Avia PRO

[passedpawn]

FYI. Got this email a week or so ago. Just thought I would drop this here in case anyone is holding out on the PRO version... $400. BTW, the current version is $40 (www.amazon.com).

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.


Ovation
100 Front Street
Suite 400
Marietta, OH 45750
740-373-6212 (T)
740-373-6331 (F)

[rgreenpc]

I have the Digital Esentials ( thinking of getting the HD digital esentials test disc )

[passedpawn]

I have the Digital Esentials ( thinking of getting the HD digital esentials test disc )
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a HD DVD. All DVDs are 480i. Some DVD players (progressive) can convert this 480i to 480p. This is little trick to improve the picture quality, but no real resolution is gained.

The XBOX uses DVDs, and there are a few HD XBOX games. However, these DVDs are not video DVDs. They are DVD-ROMs, which means they just contain data. That data is read, then converted to video by the game machine.

Do you mean Video Essentials?

[rgreenpc]

nope I mean the title of the disc is the Digital Video Esentials - its the same thing but designed for calibrating a HD setup <G>

[passedpawn]

nope I mean the title of the disc is the Digital Video Esentials - its the same thing but designed for calibrating a HD setup <G>
Well, like I said, you will not be able to test your HD inputs with it. You will be able to calibrate the 480i and 480p inputs (if your DVD is progressive), but I don't believe there is any way to get the test patterns on your 1080i input. Well, maybe one super-kludgy way...

The only way I know of (but can't do myself) is to run the output of the DVD player to something that will upconvert the 480i signal to 1080i. Here is what it would take to do that:

DVD player. VHS deck. STB that will upconvert NTSC to 1080i. Any STB that can receive NTSC as well as ATSC can do this (my Samsung SIR-T150 can't).

Setup:
1) connect output of DVD to VHS deck's video input (NOT the cable input). The VHS deck will add the channel 3 or channel 4 carrier frequency. What you have now is the Avia (or VE) patterns on what will appear to the STB as channel 3.

2) connect the VHS deck to the NTSC antenna input of your STB. As far as the STB knows, it is getting channel 3 from a roof antenna.

3) Change the channel on the STB to channel 3. Make the STB output this signal over the component outputs at 1080i(no idea how that happens, but the assumption is that the STB can do it).

4) The TV should now see the test patterns on it's 1080i input.

Hey PACE guys, does that box accept NTSC and upconvert?

[OccamMD]

The resolution still will not be there if you upconvert, you may get 1080i, but the information is still 480i. I was under the impression that digital video essentials was on the DVHS tape format. Maybe it is on a DVD-ROM format for PC's. This would allow the test pattern to be generated from a PC or laptop and connected to the HDTV. I have my HDTV hooked to tPC for all DVD playing, web surfing, etc...

Only trouble with this is that you really want to calibrate the whole path, but if you are using DVI or an HTPC then this should work fine.

[OccamMD]

Here's what Joe Kane (author of the program) says regarding the DVD:

"We are aiming at creating the DVD versions by down converting the 1080p/24 master to 480p/24 and 576p/25 for “True Progressive Mastering.”

[passedpawn]

Here's what Joe Kane (author of the program) says regarding the DVD:

"We are aiming at creating the DVD versions by down converting the 1080p/24 master to 480p/24 and 576p/25 for “True Progressive Mastering.”

Hi, I'm just back from 2 wks traveling. Joe Kane is planning on releasing a WM9 1080 version of some (all) of the patterns. Samsung has annnounced a soon-to-be-released DVD player that will decode WM9 and output the content out the component cables. Good news is that the WM9 files will be readable with normal red-laser DVD player. This HD format could be a instant hit, and blow the blue-led laser efforts out of the water. This is a very interesting development.

FYI, WM9 is the newest video encoding and compression format from Microsoft. Windows Media Player supports it, so you can download 1080 material right now and watch it on your PC. With a DVD player that can decode on the fly, you have a HD DVD format. Nice. The collectors edition of the new Terminator 2 was released with the entire movie in 1080i, WM9 format, on one of the DVDs.

[passedpawn]

The resolution still will not be there if you upconvert, you may get 1080i, but the information is still 480i.
Yup. I have a speedbump issue and need to work on geometry of the HD inputs. Resolution not a factor. Also would like to adjust colors. Any way is better than the eyeballing I do now.

[Jerry_Pease]

This HD format could be a instant hit, and blow the blue-led laser efforts out of the water. This is a very interesting development.yes indeed, and I really wish it would take off. However, MS just submitted WM9 to SMPTE for approval and based on how MS has conducted business in the past/today the studios are not going to let MS nowhere near the door.


http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5075335.html?tag=zdnnfd.main


great codec + no content = failure