purchased this ws-65611 (last years model) a month or so ago along with an onkyo 6.1 sound system. I would like to get both audio and video set up and tweaked to the best possible settings but am not sure where to start.... I hate to spend $38 on an avia disc but the $18 digital video essentials disc sounds sort of worthless (according to reviews at amazon anyhow..). Do I need to drop the money on an avia disc? or is the DVE just as good? I'd like to set up both audio and video but don't wanna just toss my money away if the discs just walk me through screens without telling me what I need to adjust or match up.... can anyone help a newb?

I never understand why people will spend a few grand on a display and sound system but then are reluctant to spend $50 on a setup disc. But you're in luck if you have a 6.1 sound system you need to get DVE because Avia's sound calibration tests only handle 5.1. IMO Avia is better for most video tests but it's greyscale test is flawed. DVE might be harder for you to use as a newb. It really depends on how much you want to get into it. For basic color, tint, contrast and brightness any of them will do. Have you visited other HT forums like AVS, HTF or the Spot? This is where you'll get a true feel for each of the discs worth and not from Amazon's review. For what it's worth I know the creator of Avia visits the Spot and offers advice and tips on using it so if you have questions you can visit there.

LOL

I hadn't visited other forums yet but thank you for the suggestion! wonder if blockbuster or hollywood rents em? if not suppose I'll be dropping a bit more money to get this puppy looking as good as possible

You need to join hometheaterspot ASAP, and acccess their tweaks sections. That way you can really tweak your Mitsu! A setup DVD alone won't cut it. Off the bat, you would be well-advised to also linearize the grid, and set the overscan. You can use Avia for the overscan pattern, but u need to how to access and use the service menus.

I normally use Avia but recently got DVE.

Is DVE really bad? Guess I'll have to check it out.

I'm just now browsing the spot! had given up hope on my onkyo receiver when I read that using the integra 9.1 will work with net command already has paid off visiting over there heh

x - please let me/us know asap what you think on the DVE over Avia. I need to order one or the other asap. thanks!

edit - only paid spotties get to view the tweaks.... bs

where would one read up on gaining such access?

Shuki yes only paid Spottie have access to the tweaks area which explains how to access the service menus and what to do with it once you're in there. For $25 a year your have access to that and other paid member only areas like group buys on discounted equipment. Looked at another way most of the tweaks were contributed by professional calibrators who've shared their knowledge and secrets with us so you know you can rely on them. By following their tweaks I was able to get my Mits within 90% of a full pro calibration for a fraction of the cost of having a pro do it. The Mits is one of the most tweakable RPTVs and really looks great once it's done so jump on in.

You can find out how to access the service menu for free.

But then you need to know what to do with it.

heading out of town this week but then I'll be pretty much off for two weeks after. I hate to spend so much on a set and then not get the most out of it..... come next week you're looking at another paid spottie

I hope you didn't feel like we were pressuring you to become a paid member. Just sign up to be a regular member at first. Take a look through many of the past posts and threads to get a feel for the value in a paid membership. The free forums do contain much of what is in the paid areas but the paid areas have it much more neatly organized and include warnings for what not to do. The tweaks area that becomes available to you when you pay is just another benefit of paid memberships but the money we pay really helps keep the site running since the owner of the site is very selective to which advertisers he'll accept ads from. When you get there look me up as chipmac64.

X, it's not bad per se, but it's not user friendly at all. It also has WAY too much intro info. It's difficult to just go to the setups. It's a whole day affair when it could just be a few hours. There's also dispute as to whether the LFE channel setup is flawed.

Ditto to what Josh said. I have the original VE, Avia,and got DVE. I'll be using Avia. Much friendlier and easier to navigate. (The original VE was horrible IMO, and DVE isn't much better.)

Plus, one big advantage to Avia that I haven't seen mentioned is their calibration screens have alternating patterns (for color level, tint, etc.). Ifind it *much* easier to adjust things properly with these flashing screens than with static ones.

I still haven't looked at DVE. Maybe this weekend.

I originally had VE, but had a very difficult time setting black levels with it. Then I got Avia and found it much easier to navigate and it did a good job with the contrast setting.

I heard so much hype of the improvements in DVE I figured I'd try that out too. Hard to believe they took so much time with it and Avia is still better.

I personally like DVE better for my digital displays (projector, plasmas), but Avia is easier to navigate.

this mitsubishi rocks! after my eyes coming back into focus from staring at convergence screens for a couple hours this thing looks damn good! Ended up doing a red push adjustment in the service menu, manual and ES focus', bit of geometry work and then a full convergence workup and gotta say... WOW!

In terms of doing the geometry, I thought I read some place of a mylar grid or something I could order to really get this green grid lined up properly... anyone know anything on this?

The phone number for ordering the grid is over in the Spot tweaks with the rest of what you found. Glad you're happy with it. Have fun tweaking.

Now, wasn't that $25 money well spent?

I have this same model tv. I went a head and paid the $500 for an ISF calibration from one of the top guys in the country. I had done all the tweaks and such from the Spot but the full calibration still made a HUGE difference. I know spending that much money on this is not for everybody but to me it was worth it to know that I'm really getting the most out of my set. Plus I got a really good deal on the tv so i didn't feel too bad about dropping another couple hundred.

chipmac - found it and ordered ($68) thanks!

jscout - ended up ordering avia disc too :P

boston - guy named dave levy (from the spot) is supposed to be out next month

Dave is supposed to be very good. He'll probably do the overscan and geometry adjustments as part of his cal so you could have waited and saved the money on the grid. Just a thought.

Welcome to the club. I have both too! Double . Enjoy.

dave is not a for sure thing yet as I will be oot on business most of april unfortunately. he's supposed to get back with me on a date, services and pricing. I figured either way, the grid would be a good thing to own....

Shuki if you're having the CRTs replaced because of burn in I would wait until you have about 300 hours of viewing on the new CRTs before doing the pro cal anyway.

will do! should know tomorrow what they're going to do about it....