Out with the previous and in with the brand new. On our unending quest to deliver you essentially the most in-depth and correct critiques, KitGuru is updating our monitor check methodology with Portrait Display’s Calman Ultimate software program. This permits us to check with far better precision and element than ever earlier than, so learn on to learn how our monitor critiques can be altering…
For a number of years now, KitGuru has been utilizing Datacolor SpyderX colorimeter items, and the included Spyder software program suite, to conduct our testing for monitor critiques. While nonetheless a helpful and reasonably priced software, we now have been trying to step issues up in a approach that neither the Spyder software program nor {hardware} would enable. Enter Portrait Displays, who kindly supplied us with a license for Calman Ultimate, software program chances are you’ll be acquainted with from the likes of TFTCentral and Hardware Unboxed.
We’ve additionally improved our {hardware} because of the X-Rite i1 Display Pro Plus colorimeter, now often called the Calibrite Display Plus. This provides considerably higher low-light accuracy than the Spyder, which in flip improves report distinction ratios, whereas it might probably measure brighter shows too – as much as 2000 nits, which is important for correct testing of HDR displays. Not solely that, but it surely works with OLED displays too, one thing the SpyderX and even Spyder X2 items nonetheless do not formally assist.
Below we define the brand new areas of our testing, with a short rationalization of what the info means and the kind of outcomes we’re in search of.
SDR
First is brightness and distinction. We will measure 5 units of information per monitor, reporting white luminance, black luminance and the corresponding distinction ratio from every monitor, with the brightness set at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. This permits us to see the vary of brightness on provide from every display screen and to make sure that the distinction ratio is constant throughout the vary.
For the primary time, we are actually in a position to current greyscale (or grayscale for these throughout the pond) measurements. This check runs via a complete of 20 shades, from black to white, and measures the white stability relative to the goal – which for our functions can be 6500K/D65, as is normal for displays.
This check provides a deltaE (particularly dE 2000) outcome to every shade, the decrease being the higher. In the instance above we see glorious outcomes with a median dE2000 of simply 1.1, although outcomes for each shade examined are additionally proven.
Alongside that a part of the outcomes, we discover a good visualisation of the RGB stability throughout the vary, with a median CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) introduced, with 6500K being the goal. Lastly, a gamma curve can be generated, alongside a median gamma outcome, the place 2.2 is the perfect.
Gamut relative to sRGB
With Calman Ultimate, we even have the flexibility for extra superior gamut testing. By default, we can be concentrating on the sRGB gamut which most displays ought to be capable to cowl totally…
Gamut relative to DCI-P3
However, many large gamut displays now prolong far past the sRGB color house, so with Calman we’re in a position to measure gamut relative to a far better variety of different colourspaces, reminiscent of DCI-P3 (as above) and Adobe RGB or Rec. 2020.
ColorChecker accuracy relative to sRGB
The identical additionally goes for our new color accuracy assessments, utilizing Calman’s ColorChecker software. This measures a complete of 49 completely different color patches and determines the accuracy of every, through a deltaE (dE2000) determine, and a median outcome can be supplied. As a information, Calman suggests something beneath 1 is superb, a outcome between 1-3 signifies some deviation, however above that could be a poor outcome. By default, that is all finished relative to the sRGB house…
ColorChecker accuracy relative to DCI-P3
But we are able to additionally present color accuracy relative to different colourspaces, as with the DCI-P3 outcomes proven above. Wide gamut displays will are inclined to ship extra correct outcomes right here than when proven relative to sRGB, because of the colors extending past the sRGB house.
HDR
For the primary time in our monitor critiques, we even have the flexibility to correctly check a display screen’s HDR capabilities. This consists of assessments just like those proven above – together with greyscale, gamut and color accuracy, although with some slight variations.
Critically, Calman provides a really useful check for luminance too, the place it runs via 8 completely different window (APL) sizes and measures the show’s brightness at each (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% APLs). This is essential for HDR testing, significantly OLED and mini-LED screens which can possible dim because the window dimension will increase. Now we are able to check this exactly to see how behaviour adjustments relying on the window dimension.
All in all, our testing is about to enhance considerably as we head into 2024. If you could have any questions or options, please do not hesitate to go away a remark.
Thanks to Portrait Displays for offering us with a Calman Ultimate license. You can learn extra on their web site HERE. Special thanks additionally to Simon Baker from TFTCentral who kindly supplied help with getting this new testing suite setup. You can discover Simon’s glorious critiques at TFTCentral HERE.
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KitGuru says: We sit up for presenting our first monitor assessment with the revamped methodology!
