What is THX Optimode?

[necros]

So I got the toy story 3 disc set for xmas.. on the back it says for the movies "THX Certified - includes THX Optimode"

So what is that? Is it a different sound format? I have DD and DTS 5.1.. is THX Optimode another kind? Do I need something special in my reciever for it?

[DTS-Man]

Optimode is way to optimize your equipment performance by setting up your TVs picture and audio by doing a series of tests and adjustments as described by the Optimode menu. Check it out, you find that your picture is "blooming" in some spots or that your colors bleed together or have a speaker wire crossed.

[cloud]

As stated above. However, personally I don't think they are that useful and don't really do much for general calibration. If you seriously want to calibrate your HT then you should use either the Video Essentials or AVIA DVD's. http://sam.wood.tripod.com/smilies/bouncepink.gif

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[BartleyR7]

Agreed. The THX Optimode is include with most (if not all) THX certified movies. It boils down to a quick-and-dirty calibration for your video and audio settings. For a true calibration, more extensive tests are required. This is where the Avia disk excels. http://sam.wood.tripod.com/smilies/coolyellow.gif

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[NT]

What exactly do the AVIA and Video Essentials DVDs do? They make the picture sharper?

At ~$40, are they worth the money?

[kenbuzz]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by NT:
What exactly do the AVIA and Video Essentials DVDs do? They make the picture sharper?

At ~$40, are they worth the money?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can only address Avia, as that's what I've got, but I'm figuring that both products are similar. Avia steps you through the entire process of setting up your HTS, which is handy if you've not done it before, and it has several sets of reference material you can refer to later if you change or add components to your system.

Where Avia excels is in the video and audio calibration section. It teaches you how to fine tune your video and audio piece-parts to bring them in line with the type of standards that were used by the DVD producers. In the video portion, you get taught how to modify ALL of your video settings (Sharpness, Brighness, Contrast, Color, Tint, etc) for optimal viewing, and it includes all of the necessary test patterns and colored gels (filters) to allow you to do this.

In the audio portion, Avia goes through a step-by-step series of tests, sending various signals to each of your channels, to allow you do note where things aren't balanced right, whether you've got the polarity switched on any of your speakers, which frequencies work for your subwoofer and which do not, and so forth. The tests are pretty extensive, and point out any of the most common problems folks may encounter when slapping their system together. They also teach you how to use a Sound Pressure Meter (I think that's what it's called -- I don't have one) to get the audio balanced *just right*.

Once you've got everything calibrated, you can pretty much shelve Avia. The only time you'd need to pull it out again is if you had moved or otherwise modified your system, or after a few months to make sure things are still calibrated correctly.

Is it worth $40? Maybe, maybe not. I know there are copies of Avia available at half.com from time to time, and I'm *certain* it's worth $20. Your mileage may vary, but all-in-all, I'd recommend getting one.