Digital Video Essentials: Optimize Your Home Entertainment System
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DVD Cover Information
Artist: Digital Video EssentialsBrand: Dvd International
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 114 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-09
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: DVD International
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Movie Reviews of Digital Video Essentials: Optimize Your Home Entertainment System
Movie Review: Perfect tool, but you need to know how to use it
Summary: 5 Stars
I used the older Video Essentials with LaserDisc and DVD (separate media) and that original program has very detailed instructions on what to do and how to do it. I bought this newer DVD since it covers flat screens, which the older DVD didn't. Note, this doesn't cover an HD stuff, this is a SD video. This new program is lighter on the details of what to do and the history of NTSC (US version), but they still go into enough details on what to do and how to setup the screen. You do need to spend the time watching the somewhat dry material to learn what to do if you're new to this, but my dad figured it out and he's not very technical with TVs. If you already know what to do you can jump right to the test images... and they now include a 3 color filter vs, the original blue only filter.
They don't mention this anywhere, but you will probably want to purchase a sound level meter to set the audio levels for your surround system correctly if your system amplifier doesn't have it's own level monitoring microphone and test. I got my sound level meter from Radio Shack, the analog one, not the digital one... it's the same as they use in the video and is about $45 as of this writing (4/08).
I've used this DVD on all my TVs and monitors (yes computer monitors benefit from this too for games and movies!). My XBOX360 games look better and my new plasmas and LCDs are now set correctly. Out of the box, the Sharp Aquos 32" 1080p displays are way too oversaturated and contrasty, although the colors are ok (they still need minor adjustments). The Pioneer Kuro 42" was pretty good for contrast and colors, but I still lowered the brightness and made some minor adjustments to the colors. My older Pioneer HD1110-Pro was already set correctly since I had used the older Video Essentials with it, but it's a good idea to periodically check as brightness will fade over time for plasmas and LCDs (and CRTs for that matter!) I also found my Dell 24" widescreens were too bright and too "warm", I dialed in a lot of green and dialed back the red. If you plan to use this with your PC monitor(s), make sure you can adjust the individual colors (RGB) to make the most of it.
The other thing that you will want to be aware of is many monitors and TVs have a different settings (color/saturation/brightness/contrast) for each input, so depending on how you have your A/V system setup it might be a bit of work to correctly set everything... but it'll be worth it! I ended up copying the settings from one of the inputs to the cable box input on the TVs and have found color bars being broadcast occasionally to double check the settings.
For new TVs (plasmas and CRTs) you will want to hold off on adjusting the settings until you've used the display for at least 100 hours (but don't just leave the display turned on with a static image since it will "burn in" that image into the phosphors).
Summary of Digital Video Essentials: Optimize Your Home Entertainment System
Here's the calibration program that will render all other calibration programs obsolete. Digital Video Essentials is the most advanced program for calibrating today's televisions, including high definition, plasma and other state-of-the-art screens and home theater systems.Similar DVD Movies
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