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.

[Godsize]

This is all very good info for us new blu-bloods out there. Thanks!

[CptGreedle]

I still say professional calibration might cost more, but it is unmatched! Nothing comes close to the quality a professional can get, because they have access to more adjustments than you do and can measure the wavelengths and such. They will even adjust the sound and the outputs and inputs to give you the best you can get!

[kingofgrills]

Thanks for all of the help guys! I greatly appreciate it.

So, if this calibration feature is included on all Sony BD's, why would they keep it hidden? They should highlight it like the the THX Opimization feature on DVDs.

By the way, will the THX color lense work for testing, or is it different than the color lense referenced?

Thanks again!

[Getus]

is the calibration feature on a sony BD better than the thx optimizer on a upscaled dvd?

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by Getus

is the calibration feature on a sony BD better than the thx optimizer on a upscaled dvd?

The thing is, HD and NTSC don't share the same color space, so adjustments could be off when you upscale something intended for SD.

[Getus]

Originally Posted by HDJK

The thing is, HD and NTSC don't share the same color space, so adjustments could be off when you upscale something intended for SD.

So you are saying:

Use the sony BD for Blu-ray movies (does this include blu-ray games?)

And

Use the upscaled THX optimizer for upscaled dvd movies

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by Getus

So you are saying:

Use the sony BD for Blu-ray movies (does this include blu-ray games?) ...

Yes, until AVIA comes out on a BD.

Originally Posted by Getus

...Use the upscaled THX optimizer for upscaled dvd movies

If you can tweak your TV for each input seperately, that is the way to go.

[Getus]

Originally Posted by HDJK

Yes, until AVIA comes out on a BD.

If you can tweak your TV for each input seperately, that is the way to go.

Yes if i'am not mistaken that is indeed posible, so i will do that!
Thank you for the reply!

[bhampton]

Hi,

I have a CRT FP and I calibrate it myself. It needs the works,.. Mechanical Aim, Focus (electrical and mechanical), Geometry, Convergence, Grey Scale,.. you name it.

Anyway,.. I was using DVE on DVD but since going Blu I started using some MP4's of test patterns that were 1080p.

I use a colormeter to adjust the grey scale with a free program called HFCR. And now there is a disc they put out on DVD (you download the free iso file and burn the disc yourself) that reads in like a Blu Ray and has lots of test patterns on it.

It's as close to a Blu Ray calibration disc as it gets so far and it's free. You can find it in the AVS display calibration forums.

Also,.. about getting it done by a pro,.. Sometimes thats good and sometimes its not so good. No one will want the most out of you set more then you do. If you take the time and learn you can get really accurate with DIY calibration.

I had an ISF tech visit me once and he fiddled with my PJ but while it looked pretty good it was in no way accurate.

-Brian


EDIT - Forgot to add,.. many displays don't give you access to many controls unless you learn how to access the service manual. You typically get Brightness, Contrast, and maybe sharpness, Hue, and Color depending on your set and how it's hooked up. The THX optimode patterns on the Lionsgate discs or the handfull of patterns on the Sony discs are more then enough to set those properly. I would be clear if you have the "geek squad" coming over to adjust your set for $300 that you know what types of adjustment they are going to make or you may be paying for something you could do yourself in 10 mins flat.

[WickyWoo]

Ratatouille will give you a baseline until DVE comes out

[Getus]

Yesterday i use the calibration pictures on a sony bd.
But how a'm i able to use them? I don't have any calibration tools colimeter or whatever.

So is it really necessary to buy such equipment? does the $150 pay off for such equipment?

[Teazle]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Anyway,.. I was using DVE on DVD but since going Blu I started using some MP4's of test patterns that were 1080p.

I use a colormeter to adjust the grey scale with a free program called HFCR. And now there is a disc they put out on DVD (you download the free iso file and burn the disc yourself) that reads in like a Blu Ray and has lots of test patterns on it.

It's as close to a Blu Ray calibration disc as it gets so far and it's free. You can find it in the AVS display calibration forums.

Thanks much for posting this tip Brian!

[Ares84]

I have a PS3 and I can't find any calibration options on any blu-ray movies that I have...I have movies from SONY and I also have Ratatulle. What can I dO?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Ares84

I have a PS3 and I can't find any calibration options on any blu-ray movies that I have...I have movies from SONY and I also have Ratatulle. What can I dO?

(press triangle on the remote) you have to enter 7-6-6-9 at the menu screen on sony blurays.