I know that a few people have shared their results on this matter, but it seems that there hasn't really been a consensus on where the HD DVE LFE level compares to the old SD DVE LFE (which is at least 6db too hot by most estimates).

BTW, I have previously calibrated my subwoofer with Avia at 75db for my speakers and 73 - 75db for the sub using the newer version of the Radio Shack analog sound meter.

Now, using the SD DVE pink noise test, I measured 75db for my speakers and my sub measured between 79 - 81db.

I then flipped over to the HD side of the disc and with my speakers once again set to 75db, I measured 75 -77db for the sub. I got the same measurements for my SPDIF connection as I did for my analog which has been boosted 15db for the sub output.

My conclusion is that the HD DVE LFE level is roughly 4db lower than the SD and is actually much closer to an accurate LFE measurement.

Opinions, anyone?

Bump.

Thinking of getting HD D.V.E. Any input on the above comment?

What player do you have? The first gen players (A, XA1) have an LFE problem with the advanced sound codecs (TrueHD) over both analog and SPDIF, resulting in it being 5dB lower than its (correct) SD counterpart (if the Tosh BM is used). Both the HD tone (TrueHD) and the SD tone (legacy DD,DTS) are recorded at -33dBSF, and yet a direct comparison of SPL levels between the two shows that the TrueHD is 5dB too low. Complicating matters are the numerous reports that the 10dB boost is not applied prior to mixing in the RB over the analogs, meaning that if the 10dB boost is applied to the sub channel (LFE + RB) at the AVR, while the LFE will be correct, the RB will be 10dB too hot. I do not know if this also applies to HDMI, and AFAIK Tosh has fixed the problem in later generations (and decided to ignore the G1 problem)...

EDIT: On your link, I see you have an RCA player. AFAIK, that is a direct debadge of the A1. As a happy medium until I can upgrade my A1 (c'mon CES!), I have been running the LFE 5dB cold (I calibrated using the SD tones), meaning that the RB is 5dB hot. That has been working out well...

Cool. I used a DVD version of Avia, not Avia II, to calibrate by my sub. So I don't need to go out and get a TrueHD test tone to calibrate my HD-DVD player?

I may just get it for the HD test patterns.

So I don't need to go out and get a TrueHD test tone to calibrate my HD-DVD player?

I don't think so, assuming you are using the analogs. If you use the TrueHD tone to calibrate your LFE to the correct levels, the RB will be 10dB too hot, and since they are linked, there is no correct workaround short of a FW upgrade. Depending on your listening habits, this could be a very bad thing (Some movies have full range bass across the board, and if it is all being redirected to your sub 10dB too hot... I bottomed my dual SVS cylinders this way before I did a little research). In the end, I kept the SD calibration as a happy medium using SD-DVE. Bear in mind that Avia does not use the LFE, but redirected bass for calibration, which would be too hot. On the bright side, your HT room is quite small (1620 ft^3), and I can't see you pushing your Velodyne sub too hard.