Q: How do I get the most of out my video system?

Once You're Home...

Joel Silver, founder and president of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), offers some ways to get the most out of your new video system once it's in your home.

DIY Calibration

You can try calibrating (fine-tuning) a display yourself using the picture modes or with the aid of software such as ISF's HDTV Calibration Wizard, GetGray Video Calibration DVD, Avia's Guide to Home Theater and Digital Video Essentials, to name a few.

Pro Calibration

After letting the set run for about 200 hours, have a professional calibrater set it up precisely to your audio/video equipment and room environment. Silver estimates this may cost from $300 to $500.

Put It To Work

Now that you have a great HDTV, use it for more than just watching movies and TV shows. Don't be afraid to hook up your PC or laptop and use the HDTV for superior digital photography viewing and editing.

Wall To Wall

Unless your media room is windowless, the placement options for your TV boil down to two walls. Two walls you want to avoid are the one with the largest window (to avoid eye fatigue) and the one opposite that (to avoid glare and washed-out images).