Avia vs. S&V Tune up vs. DVE vs. others...

[Owen Bartley]

I have been reading a lot of the threads concerning setup discs lately and am now more confused than when I started. I had planned to pick one of these up, along with the standard Radio Shack SPL meter, and calibrate my thratre, but now I have all kinds of doubt about:

1. the variations in levels between discs,
2. which one is "accurate" and which isn't,
3. which supports 6.1/7.1,
4. which has DD and which DTS,
etc., etc.

Also, why is the S&V disc so much cheaper than Avia? Is it really lacking any standard features, or is it just pro stuff. Really, all I want to do is calibrate my audio levels (for a 6.1 system, preferably DD and DTS) and establish a reference point. Is there something I'd be missing out on if I just order the S&V disc? ($22 Canadian on Amazon).

Thanks, I know this subject is on the border of being done to death.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Try the primer. I wrote a piece comparing the three a few months ago.



Abbreviated, more commercial version for consumers at best buy--- not intended to be a top end tool with professional tests like avia and DVE- instead targeted at dorm room users and entry level HT buyers at big stores like best buy and circuit city.

 

[Owen Bartley]

Thanks, Vince. I'll go through the primer today. I think I'm pretty sold on the S&V disc.

Edit: now after looking at the details for DVE I might go that way...