Display Calibration

As a business entity or freelance professional working in digital cinema, graphic design, photography, or the medical field, having accurate color is essential.

Most displays do not have any calibration applied and are inaccurate out-of-the-box. Differences in display technology can also result in color variations between devices.

In the following example, actual calibration data was used to simulate what an image would look like when viewed on various displays. It would be difficult to know which “look” was intended by the content creator without calibration. In this case, example “B” is correct and shows what the image actually looks like.

All these factors can lead to issues down-stream, where everyone sees a different image. This becomes a problem for content creators and lab technicians who rely on reference monitors for making important decisions.

Basic Calibration

Computer monitors and laptops using Windows* or Mac operating systems can be calibrated to have an accurate white-point and gamma using a standard ICC Profile. This is applied at the operating system level and ensures consistency across all applications.

Learn how to install ICC Profiles on Windows | Mac.

*When using a multi-display setup on Windows, the screen mode must be set to extended (not duplicated) for the ICC Profiles to load.

Advanced Calibration

External monitors, TVs, and projectors can be calibrated using a full 3D LUT (Look-Up Table), allowing for the most color accuracy possible (within the limits of a target display’s colorspace). Hue and saturation can be balanced in addition to white-point and gamma, which is essential for color-critical work.

The 3D LUT is loaded directly into supported displays, or through a separate LUT Box.

The above calibration data illustrates the differences between a Basic ICC Profile and an Advanced 3D LUT. As can be seen, the Basic profile is able to balance the monitor’s white-point and gamma, but only the Advanced 3D LUT can achieve accuracy across the color spectrum.

On-Site Evaluation

We provide on-site consultations to evaluate your specific calibration needs. Our calibration services are available in the Los Angeles / Orange County area in Southern California, USA.

During the visit, we will generate a pre-calibration report for supported displays, showcasing the device’s current color performance. If a calibration is also ordered and performed during the same visit, the evaluation cost is waived.

Calibration Comparison

Recurring Calibration

With the advent of digital streaming, platforms like Netflix now require their preferred vendors to provide quarterly calibration reports.

As a specialty service, if a device requires frequent re-calibration, we can offer a quarterly checkup (4 times per year) to verify the display’s accuracy and generate a new calibration report. If the colors have shifted significantly, a new calibration is also performed.

Service Orders

For more information and service availability, please contact us.