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Colour calibrating TVs
- Thread starter jammiefreerider
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I've calibrated several TV's for myself and friends and family using this guide:-
GREYSCALE & COLOUR CALIBRATION FOR DUMMIES
I use this sensor, X-Rite Eye-One Display LT
It's expensive to buy new if you're only going to use it once, but I picked up a second hand one on ebay for half the price.
And I use this software, HCFR Colormeter. You'll also need a test disk that contains 0-100IRE grey scale test patterns and RGBCMY color test patterns, you can buy one or there are plenty of free ones that can be dowloaded and burnt to DVD.
Everything you need is explained in the guide, but the most important calibration and the one that will make the largest difference is actually grey scale calibration, all I will say is that once you've seen a properly calibrated display you'll never go back to eye-balling and guessing settings again.
GREYSCALE & COLOUR CALIBRATION FOR DUMMIES
I use this sensor, X-Rite Eye-One Display LT
It's expensive to buy new if you're only going to use it once, but I picked up a second hand one on ebay for half the price.
And I use this software, HCFR Colormeter. You'll also need a test disk that contains 0-100IRE grey scale test patterns and RGBCMY color test patterns, you can buy one or there are plenty of free ones that can be dowloaded and burnt to DVD.
Everything you need is explained in the guide, but the most important calibration and the one that will make the largest difference is actually grey scale calibration, all I will say is that once you've seen a properly calibrated display you'll never go back to eye-balling and guessing settings again.
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If it's going to cost me a minimum of $70 I sure as heck will stick with eyeballing! LOL
Yes, it's not for everyone. But I look at it this way, If I'm going to spend a sizable amount on a TV and I want the very best out of it then an extra $70 is a small price to pay.
Plus if you are only going to use it once then there's nothing stopping you from selling it again afterwards and recovering most of your money back.
Plus if you are only going to use it once then there's nothing stopping you from selling it again afterwards and recovering most of your money back.
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It's roidy, but hey what the hell you're welcome anyway
Free and better option, go to the Avs forums and get the free calibration disk.
Just download and burn or AirPlay!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948496
Yep, like I said in my first post, there are plenty of free test pattern disks you can burn yourself. But to get an accurate calibration you still need a colorimeter, eyeballing settings while looking at a test pattern disk will only get you so far.
If you have a good source (whether plasma, lcd or projector) you would be an absolute mug not to have it calibrated professionally. The proper accurate measuring gear will cost more than the TV.
I spent months trying to sort out my plasma, a 60" Pioneer Kuro, by using discs etc and thought it was ok. Eventually I managed to find a ISF certified technician to come and do the calibration properly. It took hours for him to do but now I have ISF DAY and ISF NIGHT settings in addition to the usual USER, MOVIE etc.
It now looks so much more natural than before and if you flick back to my old settings the colours are all pink. The day settings are for max light output before the screen starts to clip the white with the black pushed up so you can see shadow details in day light. The night settings are set to be as black as low as possible without crushing the shadow details, with the white being dialled back as not to cause eye strain during nighttime viewing. These settings have also been adjusted for correct colours, gamma and grey scale.
It cost around $250 (can't exactly remember as it was 2-3 yrs ago.) As a percentage of the screen price this is less than 5% and for the improvement was an absolute bargain.
I spent months trying to sort out my plasma, a 60" Pioneer Kuro, by using discs etc and thought it was ok. Eventually I managed to find a ISF certified technician to come and do the calibration properly. It took hours for him to do but now I have ISF DAY and ISF NIGHT settings in addition to the usual USER, MOVIE etc.
It now looks so much more natural than before and if you flick back to my old settings the colours are all pink. The day settings are for max light output before the screen starts to clip the white with the black pushed up so you can see shadow details in day light. The night settings are set to be as black as low as possible without crushing the shadow details, with the white being dialled back as not to cause eye strain during nighttime viewing. These settings have also been adjusted for correct colours, gamma and grey scale.
It cost around $250 (can't exactly remember as it was 2-3 yrs ago.) As a percentage of the screen price this is less than 5% and for the improvement was an absolute bargain.