Is the Digital Video Essentials disk comparable to AVIA?

[lopper]

I've heard a lot about the AVIA disk and how great it is for calibrating your HT but I've never been able to find one in any store and I just couldn't bring myself to spend $50 for it online, either.

I believe that there was a new DVE disk that was released and I bought it this morning at Fry's. It was $30.

So, will the DVE disk do everything the AVIA disk could do? Did I make a good, thrifty choice or did I just get burned buying crap?


I also bought Poltergeist so it wasn't all crap.

[chlngr1970]

I believe Avia has all the test patterns that VE has, and more. It is considered by many on this board to be a better disc.

j

[chipmac]

From reading many posts comparing the old VE and Avia and now the new DVE it seems like if you really want to get serious about tweaking you need all three. There are some patterns on the old VE and Avia that are not correct like the greyscale on Avia and I forget which ones on VE. The new DVE that just came out has some owners reporting that the overscan pattern is not be correct when compared against Avia but nobody is sure which is wrong. A pro calibrator stated that for professional level cals DVE is not up to par for his needs but there is another pro level version coming out that might suit him. Avia doesn't have DTS test tones but DVE does. Avia sounds easier to navigate than DVE but the greyscale patterns are known to be off. So right now there are no perfect test discs but I'd stick with Avia since to set proper greyscale you'd need proper test equipment anyway so the greyscale pattern being off isn't really going to hurt.

[C Roberts]

Avia is also releasing a Pro version that should be improved, but will apparently cost a lot...

About AVIA Pro

AVIA Professional (AVIA Pro) is a multi-disc calibration, set-up and test suite from Ovation. It is the most technologically advanced solution available for use in the professional and home theater environments. The suite consists of seven DVDs and a user manual designed to be an all-inclusive product for the calibration of video and audio systems.

AVIA Pro includes state-of-the-art audio and video test signals developed by Ovation, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) industry standards, and other materials from SMPTE, RPG and Genesis Microchip. The user manual provides necessary instructions for the use of each disc.

The AVIA Pro video test disc, by Ovation, contains more than 1,000 new test signals with approximately 3,000 variations, providing the video or home-theater professional unprecedented flexibility and new capabilities.

AVIA Pro not only improves "traditional" signals, but also permits functions never before possible. The variation of patterns available allows users to select the one best suited for the job, resulting in a customized test pattern generator for each project. Special emphasis during product development was placed on testing and adjusting wide-screen technology, and newer video and fixed panel display technologies such as LCD, DLP, LCOS, SXRD and Plasma.

AVIA Pro's audio test disc, also provided by Ovation, includes sound tones for Dolby, DTS and surround sound up to 7.1. SACD test tones also may be included.

CEA has provided the information necessary for manufacturers to meet the Standard Method of Measurement for DVD-Video Players (Standard EIA/CEA-896). This standard was developed based on NTSC specifications and created to make it easier to compare the functionality of DVD-Video players. The CEA disc contains a suite of test signals designed to gauge and evaluate the performance of DVD-Video players. Specifically, the standard defines test signals and test procedures for measuring different aspects of brightness and color, while helping to measure signal and audio-related characteristics.

The SMPTE portion of AVIA Pro specifically monitors equipment errors in the motion imaging industry, focusing on tests patterns for color and motion.

RPG has developed two computer programs titled Room Optimizer and Room Sizer. This software is an automated process designed to take full advantage of listener and equipment placement as well as take into consideration the specific room dimensions for the Critical Listening Room environment. Details include a new methodology for determining the room size for the small critical listening spaces to achieve the flattest possible frequency response. Also, RPG provides information for minimizing acoustical distortion in project studios. This includes details relevant to acoustical issues facing design of such studios, suggestions about addressing these problems and the real-world limitations of these suggestions.

The information provided by Genesis as part of AVIA Pro includes various test patterns to optimize microchip technology and help achieve life-like, visibly better images.

The cost of AVIA Pro is $400 and will be available through direct sales.

For me I already bought the first Avia used for 8. and will probably buy DVE just because I have DTS 6.1.