Customer Reviews

Ultimate DVD Platinum

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a mediocre "set-up" cd. The majority of the audio set-up utilities are not explained well either on the dvd itself or in the included text. There are minimal to no directions given on using the setup tools. The setup section is a waste of time. It does have some pretty cool audio demonstrations though, for DTS and Dolby Digital (5.1 & 2.0). It's a good comparison DVD for the 5.1 surround setup. You can definately determine the superior sound quality of DTS over DD. There are some interesting videos (i.e. "implosions")included as well, not anything you have to see more than once or twice though. One thing not mentioned in the stats on this title, is that it is a double disk set. Hope this helps!

I am a home theater design consultant and I frequently use "The Ultimate DVD Platinum" for calibrating my clients systems. I am writing this review due to the numerous things I've seen in other reviews here. To set the record straight, this DVD is more for the person who is familar with home theater. Although it can be useful to the novice, professionals will have an easier time navigating and using the calibration tools on disc 2 and the test material on disc 1 to their full advantage. I will note that I have encountered issues with both discs in Toshiba DVD players, but no other manufacturer's products. As to one review which stated that there was only one black bar in the "brightness" test pattern, but two in the demo, that was due to his TV not being able to display "pluge" or "blacker than black" signals, I have encountered this with a client who had a Toshiba HDTV. The blue filter supplied with disc 2 for proper color and tint alignment is useful only if the TV has adjustable red push, which most don't! If color and tint are set to the instructions on disc 2 skin tones will be unnaturally red. As for the DTS signals, I have never had an issue with them and I'm guessing that the people who've had problems may have purchased a bad pressing of the disc and should have returned it to where they aquired it from. All in all, the disc is very good and can show off what a DVD player and home theater are capable of if set up correctly, but again, this is more for the professional than the novice. For a proper calibration one should call a professional. After all, if you're willing to spend the money on the equipment, doesn't it make sense to spend a little more to have it set up properly?

Review from SMR Forums....

Topic: DVD Setup/Demo Disks Conf: Forum 1 - Miscellaneous A/V Discussion From: Larry- just purchased The Ultimate DVD - Platinum from Amazon ($24, including shipping). I've rented the old "Silver" version of the same disk, and have to say that they have done a really professional job getting the new release together.

Actually, this is a two disk set. Disk 1 consists of the very best audio and video calibration/setup tracks I've ever seen. It begins with the phasing and levels of all your speakers and then goes through the PCM (i.e., stereo tracking), Dolby 5.1 and (real) DTS calibration. Then, it allows you to test and set up your tv/monitor settings. This is a very high level, highly detailed disk.

Then, disk 2 consists of extremely well produced demos of just about every video and audio feature you can think of. However, it can drive you crazy the first time you use it, because it's not intuitive how to move from one screen (e.g., the initial copyright) to the next. Just press your next track button. (Hint - don't try to go backwards - you'll get lost.) Other than that little flaw, this disk is truly phenomenal. Well worth the investment.

Larry

This is a neat DVD to play with, especially if you are new to DVD's and Dolby Digital surround. I thought the setup disk was pretty easy to use. Each test has a good description and explanation. I found it to be useful. I would have given a higher rating, but I experienced some technical problems with the setup disk. Anytime I would try to go into DTS audio setup it would kick me out for 'Parental Control Violation'. I never did figure it out, so I just used Dolby Digital 5.1.

The demo disk is quite good. I really like being able to directly compare DTS, DD 5.1, and Pro Logic. The difference is quite amazing. If I could have rated the two disks separately I would have given this one 4 stars.

I hope this review is published. I've written three previously without success (not on my part). I have experienced problems with the 2nd disc involving the dts version of the sound samples like the motorcycle, etc. I have NOT experienced any other problems with the 1st disc, any other part of the 2nd disc or any other dts audio segments. The problem is that the right-rear channel (at least on the disc I have) IS encoded--only it is encoded in silence. The Dolby Digital version of the same samples are fine. I have informed the company who authored the DVD without much response from them. The equipment I have used included all of the following: Pioneer VSX-D608 A/V Receiver (which I haven't had a bit of problem with for a year now), ProScan PS8680Z DVD Player (connected optically), JVC XV-D701 DVD Player (connected via analog) and a Panasonic DVD-A320U Player (connected via coaxial). If you have noticed similar problems with the dts sound samples on the 2nd disc please post a review. Thank You. P.S. I have not had a problem with any of the other 30 dts encoded discs I currently own.

This new version comes in two discs, the set up tools and the audio-video demonstration. At the beginning you can get lost easily since there is no manual or clear instructions (the only instructions you have are on the disc). But don't worry after playing for a while with it, you will master the navigation. It has almost everything you can see on a dvd, it is good for you, if you want to know what a DVD is capable of, or if you want to impress your relatives or friends. But what it is true, is the extraordinary demonstrations of DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1, here you discover why DTS stands for.... the MAXIMUM QUALITY in sound.

... I've had a great experience with this DVD and found it very helpful. The tests and calibration utilities worked perfectly and even helped me tweak my system a bit (Toshiba SD5700 DVD Player, Pioneer 509S Receiver, and a Sony KP-41T65 50" Monitor). ...for me all the tests were very helpful and everything worked like it should. My only wish is that, given how much room for data is available on a DVD, they could have packed it with more demos and/or music. Other than that I've had a blast tweaking my system and showing off to friends and neighbors. ...

I bought this because I needed another calibration DVD to get optimum picture quality out of my TV. I thought this DVD set was going to help, but it didn't. The DVD started out looking good with their company logos looking impressive, then when I went to the video calibration section, it had a lot of tests, but none of them were explained very well compared to "Video Essentials". Setting the "BRIGHTNESS" function was not helpful AT ALL because they didn't even include the 2 black bars in the test. They show it in the demo but there is only ONE bar in the test pattern. The only redeeming part is its demos. There are a lot of them and most are pretty good, but I didn't buy this DVD for demos, I wanted to make my TV look better. So if you are thinking of buying this, I suggest you rent it, because I was very disappointed. I had high expectations and this disc did not fulfill them.

The demo disk is excellent but the setup disk will not play in my Toshiba DVD player. I bought this for for the setup (there are plenty of good movies for demo) so it is pretty worthless. I do not know about other brands of DVD Players but I would not recommend this if you have a Toshiba player.

These two DVD's would not read 100% on my Sony , or my JVC DVD Players. The first disk gives clips then tells you where you can buy the full DVD. This is no more than advertising to get you to buy other disks, I don't care to pay for advertising DVD's, plus it is not worth the price!