Sound & Vision Tune-Up dvd---who has it? (1 Viewer)

[DaleI]

Who has used the new "Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-Up (2001)" dvd? How is it, and how does it compare to VE and AVIA in its actual use?

 

[RandyRush]

Well, I just received it in the mail on Tuesday, so I haven't gotten to testing it yet; when I do, I will post the results.

 

[Matthew Anderson]

I setup the audio with the test tones provided and I like the ease of use and results I got. I used the DTS tones and it worked well. I did not have as much success with the video calibrations so I put everything back like I had it.Things just didnt look right after I set it up according to the disc. The demo trailers are really nice and overall it is a good tool that is very easy to understand.

 

[Ted Lee]

here's my post copied from another thread

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i played around with this dvd for about an hour or so yesterday. i only used the dolby digital tests as i don't have dts capability.

main feature

the main part of the dvd has to do with basic home theater concepts. i found the subjects (ht basics, setup, wiring, etc) pretty simplistic. i suspect most people here will already have a good understanding of this part. i must admit that i did not watch all the features in it's entirety. however, for a "newbie" i think it will provide a great summation of what ht is all about.

video calibration

this consisted of test patterns to help adjust the usual settings: color, brightness, hue, contrast, etc. i found most of the tests pretty useful, especially the brightness and contrast tests. i had some problems with the sharpness test, but i think that was more my fault than anything else. note that the dvd does come with a blue filter to help adjust color and hue. there's also a great test for moire effects. i was pleasantly surprised to see that my original settings, before doing the tests were pretty close. in a couple of cases, i could not get my tv to theoretical perfection, but i know that's more a limit of my gear than anything else. i found this section very useful

audio calibration

the usual stuff on this part. channel identification and phase checks. previously, i had calibrated using the internal test tones of my dvd (i'm using the 5.1 inputs on my older onkyo) but i found that i was off by quite a bit. i ran into some problems with the phase check part...i think it was supposed to do my mains, the left-center, but for some reason, at one point, it kept bouncing between the two tests. i didn't worry too much since i *know* my speakers are in phase. again, a very useful section.

extras

there's some nice demo stuff, including dts and thx trailers. there's also a quick featurette on how to use the radio-shack spl meter.

so, all in all, for 15 bucks i'm not complaining. i've never used avia or ve, so i don't really have anything to compare it to. i do wish some of the tests were more complex (i wonder if i could have tweaked it a little more with additional tests?), but at this price-point, it is a a worthwhile tool.

 

[VicQ]

I picked my copy up a few days ago. I haven't had a chance to check the video section, but I did balance my speakers with the dolby digital tests. I differed a decibel or two than my receiver's own test tones. The audio setup is pretty simplistic which is good. I also own video essentials, and comparing it just in the audio setup, I like S&V's disc as the test tones won't go to the next speaker until you select it. The trailers are nice as well. For $13 bucks, you can't ask for much more.

-Vic

 

[Tom Morgan]

Can you only get it from S&V or is it at B&M's?

 

[MartyK]

I picked it up at dvdplanet.com for $13.99. Received notification that it shipped today.

 

[Scott Stevens]

there's some nice demo stuff, including dts and thx trailers. there's also a quick featurette on how to use the radio-shack spl meter.

Can someone list the trailers included on the disc?

 

[Ted Lee]

there's several dolby digital trailers, including most of the ones i've seen in the theater. i think there's about 8 of them.

there's one dts demo, which i wasn't able to playback.

there's three versions of the same thx demo (the one where the planet melts into the logo). there's a 4x3, and two letterbox versions.

there's a couple of short featurettes...one on jack the ripper and i think one other. i'm guessing they're designed to demo black levels, etc.

 

[Norman Short]

I used Video Essentials when I first set up my system, but I rented it. Now I've moved the system into my new remodelled theater room and want to re-calibrate. I ordered Avia but it seems to be backordered. So I thought about using this disc instead since it's cheaper and available. Would I be better off just waiting for Avia though? It's a couple weeks wait, and I wanted to get some better objective measurements of my current sub before I go putting down money on an SVS PLus.

Norman Short

 

[Phu Vo]

Does this disc also come with the color corrective lenses/slides?

 

[MartyK]

The disk comes with a small blue "filter".