Sencore Corporation Presents The Imaging Science Foundation and The Home Acoustics Alliance 4-Day Training and Certification Seminar

The Sencore sponsored 4-day training seminar was held on February 22nd through February 25th, 2001 at the Volutone facility located in Cerritos, California. The seminar included 2 days of ISF training and 2 days of HAA training. Attendees received a vast amount of knowledge in the area of video setup and calibration as well as acoustic theory and practical applications. The seminar included hands-on experience with some of the latest Sencore test equipment. The Sencore CP288 Color Analyzer and VP300 Multimedia Generator were used during the ISF training. The SP295 Audio Analyzer was used for acoustical analysis during the HAA training. After spending hours with the Sencore equipment during and after the seminar, one thing became clear to me. My own home theater could really benefit from these tools. It's only been a few weeks since ISF posted me as a certified calibration technician at their website, and I've already received phone calls from users asking me to calibrate their displays. Obviously, the equipment is not cheap, yet installers and those interested in calibrating displays and/or setting up sound systems can really profit from this growing industry once they become certified. Sencore has their brochure for the 4-day seminar here along with information to sign-up. The Sencore schedule for upcoming training is listed here. Part I - 2 days of ISF training and certification T he Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) is an organization formed to educate consumers as well as those involved in the industry on all aspects of video technologies - past, present and future. ISF's founder and President Joel Silver, periodically conducts seminars around the country and the world. The course covers important aspects of video technology and how it affects the consumer. Much of the terminology used in the industry is discussed in the seminar providing clarification in an otherwise confusing marketing world. Attendees are required to pass a written exam to receive an ISF certification recognizing them for this training. The ISF also has a certification process for products that meet high video fidelity standards in their opinion. Companies such as California Audio Labs, Da Lite, Krell, Madrigal, Monster Cable, Stewart and Sensory Science have already become part of this program. Recently, the ISF held a 2-day seminar on February 22nd and 23rd at the Volutone facility in Cerritos, CA. Due to the compressed schedule, an ISF pre-test was required for certification. The days were long, but filled with valuable information about current video technologies. Joel Silver presented both days of the ISF seminar. His enthusiasm and knowledge about video made the class both fun and educational. I've always considered myself pretty knowledgable, yet there were many aspects covered in the course that I certainly benefited from. The hands-on portion of the class utilized the Sencore CP288 ColorPro II Color Analyzer and an optical comparator. Test patterns were generated using the Sencore VP300 Multimedia Generator. Once we had a good understanding of the color calibration goals, we each tried to calibrate various displays at the Volutone facility. The following pictures were taken during the training and will hopefully give people a better idea what the course entails. Joel Silver shows us the capabilities of the ISF Displaymate software used for PC display calibration. The right 4:3 display is a Stewart Filmscreen projected with a Toshiba LCD projector. The Color of Gray chart shows us where we want to be on the chromaticity diagram. The upper left 16:9 display is a Stewart Filmscreen projected with a Runco DLP. The lower 16:9 display is a Toshiba 34" direct view television used extensively during the color calibration training. This ISF student uses an optical comparator to visually adjust and match the display's color temperature. Once the adjustment is made, he compares the visual measurements to the readings taken by the Sencore CP288 Color Analyzer. The optical comparator worked surprisingly well and came very close to the optimal color temperature measured with the Sencore CP288. Joel was great at making sure all students had a chance to calibrate the display using either the optical comparator or the Secore color analyzer. Joel discusses video issues with his attendees during a break. ISF students spend time color calibrating a Sampo 34" 16:9 television in another room. Students look at the results of their work by viewing some reference images. The goals of the Imaging Science Foundation are appreciated by all attendees involved with calibrating the display. Sit back and enjoy!

Part II - 2 days of HAA training and certification

T he Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA) was formed as a professional training organization dedicated to home acoustics. The goal of the organization is to maximize the most effective use of acoustical design and calibration techniques geared specifically for home installations. The HAA also strives to bring together Manufacturers, Home Theater Professionals, and Consumers to pursue the best acoustics possible though training. Gerry Lemay Of Quest Acoustical Interiors presented both days of the HAA seminar and has a lot of knowledge in the area of acoustics and the topics covered in the HAA training were geared specifically for home theater installations. The training made use of the Sencore Sencore SP295 Audio Analyzer for measuring and evaluating audio characteristics.

Gerry gets ready for his technical presentation on acoustics. Much of the material to be covered focuses on basic sound concepts. Although some found it a little too technical, the material was essential for understanding what we needed to achieve in the acoustical environment.

Gerry Lemay explains the significance of Reverberation analysis. Some specific topics covered here were RT60, Direct Sound, First Reflections, and Early Reflections.

Jerry Cook from Sencore helps with the SP295 Audio Analyzer. Having Gerry Lemay from the HAA along with the support of the Sencore folks made the training complete.

A few HAA attendees talk to Gerry Lemay about measurements made with the Sencore SP295.

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