There are two popular dvd's on the market..one called "Video Essentials" and the other called "Avia Guide To Home Theater".....has anyone had any experience with either.....I would like to know if it is worth buying either one and which one is better....I'm mostly interested in optimizing DD5.1 audio sound for my particular room environment and setting up my RP TV for best contrast/colour/brightness...etc.

Thanks

Both will pretty much get the job done, but AVIA is much more complete in the audio department. It's also better layed out for quick access to specific sections. More video tests, etc.

I've had Video Essentials for almost a year now and I am still a little confused as how to navigate through the menus and chapters. I haven't had a chance to give AVIA a try, but any one of these products would work well for you. Just don't forget to pick up an ANALOG SPL meter from Radio Shack - you'll need it to calibrate your surrounds and center speaker.

Just to emphasize the last poster - get the ANALOGUE meter. Don't "upgrade" to the digital one; it's useless for this purpose.

I'm glad to hear that someone else finds the Video Essentials menus to be impentrable. While I like the disc overall, getting to a certain place on the disc is a real pain.