Tomasz Wadowski
Imagine that in the evening we sit down in front of the television, ready for a screening of our favourite film. The lights dim, drinks and snacks are at hand, and we await the moment when the image on the screen draws us completely into another world. We count on realistic colours, perfect details, and deep blacks that will make us forget about reality and transport us right into the heart of the action. However, it often happens that the effect does not meet our expectations – the colours look too bright, and details disappear in the dark areas of the image. What causes this? Many of you may think that once taken out of the box, the television is ready for perfect image display. Unfortunately, factory settings are often calibrated to attract attention in brightly lit shops, rather than to provide subtle experiences in the comfort of our living rooms. This is where display calibration comes in – a process that allows for extracting maximum image quality and elevates our viewing experience to a whole new level. In this article, you will learn a bit about display calibration, the myths surrounding it, and references to information available online.
What is Calibration and Why Does it Matter?
Calibration is the process of precisely adjusting the parameters of a display – such as colours, contrast, brightness, and white balance – in order to achieve an image that most faithfully represents reality. While factory settings may look appealing at first glance, they are typically designed to catch the attention of customers in brightly lit shop conditions. Such settings often have boosted colours and contrast, which may seem striking at first glance, but in reality can be far from natural.
Display calibration is like tuning a musical instrument. The original factory settings can be compared to loud playing on an untuned guitar – the sound is there, but it lacks harmony and precision. Similarly, a display without calibration may show an image that at first glance appears attractive, but does not convey the subtleties and nuances of visual content.
What Equipment is Used for Display Calibration?
Display calibration is a process that requires the appropriate tools. Contrary to what one might think, it is not enough to simply change the settings in the menu of the television to achieve professional results. Here are some key devices used to carry out precise calibration:
JETI SpectraVal 1511 HiRes and Specbos 1211 spectroradiometers - 44,300 and 66,500 PLN
Klein K10 and Klein K80 colorimeters - 27,500 and 44,000 PLN
Murideo Six-G, Seven-G 8K signal generators - 13,800 and 38,700 PLN
Reference player, movies, and test material - 3,000 PLN
Calman 5 Ultimate software, ColourSpace, LightSpace CMS, VirtualForge - 16,600 PLN
As can be seen, display calibration tools are not among the cheapest. A professional colorimeter or spectrophotometer is an investment that can range from several hundred to several thousand zlotys, depending on the model and accuracy of the device. For those who want to be sure they know how to correctly carry out the calibration process, it is worth considering participating in specialised training. To acquire skills and certification, it is often necessary to take part in courses led by professionals. Such a four-day course, culminating in certification, costs around 10 thousand zlotys. We have all of them on board: THX, isf, and PVA.
Internet Settings – Why Aren't They Always Perfect?
It is often possible to find recommended image settings for televisions and monitors online that are supposed to improve the quality of the displayed image. Although they can serve as a good starting point, they are not the ideal solution for every device. The reason is simple: each display, even the same model, can differ in parameters due to individual panel characteristics, the age of the device, or usage conditions.
Professional calibration is tailored to the specific unit and takes its specifics into account, allowing for optimal results. Settings found online may yield satisfactory effects, but they cannot replace the precision that comes from calibration conducted on-site with the use of appropriate tools.
Market Calibration, also known as optimisation
Many sellers offer basic "calibration" at a low price. This procedure involves a quick optimisation of the settings to make the screens look better in the subjective perception of the viewer rather than according to a reference image. Although it produces a noticeable effect, it is far from the ideal parameters that can be achieved through professional calibration. As a result, televisions may look good in bright light, but lose their magic in the comfort of home.
What Are the Benefits of Calibration?
Natural Colours: Calibrated displays present colours that are true to life – from subtle skin tones to deep greens of forests.
White Balance and Brightness: Professional calibration eliminates white tinting and adjusts brightness so that the image is neither glaring nor too dark.
Better Experience: Watching films, playing games, and editing photos becomes a pleasure, with the image closely reflecting the creators' intent.
Preservation of Details in Dark and Bright Areas: Calibration helps bring out details in very bright and dark areas of the image, making night scenes or sunlit scenes more legible and realistic.
Reduction of Eye Strain: A calibrated screen provides more natural and balanced light, making viewing less tiring, especially during long sessions or while working at the screen.
Myths About Calibration
Many myths have arisen around display calibration, often discouraging people from taking this step. Below we present some of the most popular:
“Calibration is only for professionals”: This is a common myth. While professionals in graphics, photography, or film production often utilise calibration, individuals watching films or playing games can also benefit from accurately rendered colours and improved image quality.
“Factory settings are sufficient”: Televisions and monitors are set up in factories in a way that catches the eye in bright retail conditions. This means that colours are often overly saturated and brightness is set to a very high level. Calibration allows for the adjustment of the screen to home conditions, providing a more natural image.
“Calibration destroys the lifespan of the display”: This is a misunderstanding. Calibration adjusts brightness, contrast, and colour reproduction to ensure better image quality, but it does not negatively impact the lifespan of the screen. On the contrary, optimal settings may even extend the device's lifespan, as they reduce the intensity of the backlight's operation.
“Calibration voids the warranty”: This is a mistaken belief. Calibration merely involves changing settings on the device, without interfering with the physical components of the device. Manufacturers understand that users may want to adjust image parameters to their preferences, and such a change does not affect the warranty. If necessary, factory settings can be easily restored, further confirming that calibration has no impact on warranty conditions.
“Calibration is expensive and not worth it”: Many people believe that professional calibration is a costly investment that does not yield visible results. Although calibration may require a one-time fee, the effects in terms of improved contrast, colour reproduction, and tonal fluidity make it worth considering this option.
Smart Calibration Samsung – Does It Work?
Samsung advertises smart calibration as a way to quickly and effortlessly adjust image parameters. Unfortunately, our tests have shown that the effects of such calibration may be more negative than positive. Maciej discussed this in more detail here:
Professional Calibration – Our Technical Background skalibruj.tv
Calibration of displays is an essential element that allows us to achieve realistic and reliable test results. That is why we have specialists from skalibruj.tv on our team. Thanks to them, our displays are properly tuned, which you can see in the reviews and tests published on our website. Their knowledge and experience enable us to demonstrate how a given screen performs after calibration and what can truly be extracted from it in everyday usage.
By opting for calibration at skalibruj.tv, you have the assurance of a satisfaction guarantee – if you find that the result does not meet your expectations or you are disappointed, the calibration will be removed, and you will not incur any costs.
