Best Calibration DVD? - Blu-ray Forum

npanzeca · 08-04-2009, 11:49 PM

Which of the calibration DVD's is the best to use at home? I welcome your opinions. Thanks.

walwalka · 08-05-2009, 12:03 AM

DVE HD Basics

repete66211 · 08-05-2009, 12:33 AM

I have the DVE HD disc. Personally, although I got the end result I wanted, this disc is horribly designed. It is not user friendly and the layout is clumsy and confusing. In addition, their is no guide or tutorial for the patterns. I recommend it only because I ended up with a well-calibrated TV, but I do so with reservations.

xneox · 08-05-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repete66211

I have the DVE HD disc. Personally, although I got the end result I wanted, this disc is horribly designed. It is not user friendly and the layout is clumsy and confusing. In addition, their is no guide or tutorial for the patterns. I recommend it only because I ended up with a well-calibrated TV, but I do so with reservations.

What he said...

...well, actually, only the first six words. I disagree with the rest, because it's not true. There is a comprehensive (sometimes TOO much so) explanation of each and every test pattern and how to use it on the disc...the history of the adjustments...what people USUALLY do vs what they SHOULD do. Just DON'T skip down and select "just the test patterns". Watch the whole thing...you'll learn a lot.

As for the layout, I find it precise and intuitive. I would not like it if they dumbed it down.

repete66211 · 08-05-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xneox

What he said...

...well, actually, only the first six words. I disagree with the rest, because it's not true.

We watched the same disc. You loved it. Fair enough. Obviously I didn't. The reason I didn't is because they droned on and on about the history of TV, etc. and then flashed over the actual calibration element. No prep, no explanation during the brief period the test pattern was on the screen and no explanation of what to look for (esp. the PLUGE part).

If this disc were all about calibration--as the title indicates it is--and presented a good tutorial, rather than a lecture on esoteric and irrelevant background information (i.e. the color of salmon) then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. As it is, it feels like it's just a DVD disc remastered at 1080p so I would rate it 3/5.

The Amazon reviews of this product give a fair representation of what you can expect.

Chizzap30 · 08-05-2009, 03:03 AM

I have DVE HD too. I didn't find it too bad. Since I already had the DVD version before the blu-ray, I was a bit more comfortable with the menu.

I would be curious about Ovation Avia if they had a blu-ray disc version but it's still currently on DVD.

bhampton · 08-05-2009, 12:05 PM

The best calibration DVD is in fact not a DVD.

Digital Video Essentials on Blu Ray is the best.

Also... on AVSForum there is a free calibration disc that has lots of fans (and it's free.)

Link ... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948496

I don't really love the menus of DVE but I'm used to it. I have the laserdisc version which was called A Video Standard and the (2nd version of the) DVD version which was called Digital Video Essentials. So.. I'm used to DVE therefore the menus don't bother me.

I used to have Avia Guide to Home Theater on DVD (I gave it away eventually.) It was a bit better in some ways. The audio setup part was far better in my opinion but it's older now and doesn't cover any of the newer audio formats.

I suppose there's Avia Pro but that's still on DVD for the moment. They are supposed to get to Blu Ray soon.

-Brian

rpatt · 08-05-2009, 12:26 PM

How does it compare to Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark disc?

bhampton · 08-05-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpatt

How does it compare to Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark disc?

I don't know. You raise a good point because... DVE isn't the only calibration disc in HD.

However,... I've been using Video Essentials for so long and (a big factor here) it's typically found new under $20. It's the choice for me.

I used to use the patterns from the AVS disc before DVE came out on Blu Ray. (You can still download the patterns themselves in Mp4 from the link I provided and get a taste of what to expect from a calibration program.)

=Brian

Hammie · 08-05-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpatt

How does it compare to Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark disc?

I actually forgot that I have that disc. I may need to play with it some. I have only used the DVD and Blu-ray versions of DVE.

npanzeca · 08-05-2009, 03:10 PM

Has anyone used AVIA guide to home theater? Its the only one i can find on blockbuster to rent.

kpkelley · 08-05-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpatt

How does it compare to Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark disc?

I have both and find that the Spears & Munsil disc is much easier to use. That being said, I would go for whichever one you can get from Netflix or Blockbuster online if you use either service.

npanzeca · 08-05-2009, 04:06 PM

AVIA guide to home theater is the only one i see on Blockbuster, there appears to be 2 versions.

crackinhedz · 08-05-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npanzeca

AVIA guide to home theater is the only one i see on Blockbuster, there appears to be 2 versions.

those are standard dvd versions.

You need a Bluray version.

I would definitely buy either the DVE HD Basics or Spears and Munsil Bluray from amazon.

First time user, probably the Spears and Munsil will suit you best.

NY Yankees 23 2 · 11-07-2009, 07:22 PM

I go the DVE HD Basics blu ray and like most the others in here i found it TERRIBLE ! There is to much information about crap i dont care about whatsoever. All i want is a disc that will have the pattern on the screen and tell me what to do with TV adjustments at the SAME TIME ! Not 10 minutes before hand or trying to explain it to me in latin while the image is up. DO NOT buy this disc...it will just piss you off. If you want mine its yours ! If there is a blu ray disc out there that is like what i had just described.... somebody tell me please !

crackinhedz · 11-07-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishaney23

If there is a blu ray disc out there that is like what i had just described.... somebody tell me please !

posted right above you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

First time user, probably the Spears and Munsil will suit you best.

Spears & Munsil

rpatt · 11-08-2009, 01:22 AM

I ended up with the Spears and Munsil and found it to be pretty user friendly.

08-04-2009, 11:49 PM	#1
npanzeca Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Columbus, Ohio Blu-ray collection:109	Best Calibration DVD? Which of the calibration DVD's is the best to use at home? I welcome your opinions. Thanks.

08-05-2009, 12:05 PM	#7
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	The best calibration DVD is in fact not a DVD. Digital Video Essentials on Blu Ray is the best. Also... on AVSForum there is a free calibration disc that has lots of fans (and it's free.) Link ... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948496 I don't really love the menus of DVE but I'm used to it. I have the laserdisc version which was called A Video Standard and the (2nd version of the) DVD version which was called Digital Video Essentials. So.. I'm used to DVE therefore the menus don't bother me. I used to have Avia Guide to Home Theater on DVD (I gave it away eventually.) It was a bit better in some ways. The audio setup part was far better in my opinion but it's older now and doesn't cover any of the newer audio formats. I suppose there's Avia Pro but that's still on DVD for the moment. They are supposed to get to Blu Ray soon. -Brian Last edited by bhampton; 11-08-2009 at 09:34 AM.

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08-05-2009, 12:03 AM	#2
walwalka Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:104	DVE HD Basics

08-05-2009, 12:33 AM	#3
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	I have the DVE HD disc. Personally, although I got the end result I wanted, this disc is horribly designed. It is not user friendly and the layout is clumsy and confusing. In addition, their is no guide or tutorial for the patterns. I recommend it only because I ended up with a well-calibrated TV, but I do so with reservations.

08-05-2009, 03:03 AM	#6
Chizzap30 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:140	I have DVE HD too. I didn't find it too bad. Since I already had the DVD version before the blu-ray, I was a bit more comfortable with the menu. I would be curious about Ovation Avia if they had a blu-ray disc version but it's still currently on DVD.

08-05-2009, 12:26 PM	#8
rpatt Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Home Theater Gallery:69 Blu-ray reviews: 3	How does it compare to Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark disc?

08-05-2009, 03:10 PM	#11
npanzeca Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Columbus, Ohio Blu-ray collection:109	Has anyone used AVIA guide to home theater? Its the only one i can find on blockbuster to rent.

08-05-2009, 04:06 PM	#13
npanzeca Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Columbus, Ohio Blu-ray collection:109	AVIA guide to home theater is the only one i see on Blockbuster, there appears to be 2 versions.

11-07-2009, 07:22 PM	#15
NY Yankees 23 2 Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pennsylvania Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:82 Blu-ray collection:82 Digital collection:74 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:43	I go the DVE HD Basics blu ray and like most the others in here i found it TERRIBLE ! There is to much information about crap i dont care about whatsoever. All i want is a disc that will have the pattern on the screen and tell me what to do with TV adjustments at the SAME TIME ! Not 10 minutes before hand or trying to explain it to me in latin while the image is up. DO NOT buy this disc...it will just piss you off. If you want mine its yours ! If there is a blu ray disc out there that is like what i had just described.... somebody tell me please !

11-08-2009, 01:22 AM	#17
rpatt Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Home Theater Gallery:69 Blu-ray reviews: 3	I ended up with the Spears and Munsil and found it to be pretty user friendly.

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