Professional monitor calibration, how to choose a monitor?

Professional monitor calibration
Professional monitor calibration, how to choose a monitor?

Professional monitor calibration is essential for any graphic or photography developer, regardless of the monitor they work with. In order to ensure a natural color spectrum on a computer screen, it is mandatory to calibrate even the newest, most modern and highest quality monitors. However, when choosing a monitor, it is very important to pay attention to certain of its parameters, which we will review here.

Diagonal

Screen size is measured in inches (1 inch = 2.54cm). Currently, the most popular monitors are from 21.5 to 27 inches. Everything is determined by the price - the larger the diagonal of the monitor, the higher its price. However, let's pay attention to the fact that practically always with a larger diagonal there is also a higher resolution, which is of great importance for the quality of the image.

Screen format

The aspect ratio of the screen defines the ratio of the two sides of the screen. Currently, the dominant formats on the market are: 16:9 and 16:10, but the 21:9 format is also gaining more and more popularity. The most interesting thing is that this format becomes one of the most convenient not only for graphic designers, photographers, game lovers, but also for those who program or work a lot with Microsoft Office programs.

Viewing angle

In order for the quality of the image on the screen (brightness and contrast) to remain unchanged, regardless of the angle at which you look at the screen, it is recommended to choose a screen with a horizontal and vertical viewing angle of at least 170/160.

The viewing angle is also greatly influenced by the screen technology itself. IPS/PLS technologies are currently the most popular on the market. IPS screens usually have the widest viewing angles and are perfect for work that requires the most accurate color reproduction. It is the most popular choice among photographers and designers. It is also recommended for representatives of these professions to choose monitors with the largest possible color gamut (sRGB, Adobe RGB, etc.).

Reaction time

Response time is a parameter that determines how long it takes for one pixel to turn on and off (measured in milliseconds). This parameter is usually important when fast-moving objects are displayed on the screen. For those working with professional video and photo processing programs, a monitor response time of at least 5ms is recommended. Shorter response time (2ms) applies to more players.

Brightness

The brightness indicator determines the amount of light emitted by the screen (measurement unit cd/m2 - calendula per square meter). Usually, a monitor with 250cd/m2 is enough to perform most tasks, higher brightness is of course recommended for games and work with graphics (300-400 cd/m2). Professional monitor calibration helps to determine the appropriate intensity of screen illumination and reduced eye fatigue.

Connectors

It is important to mention that the monitor should be combined with the video card of the computer, but it is often advised to change the video card when changing the monitor, especially if the computer is an older model, for example, with only a VGA (or D-SUB) connection. Although there is always an option to purchase an adapter, but thanks to it you will not be able to use DVI's better quality transmitted image. Virtually all monitors currently have DVI (Digital Visualization Interface) sockets, but HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connections are becoming more and more popular. Many other devices can also be connected to this connector: gaming PC, TV set-top box, Blue-ray players, etc. The connector of the future is considered to be DisplayPort, which is designed to receive extremely high-quality and very high-resolution image and sound.

 

In conclusion, it can be said that when choosing a monitor, you must first decide what it will be used for. According to their purpose, monitors can be divided into three separate groups:

  • A gaming monitor. The most important feature is the response time, choose a monitor with a response time of 2ms. For those who like games with good graphics, high static contrast is also important, we recommend 4000:1.
  • A monitor for working with graphics. The main features you need to pay attention to are, of course, contrast and brightness, because the most important thing is a clear, sharp and as accurate as possible image on the monitor. In order to achieve high quality of work, it is advisable to choose a contrast of 4000:1 and a brightness of 300 cd/m2.
  • Universal monitor. For a monitor that is designed for a little bit of everything, high parameters are not important: recommended response time - 5ms, contrast - 1000:1, brightness - 250 cd/m2. Investing in higher parameters of these features is definitely not worth it, it is better to choose a monitor with a larger diagonal and more additional functions.

After determining the purpose of the monitor and taking into account the main features, you will successfully choose a monitor for you and your hobbies or work. However, do not forget that after purchasing a monitor, it still needs to be calibrated, in this case you will not only be able to work professionally, achieve the desired results easier and faster, but also avoid eye fatigue, and a calibrated monitor will serve you longer, so in this case professional monitor calibration It will definitely help you!

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Tips on how to easily calibrate your monitor

Monitor
Tips on how to easily calibrate your monitor

It is important to know that each monitor requires alignment or calibration, so here you will find some tips on how to properly and easily calibrate your monitor. You may wonder, what if the computer works perfectly? You will find everything in detail, why and for whom - in this text.

The essence of alignment is to display the image correctly on any imaging devices and adapt it to see the colors of the press. It is true that printers can also be calibrated, but this topic will be discussed in another article.

Thus, the monitor can be aligned in several ways:

First: Adjustment of parameters after setting temperature 6500K in the monitor.

Second: Visual tuning using special programs such as datacolor spyder, x-rite calibration, DisplayCAL, but for this you need to have a monitor calibrator. The most used calibrators are X-rite and Datacolor Spyder.

Third: After ordering the monitor calibration service www.kalibruok.lt on the page.

The first method of monitor calibration will be discussed in more detail below. Also, this step is usually enough for amateur photographers.

Lighting - it is necessary to provide adequate room lighting. True, the location of the monitor should not be illuminated very brightly. Experts say that it is better not to use incandescent light bulbs for monitor lighting, as they emit yellow light. Therefore, they recommend choosing daylight bulbs that correspond to 5800K or 6500K color temperatures.

Image size and number of colors - on the desktop screen settings window look for: Display properties < Settings (image size is set). For CRT monitors, you can choose any size you want, and for flat LCD monitors, you need to set the basic (matrix) image size, because only in the basic mode, LCD monitors show optimal brightness. By the way, it is important to check the screen refresh rate: Advanced>Monitor>Screen refresh rate. Specialists suggest setting the maximum frequency at which the monitor can display the image. Because your work comfort and eye health depend on the frequency. Did you know that 75 Hz is straining the eyes and 90 Hz is comfortable.

Color temperature - for example, the color temperature value of yellow light is about 5500K, and blue light is about 9300K. A monitor is usually set to a color temperature of 7500K. This light is brighter, brighter, but has a bluish tint, so it is necessary to convert to 6500K.

Brightness and contrast when adjusting the brightness, it is important to remember that the lightest and darkest halftones must be clearly different. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the contrast to the maximum or leave the amount recommended by the manufacturer.

Gamma is the lightness of gray or midtones. However, it is very rare to adjust the gamma on a monitor. Note a few rules. It is usually possible to adjust the gamma with QuickGamma or MCW applications, 2.2 gamma is recommended.

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Monitor Calibration - What is it?

Monitor calibration
Monitor Calibration - What is it?

Professional monitor calibration is designed to ensure that the colors displayed on the monitor are as accurate as possible for print, natural, without distortions and completely coincide with the print colors. Have you heard complaints that the screen displays poorly, that the colors on the screen are too bright, that you cannot see the lighter or darker tones of the color on the screen? Or have you encountered a situation when your photos or pictures look completely different on another monitor? Have you noticed a color mismatch after printing a photo? All this is due to the fact that you are working with uncalibrated monitors - the colors of your monitor simply do not match the natural colors of the press.

Let's compare a professionally calibrated monitor with an uncalibrated one. When working with photography, graphics or design, you need to pay a lot of attention to color. Therefore, when editing photos or graphics using uncalibrated monitors that do not have their own unique color rendering profile, you run the risk of:

  • Instead of quality photo editing, perform photo alignment;
  • See unnatural and distorted colors;
  • After viewing the photos on another monitor, you will see a completely different result than you expected;
  • A number of inconsistencies were also noticed when the photos were printed;
  • Reduce your capabilities, work productivity and level of professionalism;
  • Experience rapid eye fatigue.

Meanwhile, when working with a professionally calibrated monitor:

  • You will only see real colors;
  • The colors of the monitor will match the colors of the print;
  • The colors of the monitor will be accurate and not distorted, so they will not be different on another monitor;
  • You will avoid eye fatigue caused by the unnatural brightness of monitor colors;
  • Due to the optimal contrast and brightness, you will extend the service life of the monitor;
  • You will increase your opportunities, work productivity, professionalism and even quality.

So, is monitor calibration necessary? - it's up to you, but don't forget that in order to become a professional in a certain field, you also need to have professional equipment. Even modern, high-quality uncalibrated monitors do not provide a natural color spectrum, which results in a poor quality printed image. Monitor calibration not only ensures the naturalness of colors and, at the same time, high quality, but also reduces eye fatigue, which is caused by manufacturers' increased unnatural brightness of monitor colors. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the monitor calibration service not only for professionals, but for all users who have to work at the computer for a long time. Optimally coordinated colors will help you avoid eye fatigue.

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Calibration of monitors

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