HQV Benchmark DVD Testing Part 2
Detail Test
This test is very useful in showing how well a DVD player can display
image detail. The image shown on the Silicon Optix test disc gives you several
key elements to examine when making the pass/fail deterination. The image should
be highly detailed, with no obvious ringing (artificial white edges) in the stairs, grass, and statue. The
bricks in the bridge should be well defined.
Scoring:
10 - Statue, stairs, grass and bricks in the bridge have fine detail - image looks realistic
5 - Fine detail is evident, but edges appear overly sharpened, possible ringing (white halo)
0 - Overall image appears soft or jaggies appear in the stairs
Noise Reduction
This test displays the DVD player's ability
to filter out noise. A sequence of motion images (some with notated insets explaining what the image
should look like) appears allowing you to see the real effects
of any noise reduction circuitry. The image should be clear and free of
grain, and little to no speckling should be noticed in the background.
In addition, the image should not be blurred. Many DVD players and
video devices claim noise reduction, but do not exhibit any noticeable
effects in real-world use.
Scoring:
10 - Level of noise is noticeable reduced without loss of image detail or blurring
5 - Some noise reduction or noise reduction with some image detail loss (blurring)
0 - No noise reduction or significant loss of detail when NR circuitry is engaged
Motion adaptive Noise
Reduction
Motion is not to be
confused with noise. Some processors don't know the difference, so when
noise reduction is engaged, objects in motion become blurred or edges
appear to ghost behind an object. If a unit fails Noise Reduction
it, by definition, fails this test as well, but good noise reduction
can translate into not-so-good noise reduction once the images start to
move across the screen.
10 - Sky exhibits noise reduction and image detail is sharp and crisp. No motion trails
5 - Some noise is evident int he sky and/or the image is soft. Motion trails or blurring
0 - Noise clearly present in the sky and/or motion trails clearly visible
Film Detail Test (aka "Unflagged 2-3 Pulldown test")
DVDs are recorded at 24 frames per second, just like the films from which they came. If a DVD player cannot correctly translate this to 30 or 60 frames per second (as needed) then the result is a significant potential for artifacting, in this case a moire pattern. Using a race track with highly-detailed and naturally highly-contrasted stands the goal is: the shorter the lock-on time, the better. The image should also remain detailed during the process.
Scoring:10 - Fast lock on (<0.2 seconds or 5 frames) and no moire pattern visible
5 - Slow lock-on (~0.5 seconds or 15 frames)
0 - Excessive lock-on time or persistent, or reoccurring moire pattern visible
Cadence Tests
This section of the HQV Benchmark DVD checks for a player or display's ability to handle typical as well as unusual cadences. These include conversions that will frequently happen in documentaries, film transfer, Anime transfer, DV camcorders and more. Provided a device passes the 2-3 cadence, we're happy. 2-2 is welcome and anything else is a bonus. All tests are unflagged and rely solely on the processor to analyze and respond to the video material.
Scoring (each):5 - Lock on, pass
0 - Failure to lock onto the cadence
Mixed 3-2 Film with Added Video Titles
Some studios enter a world of hurt when they take film-sourced material and then overlay scrolling or crawling text on top (think end credits or even video effects like scene transitions. Now the processor attempts to hold its 2-3 lock on the background image while a 30fps image overlay is processed as well.
Scoring:
10 - Crisp text with smooth crawl and no jaggies in background images
5 - Smooth scrolling text but artifacts and jaggies in background images
0 - Tearing or combing in the crawling text
