New calibration disc - Page 3

OK guys. I took the time to polish a couple details today. If you have Beta 1.x throw it away please. It has a few minor errors. I have corrected all known on Beta 2.0.

I have also:
Added a brief readme.txt file which explains the levels used in each pattern
Changed gray window pattern's labelling to indicate percentage instead of IRE. I also have levels indicated on gray windows.

My original grayscale was built using 16-236 so the individual step bar's levels would come out as integers. (steps of 11 for 5% steps). I have changed it to the more proper 10.95 steps and rounded each bar appropriately for 16-235. Exact calculations and 5% step levels are indicated in the readme.

Vern:

Maybe you could take a look and verify my colors are at least as accurate as DVE pro. When I compare to it, my numbers look like yours. The colors never come out perfect (i.e. I get 15 and 17 instead of the original 16 occasionally), but mine were as, if not more accurate (less deviation from the original level) than the reference discs I tested.

I am now providing a link here for the folks helping to take a look at it. It is not for noob use at this time, please do not D/L it unless you have something to contribute. I will leave it there for a limited time so the gurus here can have take a look. Let's be sure my colors are OK before anyone takes it and calibrates their display using it. I'm confident they are, but I'd like a second opinion when comparing apples and apples (i.e. vs a commercial DVD, not a PC pattern).

It's about a 3Mb download:
http://tn1.companypostoffice.com/sco...ta_2-0_VTS.zip

Great. I think. To be clear, are you saying you got the beta and tested it and it tested OK?, or that you have the ability to and will do it then let me know? Thanks

No, definitely not. You have a problem or at least issue with your PC.

Vern:Thanks very much for looking. I don't use a HTPC but I hope the information on the cards is helpful to the other guys.

As for color patterns, I saw the same +/- 1 (digital levels) on my disc but I also saw it on the other commercial discs on the 75% color patterns. Typically in the black component of the colors (i.e. 15 instead of 16, etc.) Gray patterns and windows were dead on.

Since my creation is as close as the commercial discs I'm now comfortable letting it rip. It is definately close enough for a DVD. It was painful to figure out, this method was about the 8th method attempt.

Before I remove the Beta version from it, I'll probably add in a few more extra patterns. Specifically:
* 5% step gray windows (vs 10)
* 100% color windows
* green and blue ramp patterns (just for completeness)
* possibly some variation on the colorbars.

re: colorbars, I'm considering some sort of animated pattern which may make it easier to see. I've always had a hard time with color and hue, finding the just right spot was always tough. I liked Avia's pattern better than DVE but it's just a personal preference. Maybe something better than both? Any suggestions of ideas for this item anyone?

I'll see if I can find a way to do a resolution pattern but don't have high hopes for that. It's not something I use, but I'll try to do it anyway.

Right now it happens to be setup to match the Accucal software (per Bob). For my own purposes, I'll probably stick the 5% gray windows in place of the 10% steps. For those with Accucal they can always skip the "multiples of 5" windows. Jeff can let me know f he'd like to see a custom version to fit Accucal.

dr1394: I would sure like to have a Y/C delay pattern. Do you happen to have one you would be willing to contribute? It would save me some time. I don't have anything to open the .ts files linked in your signature, and wouldn't use them without permission anyway.

If anyone sees anything wrong with the brief explanations and logic in the included readme file (specifically regarding the levels for contrast patterns) please chime in and let me know.

Thanks guys,
Scott

Ron, thanks very much for taking a look at them. Being a perfectionist, I'm concerned about the erorrs. Do you know if DVE has the corresponding small errors? Are these very small errors insignificant or are these bad? I don't want to release a disc with my mark on it that's not right. I would hope these errors would be very small and imperceptable from mortal instruments? Even better, I would be tickled to know the same errors existed on DVE/Avia Pro. If it's good enough for them then it's good enough for me. Along those lines, I see the same errors on RGB from DVE as are on mine (+/-1 here and there), but I have no way to measure the component values, that I know of


Yes, this was intentional. My logic was that when measuring the ANSI contrast/lumens, one is looking for maximums. I figured by using 0 and 255 that any user calibration that allowed for BTB or WTW would not result in maximum brightness or extingusiment. By using 0 and 255 one would be insured the display was as black and as white as it could be.

If it was set so reference black and white (16/235) were the darkest/lightest the display could do then it woudln't matter. But if the user had for instance allowed WW information to pass, checking ANSI at reference white (235) would not have turned the PJ as bright as it was set to go when displaying say 240.

If this is wrong, I'm happy to set the ANSI patterns to 16 and 235. I did add this information in the readme so folks would know.


That is an error, I will correct it. Thank you.


.bmp woudl be great!

Thanks again Ron!

The beta is just the files. Final version will likely be an iso. For the files, you use your software just like you would burn any DVD. How to do that is a subject for another thread. But basically you put the ziped files in the VIDEO_TS folder off the root of the DVD.

Sorry, I have access to neither so I dont' kow what they look like. Maybe Greg would let me use a varation of his. I can make the checkers huge if that helps.


Cool, but I can't use anything copyrighted obviously. I would like to know what they look like.


Yep, thre's aton of cool stuff out there. I got permission to add a very nice multi-test pattern yesterday. I want to encode it before announcing it to be sure I have no issues with it. It will meet one of 2 missing items on my disc, maybe both.

I certaintly dont' mean for it to replace a pro's disc set. No way to do that. The commercial tools will always have more tests, bells and whistles. But for me, I find I only need a handful of stuff. On several threads there's always noobs trying to figure out if they can do BTB or WTW and folks pointing this way and that to get it. FOr home users, I like some of Avia, some of DVE. Mostly DVE which I have no trouble navigating, but others find it difficult. So tis will lump all of what I use, plus a few into one easy to use spot. I hope.

Cheers,
Scott

Thanks Bill.

I will change all locations where it is appropriate to have peak black/white to 1 and 254 instead of 0 and 255.

Scott

Yep, see note above. Plans are to:


Still wanting to keep bare bones, but would like to add for completeness of what I use, Y/C delay. Looking into that one, and resolution per Chirs' request to find 1:1 pixel mapping. Don't know if I can do those or not. I beleive dr1394 has a Y/C pattern he's going ot let me have a look at.

I'd also like a different colorbar pattern. Although mine's just boxes in a row, it's similar to another one. Maybe nothing to worry about, have to be careful.

You mean free ? Still thinking about it, but probably. What I will probably do is make it donationware with a paypal address for "tips" if you like it. That won't do much so maybe dangle the carrot of adding registered owners (those who donated or bought) to a list of those who whill be notified of updates. Distribute it in iso form so new folks, less technical ones, and those without a DVD burner will want to buy a nice disc with a label and case, etc. And it wil be cheap. Thinking $5.00 + S&H. I hate to make it nagware, but maybe let the totally free version with a required main screen that pauses, or something like that. We all know copyprotection is a waste of time on DVD's, so maybe I'll just make it free period.

Trying to think of other carrots. I'm certaintly open to making "custom" versions with maybe a store's logo, or an owner's theater name on the opening screen, etc. It would be nice to get a little something out of it, not too much. Maybe get Tweeter/Circuit City to buy copies to give away with every display they sell (now I'm day dreaming ).

Claus, et.al:

Thanks. [edit - link removed for compliance]

For now, progress and update announcements will be via this thread. I'll play it by ear after that. AVS is certaintly my first choice for any general announcements.

BEst,
Scott