Need to calibrate a new 27" flat screen

MD2B · 10-08-2001, 10:10 PM

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but the folks who frequent/post in this forum seem very knowledgeable and helpful... (eg. Black Francis passing on his SPL meter...)

Anyway, I just bought a Panasonic Tau series flat screen, and I wanted to calibrate the video and audio?

1. I wanted to know which of the two DVDs are better AVIA: or Video Essentials
2. Where is the best place to get it (esp with coupons, etc.)

I appreciate your help in this.

Thanks

MD2B

gothamknight · 10-09-2001, 07:09 AM

I have both discs, and Avia is generally easier to use. There is a new version of Video Essentials coming out, however, that will be fully digital and progressive video, or something like that. Both discs will do the job, however. If you want to wait, I'll sell you my old Video Essentials for cheap after I get the new one...

Don't know where to find them cheap, but you can always check http://www.dvdpricesearch.com or http://www.dvdpricecompare.com for the latest prices.

MD2B · 10-09-2001, 10:35 AM

I have been hearing that Avia is a bit easier to use too, Gothamknight. I appreciate your input, especially the DVD price comparison sites. I am just not sure if its something I want to buy or borrow/rent (since I probably will not use again for a long time)

Do you (or anyone else) know if Blockbuster rents either of these out? (especially the Avia)? Is anyone willing to let me borrow it?

I will keep in mind what you said about purchasing your old VE, gothamknight. (email me with your price

)

md2b

ArkiStan · 10-09-2001, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MD2B
I have been hearing that Avia is a bit easier to use too, Gothamknight. I appreciate your input, especially the DVD price comparison sites. I am just not sure if its something I want to buy or borrow/rent (since I probably will not use again for a long time)

Do you (or anyone else) know if Blockbuster rents either of these out? (especially the Avia)? Is anyone willing to let me borrow it?

I will keep in mind what you said about purchasing your old VE, gothamknight. (email me with your price )

md2b

Do you happen to have a netflix account? The first time I used Video Essentials, it was through netflix. But then I bought one for myself during that recent special when they had it for $10.

gothamknight · 10-09-2001, 12:09 PM

For me, it's kind of important that I own my copy. I have a RPTV, and settings tend to drift over time. Also, every time you change your cables and/or your DVD player, you'll need to recalibrate the picture settings.

Be warned: a proper calibration will result in a great picture. But it's a great picture that 99.5% of the population aren't used to and will have a bit of trouble adjusting to. I literally had to force myself to watch with the proper picture settings for the first couple of days. It was only after I got used to how the picture looked that I could tell there was more real detail and better color balance, brightness levels, etc. than before.

MD2B · 10-09-2001, 12:23 PM

"during that recent special when they had it for $10"

ucbstan, is that offer still available?

I have also heard that certain DVD movies have test pages that kinda do what these do. Toy Story 1 & 2 set, Terminator set...
Any others? Are these any good (i.e. accurate)

gothamknight · 10-09-2001, 03:06 PM

Some new movies include the THX Optimode calibration. I haven't read any reviews that include measurements, but the word on the home theater websites indicates that the calibrations are disc-specific. In other words, the THX Optimode settings apply for that particular movie and don't provide a NTSC-standard calibration.

Still, it'll probably help you get closer to a proper picture than factory settings alone.

ArkiStan · 10-09-2001, 08:17 PM

Well on certain discs you get the color bars for calibration, but I'm not sure how to use them (or if it's even possible) without the blue color strip that you look through to look at the color bars. The Blue Color Strip is included in the Video Essentials package. And on those DVD's with THX tests signals, soundwise, even though you get the pink noise signals, you still need a Sound Level Meter to get accurate settings. Either way, you'd be better off getting a Professional Calibration disc (VE or Avia) rather than relying on the "THX tests" included in some movies. The walk you through and even explain the reasoning and technicalities behind the tests. If you're serious about watching movies at all, it's a good investment no doubt.

And sorry MD2B, I couldn't find the deal for the VE dvd deal. It's probably over though. It was a limited time offer for $15.

MD2B · 10-09-2001, 09:51 PM

I dont plan to get a new DVD player, or change by cables- so I think an initial calibration should hold me over for a while. If someone is willing to let me borrow either DVD (preferrably the Avia, but hey, beggars can't be too choosy

) I'd really appreciate it. I'd cover the shipping obviously.

email me, or leave me your email address.

Thanks in advance

MD2B · 10-10-2001, 03:19 PM

Hey everyone,

Is the new edition of VE the same as "Digital Video Essentials" that is coming out in Nov? Its only $18 or so, but there is no description for it
(Amazon, etc...)

Just curious

gothamknight · 10-11-2001, 06:52 AM

Yup, the new Video Essentials is the Digital Video Essentials that's coming out...

MD2B · 11-28-2001, 09:31 AM

Have any of you gotten the new Dig Vid Essentials yet? Amazon was supposed to have it mid-Nov, but after speaking with cust serv, they said they have no idea when its gonna be shipped to them.

Just wanted to know if anyone had luck with any other store. Also Amazon was unable to verify that this is the newer version of video essentials.

md2b

10-08-2001, 10:10 PM	#1
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	Need to calibrate a new 27" flat screen Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but the folks who frequent/post in this forum seem very knowledgeable and helpful... (eg. Black Francis passing on his SPL meter...) Anyway, I just bought a Panasonic Tau series flat screen, and I wanted to calibrate the video and audio? 1. I wanted to know which of the two DVDs are better AVIA: or Video Essentials 2. Where is the best place to get it (esp with coupons, etc.) I appreciate your help in this. Thanks MD2B

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10-09-2001, 07:09 AM	#2
gothamknight Ensign Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 18	I have both discs, and Avia is generally easier to use. There is a new version of Video Essentials coming out, however, that will be fully digital and progressive video, or something like that. Both discs will do the job, however. If you want to wait, I'll sell you my old Video Essentials for cheap after I get the new one... Don't know where to find them cheap, but you can always check http://www.dvdpricesearch.com or http://www.dvdpricecompare.com for the latest prices.

10-09-2001, 10:35 AM	#3
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	I have been hearing that Avia is a bit easier to use too, Gothamknight. I appreciate your input, especially the DVD price comparison sites. I am just not sure if its something I want to buy or borrow/rent (since I probably will not use again for a long time) Do you (or anyone else) know if Blockbuster rents either of these out? (especially the Avia)? Is anyone willing to let me borrow it? I will keep in mind what you said about purchasing your old VE, gothamknight. (email me with your price ) md2b

10-09-2001, 12:09 PM	#5
gothamknight Ensign Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 18	For me, it's kind of important that I own my copy. I have a RPTV, and settings tend to drift over time. Also, every time you change your cables and/or your DVD player, you'll need to recalibrate the picture settings. Be warned: a proper calibration will result in a great picture. But it's a great picture that 99.5% of the population aren't used to and will have a bit of trouble adjusting to. I literally had to force myself to watch with the proper picture settings for the first couple of days. It was only after I got used to how the picture looked that I could tell there was more real detail and better color balance, brightness levels, etc. than before.

10-09-2001, 12:23 PM	#6
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	"during that recent special when they had it for $10" ucbstan, is that offer still available? I have also heard that certain DVD movies have test pages that kinda do what these do. Toy Story 1 & 2 set, Terminator set... Any others? Are these any good (i.e. accurate)

10-09-2001, 03:06 PM	#7
gothamknight Ensign Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 18	Some new movies include the THX Optimode calibration. I haven't read any reviews that include measurements, but the word on the home theater websites indicates that the calibrations are disc-specific. In other words, the THX Optimode settings apply for that particular movie and don't provide a NTSC-standard calibration. Still, it'll probably help you get closer to a proper picture than factory settings alone.

10-09-2001, 08:17 PM	#8
ArkiStan Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Recession Central Posts: 5,757	Well on certain discs you get the color bars for calibration, but I'm not sure how to use them (or if it's even possible) without the blue color strip that you look through to look at the color bars. The Blue Color Strip is included in the Video Essentials package. And on those DVD's with THX tests signals, soundwise, even though you get the pink noise signals, you still need a Sound Level Meter to get accurate settings. Either way, you'd be better off getting a Professional Calibration disc (VE or Avia) rather than relying on the "THX tests" included in some movies. The walk you through and even explain the reasoning and technicalities behind the tests. If you're serious about watching movies at all, it's a good investment no doubt. And sorry MD2B, I couldn't find the deal for the VE dvd deal. It's probably over though. It was a limited time offer for $15.

10-09-2001, 09:51 PM	#9
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	I dont plan to get a new DVD player, or change by cables- so I think an initial calibration should hold me over for a while. If someone is willing to let me borrow either DVD (preferrably the Avia, but hey, beggars can't be too choosy ) I'd really appreciate it. I'd cover the shipping obviously. email me, or leave me your email address. Thanks in advance

10-10-2001, 03:19 PM	#10
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	Hey everyone, Is the new edition of VE the same as "Digital Video Essentials" that is coming out in Nov? Its only $18 or so, but there is no description for it (Amazon, etc...) Just curious

10-11-2001, 06:52 AM	#11
gothamknight Ensign Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 18	Yup, the new Video Essentials is the Digital Video Essentials that's coming out...

11-28-2001, 09:31 AM	#12
MD2B Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 232	Have any of you gotten the new Dig Vid Essentials yet? Amazon was supposed to have it mid-Nov, but after speaking with cust serv, they said they have no idea when its gonna be shipped to them. Just wanted to know if anyone had luck with any other store. Also Amazon was unable to verify that this is the newer version of video essentials. md2b

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