Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray]

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
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

Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Still great, but mostly the same March 29, 2008
117 out of 119 found this review helpful

I've been using the Digital Video Essentials DVD to calibrate my TVs for quite a few years and I've always loved the results, so when I heard that a Blu-Ray edition was coming, I was ecstatic.

Well, now that I've got it, it still does an excellent job, but for owners of the DVD edition, you're really not getting anything new. Almost everything on here is directly from the original DVD, only remastered in 1080p. There are a few things that have been added that pertain to LCD technology and explanation of the HD color standards, but the vast majority of content is exactly the same as the DVD.

The one thing that is a definite improvement over the DVD edition is the menu system. Instead of being forced to fast-forward through explanations to get to the test patterns, now you can bring up the pop-up menu and select a test pattern directly. So, once you've learned how to use the test patterns, you don't have to watch the explanations again in order to get to them.

So, if you're Blu-Ray budget is a little short and you already own the DVD edition, then I'd say just stick with what you've got. After calibrating my TV again with the new Blu-Ray edition, I ended up with the exact same settings that I achieved with the DVD, so in that respect, you're not going to get a more enhanced calibration with the Blu-Ray edition. Apart from that, I'd say its worth it just for the improved menu system, if you don't mind re-purchasing basically the same thing over again.

If you don't own the DVD, I'd say buy this immediately, but don't let the "HD Basics" tagline fool you. This can be pretty technical if you've never used a disc like this before. Just take your time, watch all the intro videos (and there's a lot to the intros), and you should be fine.

1 out of 5 stars

If you want to know what is wrong with your HDTV... June 28, 2008
27 out of 36 found this review helpful

...then this disc might be for you! Much of the narration on this disc deals with what is wrong with current HDTVs. Frankly, I didn't buy this to educate myself about how current technology is lacking; I bought this so I could optimize my TV to it's fullest potential.

If you are interested in optimizing the following settings on your HDTV, you might be interested in knowing this disc either NEVER mentions them at all, or never explains HOW to adjust them: HDMI black level, Gamma, Tint, White Balance, Color Space, Saturation, Temperature, xvYCC, Black Adjust, Backlight (no, not even backlight!) and more.

Also, after struggling to be patient throughout the vague, repetitive narration, waiting for it to prompt me to perform an adjustment for the current calibration topic, the disc would more often than not move right on to the next topic, never specifying which of the quick screens that flashed by throughout the narrative was the one to use, much less when.

As another reviewer mentioned, there might be something wrong with the Contrast test screens. Even at a setting value of 100, I could still see a very definitive lineation between the highest two white bars.

The publishers of this disc clearly have an agenda, speaking long and often about how current HDTV's are lacking. I just wish that agenda included a complete optimization of my HDTV.

2 out of 5 stars

quite poor communication and absorbed September 2, 2008
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Let me start by saying that I have a BFA in film and I work as a director in the film industry for a decade now. I understand 95% of what Joe is talking about. But man... did he show anyone his final cut before he went to press?

It DID help me get better contrast, but the color section is so poorly narrated. you'll just get confused. There is NO explanation on HOW to use the color gels. what is the right configuration? or wrong one? especially for red and green.

If you go to his website, you'll find that there is NO phone number, NO email and NO support available! Perhaps he was overwhelmed with all the incoming questions that his video raises? but fails to answer?

This has the capacity a GREAT video... but only if there was someone more caring about the viewers experience... and not so self absorbed in jargon that really doesn't apply to the end result: A BETTER LOOKING PICTURE

1 out of 5 stars

If you have LCD or Plasma made in the last 2 years, dont bother. April 23, 2008
12 out of 20 found this review helpful

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.

1 out of 5 stars

Total Waste of Money April 1, 2008
9 out of 24 found this review helpful

This product is a 95% waste of money.

The disk talks about how to setup your CRT during the entire disk. CRT who is buying a tube TV today? At first we thought it was a joke.

The steps to setup color and contrast are for a 1970's or 1980's TV

They do not go into ANY of the HDTV settings that are like, gamma, hue, backlighting or many other areas needed to really setup your HD TV.

The 5% this disk is good for is something I've always wondered about. Ever see cars where people have the DVD hung from the rear view mirror. We'll that's what this disk is good for. Or perhaps a coaster for a drink so you don't mess up your nice wood table.

I got suckered into buying this junk... BE SMART DON'T but this thing! What a waste of my time and money. Amazon should be selling such snake oil to their customers.

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