Almost all users of computer systems in the process of working want to see a clear, rich picture on the screen. Color is one of the components that affects the image to a very high degree, and also does not tire the eyes. But not everyone knows how to properly configure the monitor for the correct color reproduction and check the settings made. Of course, in each case, it all depends on personal preferences, but you can still give some general tips. Consider some basic tools.
Color Adjustment: Related Parameters and Factors
So, the user faced the problem of how to configure the monitor for the correct color rendering and check the settings. What to do first? First you need to clearly understand that adjusting only these parameters may not give much improvement.
The fact is that in this case, the role is played by many related factors. For example, before calibrating the colors, you need to determine the place where the monitor itself is constantly located, what kind of illumination is in this place, whether it changes during the day, whether direct sunlight or electric light falls on the screen, etc. Depending on this, the settings can be completely different.
In addition, it is worth considering that brightness, contrast, color depth, and many other factors have a great influence on color rendering settings. In addition to all this, completely different solutions may have a question about how to configure the monitor for the correct color reproduction on a laptop or perform similar actions on a stationary device or a television panel to which a computer terminal can be connected. More about this later.
Dependence on the type of matrix and graphics adapter
Another catch in deciding how to set up the monitor for the right color rendering is the variety of modern types of matrices. Setting the same parameters on monitors with CRT, TN or IPS matrices is not the same in terms of the received image.
For example, IPS matrices can be easily configured without using software methods, since they are made using such technology that when you look at the screen at an angle, the image remains almost unchanged. But the rest of the screens can give out glare or change colors.
In the same way, screens can be configured differently depending on which video card is installed. Typically, manufacturers supply them with special configuration utilities in a predefined form, so it is better to calibrate the color with their help. In addition, it is such utilities that allow you to change the settings in relation to the normal mode of operation or for passing computer games. As a rule, access to color settings and other parameters is carried out from the menu, called by clicking on the adapter icon in the system tray. And I must say that they can make the installation in automatic mode.
Visual definition of image quality
Finally, before embarking on a direct solution to the question of how to configure the monitor for the correct color rendition (use software or limit the system to means), you need to evaluate how appropriate it is.
The main scourge of all screens is a change in color or contrast when viewed from the side. First you need to move away from the screen a few meters to the side and see how the image changes. Along the way, you should pay attention to the presence of horizontal stripes, alternating in the vertical direction. If they are visible too clearly, you will have to tune the screen refresh rate (you can do this in the adapter properties on the “Monitor” tab). The higher the frequency, the better. As a rule, initially the optimal setting is applied by default, however, a stand-alone computer monitor or laptop screen can support higher parameters. Therefore, you need to test each of them, choosing the appropriate frequency in the drop-down menu.
How to set up a monitor for the right color: stationary devices
Now directly on the setup. As a rule, most modern computer monitors (not laptop screens) are already equipped with their own means for setting the necessary parameters.
To solve the question of how to configure the monitor for the correct color reproduction, in the simplest case, you need to press a special menu button on the front panel or on the side to enter the corresponding menu. When you select the desired section with two buttons, you can adjust all the parameters. But, as already clear, such settings are primitive, and the monitors themselves are clearly limited in their ability to fine-tune all the necessary parameters.
How to properly adjust the color rendering of the monitor using Windows?
Despite the fact that you can access the color settings in Windows systems through personalization or screen settings (both sections can be called up from the right-click menu on the empty space of the “Desktop”), it’s better to use a special calibration tool. The easiest way is to call it through the search bar of the Start menu, where the word "calibration" is written. Also, access to this tool, for example, in Windows 10 can be obtained through the screen settings, where additional settings are selected. You must first set the optimal (recommended) screen resolution or use higher settings, if supported.
Next, you will need to follow the recommendations of the "Wizard", simultaneously changing certain settings. Particular attention should be paid to setting the number of displayed colors and depth. You can not experiment with quantity, but the color depth for displayed graphic objects for almost all modern devices should be set to 32 bits.
Testing and tuning with RealColor
It is believed that one of the most optimal solutions to the problem of how to configure the monitor for the correct color rendering is to use special wallpapers called RealColor, which remotely resemble the settings grid that was previously used on TVs.
You just need to download the wallpaper with a resolution that matches that set on the computer monitor or laptop screen, and then open it in full screen size. Next, you should look at the screen from a normal distance. But it is better to use a special picture, in which, with optimal color settings, a smooth gray gradient should be visible. If stripes are visible or other shades are mixed, then the monitor is not calibrated. A similar result should be observed for images with colored letters and circles on a gray background.
In most cases, the result of your expectations will not live up, so you will have to use special utilities. One could, of course, recommend a special Atrise Lutcurve application, but the program is paid ($ 25), and most users simply cannot afford it.
Image calibration in Adobe Gamma
Thus, if you decide how to configure the monitor for the correct color reproduction using software, you can use Adobe Gamma as a testing utility, however, basically this program is designed to calibrate color when working in Photoshop (so that the image on the screen does not differ from what will be printed).
When launching the application, it is better to select a special "Wizard" (step by step) and create a description of the new profile. Further, as in the case of calibration in Windows, you need to follow the instructions and recommendations, changing the parameters manually.
Set the glow type to HDTV (CCIR 709) or your own, leave a check mark for only one color scheme and determine the so-called color temperature of the white dot (6500K is set for daylight). Next, three bright squares will be shown, from which you will need to choose the most neutral gray. At the last stage, it remains only to set the point display as hardware and save the profile. If you need to make changes, editing the profile or starting a new test can be done from the system tray.
Using online services
In principle, it is possible to evaluate the correctness of the established color rendering parameters using special web services like monteon.ru, however they do not have their own customization tools, but in the test results they provide fairly detailed descriptions of the problems and recommendations for resolving them.
findings
As a conclusion, we can only note that fine-tuning the color reproduction is a rather complicated matter, especially since these parameters depend on a huge number of third-party factors and conditions. Therefore, in different situations, the systems used can be very different from each other.
But many will ask, they say, what to use? In the simplest case, you can limit yourself to Windows tools. Well, in the software plan, it’s better to configure through the utilities that come with the graphics adapters (if any). In most cases, they save the user from changing the settings manually and can optimize all parameters based on the selected operating mode.