Best HD Calibration Disc?

[CanadianEH]

What is the best disc for calibrating your TV? I've read a lot about Spears and Munsil, Disney's WOW, and DVE. Just looking for your opinions.

[fairchild]

If you are looking for a commercial disc, my personal opinion is:

Spears and Munsil > Disney's WOW > DVE

There are also some free options available such as the AVS HD 709 or GCD, both available on the AVS forums.

[Alan Brown]

The Disney 'World Of Wonder' program is probably the best for beginners. It offers more advanced tutorials and test signals as well. The program is structured in three layers for novices, advanced, and expert users. However, it is not a completely comprehensive program. None of the titles available are, including the free download at the AV Science forum.

Each program on Blu-ray Disc has valuable material that makes it worthwhile to own each. The next step up from Disney's program for consideration could be Joe Kane Productions' 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics.' It includes important and foundational video system setup information that Disney lacks in their title.

The 'Spears and Munsil: HD Benchmark' program has unique tests and evaluation material that are frequently recommended. You will learn things about video on this disc that the others don't mention or cover so well. An updated and expanded version is near to be released that adds test materials for evaluating the performance of, and calibrating, 3D displays. It will sell for $30.00.

There is a free HD program offered at AVS forum that can be burned to a recordable DVD, but playable on most Blu-ray Disc players. It lacks much in the way of narrated tutorial guides, but the text tutorial material is well presented. It may be a bit difficult to absorb for some novices, depending on personal aptitude, experience, and patience. That goes for the other programs, too, to one degree or another.

Not any of the available titles can be fully absorbed or mastered in one session. I recommend owning and repeatedly using all of them to gain a comprehensive understanding of what correct video performance is supposed to look like. Some displays respond better to reference signals better than others. Certain displays also have more control options than others. A test disc is a great way to find out what your specific TV can do and how it can be adjusted.

One professional calibrator, who is a trainer for THX, and has calibrated literally thousands of TVs for over a decade, says that about 50% of his customers who have told him they already set up their TV with a calibration disc, have not followed the instructions correctly. There is no shortage of people in the videophile community, or any other for that matter, who think they are smarter or more capable than they actually are. Most endeavors require repeated practice to achieve proficiency.

Here are some additional links that should help guide you:
http://www.tlvexp.ca/2013/03/poor-tv...y/#comment-116
http://www.tlvexp.ca/2012/06/yanacfp...9/#comment-117
http://www.tlvexp.ca/2011/12/why-we-calibrate-myths/

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.
A Lion AV Consultants affiliate

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

[bhampton]

AVS709 is the only one I use.

I have DVE HD Basics and I used to have a bunch of other ones. I think I still have the laserdisc version of DVE "A Video Standard."

AVS709 is great and free.

And,... there is a pdf manual for AVS709 ... It explains things pretty well.