My current favorite to use is the Video Essentials II. Lots of incredible explanations of how a system comes together, and very cool graphics. Among other things, the audio-testing portion of the disc will also allow you to do frequency sweeps on each speaker. With an SPL meter, this allows you to note peaks and valleys in your system's frequency response so you can make any necessary adjustments, like moving the sub or speakers to a different location, or adjusting the crossover on the receiver or sub.

AND, it has a couple very cool demo tracks. Track #2 is unbelievably cool. It's about 20 seconds, but it will seriously rip the plaster off your ceiling.

Cheers!!

I'll have to check out video essentials II.  I've only ever used AVIA.  Which gets the job done, but it doesn't have any demo tracks on it (but i actually have enough demo DVD's that i don't know if i need this?).  Have you used AVIA to calibrate?  Do you prefer VEII over AVIA?  I saw in the latest SGHT that an AVIA pro is out.  About $400 if I remember correctly though!

We have both the Avia and the Video Essentials II. They're both good actually. I prefer the VE II for a couple reasons. First, it has more in-depth educational chapter on the how's and why's of the video and audio technology. Secondly, the couple demo chapters are just cool. I believe the VE II has more in-depth testing/calibration chapters, but I'll double check just in case...

 

Ben, where is a good place to get this set up disc?   Thanks.

I got mine online here:

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=VMG010712

 

I couldn't get that link to work Jim. Amazon.com is a good place place for either disc. The video essentials disc is actually called Digital Video essentials. Not Video Essentials II.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005PJ70/qid=1087181383/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-5986358-9210266?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

Here's the avia disc

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/630551982X/qid=1087181445/sr=2-1/103-5986358-9210266?v=glance&s=dvd

 

Well it looks like the deepdiscountdvd.com link works now...and it's cheaper than Amazon.

Thanks Jim and Ben. 

Is anybody interested in purchasing the Digital Video Essentials disc from Aperion? It is a product that I have been considering adding to our mix. We could probably be in line with Deep Discount DVD on the price and ours would include free shipping.

Let me know what you think.

---

Cheers,

John Wanderscheid

I would order it from you guys (if the price is inline with DDDVD, which also has free shipping, but sometimes takes awhile).  I think it would be a good offering for Aperion.  I think many 5.1+ full set-up buyers could really use a tool like this.  You may even want to offer a SPL meter like Radio Shack's as well?  Just a though. 

 

Man, you prefer VE to AVIA, i got ripped (at AVIA being over twice the price).... 

Just a heads up for anyone interested in saving even more on these or any other DVD's in stock; there is a 20% off coupon code you can use at www.deepdiscountdvd.com  

The code good until 6/25: SUMMERSALE

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=VMG010712

 

Ben mentioned "Video Essentials II".  Is that the same as "Digital Video Essentials"?

Hi Fred. That's right. Digital Video Essentials.

I finally got a chance to check it out. For what it's worth, I like it a bit more than Avia. It's those frequency sweeps.

 

Hay Everyone,

I'm trying to decide on the Avia and DV Essentials DVD. I'm a newbie at best so... I have been reading several reviews especially on Amazon.com that they are really hard to navigate and there are several tests that don't give you any info on what they are or should be.

I would like increased video/audio quality but don't want to waste the money if it is too technical for me to do and navigate.

I have a 55 inch Hitachi HD RPTV and a Aperion 5.1 setup powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS receiver.

In a nutshell would a monkey get better use out of the Avia or Digital Video Essential DVD.

Thanks