I need something that displays picture and produces sound so I can pretty much test my home theater and show friends of what it is made of.
2006-11-16 05:00:17 · 9 answers · asked by jaredswi 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Home Theater
Parts Express has one, and I believe Crutchfield does as well...
H a p p y
H o m e
T h e a t e r i n g !
2006-11-16 05:17:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Like some of the other guys have said with the THX optimizer, but you more than likely don't have to go rent or purchase anything because you probably already have it at home. Look through your movie collection for any movie with the THX logo on it and the optimizer should be on that disc. Basically all you do is put the disc in and go through a few pages of video tests to calibrate the picture, then do the same thing for audio to check the speaker level. If you want a demo disc you can purchase them from Dolby.com and dtsonline.com, but they're not cheap. Another place to check is AVSforum.com, look for the conversation called HTDemo Tree - group of people that work together to make demo discs that show off picture and sound for your home theater system.
Reference Movies for Sound - U571 scene - Depth Charged - great for effects and the subwoofer, shows off Dynamic Range.
Dragonheart - Old Code scene. Draco the Dragon flies around from speaker to speaker a few times during a conversation.
War of the Worlds - when aliens come from the ground, and lightning scene - amazing sub effects and cool surround. For Music check out the Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms 20th Anniversary CD. They remastered it to be a dual disc, one side is a CD and the other is a DVD in 5.1 SUPER COOL!
2006-11-16 16:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by Larry M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's obviously not a "demo" dvd, but "The Fast and The Furious" really shows off the sound!
2006-11-16 16:07:21 · answer #3 · answered by LHA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several disks out there that do what you ask, not for demo but to help you set up your surround sound and TV , so that you have it set up right and optimizes your system to play it's best. You can purchase them at either Soundandvision.mag or hometheater.mag. Also Toy Story and Toy Story2 have this capability on their disks.
2006-11-16 16:34:16 · answer #4 · answered by coco2591 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check in the DVD section, there is a DVD that you can put in like a movie and with your control you can go along with the DVD and set up colors and sound.
2006-11-16 13:21:18 · answer #5 · answered by MIA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they make lots of TEST DISCS...But don't waste your money...Most "THX Certified" DVD movies come with the "THX Optimizer"...These test patterns in the OPTIMIZER are similar to the ones on the TEST DISCS...Chances are there's one on your shelf right now...But you MUST order the BLUE FILTER GLASSES from "thx.com"...It's ONLY a dollar...The FILTER is used to CALIBRATE color and tint when used with certain test patterns...Click the link below to go to their store...
http://www.co-store.com/thx
As for CALIBRATING your SOUND, it's best to use your EARS...If you can't HEAR the actors TALKING over all the explosions and the action scenes, then simply TURN UP the CENTER speaker...If can't HEAR the REAR speakers, TURN THEM UP...Just DON'T make the REAR speakers LOUDER than the FRONT speakers...(that's just TOO loud)...Your SUB WOOFER shouldn't be OBNOXIOUSLY loud like the kids that drive by your house...Make it BLEND seamlessly with the rest of your speakers...
Now all of that aside, it's time to WOW your friends...And you CAN'T do that with a TEST DISC...You've GOTTA play MOVIES... I recommend the "Normandy beach landing" scene from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN...If that's TOO violent then play the "Arnold with the mini-gun" scene from TERMINATOR 2...And if your friends crave the classics, play the "Keanu Reeves with a mini-gun and a helicopter outside the office building" scene from THE MATRIX...(we're ALL tired of the "Lobby" scene)
2006-11-16 16:33:33 · answer #6 · answered by Jefferson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many DVD movies offer THX optimizer as a feature.
Go to a rental place, and look at the back of the box of one you would like to watch. Under special features find THX optimizer, rent it, go to that feature and setup your HT, and enjoy your movie.
2006-11-16 14:36:52 · answer #7 · answered by veryintrigued 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THX optimizer will work okay, but doesn't have very many screens/tones for adjustment.
Avia and Digital Video Essentials (DVE) are both better choices, for advanced set calibration.
2006-11-16 16:07:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best one is Digital Video Essentials http://www.videoessentials.com/, but Avia Guide to Home Theater is also very good http://www.amazon.com/AVIA-Guide-Home-Theater/dp/630551982X
2006-11-17 01:29:30 · answer #9 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋