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!

[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.

[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.)

[extricated]

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

[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...

[needfx]

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

[Kilamite]

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

[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.

[bacaramac]

Mine settings were pretty spot on, however this app wants my brightness up higher then I had before, guess I'll try it out for a bit.

[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

[Dan--]

Originally Posted by bacaramac

Mine settings were pretty spot on, however this app wants my brightness up higher then I had before, guess I'll try it out for a bit.

Can you (or someone) describe how this works?

(Thanks)

[phillipduran]

Sweeet! Downloaded. Cant wait to give this a try when I get home.

[JBaker122586]

Am I really the only person here who has had their TV professionally calibrated?
It makes a ton of difference in the colors.
I don't have a full surround system, so I can't comment on that.

[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.

[WatchTheThrone]

I have a 30 pin converter to component cables I wonder if that would be good enough??

[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!"

[II BISTRO II]

Just tried the app with the Apple TV. The app was simple and intuitive.

Seems my color was up too high and tint too low. Minor adjustments to brightness and saturation.

[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!

[scirica]

Originally Posted by JBaker122586

Am I really the only person here who has had their TV professionally calibrated?
It makes a ton of difference in the colors.
I don't have a full surround system, so I can't comment on that.

You're not alone. I've had my Panasonic 65" VT50 calibrated, and also a 60" Samsung LED before that. Years ago had the Mits RPTV done also. It might be rare for those on this forum, but over on AVS Forum it's very common.