Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (2008)

Did you know that your HDTV may have a greater potential than what you are seeing now? Did you know that manufacturers adjust their sets to get you attention when you buy the set? Usually that setting won t get you the best picture once you have the new set at home.With this easy-to-use program you have the opportunity to re-adjust the set allowing it to provide a much better looking picture. In both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics provides simple setup instructions for new HDTV s. The program also provides additional background information on the HD system itself. It will give you an idea of the quality level you should expect from the HD programs current available to consumers. Also included in this program are commentaries by world renowned cinematographer Allen Daviau known for his work in E.T The Color Purple Empire of the Sun and Van Helsing among others as well as commentary by Joe Kane which will help you learn to identify quality High Definition video.The program is set up so you can pick and choose the subjects you'd like to see. Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL INTEREST UPC: 647715600424 Manufacturer No: 647715600424 Product Description

 A little difficult to understand, but a great tool
A little difficult to understand, but a great tool none the less. The menus a little messed up. But once you find what you need and also follow the instructions it will help you achieve a better image on your TV, projector, etc. May 4, 2008

 Pretty good but with a few shortcomings
I have a PS3, a 720p LCD TV, and a 720p DLP Projector. I have the AVIA and GetGrey calibration discs. I was excited about this product because I wanted to have HD versions of the test patterns in order to calibrate in pure HD as opposed to upscaled SD, in case different software and different video paths are used in the PS3 for HD versus SD. But I also wanted this disc because reviews and descriptions made it seem like there was expert help that walked you through (via the narrative) the proper use of the various tests.

I have to say that I was disappointed in the narrative. It gives a nice history of video technology and does explain a lot things in detail but it doesn't provide the kind of help that I was looking for. I also didn't like that thy used professional "voice talent" to read the narrative. It was painfully obvious that the speaker had no idea what he was saying and was just reading off a script. I would have much preferred to listen to a real audio/video expert.

I was also very disappointed in the lack of any color ramps on the disc. How am I supposed to accurately check color clipping without color ramps?

There was also a glitch in the navigation. It may be because I have the PS3 set to output 720p (to match my TV and Projector), but at times when I would bring up the nav menu it would be way too big and cut off at the bottom of the screen so you could only see the top half of it.

Still, there are many good things about this disc. It has some good HD reference videos, the section about audio and speaker setup is very thorough, and the historical explanation of why our video system is the way it is was very interesting. It does explain a lot of things well. And it includes some great color filters that are inside a cardboard frame. These filters are a lot easier to handle and store than the three loose ones that come with AVIA.

But as far as calibration goes; I went through all the tests and came up with the exact settings that I got from using AVIA and GetGrey.

I suppose I could sum it up by saying that if i had been able to borrow this disc from a friend before buying it, I would have thoroughly enjoyed going through it one time but I would have just stuck with the calibration discs that I already have. April 28, 2008

 If you have LCD or Plasma made in the last 2 years, dont bother.
Waste of time, money and effort. Even the Basic set up section leaves much to be desired. No where on this disk is there any information about newer TVs settings, like HDMI black level or white balance sliders. I have a new Samsung 50 Plasma that is filled with more then one set of contrast sliders, white balance sliders, color sliders and other settings like edge enhancement and DNie. Sure, this disk in not for a certain manufacture, but it is very limited in even explaining the basic contrast, color and brightness. At times your are not even sure what you are supposed to be changing. Even the little color look through viewer they give you to adjust your color is only marginal in helping because you cant really get all the color boxes to be the same shade. In the case of my TV, say I'm trying to set brightness and contrast using this DVD, how could I possibly know how the other settings for HDMI black or dynamic contrast will affect the main sliders for brightness and contrast. This disk spends way too much time explaining the history of HD and where it came from in regards to CRT technology, instead of just getting to the idea behind why we bought this disk in the first place, to make our new high tech TV look better. The plain truth is, my new Samsung already looks good, and pretty much did not need further adjustments that this DVD suggested, and I got my picture to look good just with tweaks I made to suit my viewing tastes. Dont bother with this, spend your $18 on a DVD movie, and tweak your set your self to suit your liking, or pay a professional to calibrate it.
April 23, 2008

 DVE review
If you are serious about your high definition picture quality, this is the product for you. Some patience is required to view the entire DVD, but well worth the time. April 21, 2008

 Not User Friendly At All. Unless Youre an Expert - Dont Get This!!!
HD BASIC?! Yeah right. I bought this Blu-ray version, and it is very, very confusing. I only want to calibrate my HDTV, yet it goes into much details as if most users really care outside calibrating their sets. It will really take your time, and for me, even replayed it again and again to really have an idea of the technical stuffs mostly said here.

Yes, it may be good if youre a video expert/addict; but to newbies and casual users who just wants to calibrate their HD sets, this is frustrating. It boasts for easier navigation than the past HD DVD/DVD versions, but I dont see much improvements there. Better wait for AVIA II Blu-ray version.

End result, its a bit better than my other setting, but just slight(15% at most). I suggest you just use your Sony Blu-ray calibration test(in most Sony BD), or wait for an alternative(as I said, AVIA)... or browse online about your set's calibration. This release will give confuse you, more than satisfy you. April 3, 2008

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