To measure and calibrate monitors, we use an i1Pro spectrophotometer and version 5.1.2 of SpectraCal’s CalMAN software.

For patterns, we employ an AccuPel DVG-5000 video signal generator. This approach removes video cards and drivers from the signal chain, allowing the display to receive true reference patterns. Connections are made via HDMI.

The AccuPel DVG-5000 is capable of generating all types of video signals at any resolution and refresh rate up to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz. It can also display motion patterns to evaluate a monitor's video processing capabilities, with 3D patterns available in every format. This allows us to measure color and grayscale performance, crosstalk, and ghosting in 3D content via the 3D glasses.
The i1Pro is placed at the center of the screen (unless we’re measuring uniformity) and sealed against it to block out any ambient light. The Accupel pattern generator (bottom left) is controlled via USB by CalMAN, which is running on the Dell XPS laptop on the right.
Our version of CalMAN Ultimate allows me to design all of the screens and workflows to best suit the purpose at hand. To that end, we’ve created a display review workflow from scratch. This way, we can be sure and collect all the necessary data with a concise and efficient set of measurements.
The charts show us the RGB levels, gamma response, and Delta E error for every brightness point from zero to 100 percent. The table shows us the raw data for each measurement. And the area in the upper-left tells us luminance, average gamma, Delta E, and contrast ratio. The individual charts can be copied to the Windows clipboard to easily create graphics for our reviews.
Every primary and secondary color is measured at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent saturation. The color saturation level is simply the distance from the white point on the CIE chart. You can see the targets moving out from white in a straight line. The further a point is from center, the greater the saturation until you hit 100 percent at the edge of the gamut triangle. This shows us the display’s response at a cross-section of color points. Many monitors score well when only the 100 percent saturations are measured. Hitting the targets at the lower saturations is more difficult, and factors into our average Delta E value (which explains why our Delta E values are sometimes higher than those reported by other publications).
- Dell UP3214Q 31.5” UHD Monitor, The Ultimate Pro Tool?
- Packaging, Physical Layout, And Accessories
- OSD Setup And Calibration Of The Dell UP3214Q
- Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test
- Results: Brightness And Contrast
- Results: Grayscale Tracking And Gamma Response
- Results: Color Gamut And Performance
- Results: Viewing Angles And Uniformity
- Results: Pixel Response And Input Lag
- Dell UP3214Q, Accuracy Beyond Compare
Create a new thread in the UK Article comments forum about this subject
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0 Hidegazza2418 , 7 March 2014 13:51Great article I would like to know which graphics cards I should buy to use the monitor to i's full extent.
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0 HideDandalf , 7 March 2014 16:56I think that was covered in the Gaming At 3840x2160: Is Your PC Ready For A 4K Display? article, gazza.I am getting quite impatient for my OLED 4k screen. I just hope when the gaming screens appear, they're not all huge like these ones, because it lowers the PPI right down to what it was before anyway.
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0 Hidej0ndafr3ak , 9 March 2014 06:42wow, a 2500 euro monitor.. that's a rip-off for now.. you have to add 1000 more euros to have a rig capable of handling all those pixels... hey, don't misunderstand me, I'm open to generous gifts


