Rating: 
Summary: Good video tests, inadequate audio tests
Review: The video calibration section is this DVD's strength. The explanations of the roles of brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, and tint, together with steps of how to adjust them to get the most proper picture, are great. Also a blue filter is included for use with the color test patterns (but no green or red ones). Still, the program scarcely mentions certain video issues such as grey scales, picture convergence and trigonometry, and only says they need to be handled by professional technicians. Also, there are many clips of what look like real TV programs scattering throughout the disc that are supposedly for you to test your display, but we are never really told what to do with them other than just "eye-balling" them and see if they look right after you made your video adjustments.The audio calibration section not only doesn't tell me anything new, it doesn't tell me nearly close to what I (or most people) already know. It merely comprises of a brief "tour" of surround system, a superficial segment that essentially just reminds you to check your connections, a segment on checking polarity of the center speaker, and separate segments containing pink noises for testing each speaker, which is something most people already have built into their receivers. There is absolutely not a word on important issues like acoustics of the room, speaker placements, cabling, or what type of speakers to use. I sincerely hope the disc maker would release an improved edition of the disc that has expanded coverage on audio. But I would hate to pay a higher price for it since it is already at a premium.
Rating: 
Summary: You MUST see this...
Review: This disk was sooo useful, I cannot believe it! After I re-calibrated my home system, I took this to work and calibrated all of the TVs and video projectors there. I cannot believe the difference. Thank you, Joe Kane!
Rating: 
Summary: Too expensive, doen't have convergence for projection TVs
Review: This DVD has good explanations of what it is doing, the use of the filter to set the color balance correctly was useful. Running this did actually marginally improve the picture. However, if you are a videophile with a projection TV there is one enormous omission: There is no pattern available to make sure the three colors properly converge on your screen. Incorrect convergence has a huge impact on picture clarity. This DVD is desperately in need of an update, it needs to take projection HDTVs into account. More attention to detail is required to get the best from the latest and greatest TVs and it just wasn't available here. As it stands this DVD is worth no more than $15. With a few more up-to date features (such as convergence) It'd be worth up to $25. As it stands I'm very dissapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: More $ than normal... but it will yeild excellent results
Review: This DVD is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to extract the most from their home theater. I am the managing head installer for a high-end Audio/Video salon in NY. Don't let the price concious reveiwers fool you, this DVD may be a little [much] but it provides you with reference video setup patterns whose use yeilds excellent results. Yes, your picture will look much much better. The audio tracks are usefull only to assure of proper hook-up, but the video tracks will give you a mastered set of calibration patterns for your monitor including black and white levels, color, hue sharpness and geometry. As professional set-up usually costs $300 and up, fifty bucks isn't that bad ... This DVD will improve your display, GAURANTEED! (For professionals some additional test patterns could be included; and as I am aware, an updated dvd is due to be released with all the features of the original Laserdisc including the full frame indian head pattern.) If you know what your getting you know this is an excellent tool indeed.
Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: This is a must have DVD. If you have a projector system with AC-3 sound system, you have no idea what your missing until you set it up using this DVD. Forget paying big bucks to have someone else set up your equipment, with Video Essentials you can do it your self!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is an outstanding DVD to be used to set up and fine tune your home theater system. Highly recommended!!!
Rating:
Summary: Best A/V Setup DVD
Review: This is arguably one of the better setup discs around, if not the outright best. Two pieces of advice for peak tweaking: 1) for video setup you really need to do this at night with all the lights off, unless of course your screen is in an already very dark dark room; 2) watch the video all the way thru before making any adjustments, if you are a novice at this type of thing. For optimum audio tweaking you must have a SPL meter. Radio Shack sells one for $35.00 and it is well worth it. Also, make sure your running Dolby Pro Logic for any measurements and balancing of the surrounds. If you pay close attention to all the instructions you will be in for an audio-visual treat once you have completed all the tweaking - enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: TWEAK? This is a must have, especially for video adjustment
Review: This is the best way to tweak the color, tint and black levels to maximize picture quality. I was astounded at the difference in picture after using this video.
Rating: 
Summary: Confused
Review: This is the worst porno I have ever seen... what the hell?
Rating:
Summary: easier than avia
Review: THIS TOOL DVD IS EASIER TO USE THAN AVIA THOUGH IT IS NOT AS FULL OF INFORMATION AS THE AVIA DVD. I OWN BOTH AND WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A BETTER PICTURE FROM BOTH OF THESE I CHOOSE VIDEO ESSENTIALS FOR MY OWN TELEVISIONS BUT KEEP IN MIND YOU MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT BRAND YOU MIGHT EVEN HAVE A DIFFERENT METHOD OF VIEWING (I USE DIRECTVIEW [TRADITIONAL])BUT AS FAR AS THE SOUND CALIBRATIONS YOU GET DECENT HELP FROM V.E BUT REALLY GOOD HELP FROM AVIA BUT BOTH NEED A SPL METER(THAT'S A SOUND METER)THAT COST FROM $30 ON UP. MY OVERALL OPINION IS THAT IT IS A GOOD DVD TO OWN.BYE
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