Calibration

Maurice

I hear this term mentioned alot on the forum and it sounds like something I need to do. But what is it, and how can I get it.

Tour2ma

Radio Shack analog SPL meter (~$35) plus one of a couple calibration discs... Avia or S&V seem to be the two leaders now...

Pauly

for a newbie explain a little more. i and still not 100% i get the just of it but arent the RS meters off by some amount??? Tour you can do a search and get ALOT of hits and just read up. I havent gotten one yet to play around with. i am waiting to get a couple of more things in line b4 i calibrate (or attempt). BW welcome to the forum.

gatemplin

Radio shack spl meters are off on very low frequencies only I believe, but there are lists for correction factors. Calibrating involves following the directions on the discs and taking measurements, changing settings. You will end up with better sound and picture. The most popular disc now seems to be the digital essentials disc from sound and vision magazine.

eclypse

Radio Shack also sells a digital version of that meter as well.. i know cause i just picked one up for 50 bucks a few days ago.. Havent used it yet cause i'm waitin for the new speakers.

I dont know if it will be more accurate, but its digital if that makes a difference. hehe

Tour2ma

The analog is actually preferred over the digital.

The instructions for the meter include low frequency correction factors.

Dr. Spec made a couple of definitive calibration posts a few months back. I'll see if I can dig one or both up.

eclypse

Originally posted by Tour2ma
The analog is actually preferred over the digital.

The instructions for the meter include low frequency correction factors.

Dr. Spec made a couple of definitive calibration posts a few months back. I'll see if I can dig one or both up.

Insteresting... Thanks.

Tour2ma

Here's one... there's even a better one out there somewhere..

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=98554&highlight=extrapolate#post98554

ToddB

Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?

Pauly

Originally posted by ToddB
Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?

I got mine on amazon.com and had it i 2 days. I just need a spl meter now,but am waiting to get a few more things in line for the gear

Tour2ma

I did a search on dealtime.com and found the Avia for a few dollars less than Amazon and other places.

Not to muddy the waters, but there is another newcomer to the cal disc field, Video Essentials. Has one issue, but you can read about it here:
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12613&highlight=video+essentials

mrgoodcheese

Originally posted by ToddB
Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?

Online is the cheapest, but sometimes you'll find them in a Best Buy store. My suggestion is Avia.

Maurice

Thanks for the info guys. How much of a difference does calibration make to the picture and sound quality.

stevew14

It all depends on how far off it is now. Chances are you'll notice an appreciable difference though!

mrgoodcheese

Originally posted by Maurice
Thanks for the info guys. How much of a difference does calibration make to the picture and sound quality.

It will be quite a large difference for both audio and video, if the components have never been calibrated and/or are at the factory defaults.

Concerning video, once you've calibrated your TV properly, the picture will at first seem quite dark. But do as they suggest on the DVD and force yourself to watch it like that for a week. It takes a brain time to adjust to a new level. You'll notice a lot more detail in the picture, once you're adjusted to the change.