New DiscwasherÆ Accessory Enhances Video And Surround Sound Performance

DiscwasherÆ, a RecotonÆ unit, has introduced an important accessory to help DVD-equipped home theatres and A/V systems produce the best picture quality possible while delivering optimum audio performance.The Discwasher Audio And Video System Enhancer, which carries catalog number 1507, performs several key functions that make it essential for proper calibration of audio, video and home theatre components. The product also cleans the laser lenses built into DVD players.The 1507 Enhancer consists of two optical discs that fit all DVD players. One of these is programmed for video and audio calibration with a variety of test materials that makes it easy to set critical home entertainment system controls for the best results.The calibration discís video tests allow viewers to adjust their systems for optimum video performance in five individual categories: sharpness; brightness; contrast; color; and tint.As an example, users can optimize brightness with the help of a PLUGE pattern test in just a few steps. First they insert the disc in a DVD player and select video calibration, then choose brightness test from its menus. A bar pattern will appear on screen, and they can adjust their TV brightness controls until the relationship between bars is as indicated in the easy-to-follow instructions.The so-called HotBox test is used to set contrast. Working with an on-screen image of a white box on a black field, viewers need only adjust their contrast controls for crisp box edges and precise 90 degree corners.The Discwasher 1507 calibration discís audio menu makes optimizing surround sound performance simple, and it includes tests for the three multi-speaker systems prevalent today: DolbyÆ Digital, Dolby ProLogicÆ and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô. The disc helps those whose equipment contains any or all of those surround circuits check performance in several areas.A pink noise test determines whether all speakers are working, and there is a check for correct phase. (Incorrect phase substantially diminishes bass response). A volume level check assures proper speaker balance, and a special low frequency test facilitates subwoofer volume selection while also helping determine whether subwoofer sound is excessive and likely to cause physical room vibrations.Calibration disc bonus tracks contain high definition audio and video demo material that shows just how spectacular the results of properly calibrated home theatre equipment can be. Video programming includes a series of time lapse images of Paris and a clip from ""Imax Africa,"" a documentary narrated by the actor James Earl Jones.Audio tracks feature drummer Mickey Hart, formerly of the Grateful Dead and blues saxophonist Joe Stanley. The Hart material was mixed in the super-fi 24-bit/96kHz format while the musicality of Stanleyís performance was preserved by the noted audiophile engineer Pierre Sprey of Mapleshade Studio.The second System Enhancer disc employs a single, feather-soft brush that thoroughly yet safely cleans an optical playerís lens. Dust, smoke and other airborne household pollutants that accumulate on it can diminish the laserís ability to read critical digital data that, when decoded, become pictures and sound.To clean a laser lens in seconds, users need only insert the disc in any DVD unit and press the play button.The Discwasher 1507 Audio and Video System Enhancer sells for $24.99.