The color accuracy of the monitor is directly dependent on the quality and type of the matrix, as well as on the brightness, contrast, and temperature settings. When purchasing a device, consumers are guided by various parameters, and not always among them is the correct display of colors. However, manufacturers also do not pay enough attention to adjusting the image, filling products with a mass of additional buns, which are often of little use, but increase the cost of the product. At the same time, for many users whose activity is connected with the necessity of obtaining a high-quality image, this parameter is of paramount importance. The best color rendition among TFT LCD panels is characterized by IPS-matrices that have good static contrast and hues accuracy, but the cost of such monitors today is quite high, and the consumer has to take this factor into account. The severity of the requirements for the purchase and the appropriateness of overpayment usually depends on the type of activity of the user.
TOP programs for monitor calibration.
Calibration: who needs it and why
Professional photographers, graphic designers and other image specialists need the correct color rendition of the monitor. In part, the calibration will help solve the problem, allowing you to adjust the settings for colors and shades, bringing the display on the screen closer to actual reproduction during printing. The expediency of the procedure depends on the tasks and capabilities of the device. For example, displays with TN matrices that differ in cheapness are absolutely not applicable for professional work with color and photographs. Calibrate the monitor at least a hundred times, the effect will be insignificant, so for the realization of artistic intentions it is important not only to squeeze the maximum possibilities out of the device, but also to check it for compliance with the requirements.
Many users, even those who are not involved in professional work with images, think about the need for calibration, if the wrong color rendition is visually noticeable and makes hanging out at the computer uncomfortable for the eyes, this is especially true after several years of using the device, which is associated with the deterioration of the matrix. Also, the procedure will help to improve the color reproduction of the monitor with the average initial settings, although often the results are not very visually different from the factory settings.
Some settings are available to the user through the use of standard tools of the operating system, but to achieve perfection in this difficult task, as close as possible to match the image on the monitor and output when printing, it is possible with the help of programs and special equipment. A hardware calibrator connected to a computer for calibration and profiling has a rather high cost. Its use is advisable in some cases where professional adjustment of color rendition is necessary with the correct construction of curves that bring them closer to the standard, but often you can also do with special software that allows you to change the necessary parameters. You can also perform the correction settings through the video card driver, this method is applicable for a laptop, because in this case it is possible to affect the color rendition only programmatically.
Calibration is performed:
- Means of the operating system;
- Monitor calibration software;
- With the help of software integrated into the video card driver;
- Using a special instrument calibrator (spectrophotometer or colorimeter).
Despite the fact that using programs to achieve the ideal result, as with automatic calibration with the device, it will not succeed, yet professional software is able to bring color rendition closer to natural, eliminating obvious drawbacks. Working with programs, all measurements will have to be carried out, which is called “by eye”, which is why this method of calibration will not be as efficient as possible. Due to the natural features of the structure of the human eye, and specifically to adapt to different lighting conditions, it is impossible to make perfectly precise settings using the visual organ as an indicator. The fact that vision adjusts to any color temperature value (not to mention even the differences in the perception of colors and shades by each person), contradicts the possibility of finding the optimal display balance, including the proportions of contrast, the change of which can lead to color distortions.
Nevertheless, the use of good software in conjunction with the rules of preparation and carrying out the calibration process can be quite pleasing to the results, in any case, the effect will be noticeable with visible distortions at the time of planning the procedure. At the same time, we should not forget that the independent introduction of changes in the parameters may lead to a deterioration in the image quality, therefore, if there is no confidence in the correct implementation of the plan, it is better to entrust the matter to professionals. Before starting the calibration, the monitor should work for about half an hour to ensure that the operating temperature is reached, which directly affects the color rendition.
Top Calibration Software
Regardless of the selected software, the main condition for successful calibration is the lighting in which the computer is located. Before embarking on a process, it is important to assess the need for its implementation. If you really want to calibrate the monitor, adjusting it to your tasks and preferences, for which, for reasons of convenience or economy, you will use the method of programmatically changing the parameters in the home, it would not be superfluous to ask what programs for this purpose are considered to be the best. If there are several programs on the computer, in order to avoid their conflict at the time of setting up the monitor, you should make sure to start only one.
Atrise Software Lutcurve
Perhaps the most popular monitor calibration program that is in demand among users for more than a year. The tool works on all versions of Windows, has a multilingual interface (Russian is present), supports multi-monitor configuration, laptop displays and is highly accurate, which allows you to cope with the task at home without using a calibrator. At the heart of the principle of the program - the sensitivity of sight to shades of gray. When using Lutcurve on IPS or PVA matrices, an impressive effect is achieved, quite good results can be achieved on budgetary TN (when calibrating these monitors, it is undesirable to change the angle of view to achieve a more precise setting).
CLTest
Simple, but quite functional program CLTest - another old-timer on the market for the best software for calibration. The interface is English, but at the same time to understand the software is quite simple. Modesty design does not detract from the multifunctionality of the program CLTest, which is an effective tool for adjusting the monitor. Software support is currently discontinued, but software has not lost its popularity. The program provides improved color rendering, bringing the parameters to the optimal values, provided the procedure is carried out correctly and, as a result, a perfectly calibrated monitor. CLTest loads the resulting profiles when the operating system starts.
Natural color pro
The program for calibrating the monitor and save the parameters to the ICC profiles from the well-known Samsung Corporation. The functionality of Natural Color Pro allows you to adjust the basic parameters: contrast, gamma, brightness, type and intensity of illumination, as well as edit color profiles. The range of options of the program is much narrower than that of the Lutcurve software, but it is quite suitable for user settings. Despite the English-language interface, Natural Color Pro software is not difficult to master by a non-professional user.
Adobe gamma
Software from Adobe developers is designed for color correction with the aim of working in Photoshop. Due to product compatibility, profiles created in Gamma are available in Photoshop's menu, where the user has the ability to switch from one to another. The utility is easy to use and allows you to adjust the color temperature, adjust the display of RGB colors, brightness, contrast proportions. Gamma comes with Photoshop, but you can download it as a standalone software. Often, users adjust the brightness, contrast and gamma settings. Assign a tonal gamma is better in the value of 2.2 (an accepted standard that will be optimal for most monitors).
Despite the fact that the human eye, as a measuring device, is a very dubious tool and it is hardly possible to objectively approach the process of improving color reproduction, the use of modern software tools will remove the imbalance between RGB color channels, improve the ratio of gray shades, and make changes in the brightness of colors with gamma edits. curves.
Calibration is justified in the case of professional activities involving images, where color accuracy is a determining factor in the quality of work performance. Also, the need for the procedure experienced by many gamers. Purchasing a monitor with a high-resolution LUT also provides for calibration, since these features are included. If you are not experiencing global inconvenience, looking at the monitor screen and not dealing with color, then there is no urgent need for the procedure. Do not rely on the effectiveness of the procedure for large-scale color improvement, if you use a device with a TN + Film matrix.
To eliminate discomfort in the presence of excessive brightness or an unnatural hue, the display functionality provides manual adjustment, which in a matter of minutes will allow you to get rid of the problem even in the absence of user skills.