Avia calibration DVD

[BrettD]

Where, in the Milwaukee metro area, can I locate a place to purchase the newest (or the 1999 version) of the Avia DVD HT calibrator?
Those who have used it; did it make a marked improvement in picture quality? Also, does it include a means of eliminating the obnoxious "red push" that plagues most RPTVs?

[mr_yeti]

I ordered mine online. I am not aware of any stores in the area that sell these, but Flanner's might. If you want to compare prices, I got mine for about $35 at Deep Discount DVD. They offer free shipping if you're willing to wait a week or more (USPS Standard). Otherwise, do a Google search for "avia dvd." Pricegrabber.com has numerous listings for Avia, and prices vary wildly.

There are many patterns (and three light filters) included for calibration purposes, probably more than you'd ever use, and yes, a red push 'fix' (more like a fudge) is included as one of the basic calibrations. The best way to fix red push is probably in the service menu, or alternatively using an attenuator.

I found a marked improvement in color accuracy after using the basic calibrations, and it's great for setting black/white levels as well.

Best home theater accessory I've ever bought (well, maybe second best, after my Pronto remote).

This is all parenthetically speaking, of course.  

[RobbQ]

I bought mine from Best Buy but I checked the BB website and there do not seem to be any copies available from their stores in the Milwaukee area.  I have not seen it at other stores so I am not sure who else might have it.  You can usually snag it much cheaper from online retailers if you do some checking.  I would highly recommend getting this disk because it does help to optimize your picture (and sound) quality.  I learned a great deal the first time that I used it.

In answer to your other question I do not believe that it will completely elimate the red push problem, though it should help.   I believe that most TV's require some changes in the service menu to completely eliminate red push.

[BrettD]

Thanks for the input on the Avia! I did do a Google search and checked out various avenues for the purchase of this DVD.
As for the complete "red push plague" topic, I will reread the info (feelfree to join me) in the "tweaks," etc. subject fields at HDTVoice.com for more details. Actually, I'm not too comfortable in entering the service menu of my Hitachi RPTV for fear of "jazzing" something up! Truth is, I really don't know how to access it. Any of you ever enter the service menu?

[mr_yeti]

This thread is a good place to start for info regarding the service menus.

It's not as bad as it seems, as long as you do your research and really UNDERSTAND what's going on before you do anything.

[RobbQ]

I have been in the service menu on my Sony, fully armed with the service manual and tweaks from hometheaterspot.com.  I found it fairly easy to use, though it would just have been a mass of confusion if I had not had the information in hand.  You should be aware of all of the issues involved; write down settings, be aware of warranty concerns, etc.  mr_yeti's right (who beat me to posting again , start with his thread and understand what you are doing.  

BTW, if anyone sees you in the service menu, especially doing a fine calibration, they will think that you are totally nuts.

[mr_yeti]

Gotta be quick on the draw, RobbQ.

 And you're absolutely right about people thinking you're nuts. A friend stopped by the other day, and I had a fine convergence grid up and the front and rear panels removed, and I was laying on the floor behind the set (amongst the quarter-mile or so of wires back there) adjusting the manual focus. I immediately enlisted his help with switching the color of the grid when I needed that done. All the while he was shaking his head wondering why all this was necessary when, according to him, "It already looks good." Then he saw an HD picture after my adjustments had been made to both manual and optical focus, and he just said, "Oh."

I may be a little nuts, but my television looks GREAT. Wait until I get off my lazy butt and do the fine convergence. That sure seems like a royal pain.

[Pat]

I had a red-push attenuator up for auction for the benefit of the site, but nobody bid on it.  It works great, but I went into the sevice menus and fixed it "right."

Its completely external, requiring no alteration of the set or voiding of warranty.  I had seen a retail of $79.  Only good for 1 component input though.

Shall I put it up for auction again?

[Skipjack]

FYI: Just found AVIA at http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com for $36.37 with free shipping.  Not a bad deal.