DVD Cases: The Ultimate Test? (1 Viewer)

[Troubador]

Following many and varied posts it is clear that DVD cases have emerged as the new 'Gold Standard' for testing the optical qualities of binoculars.

However we need to establish clear methodology when employing these fiendishly subtle and devastatingly revealing pieces of technology.

1) For the most stringent of all tests you need to use a Blu-Ray DVD case.

2) For testing porro-prism bins employ a 3D case.

3) The results must be posted at least 6 times on all live threads to be considered for peer review.

Failure to comply invalidates all the results.

LOL

Lee

 

[bh46118]

I thought my silver maple test was the new reference. :brains:

 

[Torview]

I have 300+ Laserdiscs surely prime testing material for vintage binoculars.

 

[newfie ghost]

There is a problem with testing words and letters. Word recognition is partially top down and facilitated by knowledge of the language. Thus partial recognition of some features may compensate for weaker cues resulting in a correct identification of the word. This has been shown empirically many years ago.

Cn yu undrstnd ths, fro exmple? Of cours u can becuse off yur knwldge.

I like the silver maple test as well, or other intricate detailed objects with complex lines dots and shapes.

 

[ceasar]

I thought my silver maple test was the new reference. :brains:

I have plenty of those in my back yard! My neighbor want's me to cut one down. My wife wants to keep it to shade the pool. I find that binoculars test easier on them when the leaves have fallen off. Right now they are "50 shades of Green!"

Bob

 

[Troubador]

HaHa

The trouble with the silver maple test is that it is so restful it is easy to doze off into a dreamworld where nobody compares Nikon porros to other bins, and where Zeiss HTs are in all the shops. The other issue is that the pesky maples are all different so tests aren't repeatable by different folks in different locations.

Torviews laser discs are definitely spot on for those vintage pieces. Is there a testing niche for VHS/Betamax cases?

Lee

 

[jogiba]

Or better yet try reading the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/ ) in portrait mode on the 3.5" 960x640 pixel Retina display on the iPhone 4/4s or iPod Touch 4G from 12 ft away.

 

[stereotruckdriver]

:-o lol!!! The new standard! Priceless!!! Bryce...

 

[James Bean]

Personally, I prefer Harry Nilsson LP Album covers at ten paces, "The Point!" having proved to be especially efficacious. In some light conditions, Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Himself" cannot be beaten for contrast, yet the acid test is surely a "With the Beatles" compact cassette...?

 

[bh46118]

Watching paint dry is an excellent test for resolution. :eat:

 

[FrankD]

I prefer watching grass grow. If your binoculars can show you that then their resolution is exceptional!

 

[David Swain]

I test by viewing a section of my neighbor's roof on which the shingles, which are sun-baked and curling and have fascinating bits of fungus growing on them. As this roof is about to be replaced, I am willing to salvage this section of shingles and provide them to BFers (for a modest fee, plus handling) in order to finally provide a standard optical test target.

Shy of that, we should all agree to the same CD cover. I vote for Dark Side of the Moon.

David

 

[bh46118]

This one as well as the Floyd album could make a good pair. Not to mention the killer tunes.

I test by viewing a section of my neighbor's roof on which the shingles, which are sun-baked and curling and have fascinating bits of fungus growing on them. As this roof is about to be replaced, I am willing to salvage this section of shingles and provide them to BFers (for a modest fee, plus handling) in order to finally provide a standard optical test target.

Shy of that, we should all agree to the same CD cover. I vote for Dark Side of the Moon.

David

 

[Torview]

Shy of that, we should all agree to the same CD cover. I vote for Dark Side of the Moon.

David

I`m a Vaughan Williams fan so "The Lark ascending" for me, with his "Wasps" Overture for close focus assessment.

 

[mooreorless]

This one as well as the Floyd album could make a good pair. Not to mention the killer tunes.

My vote is for Mike and the Mechanics album cover, the lines on the left side of the fan blade are great.

 

[David Swain]

There is still the matter of what adult beverage to drink while doing this exacting test. I believe Sancho prefers a light asian lager. I would opt for a Belgian saison. With some very sharp cheddar.

Dennis, if you're still out there, we love ya, man!

David

 

[Torview]

Maybe someone could launch a range of Alphapops.

 

[pompadour]

I'd have another look at Frank's sign-off quote. OCD cases making fun of DVD cases! All because one of us is a bit more enthusiastic (or OC) than the rest of us. In the still larger view, to most of the world it is as strange that adults should look through bins at birds as at these things!

Now to get serious. I find most of the popular recordings above are of Galilean vintage so shall conform. Abraxas by Santana for res., colour rendition, contrast. Not sure how good the print quality is on the CD version, and whether the full pic. is reproduced and wraps round to the back. The original painting is at the foll. link, and might possibly be tested on an Apple Retina display: http://www.matiklarweinart.com/en/gallery/annunciation-1961.htm.

 

[Troubador]

Pompadour

Denis's enthusiasm is an inspiration and/or warning (choose which is appropriate) to us all.

Lee

 

[pompadour]

Lee, I agree. By "more enthusiastic" I meant in a certain way - tending to persuasion more than explanation - and risking other developments! Dennis (hi!), thanks for enlivening things, but if everyone else were to do it that way there'd be chaos!