Video Asylum

Need Calibration DVD & SPL Meter Recommendations

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I'm getting some speakers for Xmas and am buying a receiver to complete a 5.1 setup. Thinking about what other stuff I might want.

Can anyone recommend a calibration DVD that would play sample stuff to help set things up? Is there such a disk?

Would a reasonable prices SPL meter be worth it? RatShack as a digital one for $45 and I saw several others on Amazon. Is digital better than analog? Anyone have one they'd recommend in the $50 range?

Follow Ups:

RE: Need Calibration DVD & SPL Meter Recommendations - David Aiken 19:28:03 12/11/07 (1)
On the audio side you may not need a test disc. Many receivers can generate their own test tones for measurement, and more than a few come with a microphone to allow the receiver itself to measure the tones generated, balance channel levels and calculate arrival time offsets, and even in some cases provide some basic room EQ as well.

If you need a meter, probably the simplest and easiest to use is one of the Rat Shack meters. Many people have a preference for the old analog meter but the digital is easier to use if perhaps less accurate in some ways but overall accuracy isn't an issue if what you're doing is comparing channel levels with the same test tone. Any error will be identical for each measurement so, in effect, it becomes irrelevant. It really doesn't matter whether the level is 79 dB or 80 dB or 85 dB provided all channels deliver the same measurement.

If you need a test disc, look at something like Digital Video Essentials which has audio test tracks and also video test patterns for calibrating your display settings as well.

David Aiken
- RE: Need Calibration DVD & SPL Meter Recommendations - DavidLD 03:55:02 12/12/07 (0)
  The THX tests as part of the standard "Cars" video actually work quite well on both audio and video, and are "free" even on the base DVD

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