Okay, I just ordered the HD version of DVE to calibrate my new LCD. It's a combo disc that has the HD version on one side and the SD version on the opposite. I don't have a HDDVD player though. Can I use the SD side to calibrate and still get good results or do I need to use the HD version? I know the geometry settings might be different, but it's an LCD so geometry isn't an issue,right?

And I would like to know if the the SD side is the exact same thing as the older SD version? Oh, and does DVE usually come with color filters? The site I ordered it on didn't make that clear.

Oh and I'm using an upconverting DVD player through HDMI. I remember using DVE a few years ago and it said something about being optimized for component ? Should I use component cables instead of HDMI (720P) ?

Please help. I'm pretty confused here.

Using the SD DVD will correctly calibrate your DVD playback chain. If in the future you get an HD-DVD player, then you would use those HD patterns for that playback chain, distinct.

Yes HDMI is fine. DVE, like all consumer digital video, is component video. HDMI also supports component video in addition to RGB. In theory, RGB is superior to component video, however the limits imposed by component video have already been imposed by the source content, making such advantages moot. Choosing RGB or component output over HDMI simply shifts the location of the color decoding between the source device or a device later in the chain, and this may or may not be a significant issue if certain devices decode the color incorrectly, etc.

Yes it should come with filters.

Using the SD DVD will correctly calibrate your DVD playback chain. If in the future you get an HD-DVD player, then you would use those HD patterns for that playback chain, distinct.


I should point out that I'm using an XBOX360. I don't watch many DVD's; I'm mainly calibrating it for games and cable. The 360's DVD is the only way I know of to introduce calibrating material.

HDMI also supports component video in addition to RGB. In theory, RGB is superior to component video...

Since we're on the topic of "color space" (or whatever the hell it's called), my cable box has the option of RGB or YCC 4:4:4. Which should I use?

As someone who just received my HD-DVD of the DVE I just calibrated everything including my HD-DVD player. Not only can you calibrate your HDTV with the standard side, but that's the best way for me. Since both my standard DVD player and HD cable box are connected by component video cable, I used the settings the same settings. I didn't use my HD-DVD player because it's connected by HDMI and there does appear to be a difference (much darker, for instance). But the HD-DVD side of the disc calibrated my HD-DVD player, of course.

Since we're on the topic of "color space" (or whatever the hell it's called), my cable box has the option of RGB or YCC 4:4:4. Which should I use?

You have to test. They may or may not be different. Check for clipping, and check for accurate color decoding. Choosing one or the other moves the location of the color decoding. Hopefully they're both implemented correctly on both devices, thus no difference.