THX Releases iPhone App to Calibrate Televisions and Surround Sound Systems

[MacRumors]

THX, the company behind Lucasfilm's audio/visual reproduction standard for movie theaters, A/V equipment, and more, has released a new iPhone app to assist consumers with calibrating their HDTV's and home theater setups. The app is currently free for one week, but will rise to $1.99 after.

THX prefers that users connect the app to their television via Apple's official HDMI adapter, but AirPlay Mirroring can also be used for the visual tests -- audio tests won't work over the AirPlay protocol.

But those that do try out THX's method will be rewarded with modest improvements. In our tests, it worked as advertised. Speaking to The Verge, company reps made clear that Tune-Up isn't meant to be a substitute for having a professional visit your home for a thorough calibration. Instead, it's a tool that can (fairly quickly) help your new TV look better than it did the first time you turned it on. And as an added bonus, you'll be able to play the famous "deep note" that moviegoers hear before THX-certified movies in lossless audio.

THX tune-up is a free download on the App Store for 1 week, before rising to $1.99. [Direct Link]

Article Link: THX Releases iPhone App to Calibrate Televisions and Surround Sound Systems

[inlinevolvo]

Very cool. Though the 49 dollars apple wants for the cable, not so much.

[M-O]

the audience is now deaf.

[voyagerd]

Ooooooh! Installing!

[ccmovies]

Originally Posted by inlinevolvo

Very cool. Though the 49 dollars apple wants for the cable, not so much.

But if the cable were some how "defective," you could return it...

[Kilamite]

I got bored and kept playing THX Deep Note through my 5.1 up loud. Slightly turned on right now.

[malexandria]

Originally Posted by inlinevolvo

Very cool. Though the 49 dollars apple wants for the cable, not so much.

Love the concept but not sure how this works. I tried Airplay for a week and it was a terrible experience, not sure how calibrating a TV via Airplay would work, and then $49 for an adapter? No thank you. I bought the Digital Essentials Blu-ray off of Amazon last year for $30.

[Pakaku]

Deep note, yesss

[nicholc2]

This will be cool for folks to hopefully get their sets out of the default "torch" mode that most start in, but definitely doesn't replace a full calibration. I'll probably install it just to see what it says about my tv and sound, though I have a 7.1 setup, not 5.1. Should be fun, nonetheless.

[extricated]

I'm eager to try it, but not sure just how much improvement I'll get.
So ... getting it while it's free!

[needfx]

"Hey, guys. I brought my cousin THX-1138." - Robot Chicken

[RedTomato]

'Deep notes' are quite easy to produce. Getting the right vibrato does depend on what you had to eat recently.

Bonus: extra room near you.

On topic: Blazing Saddles. *That scene*.

(For the uninitiated: baked beans. Say no more.)

[camnchar]

Originally Posted by RedTomato

On topic: Blazing Saddles. *That scene*.

(For the uninitiated: baked beans. Say no more.)

"How about some more beans, Mr. Taggart?"

"I'd say you've had enough!"

[peterh988]

Originally Posted by RedTomato

On topic: Blazing Saddles. *That scene*.

(For the uninitiated: baked beans. Say no more.)

That scene has a whole other dimension when watched with subtitles!

[ifij775]

Professional calibration? I'd wager a fraction of a percent of home systems have had that.

[Kilamite]

Originally Posted by ifij775

Professional calibration? I'd wager a fraction of a percent of home systems have had that.

It's a gimmick and marketing ploy.

[ifij775]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

It's a gimmick and marketing ploy.

Yea, you could spend hundreds on a professional or buy this cheap app. Knowing no one gets a professional besides the home theaters on Cribs

[basesloaded190]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

It's a gimmick and marketing ploy.

Not really. You don't need to have a professional do it, but having your system (both video and audio) will dramatically change the experience.

[canman4PM]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

It's a gimmick and marketing ploy.

Perhaps. It's probably nothing more than an advanced version of the THX calibration program that comes with all DVDs and Blu-rays that are THX mastered. Which, if it can use your i-device's camera, will probably make it easier to calibrate colour and brightness/contrast. If that is so, it's worth the $2. But free is better.

[nicholc2]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

It's a gimmick and marketing ploy.

If done properly it is in no way a gimmick or marketing ploy. It makes a HUGE difference in the viewing experience. Night and day on most TVs if done properly.

[dckcentaur]

I downloaded the app and restarted my iPhone and I have 2 apple tv's one 2nd and one 3rd gen. I also installed on my iPad and I cant get the airplay to show the video screens for Picture adjustment just the sound goes to apple tv's and a black picture . The get started video at the beginning of the app works as it should picture and sound . Its only when going to adjustments is anybody else having the same issue

My Apple TV is on the iOS 5.2 release yesterday n the iPad and iPhone are on 6.1

[jazytsax]

Originally Posted by dckcentaur

I downloaded the app and restarted my iPhone and I have 2 apple tv's one 2nd and one 3rd gen. I also installed on my iPad and I cant get the airplay to show the video screens for Picture adjustment just the sound goes to apple tv's and a black picture . The get started video at the beginning of the app works as it should picture and sound . Its only when going to adjustments is anybody else having the same issue

My Apple TV is on the iOS 5.2 release yesterday n the iPad and iPhone are on 6.1

I have this same issue-- iPhone 4 with Apple TV3. Videos work fine but the picture in calibration mode is blank on my screen.

[peterh988]

Originally Posted by dckcentaur

I downloaded the app and restarted my iPhone and I have 2 apple tv's one 2nd and one 3rd gen. I also installed on my iPad and I cant get the airplay to show the video screens for Picture adjustment just the sound goes to apple tv's and a black picture . The get started video at the beginning of the app works as it should picture and sound . Its only when going to adjustments is anybody else having the same issue

My Apple TV is on the iOS 5.2 release yesterday n the iPad and iPhone are on 6.1

You need to turn mirroring on on your phone to get the adjustment screen to show on the TV

Double click the home button to get to the bottom menu where you can select or close (wiggly) apps, swipe L-R twice, and use the airplay symbol found there to turn mirroring on (and off again when you,ve done!)

[binaryskies]

You can always go through Geek Squad to get it calibrated. The THX app is pretty cool tho. I had my TV calibrated by Geek Squad (with a discount due to me working for Geek Squad) and its night and day difference.

[dckcentaur]

Originally Posted by peterh988

You need to turn mirroring on on your phone to get the adjustment screen to show on the TV

Double click the home button to get to the bottom menu where you can select or close (wiggly) apps, swipe L-R twice, and use the airplay symbol found there to turn mirroring on (and off again when you,ve done!)

Thanks in the app it said Apple TV (mirroring on) so I was looking for a setting in Apple TV . I never really use AirPlay besides for music from my Mac . Learn something new everyday