Blu-ray Home Theater Optimization Disc - Does it exist yet?

[kingofgrills]

Hi there. I tried searching previous posts without success, so I apologize if this has been covered already. Does a home theater optimization disc exist yet on Blu-ray?

I've been waiting for such a beast for a year now, but I haven't found one yet. I would really like to optimize my system without relying on an upscaled DVD to do so.

I would greatly appreciate any help on this one.

Thank you.

[jkwest]

It's almost ready...

DVE has released the HD DVD version, but, the Blu-Ray version was delayed til March...

Avia is supposed to have one out soon....

Right now just use a Pixar disc or a Sony disc...
If you own a Sony Blu-ray disc, there is a "hidden" option for calibration screens. Press 7-6-6-9-Enter to access these.

Originally Posted by paidgeek

There are a few adjustment where the included test patterns can be particulary useful for getting the best possible picture. Most of our discs have at least 4 test patterns included, SMPTE bars, monoscope, ramp and cross hatch. The first adjustment I usually concern myself with is the black level or "brightness". Bring up the colorbar signal and pause your player. Turn up your monitor "brightness" and confirm that all 3 pluge chips are visible in the lower right hand corner of the screen. If all three can be seen, then you have confirmed that your player and monitor are passing signals "below black". Next, adjust the brightness control down until the right chip is just visible. You now have an optimum black level setting. Put the player back into play mode and chapter skip to the next pattern, the monoscope and pause once again. Ideally, you should see a complete image with 16:9 shown at the corners and no truncating of the triangles. If you don't see the full image, check if you monitor supports "full pixel", "dot by dot" or some other description of a mode that allows a 1:1 relationship between the incoming signal and the pixels on your display. Some displays do not allow the disabling of "overscan" so you will not be able to make this adjustment. The monoscope is also useful for checking over sharpening, or filtering of the image. Ideally the round patterns comprised of wedges should be clear, sharp with no asymetrical gray bars or ovals. Distortions in the pattern usually indicate that a scaler is being used in the display. Also check that the squares comprised of 2x2 pixel black squares are distinct. If sharpening is used, the black or white portions of these squares is often exaggerated. And finally can you read the text on the bottom of the pattern for the company that created it? If you can, you are likely getting a full 1920 x 1080 image.

Of course there are many other important settings for Contrast and color, but these settings need to be adjusted according to your average room light. I recommend turning off all of the processing that is available in todays displays such as Noise reduction, DRC (Sony) or whatever a given CE company happens to be calling their image enhancement feature. If you have a good blu-ray disc, "Black Hawk Down" for example, you should be able to see the film grain from the original master faithfully reproduced. If it looks mottled or irregular, there is a good chance your display is using noise reduction or other processing and hurting, rather than helping the picture quality.

[Cyorg]

Originally Posted by jkwest

It's almost ready...

DVE has released the HD DVD version, but, the Blu-Ray version was delayed til March...

Avia is supposed to have one out soon....

Right now just use a Pixar disc or a Sony disc...
If you own a Sony Blu-ray disc, there is a "hidden" option for calibration screens. Press 7-6-6-9-Enter to access these.

I'd like to use the Sony BD easter egg, but I don't know how to use those screens. I mean you can show me a bunch of dots, lines, and colors all day, but I don't know what to do with them.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by Cyorg

I'd like to use the Sony BD easter egg, but I don't know how to use those screens. I mean you can show me a bunch of dots, lines, and colors all day, but I don't know what to do with them.

LOL!!

Yeah...they can be a bit daunting at first...thats why its good to get either DVE or Avia...they have the color lenses and they give an explanation on what each one is...

You can also get the color lenses from any camera store...

Normally, I just go to the evil AVS and look up the thread for my tv...someone normally posts up the setting/tweaks to make it look the best.

[Kayne314]

I use the DVE disk myself, but I have the "other HDM Player"... Yes I'm that format neutral person you've heard about.

Here's a reasonable DVD facsimile I've found though.

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3971

I don't usually recommend non HD material to test and calibrate an HD TV, but until a Blu-Ray version is available, this might do.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

I use the DVE disk myself, but I have the "other HDM Player"... Yes I'm that format neutral person you've heard about.

Here's a reasonable DVD facsimile I've found though.

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3971

I don't usually recommend non HD material to test and calibrate an HD TV, but until a Blu-Ray version is available, this might do.

I have the monster cable one and it works very well on my Panny plasma. Greyscale was still a little off, but it was much closer before I had the disc. It sure beats paying someone $300.