AVIA or Video Essentials (1 Viewer)

[tremojem]

I am waiting for a year to bring in a professional to calibrate my Pioneer Pro-111FD per the salesman recommendation. So I was looking for a quick way to take a look at the proper settings for my display using a set-up disc...anyone out there have any suggestions about the choices above, thanks?

 

[Jim Mcc]

A year? That sounds way too long to me. I have the DVE-HD combo disc, and I do not recommend it. After listening to the disc and reading on their website, I still can't figure it out.

 

[tremojem]

Amazon customers complain about the same thing...go figure.

 

[Joseph DeMartino]

I've used a couple of different versions of Video Essentials, as well as the original Avia Guide to Home Theater. I never had a problem with VE, but I know a lot of people who have found it confusing. Many of these folks prefer Avia. Avia II, which I haven't tried, is reportedly even more user-friendly.

Either will get you what you need, so ultimately it comes down to personal preference. You might want to rent so you can try before you buy. (Since it is a good idea to recalibrate periodically, it does make sense to own a copy of one of the calibration discs. Also if you're like most of us, you will become the de facto HT guru for your friends, and you'll end up calibrating a lot of their sets, as well. )

Do you have a Blu Ray player? I know DVE has a Blu Ray version, but I'm not sure about Avia - so that could also be a factor for you.

I'm also dubious about the salesman's advice that you wait a year before getting your set professionally calibrated. I've asked Gregg Loewen of Lion Audio-Video Consultants (who also happens to be one of the moderators of this forum) what his recommendations are.

Regards,

Joe

 

[tremojem]

Thank you for your helpful responses. 150 hours is the recommended break-in per ISF. I love the idea of renting the DVE...super, thanks. After I master it I can buy it then re-use it when necessary.

 

[Gregg Loewen]

100 - 150 hours is fine for a professional calibration.
DVE can be used immediately.
At 1 years time it should be recalibrated professionally.

 

[tremojem]

Hey Gregg, nice to hear from you. So if I get my Pioneer Pro-111FD professionally calibrated at 150hrs do I need to re-calibrate at 1 year? Aside from the earlier question, how often do you need to professionally calibrate displays? Hear is a real good question for you...how far off are these units from a professional calibration and how much difference would I really see? I am not looking to see if this is necessary or not, I think it is, it is just that I love this display and can't wait for increased performance after the professional calibration is complete and I realize one bad setting can make a huge difference, I just want to know from your experience, what is the difference from out of the box and what level of improvement I can realize. Also, there are many ISF professionals available in my area...how do I pick one...by test equipment listed, years experience, etc.? Thanks Gregg.