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#6687 - 10/17/07 10:41 PM Good calibration DVD?
BloggingITGuy Offline
Desperado

Registered: 02/20/06
Posts: 446
Loc: Beaverton, Oregon
Can anyone recommend a good picture calibration DVD for HD sets?

Looks like the Monster/ISF DVD and the Video Essentials DVD/HD-DVD combo both are mostly getting slammed on Amazon.

Not even sure that much calibration is necessary on the first gen 50" XBR SXRD. Changed it to 6500K mode and it looks pretty good.

Only complaint is black levels, but that's probably just a limitation of the technology.

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#6688 - 10/17/07 11:13 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
gonk Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/21/01
Posts: 14054
Loc: Memphis, TN USA
There's always GetGrey from this site .
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#6689 - 10/18/07 01:26 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
Videodrome Offline
Desperado

Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 325
Loc: Fairfax Station, VA
I used the Avia disc with pretty good results.

The calibration steps that involved use of the color filters was an important piece of the set-up process; so if you buy the disc second hand, make certain they're included.

Apart from that, it's pretty surprising how well the THX optimizer works that's included on some DVDs (such as "The Incredibles"). If I recall, there is a black setting test on the optimizer.
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#6690 - 10/18/07 01:54 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
gonk Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/21/01
Posts: 14054
Loc: Memphis, TN USA
Based on some things I've read, THX Optimizer isn't always a great choice for general calibration, as in some cases it is adjusted for a specific disc's mastering. It could be a decent place to start, of course, but it might still be worthwhile to have a dedicated calibration disc around.
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#6691 - 10/18/07 03:57 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
butchgo Offline
Desperado

Registered: 06/22/07
Posts: 372
Loc: Southern Oregon coast
I have used both DVE & Avia and they both do a fine job. I feel that the Avia disc is much easier to navigate than DVE though especially on the audio side.
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Epson 3500 3D projector
93" Carl's Place Flexiwhite DIY screen
Outlaw 976 Pre/Pro
Outlaw 7500 for LCR & L/R surrounds
1- Emotiva Mini X-A100 for rear surrounds
2- Outlaw LFM-1 EX subs
Oppo BDP-105 Blu-ray/DVD/SACD player
Outlaw LCR (Snell Labs) for center channel duty
Tekton Lore monitors L/R
4- Emotiva ERD-1s surround speakers
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#6692 - 10/26/07 04:45 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
Lee Bailey Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 06/22/01
Posts: 86
Loc: Madera,CA.USA
If you want help with DVE, here's the link to download the manual:
Video Essentials Test Pattern Description Manuals
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#6693 - 10/30/07 03:19 PM Re: Good calibration DVD?
butchgo Offline
Desperado

Registered: 06/22/07
Posts: 372
Loc: Southern Oregon coast
Thanks Lee. I did download the complete manual right after I purchased DVE. I just feel that the Avia disc is just much easier and faster to use. It also has additional audio tests that DVE does not, unless I missed something when I have used DVE. Like I said before, both discs do an excellent job and any one with a home theater should be using either one, especially on the audio side.
_________________________
Epson 3500 3D projector
93" Carl's Place Flexiwhite DIY screen
Outlaw 976 Pre/Pro
Outlaw 7500 for LCR & L/R surrounds
1- Emotiva Mini X-A100 for rear surrounds
2- Outlaw LFM-1 EX subs
Oppo BDP-105 Blu-ray/DVD/SACD player
Outlaw LCR (Snell Labs) for center channel duty
Tekton Lore monitors L/R
4- Emotiva ERD-1s surround speakers
Monster HTS3600MKII power center

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