've moved my speakers, but that didn't cause the problem (I've had similar experiences with my PC monitor and some old speakers, though).

Hmm, I can't find a way to degauss my TV either, probably not available with mine. Aw well, guess I've got to live with it for a while until I find a solution. Anyone else have any recommendations? thanks

[Edith]

Sounds like the convergence is out - Red gun not lining up with blue & green.
You could try and find out how to get into the service menu and then make adjustments...but it might be difficult knowing what to adjust. If you do get into service menu then write down all current values so if you do mess it up you can restore them.
Failing that you need a good tv techy...not easy.

Also do a search on google groups (http://groups.google.com/) . I had a quick look and theres some useful info to be had...1 guy had a similar problem and by turning the "red cut off" down cured it.

Good luck.

[Napoleon]

The convergence ,red,green,blue is set in the factory.It is only adjustable on rear projection tvs,as they often need re-setting.To adjust them on your set would require the tv to go back to the shop.It is not colour staining by the sounds of it,ie a pink stain,etc .Have a word to the shop,and if the owner tells you it's within specifications,tell him it is definitely not.Good luck.

[Purpledump]

Thanks for the interesting points. I looked up on adjusting convergence, but even in the google groups, they seem to warn non experienced users from attempting a DIY. Since mine is not a rear-projection TV, it would be even more fiddly. I'd probably have to contact the vendor. Trouble is, I got it through QXL. At least I'm heading in the right direction. Thank you all for the replies!