I spotted this generator in a catalog at work today:

http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=vtg300&search=VTG-300

It's around $1200 msrp, but my question is, is it good enough to use in conjunction with the color filters from one of the aforementioned DVDs to set color & tint? And to calibrate user Brightness & Contrast? Of course I won't forget to go blue-only on TVs/monitors with that feature.

Now I've heard you all say, calibrate the TV via the device you will be feeding it with - DVD player, HD-DVD, Bluray, - whatever. But just from reading the Extron catalog and previewing the VTG-300 at the link above, I think I'd trust IT more than any DVD player, what with picture controls of all things in the user menu of said DVD player.

The generator GENERATES. That's all it does. Video and audio tests. It does not allow you to ALTER those video patterns. There are no bass & treble controls on the audio portion to calibrate the GENERATOR to your sound system for pete's sakes. IMHO, VTG-300 = no bull, just patterns.

Think of it this way: I'll get to see just how *off* AVIA, DVE'03, and my player itself might really be! :D

Opinions of the -300? Past or current users?

I would look for a used AccuPel 3000 or for not much more than the VTG300 you could get into a AccuPel 4000.

I would look for a used AccuPel 3000 or for not much more than the VTG300 you could get into a AccuPel 4000.

Perhaps I'll end up needing both. :o The Accupel is definitely HD/16:9 oriented.

If your display allows for a blue-only mode, that would be more accurate than any filter. Filters need to be matched to your display's primaries for best results.

If your display allows for a blue-only mode, that would be more accurate than any filter. Filters need to be matched to your display's primaries for best results.

I already know that. I'm just saying using an Accupen or the Extron above with filters is potentially more accurate than using a DVD & player with the filters. There are no absolutes in this business, only shades of gray: If a TV cannot be placed in blue-only, then filters plus the generator is the next best alternative.

Same with connections - If you don't have HDMI, use DVI. If you don't have DVI, use Component. If you don't have Component, go S-Video. If you don't have that, use Composite.

You don't have to be the best - "Do the best you can", that's the motto I live by. If "your best" is not good enough, that's the other person's problem not yours.

"Potentially more accurate" is correct. With the emphasis on "potentially". But not necessarily. By using a generator you aren't adjusting for all the irregularities of your particular signal chain including those from the programming source.

I just don't want to see folks drop serious money for something that may not deliver the results they expect. Personally, I think that a generator would be most useful in calibrating an input used for a source that generally doesn't have the ability to send test patterns on demand to the display. An input used with an external antenna or tuner, satellite, or cable box, for instance. Or for setting up such an input in expectation of a source being added in the future.

"Potentially more accurate" is correct. With the emphasis on "potentially". But not necessarily. By using a generator you aren't adjusting for all the irregularities of your particular signal chain including those from the programming source.
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Well, suppose all my sources go through an A/V receiver then to the display. In this case I would run the generator through the receiver to calibrate the display, to acct for any irregularities there.
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I just don't want to see folks drop serious money for something that may not deliver the results they expect. Personally, I think that a generator would be most useful in calibrating an input used for a source that generally doesn't have the ability to send test patterns on demand to the display. An input used with an external antenna or tuner, satellite, or cable box, for instance. Or for setting up such an input in expectation of a source being added in the future.

Righto.