Why Calibration?
Over a decade ago, a dedicated group of videophiles headed up by Joseph Kane Jr. and Joel Silver began the imaging Science Foundation (ISF). It was dedicated to educating manufacturers and display technicians as to the benefits of proper calibration of all types of displays, and to establish standards and certifications under the umbrella of which the “perfect picture” could be achieved.
Fast forward to 2007 and the ISF Commercial group is born with the mandate of carrying on the original work of the ISF, but expanding the scope of display calibration to the commercial realm.
It is a fact of life that video display devices never perform at their peak as they are delivered from a manufacturer. For proof of this, go to any big box store and look at all the displays and sit in wonder at the patchwork quilt of images that you encounter. With the digital age upon us with HDTV, high-resolution graphics, and ever-increasing screen sizes along with overall improvements in color, contrast, and picture performance, it is more important than ever to deliver the highest quality images possible, hence the need for calibration versus mere adjustments.
The issue of calibration goes beyond adjusting some settings on a display. Each display type has it own “personality” and responds to inputs and environments in different ways. Understanding the nuances of each technology and how to address them to provide the “perfect picture” is a must. The bottom line is that one size does not fit all. Don Stewart of Stewart Filmscreen fame preaches the gospel of dynamic range in a picture. Do not bother looking for this as specification because it is not a single issue but rather a combination of the blending together of art and science in a picture to maximize the impact of images on screen. This blending of settings cannot be done in a vacuum, but must be done in the environment in which the display and images will live.
According to Don and most display experts, there are as many types of display calibrations as there are applications. Where the film industry has done their best to standardize on the projector, the film (or more recently the digital signal), and the environment to set a uniform standard, the commercial AV world is fraught with inconsistencies and nuances that must be accounted for in display calibration.
The mandate of ISF Commercial is to understand each technology and the key elements that can be adjusted in concert with one another and the environment in which they exist. By adopting calibration standards and understanding the methodologies involved in the calibration process, we can address an infinite number of applications and never have the need to settle for the mediocre. By certifying that these standards and methodologies are understood, we will introduce a group of individuals dedicated to creating the “perfect picture,” paying homage to the work of Joseph Kane Jr. and Joel Silver over a decade ago.
What is Calibration?
Each display manufacturer will have differing levels of calibration capability from the end user perspective. ISF Commercial is dedicated to working with display manufacturers to ensure that their products are “Engineered for Calibration” and provide the maximum degree of control over each critical element. Finally, the application and environment
must be taken into consideration.
Many physical factors are important such as visual acuity, ambient light, reflected light, and off-axis viewing, to name a few. Calibration is simply the last task that must be undertaken to ensure that the display system is optimized for the intended purpose.
Once again, one size does not fit all.
