Calibration Channel?

[SDinSD]

I will be self-calibrating my TV sometime in the near future. It is a CRT HDTV. I am wondering if there is such a thing in the D* programming as a calibration channel. I don't have a DVR so I cannot pause live TV to do this. I know I can use a DVD (which I also plan on doing) but I also wanted to calibrate my TV to make it look its best when watching D*.

Any suggestions?

[Tom Robertson]

HDnet on channel 79 broadcasts a 10 minute test pattern very early on Sunday mornings. You can find it in the guide; I think its going to be 3:50am your time.

Cheers,
Tom

[SDinSD]

HDnet on channel 79 broadcasts a 10 minute test pattern very early on Sunday mornings. You can find it in the guide; I think its going to be 3:50am your time.

Cheers,
Tom

Thanks for the response. 10 minutes won't be enough time for me to fully calibrate it though. :mad:

[harsh]

Thanks for the response. 10 minutes won't be enough time for me to fully calibrate it though. :mad:That's why they invented DVRs.

Note that the jury is out as to the accuracy of the test pattern; especially since what DirecTV delivers the 1920x1080i pattern in stunning 1280x1080i resolution. Some have also complained about the image not being properly centered on the screen with respect to other channels. YMMV.

[gabe23]

That's why they invented DVRs.

Note that the jury is out as to the accuracy of the test pattern; especially since what DirecTV delivers the 1920x1080i pattern in stunning 1280x1080i resolution. Some have also complained about the image not being properly centered on the screen with respect to other channels. YMMV.

Yeah, I wasn't all that impressed with the HDNet calibration screen. I would recommend emailing your local affiliates and see if they run a test pattern (assuming you get them from D*). Our local CBS station runs a calibration screen for about 15 minutes late Sunday nights. But without a DVR, you'll be up very late and you'll have to calibrate quickly! ;)

[litzdog911]

HBO used to broadcast a test signal in the wee hours of the morning, but I don't see it in the Guide.

[bobnielsen]

Just don't use CSI:Miami for the color settings :D

[Tom Robertson]

HBO used to broadcast a test signal in the wee hours of the morning, but I don't see it in the Guide.

I think they still do for their sign-off most of the time.

Cheers,
Tom

[veryoldschool]

Just don't use CSI:Miami for the color settings :D
So you don't like orange & pink? :lol:

[finaldiet]

So you don't like orange & pink? :lol:

Soooo, you guys have trouble with csi:miami ? My picture looks better than any other channel.

[veryoldschool]

Soooo, you guys have trouble with csi:miami ? My picture looks better than any other channel.
While the PQ is good, CBS seems to favor orange & pink colors too much on the program. IMO

[thxultra]

HAHA I would buy a dvd like digital video essentials or avia. I have used DVE and been very happy with it.

[RBFC]

While the PQ is good, CBS seems to favor orange & pink colors too much on the program. IMO

It's like all the actors got cheap spray-on tans.:lol:

Lee

[SDinSD]

That's why they invented DVRs.

As I stated, I don't have a DVR.

HAHA I would buy a dvd like digital video essentials or avia. I have used DVE and been very happy with it.

I do have AVIA on order through my Blockbuster account. But I wanted to calibrate it using D*. I guess the DVD is better than nothing though.

[durl]

I recommend buying a calibration DVD. It's $25 well spent.

Soooo, you guys have trouble with csi:miami ? My picture looks better than any other channel.

The colors pop and are impressive, but it's definitely not an accurate picture. It's pretty surreal...almost sci-fi.

[Homebrew101]

I think they still do for their sign-off most of the time.

Cheers,
Tom

HBO signs off?

[veryoldschool]

HBO signs off?
When they need to feed the hamster & give him a break from the wheel.

[purtman]

I recommend buying a calibration DVD. It's $25 well spent.



The colors pop and are impressive, but it's definitely not an accurate picture. It's pretty surreal...almost sci-fi.

Any recommendations on a DVD?

[SDinSD]

Any recommendations on a DVD?

avia and dve are the most popular ones.

[litzdog911]

Soooo, you guys have trouble with csi:miami ? My picture looks better than any other channel.

It's sort of a joke ....
CSI Miami has an overall orange cast to it, while CSI (set in Las Vegas) has more of a sandy/tan cast to it, and CSI NY has a blueish cast to it. It's obviously done purposely.

[Jeremy W]

As I stated, I don't have a DVR.
Well, you should. :D

[SDinSD]

Well, you should.

Is this post necessary. I don't have HD DVR. I didn't have $300 to pony up when I got HD.

I've stated I don't have DVR...Leave it at that. Don't post just to post...

[Jeremy W]

Is this post necessary.
Yes. Leave it at that.

[SDinSD]

Yes. Leave it at that.

No it wasn't necessary, and I'll leave it at that.

[Jeremy W]

No it wasn't necessary, and I'll leave it at that.
It is my opinion that everyone should have a DVR, especially if you have an HDTV. I was expressing my opinion, and you are free to disagree with it. But you don't get to decide what gets said in the thread.

[SDinSD]

It is my opinion that everyone should have a DVR, especially if you have an HDTV. I was expressing my opinion, and you are free to disagree with it. But you don't get to decide what gets said in the thread.

I never said that I was deciding what was said in this thread. Your post had no helpful information in it. It didn't address my initial question. To me, it sounded like a smart-ass comment and I didn't appreciate it. If I misunderstood the reasoning behind it, I apologize.

[harsh]

It is my opinion that everyone should have a DVR, especially if you have an HDTV. I was expressing my opinion, and you are free to disagree with it. But you don't get to decide what gets said in the thread.Given the dearth of HD programming and the frequency with which it is played, a case could be made that it is less important with HD content than it is with SD programming.

[gabe23]

I never said that I was deciding what was said in this thread. Your post had no helpful information in it. It didn't address my initial question. To me, it sounded like a smart-ass comment and I didn't appreciate it. If I misunderstood the reasoning behind it, I apologize.

I agree with you, SDinSD, and I felt the same way about that comment when I read it. I haven't been posting here much longer than you, but I've been a lurker for years, and I've generally found most people to be more friendly and helpful than that guy. I think my HR20 is great, but I can certainly understand not having the $300 to pony up, especially after the significant outlay for an HD set. We all have to make choices with our money, and you shouldn't get any grief about it.

In my opinion, you'll do better with the Avia DVD anyway. Just keep in mind that what looks perfect through your DVD input won't necessarily be ideal for your D* picture, but it should get you pretty close. Then you can tune into the HDNet test pattern one morning & fine tune if needed. Good luck!

[Jeremy W]

There, now there's a smiley face on the comment. Can we stop complaining about it?

[veryoldschool]

I agree with you, SDinSD, and I felt the same way about that comment when I read it. I haven't been posting here much longer than you, but I've been a lurker for years, and I've generally found most people to be more friendly and helpful than that guy. I think my HR20 is great, but I can certainly understand not having the $300 to pony up, especially after the significant outlay for an HD set. We all have to make choices with our money, and you shouldn't get any grief about it.
Ditto, here..
"We" need to look a bit more at how long a poster has been a member. Those that have their "time in grade" will know more of our attitude, than those new here. We all should be extra nice [or gentle] to the new members, until they are "seasoned".
Well that's what I think, and I know Jeremy does help out here a lot, but if I were new here I wouldn't know it from that...:)

[Nick]

HDNet Test Pattern schedule: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=74738

[SDinSD]

There, now there's a smiley face on the comment. Can we stop complaining about it?

Agreed.

[durl]

Any recommendations on a DVD?

I use Digital Video Essentials. Good walkthroughs for the beginner, lots of tests for the more advanced user. And I see it's on sale at Amazon for $17. That's a great price.