Digital Video Essentials DVD Pushed Back?
 

I was just double checking the release date of the new dvd and it shows now on all but one website that it will be released on September 2nd instead of July 15th. Any idea why this was done? Thanks in advance.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

The release date was still 7/15 when I checked my amazon order at around 2pm this afternoon. They must have updated it since as my order has been pushed back to 9/2 too (I didn't receive any email about the change from them though).

What's strange is that I owe them less after the update ;) Before the update the balance due was like $11 and I had $3 left in GC as a result of a more recent order. Now the balance was less than $1 while I had $0 left in GC (apparently they applied the $3 left in GC). Very odd.

I also was disappointed to see this. I checked my DVDEmpire wishlist a couple of days ago to see what I needed to get this coming week, and knew that it was one on my list. Needless to say it was gone so I scrolled through and found it under 9/2.

What a pisser! I've been planning on redoing my "TV room" and rearanging things so the speakers are better positioned for my "sweet spot" chair. Part of that plan was to get Essentials and calibrate everything.

I hate waiting. Grr.

:cool:

OK, so now that it's September 2nd, is this actually coming out today? I can't find it on Best Buy's website, but scanning through a few other online sites that list it, the release dates range from July, to today, to September 9, September 16 ... I am in confusion.

Anyone know the definitive day we can get this?

I too would like to know as soon as possible. I really need to calibrate my new projector.

Might want to try this. DDD has it for 16.xx.

OK, now that this is being released today (or last week??) does anyone know if any B&Ms will be stocking it? I've checked all the local places around here (BB, CC, Tower, Wherehouse, Borders, and even DVDPlanet) and DVDPlanet is the only place that acts like they will have it, but it might not be shipped to them for a few weeks! :hscratch: I suppose I could break down and buy it online, but I'm one of them kinda people that prefers to hit the streets and find the treasures in person. Any ideas, or should I just give up and go online?

This dvd can be used for regular tvs right?

I hope so! In reading the description, it sounds like its for all TVs, including the newer stuff.

Well, to answer my own question, DVDPlanet DOES have it in their B&M store, even though the website still says "Coming Soon". I had called them before and was told that they wouldn't be getting it until next week at the earliest, but stopped by because it's close to where I was driving around anyway, and it's a fun store to wander around in, and saw a bunch of them sitting in the "New Release" rack. So, anyone in the SoCal area that wants it, that's one place that has it.

I'm a happy Bronkster now :banana:

Is it in keepcase or snapper?

Ha! It would seem sorta ironic if it were in a snapper, yo? It's in a keepcase AND it even has an INSERT!!!!!!!! :D

Well, the first edition ('Video Essentials') was in a snapper, so it wouldn't have been too surprising. Good news, though.

DDD finally shipped my copy today... got a confirmation email. Guess that means the release date is officially the 16th? Usually DDD ships preorders the week before a release.


zeek

I received mine today from DVD Pacific!!

http://www.dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=55493

if not it better have an insert.



;)


I have a high end system and have used the THX Optimizer on various dvds (toy story, T2, etc), how good is this dvd? What am I getting for my money?

Oh more insert jokes!!!

SO DANG FUNNNNNY!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHA!!!!! WINKWINKWINK!!! LOLOLOL!!!!



BTW Silver Platters in the Seattle area has it on sale for $20.

It's excellent! I was up all night tinkering with my system. Very useful tool to have.

I recall being told the THX Optimizer is for each individual DVD, not do it once for all THX stuff. Plus its not very in-depth at all.
If you use something like DVE you can set your TV to NTSC standards that studios use so you're seeing as close as your tv can come to what the DVD makers saw on their screens when they did the transfer.

Is this DVD at Best Buy yet? When's the official release date?

Grrrr! They tried to charge my single use credit card today. They couldn't because I ordered DVE with Rocky and Bullwinkle and they charged and shipped that yesterday :rolleyes: So I had to get on there and order it again, hopefully they had enough copies.

Bronkster: thanks for the heads-up got a copy at the store today during lunch :)

Went to Best Buy and they did not have it. Does anyone know if Wal-Mart, or Circuit City carry this? Right now I'm using the THX optimizer, but I would like to get the DVE disc.

Got an Amazon shipping confirmation today.

I had hit up Best Buy a few times about this disk, and they have no clue what it is, so I doubt they're going to be getting it since they haven't already. Same with Circuit City. I guess because of the nature of the disk, a lot of B&Ms won't be carrying it.

It's a cool tool! I've spent a few hours over the last few nights messing around with my system. Based on its recommendation, I went out and got a few little clip-on lights to mount behind the TV for ambient light. Neat stuff!!

Which doesn't make sense to me at all- seems like it would be a good upsell for those purchasing televisions or other home theatre components; especially if they overprice it (not that I condone that sort of thing.)


zeek

I agree, but since when to retail stores make sense? ;)

I got mine from Amazon yesterday. I will hopefully get a chance to use it this weekend. :up:

I can't find it at any stores. I may just go to Amazon.com and order it. Question for you guys... do you think this calibration disc would make a difference on my Sony WEGA 32" flat screen TV? Alot of the reviews of the DVE disc say it works great with Plasma and HDTV, but would it make any difference on an analog WEGA set? Also, I'm using THX optimizer w/ the blue tint glasses, but want to make obsolutely sure I'm getting the best picture possible. Also it would be nice to have the audio calibration ability, when I get a HT setup with 6.1 DTS sound.

Thanks!

Definetly. TV's are never calibrated correctly from the factory. As you said though, it will help for audio calibration in the future as well.

what da diff between this and the ol standby "Avia"?

Did you check out the review?

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7502

"Many people interested in DVE already own, or have some experience using Avia. And since comparisons between the two are inevitable, I did a direct head-to-head evaluation of both. While Avia is still an excellent and easy-to-use tool for home theater calibration, I feel DVE is a superior product. Avia may have more overall content, but the summarization done by DVE is concise and to the point, and does not skimp the viewer in any way. However, I still prefer the face-to-face instruction in Avia for demonstrating hardware configuration scenarios. I would have liked to see some of this in DVE, but there was none.

In terms of visual and audio teaching supplements, DVE is the unanimous winner. DVE looks and sounds fantastic. The diagrams are much more detailed, and the graphics are light-years ahead of those found in Avia. The audio tests coupled with the 3-D animations makes understanding and adjusting audio levels a breeze, going way beyond Avia's content.

But the area where DVE completely blows Avia out of the water is with its video calibration test patterns. New test patterns were designed specifically for DVE, making video calibration simpler and more efficient. Avia has an enormous arsenal of video test patterns but offers absolutely no instruction on how to use them. So if you're new to home theater, you will need advice from a calibration veteran to help you utilize the patterns. DVE not only narrates the user on what to look for, but it pauses to let you configure each setting during the middle of the segment.

If you're serious about home theater you absolutely need a calibration software DVD. If you don't own a calibration disc yet, DVE is your best option. If you're completely new to home theater and prefer face-to-face instruction by a fellow human, then Avia may be more to your liking, but be warned that Avia does not instruct much on the newer digital video formats, so Avia is already somewhat obsolete. But it's still a great tool for learning the ins and outs of home theater, and is good for calibrating if you know what you're doing. But for the modern videophile, DVE is the only way to go. If further persuasion is still needed, just remember that DVE sells for roughly half the money that Avia does. "