Calibrating a Monitor with Black Level Setting

[tthaley]

How does one calibrate a monitor with a black level setting? What is the proper black level setting?

On my older monitor I did not have this ability. I would set the color temperature and then use my calibrator to set brightness and complete the calibration at a constant contrast. But now I can set brightness and black point independently, thus I can change contrast. My calibrator (Spyder4 Elite) does not check for contrast, so I can make two separate calibrations with different contrast.

Is there a standard contrast that I should aim for? I feel like contrast should be calibrated. Does it really matter, given the nature of color managed software?

[Manfred M]

I can't say how the Spyder software works, but with my rather ancient xRite i1, I have to set the screen to both the lowest contrast and brightness levels before I start the profiling process. This sets the black levels to as low as they go.

Doesn't your user's manual give you that information?

[Simon Garrett]

On all three sets of software I use the normal black point is either "minimum" or "automatic" or "as measured" - rather than a set value. That is, ColorNavigator for my Eizo monitor, iProfiler for my HP monitor and I also use Argyll. I've never investigated further.

What is the benefit of setting a specific black point?

[xpatUSA]

What is the benefit of setting a specific black point?

While the question seems aimed more at Tom than me, it made me realize how little I know about black points or levels. Some research found this excellent article (to me) which helped me a lot.

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/h...l#.VKrBU8lLr1k

Based on which, I continue to prefer my monitor to show RGB 0,0,0 as pure black as far as it can manage. Not saying that's right, it's just my preference.

A rather more technical site here:

http://www.thetonesystem.com/overview.html
.

[Andrew1]

I use this http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

As for how, you'll need your monitors manual.

[Simon Garrett]

Thanks Ted. On a quick look, both references seemed more to do with establishing the black point of images rather than a monitor, but I'll go through more carefully later when I've more time.

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Ted. On a quick look, both references seemed more to do with establishing the black point of images rather than a monitor, but I'll go through more carefully later when I've more time.

Yes, quite right, Simon. It was certainly OT but I posted it for interest after discovering that my habit of messing with levels, based purely on the look of the histogram, is not particularly elegant.

When I first joined CiC, I already knew everything; threads like these are reducing that amount daily

[Simon Garrett]

Yes, quite right, Simon. It was certainly OT but I posted it for interest after discovering that my habit of messing with levels, based purely on the look of the histogram, is not particularly elegant.

Very good point, I'll certainly go over them again.

When I first joined CiC, I already knew everything; threads like these are reducing that amount daily

Yes, me too I'm afraid!

[ajohnw]

I've been able to effectively set a black point on my monitor for some time. I decided to not do it as black tones on my monitor wouldn't look the same on other peoples. Panel type monitor need a count of few bits up from the 0,0,0 black to overcome the backlight so I just leave that aspect alone.

Last time I also calibrated to around 100 cd/m^2 but from looking at lots of shots in the competitions on here I'm concluding from the monthlies in particular i should stick with the usual 120.

I often wonder about monitor settings. Of late manufacturers are setting very high brightness levels by default. 300 odd. I've no idea if people who don't calibrate turn them down or what. They do this to make the contrast ratio a bit better, the usual numbers game. TV's too as well. I recently bought a Sony. Best back light setting seems to be off - makes me wonder why I can see anything at all. No doubt as it came it had a wonderful dynamic range but bright whites were totally blown out. All these high brightness levels do is slightly increase the dynamic range and push the actual light levels of 0,0,0 black up to higher levels To me it would make sense to set the backlight level up according to ambient light levels. Some calibrators will do that. Then everybody should see the same thing - if they are using a calibrated monitor.


John
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