Can't Calibrate with SMPTE Bars

MH_Stevens wrote on 9/11/2007, 7:51 PM

I can not adjust my monitor to correctly show the SMPTE Bars. I'm using the Dell 24" HD monitor and using the preview window covering one sixth of the screen area and set to preview auto.

Is this the way to do it or does this only work on full screen or external monitor? No matter what I do the whites look all one white and I cannot blend the two black pluge.

Comments

GlennChan wrote on 9/11/2007, 9:43 PM

The levels on the color bars are wrong for calibrating computer monitors.

2- Your Dell monitor probably has a DVI input, which does not need to be calibrated. Other aspects of the monitor can be calibrated (the primaries, transfer function)... though color bars aren't helpful there, and in practice there's no software that will apply a 3-D LUT to do this.

It's easier to get a broadcast monitor.

MH_Stevens wrote on 9/11/2007, 10:38 PM

Thanks Glen - always knowledgeable one, so let me ask the same question regarding OnLocation. In OnLocation (DVRack) there is monitor calibration utility that does use color bars on the laptop field monitor. How is this different from Vegas on a computer screen?

Thanks

GlennChan wrote on 9/11/2007, 11:21 PM

They might be using a version of color bars with 0-255 levels ("computer RGB" in Vegas terminology). Color bars were really intended to line up analog interfaces like composite video feeds, not computer DVI or VGA connections.

farss wrote on 9/12/2007, 12:15 AM

Have you tried calibrating the monitor through the driver?

GenJerDan wrote on 9/12/2007, 1:17 AM

I think DV Rack/OnLocation uses software twiddles to make the computer monitor behave like a production monitor.

craftech wrote on 9/12/2007, 5:08 AM

I wouldn't try to calibrate the LCD monitor with bars at all. Use a DVD like Avia or better yet hook up your camera and aim it at something with a lot of colors in it like a food can or jar, etc under even lighting (incandescent or outdoor light) and do it by eye.

John