OTHER TECH

High-Def Tests

Q. With the introduction of HD DVD and now Blu-ray players to the market, will there be home theater calibration discs in either format for calibrating TVs to ATSC digital television standards? Scott Messbarger WESTERVILLE, OH

A. Al Griffin says: An HD DVD version of video expert Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials test disc is in the works, scheduled for release sometime this fall. No such news yet for Blu-ray, but here's an Easter egg for ya if you're waiting: A suite of test patterns embedded in Sony's Blu-ray releases can be accessed by pressing 7669 (the numerical equivalent of SONY) on the player's remote control, followed by the Enter key.

Pause Cause?

Q. I have a couple of DVD players that delay for about a half-second during the middle of a movie. Both players are 2 years old or less. What causes this problem, and what can I do to prevent it? Wayne Crith TOPEKA, KS

A. Al Griffin says: The problem you cite isn't a defect; it's caused by the player's laser mechanism refocusing to read the second data layer on a dual-layer disc. The length of a layer-change pause varies from player to player and disc to disc. Unfortunately, you can't prevent it, short of finding another player with a less pronounced pause.

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