Monitor Colour Calibration

Author: Dennis Lennie

Published 1st November 2008


With the growing acceptance of LCD displays for high end picture monitoring it has become increasingly important that users can be assured that they are working to a known standard.
The Xrite Eye-one is typical of the more simple probes available, and is similar to the probes used to calibrate computer monitors for reliable photographic processing. This looks a little like a computer mouse & hangs over the centre of the screen on a counter balance. Used with a computer to provide a range of calibration signals displayed on the centre of the monitor screen it will provide a simple, reliable measurement of a monitor’s colourimitry. With some monitors, such as TV-Logic, there is also the provision for the computer to connect to the programme port on the monitor so that the probe can be used to accurately recalibrate the monitor.
The advantage of this type of probe is its relatively low cost but it does not provide live measurements & the full calibration process is time consuming.
DK Technologies PM56390 probe does not require a P.C. as it has an integral LCD to display CIE chromaticity data graphically or as values. It offers the ability to take live readings & with the right adapters can be used with both LCD & CRT displays. It is relatively more expensive but offers fast & professional measurement facilities.
The Klein K-10 tri-stimulus CIE Colorimeter Probe was designed specifically for use on all display types, including LCD, CRT, plasma & FED. It is in a similar price bracket to the DK probe and works with a P.C. An LED-aiming feature ensures that the probe is at the correct distance from the display. The software included with the probe gives a live read out of x, y, & Y values as well as a CIE chart showing gamut. Gamut can be compared to EBU & NTSC standards. A very wide range of graphs & charts can be produced & saved, if desired, for long term data logging.
TV-Logic use the K-10 for calibration of all their monitors & software is available to use the Klein to measure & re-calibrate TV-Logic monitors in the field. The programme port is used to communicate with the P.C. that provides test signals, drives the Klein probe, and if required re-calibrates the monitor. It provides a useful CIE chart where you can compare the monitor with EBU & SMPT standards. The software also gives instantaneous readings of key measurements. Both the Klein & DK probes are supplied with traceable calibration certificates.

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