Video calibration

[DHoude]

How do the pro VJs do video calibration? I come from home theaters where this is an all too common task during setup. But is this job handled at the display level before VJs get there or is this part of the average VJ's setup?

If this is common, do you recommend 6500k and 2.2 gama? Or is there a better target number for this type of environment?

I have been toying with getting a Calman setup but I just can't justify $1k to do just my 2 home theater TVs and projector. Mostly because I am not even working as a VJ yet (still looking if you have any good leads.). But I would be saving for any displays calibrated after that because professional calibration is normally about $350 per display device. This is something I have done for a very long time with HCFR and Spyder2/4 probes (not ideal I know). My TVs have adjustable RGB sliders without going into the service menu so this will be possible when I decide take it on myself.

[Oaktown]

If this is common, do you recommend 6500k and 2.2 gama? Or is there a better target number for this type of environment?

I don't VJ but I'm pretty sure that some of what I do in is pretty comparable in its nature. That being said, I'll be very interested to hear what other people do.

I don't use any calibrating devices at all so all my setups are done by naked eye only.

As far as I am concerned it's all about getting the image on the screen(s) to look as close to the original content as possible with stage lighting and atmospheric. This has become much easier as projectors have become brighter and have better colors and blacks and these days, it's not uncommon to hear clients marveling at how good the picture looks on the big screens.

For me, the main challenge is to match blended projectors to make it look as if there is only one projectors so first I have to make all projectors look identical in perceived colors (hardware settings as much as possible) then work with on the blends to get the illusion of continuity (software settings).

The second challenge is when you have TVs that are seen at the same time as projected images (especially with the same content). It is really difficult to get matching colors/contrast between TVs and projectors so this is definitely something that needs to be taken in consideration when you plan the job and the end results will typically be closely related to how much money your client can invest in the project which will drive what type of equipment you can use (laser, LCD, DLP). As a note, I personally still use mostly new LCD projectors for a lot of my midrange projects because of colors and contrast.

[DHoude]

Awesome, thank you for the advice. You seem to have a range of shows and I was hoping you would be one of many people I hoped would respond. I definitely can see that target numbers are probably less important than make it look right under existing conditions.

I had considered mixed displays of Projectors and Direct view. I am actually testing that now with my current gear to see if I can get them to match and having some success. I am only just now playing with my first projector (Epson EX9200). It is cheap at about $800, but that is all I am will to trow at that for a learning experience.

Some kind of Calibration solution I could get more use out of it because I have a very high end home theater already. I am aware of needing a good unbias test pattern source like Accupel, Video Forge, Murideo, Etc (some even with SDI). But I have used a DVD called "Video Essentials" to eyeball settings using their test patterns. Any DVD player or computer is not going to have Lab calibrated test pattern output.

You may find this useful though, Video Essentials now has "DVE UHD ver .9" a USB thumb drive that has 4K & 2160p test patterns on it for $100 (I got 20% off too for signing up for the news letter). Most consumer displays have USB these days, so at that point it is the display rendering the picture. It has been SUPER handy using with HCFR (free open source calibration software). That USB drive turned out to be more useful than I thought it would be and way less than $1500+ for a dedicated pattern generator. Which is as good as it gets for me right now. It might be handy for you as well. You can also copy the patterns and play them from your PC to make sure adjustments don't change too much during that step.

I still would like a better colorimeter than a Spyder 4, but for now I already had the Spyder so that will have to do until I can justify the cost of an actual Spectrophotometer (non Filter based sensor). I guess my question above is trying to justify the purchase, which wouldn't be needed if that is not a typical VJs job.

[DHoude]

So I guess I am the only one that uses test equipment?

I am sure it probably is less important with pro gear but if interested, I am up for sharing what I know.

[4eyes]

So I guess I am the only one that uses test equipment?

Pretty much.

As a VJ I'm personally usually not the one setting up and calibrating projectors or LED walls (I've done that when touring, but everything was calibrated at the shop).

I can eyeball most things with an Imagepro or projector but if something serious needs to be changed it's my job to communicate with the tech about it. I'm pretty happy having my major domain of responsibility end at my laptop and switching gear. I'd rather worry about producing great shows than get caught up in how a screen is color calibrated. I'm not saying it's not important, just that I'm happy to let someone else own the equipment to do it.

My experience in 7 years of doing this full time is that I've never needed to worry about it. When color was off, we sorted it out without test gear. Your personal experience will vary of course!

Cheers

[DHoude]

Nice, thanks for the input. Sounds like chances are that won't be expected of me then. Just trying to go in as prepared as I can!