calibrating an LCD television?

I know it's not really photography and post processing but we just got a new Samsung 52" model 630 LCD television for Christmas. I'm wondering if anyone out there has looked into or done any kind of calibration on a flat panel TV?

I've done it with my Samsung 40" LCD, driven from my PC. I ended up not using it though, I like the vivid colors and high contrast it has by default.

I run two 32" Sammys as monitors, both just calibrated with a THX set up cd. It can take a lttle fiddling to get them both matched, but I've never had any problems with colour casts on prints from either.

tim wrote in post #6956545
I've done it with my Samsung 40" LCD, driven from my PC. I ended up not using it though, I like the vivid colors and high contrast it has by default.

Agree. I did it with a large panel LCD 720p. I got it to a complete, natural neutral with accurate color. But when watching TV, it looked like crap - like watching the world thru a window that hasn't been washed in 20 years.

According to experts, when evaluating HDTVs, contrast and color features, not resolution, are the most important factors. Enjoy your TV's high contrast and color pop as it should be enjoyed when watching TV and get a good monitor for your photography.

I've read that the main reasons for calibrating an LCD TV are 1)reducing energy costs and increasing backlight lifetime by toning down the factory brightness/contrast settings to more appropriate levels and 2) getting more accurate skin tones. That is what I am interested in doing. I have no intention of using the TV for any kind of photo work.

Is it connected to a PC, or is it a standalone TV?

No PC, just off the air HD and SD (no cable means less tv watching by the kids) and blu ray and SD DVDs.