Instruction Manual. 1 Page

Transcription

1 Instruction Manual 1 Page

2 Introduction A reference pattern generator is an essential piece of equipment in the video calibration process. Most, if not all, certified and experienced calibrators utilize this tool for a number of reasons. A true reference, speed, and universal across multiple displays, just to name a few. However, reference pattern generators are expensive, most in the low to mid thousand dollar range, and typically out of reach for the average diy'er. This is where my reference advanced calibration disc becomes an extremely cheaper option. My advanced calibration disc allows you to utilize your existing Blu-ray player as a pattern generator and calibrate, not only your display, but the entire video chain. Why is this important and how does this give my calibration disc the upper hand over a reference pattern generator in some scenarios? During a typical video calibration, the calibrator disconnects one of your displays inputs, connects their pattern generator, and for the most part can bring your display close within industry standards. Perfect, right? Not exactly, let me explain. After the calibration is completed, the calibrator will then reconnect your video source equipment, including your Blu-ray player, and just like that your calibration is altered. Most, if not all, Blu-ray players cannot decode color properly and now you are at the mercy of your Blu-ray players decoder, as it will alter the output of the disc before it even makes it to your newly calibrated display. My disc can eliminate this issue by simply utilizing your Blu-ray player as the pattern generator. This method still allows you to calibrate the error out of your display, by way of your Blu-ray player, essentially correcting the Blu-ray player s improper color decoding when making adjustment on your display during calibration. Nothing will ever replace a good reference pattern generator, I've just designed a cheaper option for the average diy'er enthusiast. Quick Links R.Masciola s Advanced Calibration Disc (AVS Forum) R.Masciola s Advanced Calibration Disc (Official Site) 2 Page

3 The Main Menu The main menu is comprised of 3 submenu options Basic Setup Patterns, Advanced Setup Menu, and Miscellaneous Patterns. The Basic Setup Patterns and Miscellaneous Patterns were designed to adjust your display by eye. The Advanced Setup Menu requires calibration software, along with a colorimeter and/or spectroradiometer to take full advantage of the advanced setup patterns. Here is a list of popular calibration software: Calibration software HCHR - A free yet very intuitive calibration software that is compatible with a wide variety of meters. Coined as a Video Projector/Monitor Calibration Software originally developed as ColorHCFR. This code base is based off version 2.1 and will aim for a more open development process. The opensource version integrates an ArgyllCMS interface for continued meter support and development. ChromaPure - A paid for software built around a very simplistic yet powerful infrastructure. Designed to be familiar to anyone who has ever surfed the web. Simply click one of the buttons along the left side of the program window to open one of its modules. Each module performs a different video calibration function and allows the user to quickly bring a any video display with adequate controls into conformity with industry standards. Calman - A paid for software with an extremely powerful engine, customizable workflows, and compatible with almost all available meters, reference pattern generators, and standalone video processors. One of the most comprehensive and flexible calibration software packages available. 3 Page

4 Basic Setup Patterns The Basic Setup Patterns section is designed to help you with the basic setup adjustments of your display s contrast, Brightness, color, color clipping, sharpness and overscan. This menu is comprised of 8 different sub menus Meter Position, Meter Profile, Black Clipping, White Clipping, Color Bars, Color Clipping 1, Color Clipping 2, and Sharpness. In this section I will go over all 8 different sub menu patterns with definitions, descriptions, and best practices regarding the basic setup of your display. The first 2 sub menu patterns, Meter Position and Meter Profile both require a meter and calibration software. The remaining 6 sub menu patterns can be adjusted by eye. Basic display setup and configuration, though not a full calibration, done properly, can possibly get you 50% to 60% of the way there depending on your display. Typically by selecting a more accurate out of the box preset on your display, disabling all extra processing, and following my basic setup workflow, you could potentially end up with a fairly accurate looking Picture. 4 Page

5 Basic Setup Patterns continued Meter Position This pattern was designed to help center your meter to your display for video calibration. This pattern can be skipped for basic adjustments. White Clipping This pattern was designed to helps with your display s Contrast adjustment. Start off by raising your contrast as high as your display will allow without bar 235 disappearing or your overall picture discoloring. Some displays can adjust to the max setting without any anomalies. If this is the case, you can then utilize your contrast adjustment to help set your display s peak light output. Color Profiling A series of White, Red, Green, and Blue color patches to assist in creating a color matrix. This color matrix based on your spectro s measurements will then be utilized by your colorimeter to reference during your calibration session. Color Bars You can use this pattern to set color and tint controls with a blue filter. If your display is one of the few that includes a blue only mode, it can be used in place of a blue filter. If not, there are several different ways to obtain color filters online. 5 Page

6 Basic Setup Patterns continued Black Clipping This pattern was designed to help with your display s brightness adjustment. Start off by raising your brightness to where you see flashing bars past the reference point 16 and slowly lower your display s brightness until you can barely see bar 17 flashing. Color Clipping 1 You can use this pattern to set your display s color adjustment. Raise the color control slowly until you see colors stop flashing below 235 at that point, then lower the adjustment by a click or two until you have flashing at 235 for all colors. Color Clipping 2 This pattern merely shows where your colors are clipping on the other end of the spectrum. Not Vidal if all colors aren t flashing to mark 17, just so long as none of the colors flash past mark 17 or further. Sharpness & Overscan You can use this pattern to properly adjust your display s sharpness and/or set your overscan to fill the screen properly. You can typically lower your sharpness setting to lowest value and be fine. However, if the image looks a little soft, then raise the Value until you see ringing or noise around any of the black bars/lines within the pattern, then take it back down a click or two. Overscan can be adjusted by the 4 overscan marks within the pattern. For absolutely no overscan, select your display s setting that exposes the entire white border outline of the pattern. 6 Page

7 Advanced Setup Menu The Advanced Setup Menu is designed to assist in full on display video calibrations. This menu is comprised of a multitude of sub menus and more in depth sub menus. These advanced patterns were designed for specific uses, coincide with different displays, and display technologies. The 2% window patterns help with peak luminance measurements on plasma display panels. The 4% and 6.5% window patches helped with most Samsung and Panasonic plasma display s aggressive ABL circuitry. The 10% and 15% window patches were the go to sizes for a wide variety of other plasma displays manufactures including Pioneer and others. The Full Field patterns were specifically created for LCD and projection display technology. The Average Picture Level patterns or ABL were designed around a theory of constant luminance patterns to help accurately calibrate newer plasma display panels and manage there aggressive ABL circuitry. This section requires a meter and calibration software to fully take advantage of these advanced test patterns. These patterns assist in full calibration and adjustment of grayscale, gamma, and all aspects of color. I recommend GREYSCALE & COLOUR CALIBRATION FOR DUMMIES for beginners as this will walk you through the basics of video calibration. 7 Page

8 Misc. Test Patterns The Misc. Test Patterns section is comprised of a multitude of miscellaneous test patterns to assist in testing and exposing any inaccuracies and/or errors within your display s ability to process the displayed pattern. The menu has 8 sub menus, Contrast Ratio, ANSI Contrast, Dynamic Contrast, Grayscale Ramp, Grayscale Steps, Color Steps, Color Luminance, and Color Decoding. The next menu, a continuation of the Misc. Test Patterns, has 4 sub menus comprised of reference pictures for observation of skin tones and other useful images. In this section I will go over all 12 different sub menu patterns with definitions, descriptions, and best practices regarding testing of your display. The first 2 sub menu patterns, Contrast Ratio and ANSI Contrast both require a meter and calibration software. The remaining 6 sub menu patterns can be adjusted by eye. 8 Page

9 Misc. Test Patterns continued Contrast Ratio This pattern was designed to be utilized with a meter to test the absolute peak luminance and dynamic contrast ratio of your display. dynamically adjusting picture levels. Dynamic Contrast This pattern Primarily is utilized to quickly observe any possible changes that might occur as APL varies. As the full field pattern cycles, watch for any changes within the grayscale window. If the grayscale changes with the cycle, your display is ANSI Contrast This pattern was designed to be utilized with a meter to take ANSI contrast measurement of your display. This will provide a true representation of your displays native contrast. Grayscale Ramp The ramp exhibits the entire grayscale range of 1 through 254. The white dots indicate the location of reference black (16) and the black dots indicate reference white (235). 9 Page

10 Misc. Test Patterns continued Grayscale Steps This image shows grayscale bars for black through white (16-235) at 5% steps, a 5% above white (246) and below black (5) bars, and bars for maximumwhite (254) and minimum-black (1). Color luminance This pattern can be used to observe how the primary colors (red, green, blue) relate to gray. Color filters are needed for this pattern. Color Steps The image contains bars, from level 16 through 235 at 5% steps, for each of the primary and secondary colors. There are matching gray levels next to each color bar for reference. Color Decoding This pattern shows red, green, and blue bars (primary colors) with gray and the two related secondary colors (yellow, cyan, magenta) flashing on top. Above and below each primary color the two secondary colors related to the primary color also flash in between. 10 Page

11 Misc. Test Patterns continued Reference 1 This pattern was designed to observe differences between skin tones, grayscale, and colors for reference. Reference 3 This pattern is utilized as a random color and resolution reference of nature. Reference 2 This pattern was designed to show a variation of gamma, its effect on skin tone, and aspect ratio for reference. Reference 4 This pattern is utilized as a random color and resolution reference of landscape. 11 Page

12 R.Masciola s Advanced Calibration Disc Pattern Structure Main Menu Credits Basic Setup Meter Position Meter Profile Black Clipping White Clipping Color Bars Color Clipping 1 Color Clipping 2 Sharpness Advanced Setup 2%, 4%, 4%APL, 5%APL 6.5%, & Full Field 2%APL, 10%, 10%APL, & 15% 11 Step Grayscale 21 Step Grayscale 10 Step Gamma 20 Step Gamma Color 75% Amplitude Color 100% Amplitude Sat. Sweep/75% Amp. Sat. Sweep/100% Amp. 75% Amp./75% Sat. Near Black Above White Contrast Ratio Color Checker 11 Step Grayscale 21 Step Grayscale 10 Step Gamma 20 Step Gamma Color 75% Amplitude Color 100% Amplitude Contrast Ratio Color Checker Misc. Test Patterns Contrast Ratio ANSI Contrast Dynamic Contrast Grayscale Ramps Grayscale Steps Color Steps Color Luminance Color Decoding Reference 1 Reference 2 Reference 3 Reference 4 12 Page