Home Theater Hacks

Hack #65. Avoid Using THX Optimizer

Recent DVDs, especially those that are THX-certified, contain a THX Optimizer to calibrate your system. Although this might seem like a feature, avoid using THX Optimizer if at all possible.

One of the cooler logos to see stamped on your favorite DVD is THX-certified or THX-optimized. Most home theater newcomers love seeing the THX label and equate it with better sound and picture. However, what's on the disc and what comes out of your system are often not the same thing. With the release of Star Wars, Episode One on DVD, THX began including an optimizer program with THX-certified DVDs. The basic optimizer tests were supposed to serve as a calibration tool with basic audio and video test patterns for speaker level, phase, and picture settings.

Unfortunately, these tests have proved to be inconsistent and have been criticized by everyone from the average home theater dabbler to professional technicians. There are large differences between the optimizers on different DVDs, as well; Star Wars, Episode One appears to have a completely different optimizer than Star Wars, Episode Two. These discrepancies have caused some to suggest that each test pattern is catered specifically for the disc with which it is bundled, compromising the overall quality of your home theater for one disc's playback. Using a set of accepted, baseline standards [Hack #63] is necessary for accuracy, as no one wants to have to recalibrate for each DVD.

In the end, the THX Optimizer ...