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Calibration! by Scott < Previous Article

Calibration!
Contributed by: Scott

Average Rating : 4.2222/5.00

Published on: 06/23/2005 Views: 9208

Calibrate That Monitor!

With every monitor being different, user awareness being at different levels and images created in a variety of software, it's imperative that your monitor be set as accurately as possible. Monitors are rarely set correctly out of the box, so to speak. Many images on web pages can look drastically different on incorrectly adjusted monitors. Areas of detail or highlight may not show up at all. Colors can display completely different than intended. This can especially be true if you create images on a PC and then view them on a Mac or vice versa.

Changing your monitor settings depends greatly on your monitor itself. If you're unsure how to adjust it's settings, check the owner manual or the manufacturer's web site for instructions. Most older monitors will use external adjustment controls. Modern monitors will generally use a combination of external controls or operating system software controls.

Setting the Gamma

Look at this image:

You should be able to discern at least eleven shades of grey with a properly adjusted monitor.

To adjust your monitor, first change the contrast to get good separation between the two darkest blocks on the left. You should see clear definition between them.

Next adjust the white and create separation between the two lightest areas on the right by adjusting the brightness of your monitor.

Lastly, look at the grey and white areas for any color cast. The greys and whites should all appear as neutral, no one color should appear prominent. If you see a tint of a color then you should adjust the overall RGB settings of your monitor. Refer to the owners manual for your monitor for these steps. Be aware that monitors can occasionally have a slight red cast until they have sufficiently warmed up. So run this test after your monitor has been on at least 30 minutes.

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1. Calibration!

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