Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics

Well, this is the 5th review of this product and the first one by someone who has actually used it...go figure.This product is very similar to design and function of the original Digital Video Essentials (DVE) for standard DVD: it has in-depth explanations of current display technologies and how they differ from each other as well as (the most important thing) video and audio test patterns to setup and calibrate your video and audio system (as well as instructions on how to do so).The HD test patterns are encoded as VC-1 (video) at 1080p and 720p, and Dolby TrueHD (audio). The basic video test patterns are essentially the same as what can be found on the DVE disc but the advanced patterns are different and include a one-pixel-on-one-pixel-off test for 1080p displays, as well as various shades of gray boxes with PLUGE patterns. (It may be of interest to some that the Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD player that I have does not pass below-black information. It does not, however, seem to clip the above-white signals). Through testing, I came to the (somewhat surprising) conclusion that my HD-DVD player and Panasonic standard DVD player require essentially the same settings on the display when using the HDMI cable.The audio test signals (and my subsequent A/V receiver settings) were very different, however, from standard Dollby Digital 5.1. Because my receiver does not have any HDMI inputs, in order to enjoy 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, I have to utilize the HD-A35's internal decoders and analog audio outputs. Standard DVD's have sounded very different with this setup so I was looking forward to the audio test signals on this disc (particularly subwoofer level adjustments). However, the audio test signals are much more limited in quantity than the DVE disc. It's by no means spartan (and it even has a few additional tests over DVE) but the number of tests is small. There is a dedicated LFE signal to set subwoofer level, but the Full-Bandwidth test for all speakers is mistakenly recorded as Limited Bandwidth (which already appears on the disc) so there is no simple way to match subwoofer level to main speaker levels. There are separate Full-Bandwidth signals for the 2 front speakers (and they indicate that they were recorded at the same level as the LFE signal) so this is what I used. I was hoping there would also be DD+ test signals, but there was only the (superior) Dolby True-HD. Ultimately, I was not left high and dry by the audio test signals, but there could have been more of them to finetune the settings.Navigation of the disc is fairly simple but because HD-DVD works differently than DVD, you may find yourself over-shooting the test you actually want.All in all, I think you can probably use your original DVE disc for most video setttings and the audio settings can be done fairly accurately with your HD-DVD player's test tone (if it has this feature). There are additional tests that make the disc worth getting (or if you don't already own DVE, this is a must-have) but it's (few) shortcomings drop it to an overall 4 star rating.For first time calibration disc users: 5 starsFor owners of the original DVE for DVD: 3 stars

I've been using the Digital Video Essentials DVD to calibrate my TVs for quite a few years and I've always loved the results, so when I heard that a Blu-Ray edition was coming, I was ecstatic.Well, now that I've got it, it still does an excellent job, but for owners of the DVD edition, you're really not getting anything new. Almost everything on here is directly from the original DVD, only remastered in 1080p. There are a few things that have been added that pertain to LCD technology and explanation of the HD color standards, but the vast majority of content is exactly the same as the DVD.The one thing that is a definite improvement over the DVD edition is the menu system. Instead of being forced to fast-forward through explanations to get to the test patterns, now you can bring up the pop-up menu and select a test pattern directly. So, once you've learned how to use the test patterns, you don't have to watch the explanations again in order to get to them.So, if your Blu-Ray budget is a little short and you already own the DVD edition, then I'd say just stick with what you've got. After calibrating my TV again with the new Blu-Ray edition, I ended up with the exact same settings that I achieved with the DVD, so in that respect, you're not going to get a more enhanced calibration with the Blu-Ray edition. Apart from that, I'd say its worth it just for the improved menu system, if you don't mind re-purchasing basically the same thing over again.If you don't own the DVD, I'd say buy this immediately, but don't let the "HD Basics" tagline fool you. This can be pretty technical if you've never used a disc like this before. Just take your time, watch all the intro videos (and there's a lot to the intros), and you should be fine.

I'm very surprised at the number of people who complain about the amount of "extraneous" information on DVE, then complain that they don't understand or can't get anything done with the test patterns.Calibrating your TV is not the most complicated activity in the world, but it does require a somewhat in-depth understanding of the production process and theory. A very important thing to know going in, is that a great number of TVs will never be able to reach a "perfect" calibration. It's simply beyond the capabilities of the television. So, the more you know and understand, the better you can choose which areas to compromise on to achieve the best picture you can get from your individual set.It may be boring, but watch all the material on the disk and try to pay attention. If you can't understand the concepts... well I don't know what to tell you, maybe grab that geek buddy (everyone has one) and have them check it out with you. There's no getting around the fact that you're going to have to tangle with, and come to grips with, some semi-complicated technical information to get the best results.The disk doesn't go into great depth concerning the various devices that the disk may be played through, and what those devices may be doing to the incoming signal to the TV. You will need to check out an AV forum for the best way to optimize your player. If you are using a PS3 as a blu-ray player, check out "optimizing your ps3 for BD" on youtube. It will show you all the settings you need for that device.Neither does DVE get into all the noise reduction, active back light controls, cinema motion etc... available on most sets. Some may consider this a negative, but I view it as DVE being realistic about the fact that there is no way for a relatively universal disk to cover this. There is no industry standard for these controls. What they do or how they do it is all on the manufacturer, and even varies within a makers own line up or in the same model from year to year. As a general rule simply turn off any of these settings, or set to the lowest possible setting. They are almost all techniques for altering the basic information of the incoming picture in one manner or the other.Does it take two hours to go through? Well yes I suppose it does. But, did you just drop a grand or more on a new TV? Doesn't two hours and [...] seem like a small price to get the most out of that investment? I've used it on both TVs in my house, my in-laws, and several friends sets. They've all been ecstatic with the results. If you're patient and take you time, I think you will be too.

I purchased this blu-ray to setup a new hd tv I had purchased as I wanted to get the best out of it that I could. There is a lot of background information to do with HD and various standards, which did bore me within the first 15 minutes. So I skipped straight to the calibration section.This section is really what you buy this disc for and so I was a little dissapointed to find the narrator taking forever to explain how to use the test screens, when really it can be explained within a few sentences. Even then, the explanation is not crystal clear and led to some confusion when calibrating my screen, meaning I would have to go back and listen again in detail to what the narrator is saying word for word. This could lead to people miscalibrating their screens, and left me a bit miffed when I was left with a dull blue-tinted screen the first time i tried it.Once you get used to the narrator and manage get what you need to know from the excessive explanations, you will get better results. I found myself using the test screens on their own once I figured out what I was supposed to do with them.It did take a fair bit of trial and error to get a result I was happy with as the test patterns do show the shortcommings of my tv, which means having to compromise with some calibrations. The narrator gives the impression that this is a common problem however, and that most users will face these problems as manufacturers fail to make tv's which adhere to various standards needed to reproduce a reliable image.Overall I am pleased to have purchased this disc, knowing that I am getting much better picture quality from my new tv. For those of you that want to get the most from your own HDTV this is an essential purchase.

All the video AND audio calibration tools you need to do a good job of setting-up your system.The full suite of video calibration screens are there. Some people are happy with letting their AV amps auto-calibrate but I've never trusted them. Cross-over values are always set too high, sub balance never seems to work properly, no way of doing a rattle test etc. If you get yourself a cheap SPL meter this disc gives you everything you need to optimise your system (short of room compensation EQ for your bass which you do need dedicated hardware for). Just set an afternoon aside for the job because it can't really be done quickly.In reference to issues that are cropping up in the other reviews...I ordered my disc some time ago and there is no indication of region-coding on the case or the disc itself but I assume the disc I have is either not region encoded at all or it's the European version. Mine was ordered from Amazon EU.As for the tedious voiceover, I've yet to hear anyone make the subject of AV calibration really sparkle and I doubt I ever will. What were you expecting? It's honestly not a serious shortcoming for a disc that's made to do a job and does it comprehensively.

Great for uuse with it's own or with the Spider 4 calibration sensor and free HCFR software for more in depth calibration of my plasma tv. Nice menu and easy navigation through the disc. Some of the tutorial content require a lot of patience to sit through and the delivery is a bit testing. However, overall a good purchase.

There is no question, you will absolutely improve you picture if you follow the instructions. Unfortunately, much of it is boring or awkward to watch. The results are stunning though, and I've used it now on a few TVs. Everytime, a more realistic picture and more unseen detail than the manufacturer's preset settings. And that's what matters.

I found the HD explananations usefull, though very american and rather repetitive. However using the set up picture viewing panels was straightforward & has most definitely improved my Sony's LCD picture above what I was able to do before using the THX setup menu on one of my region 1 DVD's. So I would recommend this softeware to anyone that is seeking an improved 'home cinema' viewing experence. Handy8