Home Theater Set-Up DVD Reviews

Not all Audio/Video Calibration Discs are created equal...
Home Theater Set-up DVD Reviews

Any set-up DVD can help you get a lot more out of your system in terms of overall performance without calling a professional. Yet not all calibrations discs are equal. There always remain the dilemma which one to choose. This series of detailed set-up DVD reviews aims at helping you discover which calibration disc is most suitable for your needs.

Which Home Theater Set-up DVD is right for You?

Set-up DVDs are relatively inexpensive considering the potential they have to help you optimize your system.

Every home theater owner should have one on hand but... there is always the issue - which set-up DVD to choose.

While any set-up DVD can help you optimize the basic settings in any audio/video system, yet not all DVDs do so in the same manner. Some are more technically demanding and are most suitable for intermediate to advance users, while others take a fun non-technical approach without loading the user with unnecessary technical jargon.

It is thus important to opt for the right home theater set-up DVD that is most suitable for your needs. After all, going for the right product can help make life a bit easier.

Top Audio/Video Calibration DVDs

Without doubt, the two most popular home theater set-up DVDs are the AVIA Guide to Home Theater by Ovation Multimedia, and Digital Video Essentials by Joe Kane Productions.

The AVIA Guide

The original AVIA released in 1999, has now been superseded by the new AVIA II (NTSC version); PAL and HD versions of the AVIA II are expected to be out some time later this year.

The AVIA disc is one of the best calibration DVDs, with easy intuitive navigation and a tutorial guide that covers major aspects of home theater systems and set-up.

It is characterized by an extensive suite of reference test patterns and tones, with detailed calibration procedures that take the user step-by-step through video and audio system optimization.

The original AVIA was already an excellent set-up DVD. The new Avia II is even better in that it comes with additional new test patterns and audio tones as well as new information on the latest HD technologies.

We will review this new calibration disc from Ovation Multimedia once the high definition version of the new AVIA II becomes available later this year. In the meantime, check our review of the original AVIA Guide to get an idea of what you can expect to find on the new Avia II set-up DVD.

Digital Video Essentials

The Digital Video Essential DVD - originally released in 2003, has now been replaced by the Digital Video Essentials HD DVD set-up disc. This is a high definition version of the original DVE DVD that comes on the high definition side of a combo HD-DVD. The standard side of this combo disc contains a replica of the original Digital Video Essentials, home theater set-up DVD and is available in either PAL or NTSC version.

The new Digital Video Essentials HD DVD contains well mastered test patterns in both 720p and 1080p high definition formats. The demo material is also among the best high definition reference footage one can get. Equally important, all audio test signals on the HD side are encoded in true high definition audio.

Thanks to the replica of the original DVE DVD on the standard side of this combo HD-DVD, the user will also get an excellent source of educational content in the form of a tutorial guide.

This informative guide also serves a purpose for the content on the high definition side. This in view that the HD side of the DVE HD lacks the much desired how-to-guide on the use of the different high definition test patterns and tones in a similar manner to what one finds on the SD side.

The lack of an informative guide on the HD side is in our opinion a serious shortcoming especially to the beginner. But it is not a deal breaker since you are not left on your own thanks to a comprehensive PDF supplement and the disc HDi interactive menu system. However, this makes Digital Video Essentials HD DVD more suitable for intermediate to advanced users, than for newcomers.

For more information on this high definition home theater set-up DVD, please check our Digital Video Essentials HD review article.

AVIA versus DVE - Which is better?

This is a hot topic among many AV forums. Both AVIA and DVE are full-fledged set-up DVDs that are capable of delivering exactly what they claim. Both have their pros and cons with some test patterns available on one but not the other.

In general, we find AVIA easier to navigate but then the color filters that come with the DVE disc seem more spot-on than those with the AVIA. Both discs are suitable for use by beginners and advances users alike, but only intermediate to advanced users will be able to make the most out of these set-up DVDs.

What about less technically demanding Set-Up DVDs?

Though in general all home theater set-up DVDs are similar in use, in that all will help you get that basic set-up correct, yet each set-up disc has distinct strengths and weakness. Hence opting for the correct set-up disc would surely help make life a bit easier.

The AVIA and DVE home theater set-up DVDs are surely among the best calibration DVDs, yet for some, these are too technically demanding. If all you want is a decent set-up DVD that does its job without overloading you with unnecessary information and test procedures, then you have to look elsewhere.

Set-up discs like Sound & Vision - Home Theater Tune-Up released in 2001, The Ultimate DVD - Home Theater Fine Tuning Made Simple released in 2005, and the Monster Cable ISF set-up DVD released in 2006, all give a good overview of how home theaters work and what the A/V setup entails. These home theater set-up DVDs still cover the basic video and audio settings in enough detail without presenting the user with loads of unnecessary information.

Our preference in this category of calibration discs is for the 'Ultimate DVD - Home Theater Fine Tuning Made Simple'.

This in our opinion is the most complete from the trio. In particular, this home theater set-up DVD presents a fun and simple way to fine-tune any home theater system, with easy-to-follow instructions to help you optimize picture quality and sound.

If what you are after is a good discussion of how to set up a home theater without the technical jargon or confusing advanced test patterns, then it is worth giving one of these set-up DVDs a try.

THX-Certified DVD Titles: the simplest & least expensive way to TV Calibration

Many forget that THX-certified DVD Titles feature the THX Optimizer - an easy-to-use on-screen application to calibrate home theater systems. That's right; all you have to do is to look for the THX logo on the spine of the DVD case. If it is there, just pop that disc into your player and select the Optimizer. This calibration tools has been available on all THX-certified titles since 2000.

THX Optimizer helps you fine-tune the audio and video settings through a series of test signals. These tests allow you to match the reference levels used during the DVD mastering process – giving you the exact sound and picture presentation that the filmmaker wanted you to experience.

This free calibration tool offers a quick and easy solution on how to set color, tint, contrast and sharpness, as well as check speaker assignments, phase and crossovers on your surround sound system. The whole calibration process is presented in simple layman instructions, and once completed, the user can be confident that any apparent anomalies are integral to the movie and not an artifact of the A/V system.

The THX Optimizer is an alternative to the costly but more comprehensive set-up DVDs like the new Avia II and the Digital Video Essentials HD DVD. Surely, dedicated calibration discs carry a significant advantage over the THX Optimizer even when it comes to the basic set-up, but... If you want a simple straightforward A/V calibration tool, it is there readily available on all THX-certified DVD titles for free! More information on the THX Optimizer is available at the THX website.

Important:

A sound pressure level meter is essential if you want to make the best out of any home theater set-up DVD when it comes to multi-channel audio set-up. An inexpensive meter like the digital Galaxy Audio CM130 SPL Meter would surely help you do a great job in any home theater environment.

A Final Word

Don't expect to load one of these home theater set-up DVDs and tune your system in less than 30 minutes. Rest assured however that your persistence will be rewarded with dramatically improved home theater video and sound.

Irrespective of whether it is a basic set-up or a high-end home theater system, a calibration DVD can lead to significant improvements in overall system performance.

The home theater set-up DVDs featured in this review article are relatively inexpensive toys that have the power to transform your entertainment system, and are well worth the small investment and your time.

We strongly recommend keeping one in hand. Which set-up DVD you opt for is not important in that as expressed in this article, all home theater set-up DVDs are capable of doing their job. What is important is to choose the home theater set-up DVD that is most suitable for your needs.

Home Theater Set-Up DVD Reviews:

To assist you in your selection process, we have prepared detailed reviews for the following A/V calibration DVDs:


		AVIA Guide to Home Theater
		Digital Video Essentials DVD
		Digital Video Essentials - HD
		Datacolor SpyderTV Video Calibration System SpyderTV is not a home theater set-up DVD but a colorimeter-based calibration system. It promises to deliver an easy-to-use TV calibration solution to the home user at a fraction of the cost of an ISF calibration package.

For information on availability and reduced pricing at amazon for the featured home theater set-up DVDs, please check out the following links:

AVIA II Guide to Home Theater (NTSC Version)

Digital Video Essentials (NTSC Component)

Digital Video Essentials HD DVD Set-up Disc

The Ultimate DVD - Home Theater Fine Tuning Made Simple

Colorvision STV100 SpyderTV

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