Monitor calibration
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[edit] Introduction
Computer monitors - like televisions - come in many models, makes and factory settings. From CRT to LCD, no brand is really the same, and depending on their quality and label, their colors all vary in quality and display. Unfortunately, most monitors out of the package have incorrect factory settings for proper display - especially the older they are. However, many come with the necessary tools in their software or menus to correct this.
[edit] Calibrating your monitor
Calibrating a monitor for proper color display is important for people viewing - and especially creating - art. Without it, there may be many things you cannot see or are not necessary to see. Calibration depends on three values - brightness, contrast and temperature (the RGB values). Brightness controls black levels, contrast controls white levels, and gamma controls the mid-ranges. The best monitors will display true black to true white on a small gamma curve of 2.2. This is demonstrated in the graph below.
As demonstrated, at gamma 1, there is a non-linear distance between black and white, creating improper color display. As we approach gamma 2.2, the distance between white and black is more evenly spread, creating the proper array of black to white values. Again, to achieve this level of gamma, you only have to adjust brightness, contrast, and color temperature. The image below will help you figure out whether your monitor is correctly adjusted.
- For whites (at top) - to be able to see this correctly, you need to adjust your contrast levels. Contrast deals only with the intensity of whites. If you cannot see all the percentages within the boxes, and the borders between all the values of grays to the large white rectangle, your contrast is not properly adjusted.
- For blacks (at the bottom) - to be able to see this correctly, you need to adjust your brightness levels. Brightness deals with intensity linearly, therefore effecting the true black. If you cannot see all the percentages in the boxes and the borders between all the values of grays to the large black rectangle, your brightness is not properly adjusted.
- To see if your gamma is close to 2.2, stand as far as you can from the box to the right. From a distance, the gray in the middle should be about the same value as the horizontal lines.
- Color temperature should be adjusted if any of these have a tint to them. They are all gray values. Putting each color to the highest level possible while still maintining proper brightness and contrast will help brink more life to the colors you see on your monitor.
[edit] Other Notes
Some things to keep in mind:
- If you have an LCD monitor, viewing angle can sometimes vastly change the way your display. For this reason, being directly in front of your LCD is the only way to properly gauge calibration.
- Bright rooms can also change color display. Make sure the room you are calibrating your monitor in is dimly lit to minimize reflection and glare.
- 16-bit color is too low to properly calibrate a monitor. Make sure your color is set to 24-bit or higher. You can check this by right-clicking on your desktop, selecting "Properties", going to the "Settings" tab, and checking your settings in the Color Quality drop-down menu.
- Gamma anywhere from 1.8 to 2.2 is deemed typically acceptable. Most monitors have a native range anywhere from 1.8 to 2.5.
