[meincer]

I will be getting a TH-42PD25U/P soon and will want a calibration DVD.


I am not familiar with any of them. What is best, Avia or Digital Video Essentials ? Are there others?


Also if I get Digital Video Essentials do I get the NTSC version or the High Def version since my plasma will be EDTV?


I did searches on this subject but didn't get very far.


Thanks

 

[026TB4U]

I've been meaning to ask the same question. From what I've read DVE is newer but a lot of people like AVIA.


I have Ultimate DVD Platinum and would like to know how that rates in comparison to the others mentioned.

 

[Paul Bigelow]

DVE and Avia are fine discs.


DVE:

pros:

1. More recent

2. More 16:9 patterns

3. Nice demonstration material

4. Nice filter card

5. Less expensive than Avia

cons:

1. Harder for some people to navigate

2. Less patterns than Avia


Avia

pros:

1. LOTS more test patterns

2. Easier to navigate for some people

3. Easier to set color and tint than DVE

cons:

1. Cost more than DVE

2. Not much in demonstration material

3. Less 16:9 patterns


Neither is "better", IMHO, both have strengths and weaknesses the other doesn't have. Also, I don't think either would be a bad choice. I have both DVDs and use both.


Paul

 

[meincer]

Since you say DVE is cheaper that Avia you must be talking about the NTSC version since the high def. version is $89.99.


Does the sd version give me all I need?

 

[Paul Bigelow]

DVE DVD is roughly $24.99 MSRP

Avia DVD is roughly $49.99 MSRP

DVE D-Theater/D-VHS is roughly $89.99 MSRP and can be used for HD calibration


If you have a D-Theater capable D-VHS machine the tape is nice but for most people the DVD will suffice.


HDNet test patterns, transmitted Tuesday morning at 8AM EDT can help with touching up the HD inputs.


Paul

 

[thirdkind]

I'd go with Avia. Many of the test patterns on DVE are terribly mastered and look awful. The Avia patterns are much cleaner overall.


The disc navigation on DVE is also a lesson in bad user interface design. Expect to push a lot of buttons on your remote even after you become familiar with the menus.


I think I read once that the frequency response of DVE test patterns has been rolled off a bit at the top. Why would you do such a thing to a calibration disc?


If you're really feeling crazy, you can pick up Avia Pro for $400. It's the most amazing and comprehensive package of test patterns I've seen for the DVD format. Great user manual too; it helps you learn what all the test patterns actually mean and what they can do for you.

 

[Bob Pariseau]

I use Avia.


One thing about Avia, though, is that it has no test pattern you can use to check that "Blacker than Black" data is being passed properly. DVE includes two test patterns that can be used to check that.


If you only have Avia, you should look to see if any of your movie DVDs have the "THX Optimizer" test patterns on them, usual found in the DVD's Setup menu. The Black Level test image in the optimizer, the one with the big "THX" in the middle, can be used to confirm that Blacker than Black data is being passed properly. Other than that, the optimizer should not be used as a substitute for a proper calibration DVD such as Avia or DVE since variations in DVD mastering with different films means the optimizer will also vary and thus will not be as accurate.


To check for Blacker than Black using that "THX" image, *TEMPORARILY* crank up the black levels (Brightness control) on your display and look for a drop shadow to appear behind the "THX" and for extra boxes to appear to the right of the gray scale step boxes along the top of the image. These elements are encoded as "Blacker than Black". If you can see them with the Brightness cranked up then things are working right. Be sure to turn the Brightness back down to the proper calibrated level when you are done since "Blacker than Black" areas should *NOT* be visible when your black levels are properly calibrated.

--Bob