calibration
Latest
Digital Video Essentials calibration tool launches on HD DVD
We certainly can't say that this one arrived a moment too soon, as all of you early adopters of HD DVD drives have probably been frustrating yourself with manual color calibration techniques that just never turned out quite right. Thankfully, the highly-anticipated (and perpetually delayed) HD DVD version of Digital Video Essentials is finally available for sale, and interestingly, the disc will actually be of the dual-format variety for those still keeping a vanilla DVD player around the house. Users will be graced with both 1080p and 720p VC-1 encoded material, NTSC and PAL compatibility, 6.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Digital True HD tracks, built-in color filters, and of course, widescreen / standard options. So if you've been yearning to get your HD DVD calibration on, the time has finally come, at least for those willing to shell out the $34.95 required to pick DVE up.
LaCie's 26-inch 526 pro LCD promises wide color gamut
LaCie is poised to kick out a 26-inch LCD (well, really 25.5-inches, but we'll follow the company's lead in rounding up) for you pro users later this month, with its simply-named 526 promising to reproduce 95% of the AdobeRGB and 98.5% of the ISO-coated color space. Your $2,000 also gets you 1,900 x 1,200 resolution (of course), numerous in-monitor calibration tools, and one of those special hoods that both minimize glare and make you look much more professional than you really are. For an extra $300, LaCie will also toss in its blue eye pro colorimeter, which will supposedly help you maintain the most consistent colors throughout the publication process. Sounds pretty impressive, and if it weren't so damn pricey, we'd toss out our old Dell 24-incher in a heartbeat.
DVD International announces eight HD DVD combo releases including DVE HD
Proudly proclaiming itself as the leading independent and fourth overall largest supporter of the HD DVD format, the DVD Acquisition and Development Group has announced HD DVD / DVD combo disc releases for the fourth quarter of this year. Coming from their DVD International division, the most high profile release is the high definition edition of Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials calibration disc. DVE HD will include 720p and 1080p-encoded versions on the HD DVD side, various test patterns for all manner of A/V setups, and is "HDi capable" -- hopefully this means the menus are easier to navigate, some complained about that on the DVD release (included on the flip side). The seven HDScape discs? Your basic travelogue fare, Exotic Saltwater Aquarium HD DVD, Fireplace HD DVD, Antarctica Dreaming, Visions of Sea: Explorations, Serenity: Southern Seas, HD Window: Hawaii, HD Window: The Great Southwest provide what we're sure are crystal clear looks at various landscapes if you're not already bored to death by them on INHD2 into that type of thing. DVE HD will retail for $34.95, while the HDScape discs will all go for $29.95. A sampler (pictured) is currently on sale at the website for free plus $3.95 shipping.
Ask HDBeat: HDTV calibration round-up
One of the most important The most important thing that a person can do is properly calibrate their HDTV. It is absolutely imperative that it is done to get the best picture. One of our readers, Kyle Thibaut, is as concerned as we are and wants to make sure that everyones HDTV is properly done. There are more then a few ways to have this done, with options in every budget. The best way is to have a professional do it, but there are some good do-it-yourself options out there too. Digital Video Essentials - $19.99 - HDBeat Recommended Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD - $29.99 AVIA Guide to Home Theater - $39.95 SpyderTV Calibration tool - $199.99 AVS Forums does have a very good thread with tons of info for the do-it-yourselver. But in all honesty, a professional can do it best. Contact a local high-end audio/video store and they should be able to provide you with someone who can calibrate your HDTV. Just a warning though, it isn't cheap and don't be afraid to call around for the best price. Do you have your HDTV calibrated? How did you do it.
Home Theater Blog Review: Monster/ISF HDTV calibration disc
Proper calibration of your HDTV will make sure that you get the best picture possible. There are some good do-it-yourself kits out there like AVIA and Digital Video Essentials, but Monster has one too. Home Theater Blog has a nice write-up about it and they found it rather nice for first timers. He points out that while the Digital Video Essentials disc offers more options and tests, the Monster disc was nice and easy. The disc is divided up into nine chapters - well, really one five of 'em are tests. Chapter one is the intro, chapter eight is a music video and chapter nine is a sales pitch for Monster Cable by Noel Lee himself. (didn't surprise us ether) Calibration is very important if you want the best possible picture. Do yourself a favor and pick up one of these discs.
How-To: Build yourself a front projection home theater
In today's How-To we get to play with other people's toys. We upgraded a home theater to a high definition front projection system. We lay it out, set it up, drill holes, nearly die in a Texas attic, and bring home the popcorn.Our project home theater already has the essentials for taking advantage of a high definition display: a progressive scan DVD player with component video output and a hi-def DISH Network satellite receiver provide a HD video source for the projector.Screen SelectionIt may seem counter intuitive, but it's helpful to consider (but not purchase) the screen before choosing a projector. Knowing the size of screen you want in your room will determine where the projector needs to be mounted, and how bright it needs to be. If you're not sure, marking out the dimensions of the screen with some blue masking tape and checking out the view from your seating area can be helpful. Click on to read the rest of this week's How-To!
Spyder2 calibration series expands
We saw Datacolor's Spyder calibration tool for high-def sets last year, but the $269 price tag was a bit much for some. Actually, that sounds kind of silly if you just spent thousands of clams on an HDTV and a few more bucks will keep that picture looking just right. Anyway, instead of calling anyone a cheapskate, we're happy to point out the Datacolor has spawned a new Spyder: the Spyder2express. Hey, it's only $89, so keep reading you tight-wads!The new calibrator includes the creepy-crawly looking unit and software for CRT and LCD monitor calibration. Would we try to use it on a high-def display? Probably, but we're not sure if it would work as well as the original tool, plus we have arachnophobia. The new product isn't showing on the company's product page just yet; likely because the press release was just yesterday. You don't expect companies to actually sell the products they tout, now do you? While we wait, we'll just use our free calibration tool.
