Calibrating your TV sounds very technical and expensive. It doesn’t have to be. If fact, you may already have free calibration tools in your DVD collection. The THX Optimizer is a set of tests to optimize your television and is found on DVDs which are THX certified.
The THX Optimizer gives step-by-step instructions to test and fine tune your HDTV’s audio and video. The audio testing features a signal sent to each surround sound speaker to confirm proper hook-up. The video testing fine tunes your HDTV’s color, tint, brightness, and contrast settings. CNET Australia has a closer look at using the tools. The color and tint tests require THX Optimizer glasses. They are available from the THX.com store for $1.99 plus shipping ($2.50-$6.00 for the US).
So, how do you find out which DVDs are THX certified? THX.com let’s you search for a particular title or shows you a list of of all the DVDs. Currently, there are 322 THX-certified DVDs listed, but there may be more. For instance, the DVD for Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2006) features the tools, but the DVD does not appear on THX.com’s list. Here’s a select few that might be worth picking up from Amazon or eBay:
- The Abyss (2002)
- Castaway (2001)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Hidalgo (2004)
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
- The Incredibles (2005)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (2003 re-release)
- The Lion King (2003)
- Nightmare Before Christmas (2003)
- Pirates of the Caribbean (2005)
- Sin City (2005)
- Star Wars Trilogies (2004, 2005, 2006)