THX OPTIMODE

Improvements within reach...

In order to answer the numerous questions on whether or not the THX Optimode is really useful, here are the basics of this tool dedicated to audio-video configuration.

Reminder : The THX company finished perfecting the audio and video test battery in the year 2000. Lucas himself ordered the Lucas films laboratories to work on the improvement of an audio and video signal regulating system.
This program, taken over by the THX approved mastering labs for DVD, was baptized "Optimode". It allows consumers to improve sound reproduction using a pink sound adjuster "Test Tone" (breath of air generated by the amplifier in order to adjust the speakers) and video broadcasting. Some DVD’s can therefore offer a personalized optimization (type of colormetrical ambiance chosen by the producer) since test cards allow the spectator to configurate the image making it correspond exactly (colormetrical differences…ndlr).

These easy-to-perform tests were inspired by the one given in the DVD "Video Essentials" and other "AVIA". In addition, for the less fortunate, the magazine « Les années laser » gives an almost identical version in its first edition "DVD collector".
Even better, THX will send you a blue filter that allows an ideal adjustment of shade and color. Just write to - via their official web site -

N.B : The first films to use THX Optimode were the special editions (zone 1) of Fight Club and Terminator II. Today other titles even in zone 2 (such as The Crimson Rivers) are available for sale.