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Display Calibration in 2019 - Webinar Recording

8/30/2019

Our August webinar was a great success and covered Display Calibration in 2019. A big thank you to host Jason Dustal and special guests Vincent Teoh of HDTV Test, Tyler Pruitt of Portrait Displays and Joel Silver of the Imaging Science Foundation. If you missed the webinar check out what's new in the recording below.

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Understanding EDID Management in Distributed Video Systems

8/29/2019

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For years AV Technology has been plug and play, things just worked....

In today's world of HDMI distribution, things are different. Variables between displays and sources have continued to increase in complexity. Each product has their own detailed specifications that are slightly different than other, similar products. These specifications rely on something called EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). Contained within the EDID information is metadata sending preferred resolution, audio, timing, and a host of other information pertaining to the capabilities of the display.

When a source is connected to the display the EDID information is sent back to the source, which will then generate the correct signal. Most displays have a setting that must be enabled to do HDR formats, these settings can change the EDID information.

EDID Flow

The largest problem in distributed systems is the mismatch of EDIDs from different models and manufacturers. AV manufacturers handle these issues in two different ways, unmanaged and managed. In the example below we compare two matrix switchers, a 4x2 with unmanaged EDIDs and a 4x2 with managed EDIDs.

Unmanaged EDID

Unmanaged switches present no EDID configuration options. It is picked by the switch and presented to sources via the HDMI Input.
An unmanaged switch may only take the lowest common denominator between the two displays (1080p60Hz on both).
Another possibility is that the EDID is read from one output causing an older, legacy display to not display the image.
Sure everything may work, but are you providing the picture the customer pays for?

Managed EDID

Managed switches present EDID configuration options. Most commonly these EDIDs can be configured on each individual input.
Managed switches can contain default EDIDs and may have the capability to copy from the display.
Each source reads an EDID on each input (for this example four individual EDIDs are used). As long as the EDIDs used are not greater than the capabilities of your highest quality display, the image will be shown on the display.

Some displays are picky with their EDIDs and require a signal that meets their specific request for EDID information. This is when an EDID may be required to copy to an input.
While this may mean legacy displays do not provide an image, a scaler can be used to generate the correct image. A good 4K60 4:4:4 matrix switch should include at least one scalable port, like the AC-MX42-AUHD from AVPro Edge.
This provides the quality your customers pay for, and with a scalable port, an all-in-one solution.

Once you have an understanding of managing EDID, that knowledge can be used to tackle all kinds of problems both in the field and in design. From shortening sync times, fixing color space, or just getting the best quality audio and video, EDID management can change the whole system.

AVPro Edge has made a huge leap forward in EDID Management. Using the AC-DA12-AUHD-GEN2, AVPro has created an EDID Compiler mode which uses the video capabilities of a display or projector and combines it with the audio capabilities of an AVR or soundbar. The DA12 also includes a 1080p downscale port allowing support for a legacy AVR. This can bring Dolby Atmos to your home theater while avoiding AVR limitations and shortening sync times. AVPro Edge continues to push the edge of innovation.

This tech tip is written by Sam Metivier (AVPro & Murideo's Tech Team)

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Join Top Calibrators for "Display Calibration in 2019"

8/14/2019

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2018 was a very exciting year for the ISF. With the introduction of high bandwidth 18gbps signals, there was a need to make sense out of what seemed like chaos with HDR, 4k, WGC, EOTF, and more. Simply getting the correct signal to the TV, especially in a distributed video system, was causing confusion and frustration with integrators everywhere. The level 3 class was introduced in 2018 to alleviate the confusion, and now that we are near the end of 2019 HDMI 2.1 is no longer approaching, but is here. There is no end in sight as we will soon see 8k and 10k resolution with frame rates as high as 120hz. Just as things get easier, they get harder.

When I started calibrating, TVs and projectors were nowhere near as advanced as they are today. A TV back would only have a few controls and they were usually buried in the minefield of the service menu. Sometimes the controls worked, and sometimes they didn’t. I just had to do my best with what I had to work with. I still run into these situations sometimes, but luckily it’s not often. The difference today is that our equipment and software are light years better and the calibrator community is as big and as strong as ever.
I want to invite you to join our newest hour long webinar on display calibration in 2019. I'm going to do a quick refresher for those calibrators that may be a little rusty, then I will talk about all the advancements in imaging science, we will also talk about all the mis-information that is out there as well as what the future holds.
One of the most popular videos on our YouTube page is my calibration webinar from last year. But this one will be the most exciting one I’ve done so far. I’ll have 3 special guests on to talk about some of their experiences and what they are looking forward to in 2020 and beyond.

Calibration Expert Guests

Vincent Teoh - HDTV Test

Tyler Pruitt - Portrait Displays

Joel Silver - Imaging Science Foundation

My first guest will be Vincent Teoh from HDTV Test. I first came across Vincent on this YouTube channel. He was reviewing a TV and discussing the calibration process. After watching one of his videos I realized that Vincent was the real deal...not just another quasi TV expert who had a YouTube channel. He knows his stuff, is unbiased, straight to the point, and has a great sense of humor. His channel has been very successful and he contributes a lot to our industry.

My second guest will be Tyler Pruitt from Portrait Displays. For years Tyler has been the face of CalMAN, making videos and doing demos all over the country. His experience and knowledge of displays and standards is second to none. Tyler is going to talk to us about CalMAN and what we are looking forward to in future versions.

My third guest needs no introduction. He is considered the most important people in our industry. He has had such an impact that he was honored to receive the 2018 CEDIA Lifetime Achievement award. Joel Silver, founder of the ISF, has spent decades working with manufacturers and dealers and teaching ISF courses all over the planet. His passion is infectious and I am excited to have him on.

Along with the special guests, I will also touch on what I am seeing with current displays, some tips and tricks, and we will take a sneak peek at the all new Murideo Seven G Video and Audio generator. Stay Tuned! This is not one that you will want to miss!

Want to learn even more?

If you haven’t taken the class before, there is not a better time than now. During the ISF class we spend 3 full days covering everything related to electronic imaging and the standards that hold everything together. This includes hands on activities such as fiber termination, front panel TV controls, and manual and automated calibration of the grayscale and color gamut on the displays that we have in class. EDID management and HDCP compliance cause headaches everyday. We will show you how to use the necessary tools to keep track of and manage these things. Not only will you come out of class with a solid foundation of video signals and a new skill, but also CEDIA and AVIXA credits. If you take and pass the ISF exam you will be listed on the ISF site as a certified dealer so potential customers can easily find you.

We see a wide range of students come through the ISF class. Seats have been filled by not only A/V integrators, but also cinematographers, post production editors and colorists, broadcast engineers, medical professionals, even home theater enthusiasts looking to learn. Continuing education in our industry is a MUST, and we invite you to class even if you have taken the course before.

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Display Calibration in 2019 - Webinar Recording

Understanding EDID Management in Distributed Video Systems

EDID Flow

Unmanaged EDID

Managed EDID

Join Top Calibrators for "Display Calibration in 2019"

Calibration Expert Guests

Want to learn even more?

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