Avia or Video Essentials?

Avia or Video Essentials?

This question seems to come up every week, so let's take a closer look at both of these calibration discs.

Since you're reading this you probably already know what these DVDs are all about, but if you don't here's a brief explanation; These DVDs allow you to adjust your television's Brightness/Contrast/Tint/Color/Sharpness controls to NTSC reference levels and can dramatically improve the picture quality on any TV. They also give you the necessary test patterns for adjusting convergence and screen geometry, and if you want to venture into advanced functions you can also adjust the color temperature (grayscale tracking) to give a more life-like (or film-like) appearance to your display. These DVDs work with Direct View, Rear Projection (RPTV) and Front Projection displays. There is also a section that guides you through setting the speakers in your home theater to THX reference levels.

Why would you want these discs? Simply put these discs will probably improve your TV more than anything else you can do. That's a bold statement, but from my experience it holds true in almost every case.

First off, if you want to cover all the bases you will probably want to purchase both of them. They each have their strong points and there are enough differences between them to warrant the purchase of both, But if you'd rather not clutter you shelves with unnecessary discs; take a look at the pros vs. cons of each one.

AVIA

• Has very good on screen text explanations accompanying all the video test patterns.
• Includes an alternate way of setting the black level on DVD players that don't pass the 'blacker than black' (0 IRE) signal.
• Includes calibrated way of adjusting color over saturation.
• Extensive audio setup routines, but missing dedicated LFE track (!)

• The only way to get to a certain test pattern is by going through the menus, there's no way to access them directly.
  • Tip from Guy Kuo of Ovation Software to make use of the Avia DVD even easier: "Although AVIA was designed for point and click navigation, some advanced users have requested direct chapter/title number navigation. For those who need fast, direct access, here are the chapter and title numbers for the AVIA video test patterns."
• Doesn't allow you to use your players A-B repeat function
• Missing a separate LFE (.1) track for adjusting your subwoofer. Relies on having your receiver redirect all the subwoofer signals from the mains (by setting your speakers to small).
• Playback problems with Toshiba players (SD2109 units), some of the menu selections are not highlighted. Some hot buttons also never appear. Also you can access the menu but can't select any of the templates. Here's a link that will provide you with HINTS FOR TOSHIBA DVD PLAYERS.

VIDEO ESSENTIALS

• Greater number of video test patterns with direct accessibility.
• Easy 6-channel audio setup using a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter.
• Very nice section with demo material.

• Gives only a basic, but sufficient explanation of how to use the video test patterns.
• Doesn't include a detailed listing of the contents of the disc, however a complete index file (PDF) is available from their web site that gives this information.

• It is regrettable that I must report that as of March 2002 the much-lauded and highly-useful Video Essentials DVD has been discontinued. Since it was brought to market in October of 1997, it has helped many thousands of home theater aficionados get the most from their equipment setup. However, it is being replaced by the NEW! Digital Video Essentials DVD. Click HERE for important information about this exciting new release.

Items missing from both Avia and Video Essentials discs:

• A DTS audio setup track.
• 16x9 enhancement for widescreen televisions.

So which is right for you?

No matter which disc you choose the results you obtain should be the same.

It really comes down to ease of use. And for that you can't beat Video Essentials – very straightforward direct access to everything you need to adjust the video and audio settings. If you're a audiophile you might want to also purchase Avia only because of it's extensive audio setup section, but for the average person the audio section on Video Essentials will provide you with everything necessary to balance your speaker system.

Click on the following images to purchase the desired DVD:

See also some reccomendations of the very best Demo DVDs!

NEW! - DIGITAL VIDEO ESSENTIALS

"Digital Video Essentials," the follow-up to their (Joe Kane Productions) best-selling "Video Essentials," is the only REAL and ultimate reference and calibration DVD. "DVE" contains demonstration material that will raise the bar and set a new standard for the video industry, including chapters on Dolby Digital and DTS and much more. It will be making way for a new generation of DVD that uses 1080p/24 High Definition source material and "True Progressive Mastering".

This new disc, Digital Video Essentials (DVE), like it’s predecessor, is used to properly calibrate your home theater equipment to maximize your picture and sound quality, and will MSRP of only $24.99 (the original Video Essentials carried a $49.99 price tag). Created by the same Joe Kane Productions that did the original VE, this new disc will be the first ever created using true "Progressive Mastering". It is slated to contain far more information that the original Video Essentials, and will be even easier to use. It should still feature all of the calibration patterns that no home theater buff, can live without, along with a wealth of new demonstration material and all new sections on Dolby Digital and DTS sound. Joe Kane is a pioneer in the television calibration community and this new Video Essentials replacement DVD should be, once again, the ultimate source of home theater calibration information.

Digital Video Essentials was released on September 2, 2003.

Click on the following image to purchase the the Digital VE DVD (with a substantial savings!):

Digital Video Essentials

When talk turns to demo material there are three titles that immediately come to mind; Super Speedway, Shrek, and Terminator-2. These titles are what I consider to be “Reference Quality” and should be on the shelf of every DVD aficionado!

The term “Reference Quality” gets thrown around a lot, but rest assured, the following discs really truly are “Reference Quality” material!

These DVD movie discs will showcase your equipment in the very best possible way by providing 16x9 enhanced picture transfers and both Dolby Digital & DTS audio soundtracks on the same disc. In each case, these disc are unsurpassed in quality by the majority of releases today. If you’re only going to own 3 DVDs, or if you’re just starting your DVD collection, these are the ones to own!

Now that you’ve calibrated you monitor, you’ll need something really impressive to show it off! I can’t think of anything better than Super Speedway - The Mach II Special Edition. This DVD Special Edition has all the features you’d expect from the start. The sound is impressive; the 5.1 Surround Sound will make it feel like YOU are sitting in the cockpit driving the car at 220MPH! The picture quality, based on the IMAX film of the same name, is equally as terrific and presented in anamorphic widescreen format (16x9). Moreover, the story has enough adrenaline and nostalgia to keep race fans and even non-race fans interested. Mario Andretti and son Michael do all the driving. Narration is provided by renowned silver-screen actor Paul Newman. Also, the “making of” documentary is top notch. You can really see the professionalism and tender loving care that went into the making of this film. This disc has both a 5.1 Dolby Digital and a 5.1 DTS soundtrack (playable on *all* DVD players), so you get the best of both worlds!

This DVD should be available at your local video store, or you can order you own copy here (with a substantial savings!).

Maybe auto racing isn't your thing, well... no reason you shouldn't have something to show off your newly calibrated monitor! If you enjoy animated movies, than this ones for you; Shrek - Special Edition. The picture quality on this DVD is simply outstanding! Presented in both a widescreen (16x9 enhanced) and full-screen formats you will not find a single flaw in this transfer. Shrek comes in a 2-disc set, which has all the extras you've come to expect; Filmmakers' Commentary, Behind-the-Scenes Featurette "The Tech of Shrek", Storyboard Pitch of Deleted Scenes, Technical Goofs, International Dubbing Feature, Character Design Progression Reel, Playing Hints for Xbox Shrek Video Game, and the list goes on! This disc too has both a 5.1 Dolby Digital and a 5.1 DTS soundtrack.

This DVD should be available at your local video store, or you can order you own copy here (with a substantial savings!).

okay. So auto racing isn't your thing, and neither is animation, well... how about science-fiction, then? That's where Terminator 2 - Judgment Day: The Ultimate Edition comes in! All the accolades that apply to the above reference discs apply here as well. T2 has never looked (or sounded) this good before! Like This too is in a 2-disc set that includes the Theatrical Version, and the unrated Special Edition Version, both in widescreen (16x9 enhanced) format. You want extras? This disc is packed to the gills with over 6 hours of extra content; Separate commentary trakcs by members of cast and crew, director James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, "The Making of T2" Featurette, "T2: More Than Meets the Eye" Featurette, "The Making of T2: 3-D: Breaking the Screen Barrier" - in depth look into the making of the MCA/ Universal theme park attraction "Terminator 2: 3D: Battle Across Time," Entire Screenplay, Over 700 Storyboards, Limited edition case, Special 32 page collector's booklet, and much, much more! This disc, like Super Speedway and Shrek features both a 5.1 Dolby Digital and a 5.1 DTS soundtrack.

This DVD should be available at your local video store, or you can order you own copy here (with a substantial savings!).

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About DVD
by Jim Taylor
Since 1997 Jim Taylor's online DVD FAQ has been the most current and complete source of information on this rapidly growing technology, and visitors to the site have been clamoring for a print version. And here it is! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About DVD is the most comprehensive, quick look-up guide to DVD facts, figures, and formats available anywhere. Questions are answered clearly, succinctly, by one of the leading figures in the DVD community.

DVD Authoring and Production
by Ralph LaBarge
No one knows the ins and outs, quirks and details, tricks and workarounds of DVD authoring better than Ralph LaBarge. This book takes up where DVD Demystified leaves off, explaining the vital details of designing, producing, and selling a DVD.

Desktop DVD Production
by Douglas Dixon
With this book, you can easily create and share great-looking productions on DVD and even CD, with real, full-quality digital video and audio, complete with professional-style menus. Even better, the DVD discs that you burn at your desktop can be played almost anywhere -- not only on computer DVD drives, but also on consumer set-top DVD players.

From VHS to DVD
by Mark-Steffen Goewecke
The inside angle to digital videos It's time to dig out those old home videos and take them into the digital age. Whether you are filming with Super 8, VHS or have upgraded to DV, you can now turm your home videos into digital masterpieces.

CD-R/DVD Disc Recording Demystified
by Lee Purcell
Recordable CDs (CD-Rs) and DVDs have emerged as the best choice of media for storing the huge amounts of data required by digital video and audio. And CD-R/DVD is the best introductory guide for mastering this pivotal technology. Packed with advice for selecting the right equipment and putting it to work, CD-R/DVD offers a wealth of practical tips and techniques, as well as insights from industry insiders. The bundled CD-ROM includes trial software and other resources.

DVD Production
by Phil De Lancie and Mark Ely
With DVD Production, you get both a comprehensive introduction to DVD and a practical, real-world resource for bringing titles to market. The book begins with an in-depth look at the DVD family of formats (DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, etc.), as well as extensions such as Web-connected DVD, giving you an insider's understanding of DVDs capabilities. From there, you learn step-by-step about the DVD production process, from the preparation of source materials to the making of a final master.