Does anyone know if the test patterns provided by HDNet are "standards accurate"? It would seem to be a reasonable way to calibrate the input used for STB feed, but if the color patterns and scan figures are not accurate it's probably not going to help all that much.

I know even if accurate this is not the most ideal way to do a cal for the STB input.

I know even if accurate this is not the most ideal way to do a cal for the STB input.Most likely, since the STB itself can have an effect, usually minor, on what you see.

Does anyone know if the test patterns provided by HDNet are "standards accurate"?

There are "issues" with the patterns ... the lack of proper reference patches or bars being the least of them. A better way is to keep an eye out for when HBO a/o Cinemax runs one of their monthly transmission tests. The color bar pattern usually settles down toward the end of the test period.

Edit: .... Assuming you have an HBO/Cinemax subscription of course.

Most likely, since the STB itself can have an effect, usually minor, on what you see.

Ironically enough, that's just what I want to calibrate out. :) I know going beyond that is painful, if not impossible, since every station is not likely to be broadcasting with an identical profile. I was looking for a way to get at least the stuff under my control understood.

There are "issues" with the patterns ... the lack of proper reference patches or bars being the least of them. A better way is to keep an eye out for when HBO a/o Cinemax runs one of their monthly transmission tests. The color bar pattern usually settles down toward the end of the test period.

Edit: .... Assuming you have an HBO/Cinemax subscription of course.

Sadly I do not. :( This would be a lot easier if Verizon would just activate the USB port on my 3416. Then I could just put Avia II on a stick and run that.

Seems that a pattern generator, then a test Blu-ray disc, then HDNet's patterns would be preferable, in that descending order of quality. Have read there are problems with the image width/height with HDNet but haven't confirmed. With a new 1080p plasma, found that pixel-by-pixel mode seems to display full width/height markings. Haven't heard of color bar or pluge pattern inaccuracies.

Using this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), which sublinks a captured HDNet resolution-wedge pattern, a key question with a 1080-capable display might be how well 1920X1080 can be resolved. Since a few AVSers have measured this almost fully from HDNet with 1080p displays, it seems that various STBs or head ends might account for lower-resolution readings--assuming the 1080p display can fully resolve 1920X1080 with the input used. A few years back someone in the NYC-area Verizon FIOS system reported measuring only about 1440 lines maximum effective horizontal resolution using HDNet. That's about what I saw a few months back from NYC's TWC with my new 1080p plasma--before TWC dropped HDNet. -- John

Seems that a pattern generator, then a test Blu-ray disc, then HDNet's patterns would be preferable, in that descending order of quality. Have read there are problems with the image width/height with HDNet but haven't confirmed. With a new 1080p plasma, found that pixel-by-pixel mode seems to display full width/height markings. Haven't heard of color bar or pluge pattern inaccuracies.

Using this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), which sublinks a captured HDNet resolution-wedge pattern, a key question with a 1080-capable display might be how well 1920X1080 can be resolved. Since a few AVSers have measured this almost fully from HDNet with 1080p displays, it seems that various STBs or head ends might account for lower-resolution readings--assuming the 1080p display can fully resolve 1920X1080 with the input used. A few years back someone in the NYC-area Verizon FIOS system reported measuring only about 1440 lines maximum effective horizontal resolution using HDNet. That's about what I saw a few months back from NYC's TWC with my new 1080p plasma--before TWC dropped HDNet. -- John

Thanks John. This info helps.

When are the HDNet patterns broadcast?

You used to be able to find them listed on the HDNet website. They would run them about every two weeks or so.

When are the HDNet patterns broadcast?For next two weeks at least, Saturdays at 8 am ET. (Go to HD.Net, search schedules for HDNet programming and for "patterns.") Runs for 10 minutes.-- John

Thanks guys! My Dishnetwork program guide didn't show it. It had one program ending at 6:00AM and the next one starting at 6:10AM. Looks like the missing 10 minutes in my guide are the HD patterns for calibration. I will set a manual recording time on my DVR.